Just got back from a winter Mediterranean cruise on MSC Orchestra (older ship, built 2007) and honestly… we had a great time. Balcony cabin, good price, no WiFi, no drink package. Super simple.
We were choosing between MSC and Costa based on itinerary, timing, and budget. After reading all the negative posts about MSC here, I was a bit wary, but I’m really glad we went with it. We saved thousands compared to higher end lines and ended up spending that money on nice hotels and great meals after the cruise instead.
This was only my second cruise. My only comparison is an older Carnival ship, so take that for what it’s worth. But overall, expectations matter. We went in knowing it wouldn’t be luxury, just solid value, and that’s exactly what we got.
The food was fine. Not endless indulgent stuff like some lines, which I actually liked. Between the more limited buffet, healthier options, and all the walking around Europe, I didn’t even gain weight, which is a first for me on vacation.
I also liked how European it felt. Lots of Italian, French, Spanish being spoken onboard, multilingual shows, different vibe than the very American focused cruises. I speak a few languages, so that part was actually fun for me.
Would I recommend it to everyone? Probably not. If you plan to live at the buffet or have kids who won’t sit through long dinners, it might not be ideal. But if you want a reasonably priced cruise, a European atmosphere, and don’t expect luxury, MSC is totally fine.
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