Another 33 cabins are on offer at this price, just had email from Cruise Nation Friday 29th Jan
19th March, Fly from Manchester, 2 nights accomodation in Barbados (5 night option for extra £100) cruise on
MSC Poesia, Full Board
Looks like they have added a nights accomodation in Milan and flight back to the UK, and have increased price by £50 to cover this, which appears to be good value
Itinerary
19TH MAR 2017
BARBADOS STAY
20TH MAR 2017
BARBADOS STAY
21ST MAR 2017
BRIDGETOWN
DEPART 14:00
22ND MAR 2017
AT SEA
23RD MAR 2017
AT SEA
24TH MAR 2017
AT SEA
25TH MAR 2017
AT SEA
26TH MAR 2017
AT SEA
27TH MAR 2017
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE
ARRIVE 10:00
DEPART 18:00
28TH MAR 2017
FUNCHAL
ARRIVE 10:00
DEPART 18:00
29TH MAR 2017
AT SEA
30TH MAR 2017
CADIZ
ARRIVE 08:00
DEPART 17:00
31ST MAR 2017
AT SEA
1ST APR 2017
MARSEILLE
ARRIVE 10:00
DEPART 18:00
2ND APR 2017
GENOA
ARRIVE 08:00
Top comments
verysleepy
13 Jan 1720#1
Clever fellas these cruise ship operators they let you pay for them to move the ship to the med
Lindanutnut
13 Jan 176#4
I've done this cruise myself, was amazing. MSC is brilliant for entertainment etc. Food is wonderful and lots of activities on board. my advice is give it a go. Thanks op.
kevinyork
14 Jan 174#24
Not been on MSC personally however the ship gets a 50% rating from 411 reviewers on cruisecritic. That's pretty low Reviews
Celebrity Eclipse that sails from the UK in summer gets 82% as a comparison. That's a big difference. Better to rely on the views of hundreds of reviewers than one off subjective views I would say. Have cruised 16 times and from speaking to other passengers that have tried MSC I've yet to meet any who would sail with them again.
Plus as this deal excludes the service charge (£120pp) and return flight the price isn't complete.
Have done a transatlantic repositioning cruise and enjoyed it but you have to enjoy your sunbathing with all those sea days.
gdale1
13 Jan 174#6
Just come back from the cruise from the med to the Caribbean on the msc poesia no complaints at all very good value for money.
All comments (67)
verysleepy
13 Jan 1720#1
Clever fellas these cruise ship operators they let you pay for them to move the ship to the med
eslick to verysleepy
13 Jan 171#19
You forgot to mention the lovely calm Atlantic waves at that time of the year as well.
Ferengi to verysleepy
14 Jan 171#32
Absolutely, which is why re-positioning cruises are much cheaper. Why sail it empty? My parents love these type of cruises as there is only one long-haul flight. The downside being the lack of stops but if it's the ship experience you love more than the visits then well worth it.
cdm22
13 Jan 173#2
...plus a flight home from Genoa to add on too I assume?
Also "Booking fee (£0 - £29) & Baggage charges (£0 - £70) may apply (varies by supplier)."
Chrisandaud
13 Jan 171#3
MSC is not the best cruise line
dalipsinghno1 to Chrisandaud
14 Jan 17#31
Some like it Some don't only once you have been there and done that than you can say that "BTDT"
Sailing in the sea sounds good to me... Thanks OP for sharing.
josephallen to Chrisandaud
14 Jan 17#54
Msc is not the worst cruise line. 4* European style ships.
Lindanutnut
13 Jan 176#4
I've done this cruise myself, was amazing. MSC is brilliant for entertainment etc. Food is wonderful and lots of activities on board. my advice is give it a go. Thanks op.
WillieGophar
13 Jan 173#5
This is a cracking deal for the number of days cruising and included flights.
Yes, flights back from Genoa are extra, but to put this into context, I've just paid £499 for a 7-night cruise from Southampton to Guernsey/Bordeaux/Bilbao/La Coruna on 6th May.
Heat from me!
orinocojazz to WillieGophar
14 Jan 17#29
Which cruise is the 7 night one? if u don't mind me asking
gdale1
13 Jan 174#6
Just come back from the cruise from the med to the Caribbean on the msc poesia no complaints at all very good value for money.
mousey to gdale1
13 Jan 171#8
How was the food and the entertainment? Really interested, have never cruised with MSC, only P&O, Cunard, very interested though! Thanks
pwel
13 Jan 173#7
Even if you try to visit these places backpacking is gonna cost you more...Hot!
candi
13 Jan 171#9
Flight home about £170 plus 1 stop.
