8-Day Cruise to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico on MSC GRANDIOSA

This is my first time on MSC and it is so far behind all of the other ships in terms of food, service, cleanliness and entertainment. To start, my cabin which was a balcony cabin had disgusting stains on the floor and the couch when I got on. It took multiple times dealing with housekeeping and customer service to get it cleaned up. They charge you for everything, including water and you can only get regular water in the buffet. The food is awful and the buffet hours are erratic. For instance, they close half of the breakfast down at 9am. 9am!? And lunch doesn't start until 12. Of course crap food like burgers and their disgusting pizza as available during off hours but if you want any normal even slightly healthy food good luck. I have a 3 year old and a big reason I chose them is their big promises about a dedicated program for kids ages 3-6 and other age groups. It was a 16 night cruise so having a good program for my son was important to me. From day one they combined 3-6 with 7-11 age groups and just give them video games and TV all day. My son had never seen video games before, he's 3! We don't do screen time and this was a huge disappointment that they don't want to put any effort into actually doing things with kids and just numb them with video games and TV. The final straw was when I had to pick up my son from there crying because they showed a completely not age appropriate movie to a three year old that scared the crap out of him to the point of him crying. My son has never cried from being scared before. This is not what I signed up for at all. The service is very poor at the restaurants and buffet. Overall my experience with MSC has been extremely disappointing and I will not be choosing this line again for future trips and do not recommend it to any families who care about who is taking care of their kids especially young kids and what programming actually goes on in a kids club. Also their gym is TINY and completely unacceptable for a ship this size.

Terrible experience, firstly booked and paid for a drinks package, was not able to use it regardless of countless visits to the reception, it worked on a few occasions, even had drinks package purchased in my cruise card

Terrible food, always cold when it reached the table, was seated at a table of 6 others who I had nothing in common

The shows were of very poor standard and only went for 35 minutes after you had to sit through an introduction in 13 different languages

Marketplace buffet was loud and getting a clean table was a mission, food was mass produced and horrible

No tea or coffee making facilities in the cabin, and limited hanging or drawers

Tiny little balcony, fine if you want to listen to your next door neighbours chatting

Had a 50 minute massage, the therapist probably learned on Utube, the spa facility was ok as was the hairdresser

All in all I will never do another cruise, this one turned me off for life

Mediterranean Cruise departing Barcelona. Check In is from the dark ages. NO electronic information screens. Lounge is full with no beverages. Complementary half cup of water. You are given a card with a number. A faint announcement every 10mins. All the checking in you did at home is out the window as everything is repeated including your photos. MSC do not recognise any person with a hidden disability. The App you use on board is a mystery. Food in any restaurant is average and usually luke food. The Market Place is better but a stampede all of the time. No directional flow control at the numerous buffet counters. The noise everywhere is intense. You will not find a quiet spot to have a peaceful read with the exception of your cabin. The ship is very clean and the staff are pleasant and helpful. Early morning walks on the decks is a great way to chill before the mayhem.