8-Day Caribbean Cruise aboard MSC OPERA

Our cruise on MSC OPERA 25/07 - 04/08. We went on the Mediterranean Cruise from Málaga.

We had a upgrade which was lovely. Every member of staff we came into contact with was friendly and helpful.

Our cleaner was lovely. The restaurant staff were unbelievably helpful Bibi and Alex could not do enough for us. I have an allergy and Bibi was available every meal time to ensure that my meal was safe for me. Can't thank her enough for making meal times enjoyable. It was my partner's birthday while away and Alex and the other waiting staff sang happy birthday and gave him a birthday cake. It made his birthday extra special.

Cruise was spoilt by people leaving towels on sun beds but not using them leaving many people without beds. The theatre has lots of lovely shows but some were spoilt by people standing on the stairs blocking the view of people seated. It would have helped if a member of staff was available once the show started so it didn't happen.

Unfriendly staff (except for cabin cleaning lady), sub-standard food, bad fruits (small variety, over ripe), terrible pizza, no option for poached eggs, warm balcony cabin (with ac on), very unfriendly restaurant staff and especially rude restaurant manager at La Caravelle, Charges for Alcohol on last minute when disembarking, when no alcohol was purchased or consumed (& no way to dispute it) additional (double charges) to account when account was settled and cleared night before before retreating to cabin for night and balance was on zero. Duplicate charges at gift shop and endless unfrirndliness to try to sort it out. Rude exit personnel, no questionaire after cruise. First MSC cruise and probably last one as well. Very disappointing-did not receive confirmation for paid privé lounge booking before arriving before lounge on embarkation day, had to stand in heat and wait for turn to explain to several people that booking was paid, but confirmation never received before start of trip. Did not even reveive a complimentary or promtional sticker or lanyard to very expensive trip

Such a bad experience can't even begin to explain but definatley not up to standard, mini bar not stocked then charged for items not stocked, long queues everywhere, long waiting time for breakfast and lunch set menu, cramped in on dinner sit down, broken door at cabin, toilet not working no service on deck even though upgraded to their so called experience. The staff is very friendly though and try their best on a boat that seems to be under staffed..everything is a wait just ordering a simple drink at a bar is such a frustrating cruise..this is really a poor budget cruise line although 5 nights for 2 people cost r37k excluding the extra expenses on boat..even the cocktails is presented so poorly and no consistency of what glass you get, one cocktail had a piece of pineapple on the other you don't even get a straw need to push through the queues at bar etc to just find a straw..I never complain but this is bad and there is not one guest on the boat that had anything good to say of this particular cruise..its still a nice experience but the frustration is overwhelming on this msc ship that really ate away at our experience...the food was average