The hotel for 2 nights stay doesn't look good.
Shame was interested
GAVINLEWISHUKD to candi
14 Jan 173#30
Or you could stay a day in Genoa and have an extra days holiday and fly back Monday from only £22.
gdale1
13 Jan 172#10
Have only been on 2 cruises both with MSC so can't really compare. Speaking with other passengers MSC is probably not as formal as Cunard etc but I preferred that. Always found something nice to eat buffet style, wide choice of pasta as MSC is Italian owned. All passengers agreed for the price it was very good value.
mousey
13 Jan 171#11
Thank -you for info, was the entertainment any good and service?
gdale1
13 Jan 171#12
For me personally both were excellent and never heard any complaints from other passengers.
brooky
13 Jan 171#13
I might just be being paranoid but the comments on this thread look pretty suspicious! Like those amazon reviews where people have got the product for free.
gdale1 to brooky
13 Jan 173#14
Well all I can say is I'm genuine
mcormack to brooky
14 Jan 17#44
Have you tried medication?
mousey
13 Jan 171#15
Thank-you so much for taking the time to answer my questions, appreciated! Think we might book, seems a good deal! Regards
gdale1
13 Jan 172#16
No problem best advice I could give is if budget allows go for a balcony room.
emmabee123
13 Jan 171#17
Herc
13 Jan 17#18
Isn't there some crazy rules regarding obligatory service charges/ tips on cruise ships I remember reading?
FiveBobBill to Herc
13 Jan 17#20
MSC adds $12 per night per person to your on board bill for 'Gratuities'. If it's included in the cruise price it's usually mentioned, but I don't see it in the blurb here, so it'll be additional. I think you can ask to have these charges removed though whilst on board (never sailed with MSC though so not sure).
marlenepinheiro to Herc
14 Jan 17#35
I've done 4 MSC cruises. Gratuities are mandatory and 9 euros per person per day.
mousey
13 Jan 171#21
Totally agree, thanks again!
jessiechops
13 Jan 17#22
Sailed on Carnival Disney and Msc Divina this past December and would highly recommend Msc obviously not Disney but not Disney price , this is an excellent deal we were in port in St Maarten and the Poesia was there as well ship looked really nice and whilst I can't speak for the ship itself the entertainment on Divina was excellent . I would recommend the prepaid photo package I think it was 39.00 for 10 photos and a DVD ,you will pay well more on the ship and also the pre paid drinks vouchers again this will save money
MR T
14 Jan 17#23
hot from me too!
kevinyork
14 Jan 174#24
Not been on MSC personally however the ship gets a 50% rating from 411 reviewers on cruisecritic. That's pretty low Reviews
Celebrity Eclipse that sails from the UK in summer gets 82% as a comparison. That's a big difference. Better to rely on the views of hundreds of reviewers than one off subjective views I would say. Have cruised 16 times and from speaking to other passengers that have tried MSC I've yet to meet any who would sail with them again.
Plus as this deal excludes the service charge (£120pp) and return flight the price isn't complete.
Have done a transatlantic repositioning cruise and enjoyed it but you have to enjoy your sunbathing with all those sea days.
Resonate
14 Jan 174#25
We go on a fair few cruises (5 in 2016). We have been with MSC 3 times and it's fair to say you get what you pay for. They are cheap for a reason. We have just returned from a 7 night Dubai on one of their bigger ships. Over 4000 Italians pushing, shoving, not holding doors, and generally being rude was not fun. You will meet the most unhappy bunch of staff on any cruise line here and the passengers look just as miserable. On the plus side they have bigger than average staterooms, the best photos packages, the best drink and Internet packages at sea. Restaurant food is poor compared to other lines, buffet good. They do pizza and coffee very well, but they are Italian so they need to get that right :smiley:. Gratuities can be removed from room but look after the few people on board that give you good service, they get paid f all. My advice save your money up, pay the extra and go with Royal Carribean or NCL...
rich6891
14 Jan 172#26
Some seriously poor stops and too many days at sea, hot for somebody but not for me
skdotcom to rich6891
14 Jan 17#42
Exactly what I was thinking.
