MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is a cruise line which operates in and around the Mediterranean Sea. Their customer service is excellent, as is their reputation. Mediterranean cruises are spectacular in and of themselves; MSC cruises are simply top-notch.

Being a European-centered cruise line, all prices are in Euros. At the time of this writing, the exchange rate between the Euro and the U.S. Dollar is approximately $1.35 to €1, which, to be safe, should be rounded to 1 Euro = 1.5 USD.

When you board your vessel for one of MSC’s cruises, your check-in will be a breeze. Don’t be surprised if your bags are in your room by the time you get there - the porters and other staff are extremely friendly and efficient. Rooms are generally well-appointed and spacious, but you may have a hard time finding English television offerings.

Payment options are simple: Pay-as-you-go, or simply wait to pay your whole bill at the end of your cruise. If you choose the latter, make sure you have several back-up payment options available to you! You can always check your bill whenever it suits you on your stateroom’s TV.

Prices on incidentals (alcohol, shore excursions, etc.) are reputedly pretty reasonable, with a rum & Coke costing around €7, and a typical shore trip costing around fifty Euros per person for four or five hours.

A typical itinerary will have you cruising around Italy, Greece, France, and Spain. Day trips to places like Rome, Florence, Ibiza, and Nice are a common occurrence, and, on MSC cruises, usually cost around €100 for the day.

Amenities on your MSC cruise include all the trappings (or is it comforts?) of home - internet access, phone service, yoga & spa centers, a casino... and of course a swimming pool! Several, in fact. Basically, when it comes to creature comforts, MSC cruises come with the works. The food, incidentally, will also be excellent - the cruise line itself is an Italian one, so you can expect to find related dishes, but other cuisine is on offer as well.

WIth all this information buzzing around your head, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed. That’s ok, it IS a lot to take in. But it’s important to remember that all cruises (even ones like MSC where everything is made so easy for you, the passenger)take a lot of prior planning. You don’t want paperwork or something like that to spoil your fun, do you? I myself have no patience with such things, which is why when I book my MSC cruises (or any other big travel arrangement), I make my travel agent earn her pay!

A word of caution amidst all the fun: The Mediterranean, in both the east & western regions, has lately been frequented by pirates. This isn’t a wide-spread, commonly occurring problem, but it is something for you and your loved ones to consider.

Outside of this brief cautionary statement, MSC cruises are some of the best memories you can make for yourself and your family - but you’re not the only one reading this article, so hurry up and book your room before it’s gone! Have a great trip!