While we can't live on pizza and gelato, the two best things to be found on Armonia, the food was covered completely on my video shot two years ago. The buffet was embarrassing. The MDR food was average to good, depending on what you ordered. I loved the entertainment, the European vibe of the ship and the people I met. I had a great stateroom, and was served my espresso every morning by the most wonderful server anywhere. Never failed to provide great service everywhere on that ship.
Almost booked a cruise with MSC hoping to save some cash. So glad I watched this first. I’d rather pay more to have a better cruise. Thank you for sharing your experience and posting!
Me too, Dave. I have a feeling they’ll adapt to serve the American market over time, but I don’t think it’s a priority for them ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ glad this was helpful!
I love msc .....I was on this ship....not bad ship but she is oldest ship in the fleet.....the msc seaside was great ship...I book my 4th trip for 2021
I see some others have mentioned this already but knowing my experience on the MSC Seaside I will offer this advice. It seems to me the newer ships . Are much different then this ship it’s one of the oldest in the fleet. I’ve heard from others the food here is particularly not great. But my experience on the Seaside was amazing. My wife hates buffets in everyday life. Refuses to go, told me before we went she didn’t want anything to do with the buffet on board. Well she was shocked at the variety of food and the healthy eating options. Honestly if you couldn’t find something you liked then you maybe a bit to picky. Lol but honestly before you write them off for good try the Seaside, Meraviglia, Divina, or up coming Seashore Newest ship coming in November 2021. Lots more dining options one the new ships as well. I have heard the Armonia is very limited. Well good luck and happy cruising.
I went on this cruise two weeks after you to all the same spots. Going into it we had a feeling it wasn’t gonna be like other cruise lines, but I did have a great time with family and at the ports. I agree with everything you said about the ship from the way it functions to the food.
We heard about the food on MSC. We always use American cruise lines. We hardly every buy dining packages and I’ve found the menu is always good. Short shore times sucks. I also hate how they allow smoking on balconies in the Med. Great vid by the way. :)
Thank you for the review saved me a couple thousand I was interested in this crude because I thought it was a step up from other conpanies turns out I was wrong thank you for saving me the headache
Those port times for Grand Cayman & Ocho Rios were similar to the carnival western cruises I’ve taken. I’d really like to hear what you thought of the buffet. I’ve heard really horrible thing’s about the buffets. Also, I love their commitment to their private island for the long term, but I gotta say it looks terrible, it looks like there’s no shade anywhere and yea, maybe in 10 years it’ll be great , but compared to Half Moon Cay, Coco Cay and all the other private islands I’ve been to it looks like absolute crap, it looks uncomfortable & sparse.
So.. it’s been a while but no one gave you a history lesson on MSC Cruises. It may be a Swiss Cruise Line.. but they have Italian roots.. the cruise brand was started as Lauro Line and their flagship was the famous Achille Lauro. After this ship sunk after a fire they switched their name to MSC Cruises. They didn’t really grow until the purchased the ex European Vision and her sister and they transformed from a company with old liners and cruise ships to the largest privately owned cruise line..
I know that you may or may not cruise again due to the pandemic, but if you do I honestly would book MSC, the newer U.S.-based MSC ships rather than the 1990s ships. Like the Divina or the Seaside. Those tend to get a little better reviews.
We have done 2 Viking river cruises . Both Spoiled us on food & port calls . As i use an Ewheelchair , Viking & Associates were greatly accommodating . MSC sounds Not for me . Thanks .
Do you know how pretty you r ? Seriously I’m not flirting with you or anything 😜, but you r sooo pretty !!! Beautiful skin, infectious laugh and smile, and eyes that glow when you talk about the things you enjoy !!! You are a beautiful woman ( I think inside, but I don’t actually know you hahaha) and out !!!!
I enjoy myself no matter what ;) Rachael and I now reflect that we are especiallu grateful to have had this adventure right before lockdown. And obviously, I enjoyed figuring out what MSC was all about!
MSC allows Smoking on their ships in 2020? That really sucks - major turnoff. I have used Vacations to Go as well and they should disclose this to people. Also having to listen to all the announcements in other languages would be annoying as hell. No way will I book with MSC as long as they do this. Great review, thanks again for sharing!
We heard about the food on MSC. We always use American cruise lines. We hardly every buy dining packages and I’ve found the menu is always good. Short shore times sucks. I also hate how they allow smoking on balconies in the Med. Great vid by the way. :)
While we can't live on pizza and gelato, the two best things to be found on Armonia, the food was covered completely on my video shot two years ago. The buffet was embarrassing. The MDR food was average to good, depending on what you ordered. I loved the entertainment, the European vibe of the ship and the people I met. I had a great stateroom, and was served my espresso every morning by the most wonderful server anywhere. Never failed to provide great service everywhere on that ship.