Spitroast2006
14 Jan 174#27
It's no Boaty McBoatface though is it
thebuzzer
14 Jan 173#28
Another trick from Cruise Nation. The offer advertised says including flights. This is untrue . +£78 Per Person + £24 Per Person + 2.5% Credit card booking.
More sharp practice from Cruise Nation
bojangles
14 Jan 171#33
These are called repositioning cruises.
Always good value if you happy to stay on a boat & not bothered about stopping off at places
jacqui13
14 Jan 17#34
Personally, having done it, it was really enjoyable. Very relaxing, with the option of lots of activities.
marlenepinheiro
14 Jan 17#36
And don't forget the drinks!
gdale1
14 Jan 171#37
Gratuities are not mandatory, yes they are automatically added to your on-board account but if you prefer you can have them removed.
jacqui13
14 Jan 171#38
I have done 2 cruises with MSC & both times have had the gratuities removed and just paid those I thought worthy. No problem.
thebuzzer
14 Jan 17#39
Price raised to £549 plus all added costs on top
WillieGophar
14 Jan 17#40
Hi orinocojazz. It's the Crown Princess (cruise 3712), booked through Broadway Travel. £499pp was for an inside cabin (which the cruise in this post will be) so we upgraded to a balcony which was £699pp.
Prepaid tips are quoted as £75pp (for the week) but I will probably get these removed, as I always tip individually as and when deserved.
Car parking for the week (8 days, actually) right on the dock (so no transfer or long walk) was £92 using a company called CPS (cruiseparking.co.uk).
Post back if you'd like any more info.
ngrant
14 Jan 171#41
Not such a bargain. Prices gave gone up considerably. Doesn't include baggage charge or booking fee (per person) and you have to make your own way to Milan airport!
Joshuwa123
14 Jan 17#43
plumberman01
14 Jan 171#45
this..msc was shocking..Cunard was lovely tho :smiley:
marlenepinheiro
14 Jan 17#46
I had no idea you could do that? How did you do that? You just told them you didn't want to pay? Please help.
gdale1
14 Jan 17#47
Just go to reception desk on the ship and say you would like the gratuities removed from your account.
marlenepinheiro
14 Jan 17#48
:confused: OMG!!! :confused: I can't believe I've done 6 cruises so far (4 MSC, 1 RC and 1 Costa) and didn't know about this :confused:
gdale1
14 Jan 171#49
Not sure about other cruise lines but definitely with MSC
Slothlord108
14 Jan 17#50
had very bad experience with MSC, wrong rooms, wrong luggage at rooms, wrong evening meal times, food options weren't great. I wouldn't go on MSC if they paid me. do the research before you book check trip advisor etc specifically for that ship
Slothlord108 to Slothlord108
14 Jan 17#51
i might have just been unlucky but always best to check the reviews.
sydney871
14 Jan 17#52
It says £549 for me. Can you please post a direct link with £499
bowdiddly
14 Jan 171#53
Looks like they have added a nights accomodation in Milan and flight back to the UK, and have increased price by £50 to cover this, which appears to be good value
disgraceUK
14 Jan 171#55
For me, that's the best bit. The rougher the sea/ocean the better, doesn't affect me at all and gives me more to choose from when everyone else gets seasick :smile:
jkb68
14 Jan 171#56
I clicked on the link and it's a cruise around Tenerife for £689. Nothing about Barbados or the Caribbean
brooky
14 Jan 171#57
No but I'm looking for some for a pain in the neck
scoobydrewuk
14 Jan 17#58
Having been on a MSC cruise in November i would not be FIRST in line to travel again, a theatre show divided into 3 shows means much LESS entertainment, and only by their OWN people NO outside entertainers like MOST other cruise lines do, they allow smoking INDOORS in their casino and Bar, a Library room which is frewquented more by staff meetings than for reading or cards, quiz shows spoken in 5 languages slows it down greatly, and if too windy outdoors, decks are closed and outside by pools are closed and just NOT enough seating indoors the amount of people, no wonder they are HEAVILY discounting, trying to get people on board, FOOD is generally for their Italian customers
plodging to scoobydrewuk
14 Jan 17#59
What sort of price do they sting you for drinks ? Liking a pint or 12 .
Captain Banana
14 Jan 17#60
Sold out at this price. Only outside cabins left at £679 pp.
thebuzzer to Captain Banana
14 Jan 17#62
Tricky company Cruise Nation , be careful
thebuzzer
14 Jan 17#61
Just a different product. Not P and O, Royal, Princess
pepsimax67
14 Jan 171#63
I was on the Fantasia back in August , the first time I had ever been with MSC and I wouldn't go back. I completed the feedback form and told them even if i won 1 of the free cruises I wouldn't take it. I was so disappointed in them. The food was always cold and bland. They didn't ensure the dress standards were followed in the buffet, which meant the passengers didn't use the hand sanitiser and they would come in with bare feet in swim suits oh and 1 girl decided to dry her hair at the table while we were eating. The passengers were rude and would have knocked you down to get to the front of the queue. The staff were very pleasant but were surprised if you said "please" or "thank you" to them as they weren't used to it from the passengers. I would not recommend MSC to anybody.
orinocojazz
14 Jan 171#64
Thank u WillieGophar!
mousey
14 Jan 17#65
Thank you for your open and honest experience... Does not sound like my bag at all... one to miss, me thinks!
plumberman01
16 Jan 17#66
Cruise nation have been amazing. Upfront with whats included and a stupid price..however i would not do an MSC cruise again..loud and rough Pontins on the sea at best...smoking by pools, food was ok. Entertainment was tedious as so many languages and not our taste at all. We had a fab time tho as found a place to enjoy our evenings on deck with a bottle of wine watching the surf..and lovely days in wonderful ports. The ship was clean and staff were polite and kind. If you are on a budget do it. If its a special special occasion Cunard :smiley: to die for lol
Opening post
19th March, Fly from Manchester, 2 nights accomodation in Barbados (5 night option for extra £100) cruise on
MSC Poesia, Full Board
Looks like they have added a nights accomodation in Milan and flight back to the UK, and have increased price by £50 to cover this, which appears to be good value
Itinerary
19TH MAR 2017
BARBADOS STAY
20TH MAR 2017
BARBADOS STAY
21ST MAR 2017
BRIDGETOWN
DEPART 14:00
22ND MAR 2017
AT SEA
23RD MAR 2017
AT SEA
24TH MAR 2017
AT SEA
25TH MAR 2017
AT SEA
26TH MAR 2017
AT SEA
27TH MAR 2017
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE
ARRIVE 10:00
DEPART 18:00
28TH MAR 2017
FUNCHAL
ARRIVE 10:00
DEPART 18:00
29TH MAR 2017
AT SEA
30TH MAR 2017
CADIZ
ARRIVE 08:00
DEPART 17:00
31ST MAR 2017
AT SEA
1ST APR 2017
MARSEILLE
ARRIVE 10:00
DEPART 18:00
2ND APR 2017
GENOA
ARRIVE 08:00
Top comments
Celebrity Eclipse that sails from the UK in summer gets 82% as a comparison. That's a big difference. Better to rely on the views of hundreds of reviewers than one off subjective views I would say. Have cruised 16 times and from speaking to other passengers that have tried MSC I've yet to meet any who would sail with them again.
Plus as this deal excludes the service charge (£120pp) and return flight the price isn't complete.
Have done a transatlantic repositioning cruise and enjoyed it but you have to enjoy your sunbathing with all those sea days.
All comments (67)
Also "Booking fee (£0 - £29) & Baggage charges (£0 - £70) may apply (varies by supplier)."
Some like it Some don't only once you have been there and done that than you can say that "BTDT"
Sailing in the sea sounds good to me... Thanks OP for sharing.
Yes, flights back from Genoa are extra, but to put this into context, I've just paid £499 for a 7-night cruise from Southampton to Guernsey/Bordeaux/Bilbao/La Coruna on 6th May.
Heat from me!
The hotel for 2 nights stay doesn't look good.
Shame was interested
Celebrity Eclipse that sails from the UK in summer gets 82% as a comparison. That's a big difference. Better to rely on the views of hundreds of reviewers than one off subjective views I would say. Have cruised 16 times and from speaking to other passengers that have tried MSC I've yet to meet any who would sail with them again.
Plus as this deal excludes the service charge (£120pp) and return flight the price isn't complete.
Have done a transatlantic repositioning cruise and enjoyed it but you have to enjoy your sunbathing with all those sea days.
More sharp practice from Cruise Nation
Always good value if you happy to stay on a boat & not bothered about stopping off at places
Prepaid tips are quoted as £75pp (for the week) but I will probably get these removed, as I always tip individually as and when deserved.
Car parking for the week (8 days, actually) right on the dock (so no transfer or long walk) was £92 using a company called CPS (cruiseparking.co.uk).
Post back if you'd like any more info.