Almost booked a cruise with MSC hoping to save some cash. So glad I watched this first. I’d rather pay more to have a better cruise. Thank you for sharing your experience and posting!
Me too, Dave. I have a feeling they’ll adapt to serve the American market over time, but I don’t think it’s a priority for them ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ glad this was helpful!
lolol I laughed so hard watching you listen to the multi-language announcement broadcast
I love msc .....I was on this ship....not bad ship but she is oldest ship in the fleet.....the msc seaside was great ship...I book my 4th trip for 2021
Great review & thank you so much for your honesty! I will be forever swayed from cruising w/ MSC!
I see some others have mentioned this already but knowing my experience on the MSC Seaside I will offer this advice. It seems to me the newer ships . Are much different then this ship it’s one of the oldest in the fleet. I’ve heard from others the food here is particularly not great. But my experience on the Seaside was amazing. My wife hates buffets in everyday life. Refuses to go, told me before we went she didn’t want anything to do with the buffet on board. Well she was shocked at the variety of food and the healthy eating options. Honestly if you couldn’t find something you liked then you maybe a bit to picky. Lol but honestly before you write them off for good try the Seaside, Meraviglia, Divina, or up coming Seashore Newest ship coming in November 2021. Lots more dining options one the new ships as well. I have heard the Armonia is very limited. Well good luck and happy cruising.
I went on this cruise two weeks after you to all the same spots. Going into it we had a feeling it wasn’t gonna be like other cruise lines, but I did have a great time with family and at the ports. I agree with everything you said about the ship from the way it functions to the food.
Thanks for your perspective!
We heard about the food on MSC. We always use American cruise lines. We hardly every buy dining packages and I’ve found the menu is always good.
Short shore times sucks. I also hate how they allow smoking on balconies in the Med. Great vid by the way. :)
Thank you for the review saved me a couple thousand I was interested in this crude because I thought it was a step up from other conpanies turns out I was wrong thank you for saving me the headache
You have a fantastic speaking voice!
Those port times for Grand Cayman & Ocho Rios were similar to the carnival western cruises I’ve taken. I’d really like to hear what you thought of the buffet. I’ve heard really horrible thing’s about the buffets. Also, I love their commitment to their private island for the long term, but I gotta say it looks terrible, it looks like there’s no shade anywhere and yea, maybe in 10 years it’ll be great , but compared to Half Moon Cay, Coco Cay and all the other private islands I’ve been to it looks like absolute crap, it looks uncomfortable & sparse.
Try to book a newer ship for the next time... You're going to love them!
You should try the seaside....great ship
So.. it’s been a while but no one gave you a history lesson on MSC Cruises. It may be a Swiss Cruise Line.. but they have Italian roots.. the cruise brand was started as Lauro Line and their flagship was the famous Achille Lauro. After this ship sunk after a fire they switched their name to MSC Cruises. They didn’t really grow until the purchased the ex European Vision and her sister and they transformed from a company with old liners and cruise ships to the largest privately owned cruise line..
I know that you may or may not cruise again due to the pandemic, but if you do I honestly would book MSC, the newer U.S.-based MSC ships rather than the 1990s ships. Like the Divina or the Seaside. Those tend to get a little better reviews.
We have done 2 Viking river cruises . Both Spoiled us on food & port calls . As i use an Ewheelchair , Viking & Associates were greatly accommodating . MSC sounds Not for me . Thanks .
Do you know how pretty you r ? Seriously I’m not flirting with you or anything 😜, but you r sooo pretty !!! Beautiful skin, infectious laugh and smile, and eyes that glow when you talk about the things you enjoy !!! You are a beautiful woman ( I think inside, but I don’t actually know you hahaha) and out !!!!
Did you enjoy the cruise despite the disappointments?
I enjoy myself no matter what ;) Rachael and I now reflect that we are especiallu grateful to have had this adventure right before lockdown. And obviously, I enjoyed figuring out what MSC was all about!
MSC allows Smoking on their ships in 2020? That really sucks - major turnoff. I have used Vacations to Go as well and they should disclose this to people. Also having to listen to all the announcements in other languages would be annoying as hell. No way will I book with MSC as long as they do this. Great review, thanks again for sharing!
Lol welp ill probably be skipping this ship
We heard about the food on MSC. We always use American cruise lines. We hardly every buy dining packages and I’ve found the menu is always good.
Short shore times sucks. I also hate how they allow smoking on balconies in the Med. Great vid by the way. :)