MSC SEASCAPE Reviews

Run, Run Away as Fast as You Can

Our experience aboard the MSC Seascape was disappointing enough that I would have a very difficult time ever recommending MSC to anyone.

The overall impression is that MSC has figured out how to move large numbers of people from one port to another, but has not figured out how to make the experience feel genuinely premium, polished, or particularly enjoyable. Considering MSC’s roots in freight and cargo shipping, there were moments when it felt as though the same philosophy had simply been transferred to passengers: load them aboard, move them efficiently, and charge them whenever possible along the way.

The nickel-and-diming is especially frustrating. Onboard prices are already inflated, yet MSC adds a service charge of approximately 18% to many purchases. Even in the Yacht Club, which is promoted as an upscale, more inclusive experience, certain liquors carry an additional upcharge—and then MSC adds a service charge to that upcharge. At some point, “premium experience” begins to feel more like “premium billing.”

The food was another major disappointment. Even in the Yacht Club, where we expected a significantly higher standard, the food was marginal at best. Nothing about the dining experience justified the premium price we paid. The Yacht Club may offer exclusivity, but exclusivity does not automatically equal quality.

The one area where MSC deserves genuine praise is the staff. Our butler and housekeeping services were exceptional. They were professional, attentive, courteous, and consistently excellent. Unfortunately, they were essentially trying to carry an experience that the rest of the ship did not support. Outstanding employees can only compensate for so much.

Cleanliness was also underwhelming. For a ship carrying thousands of passengers in close quarters, we saw surprisingly little emphasis on hand washing or sanitizing. There did not appear to be the same strong encouragement to sanitize before entering dining areas that we have experienced on other cruise lines.

More concerning was observing babies wearing diapers in public swimming pools. That alone was enough to make us reconsider using the pools. Whether this was a matter of policy or enforcement, it certainly did not inspire confidence in the ship’s sanitation standards.

The Yacht Club was supposed to be the saving grace—a quieter, more refined, more inclusive experience. Instead, we found ourselves asking what exactly the premium price was buying us. Better butler service? Absolutely. Better housekeeping? Without question. Better food, fewer irritating charges, or a noticeably higher overall standard? Not in our experience.

MSC Seascape felt less like a premium vacation and more like a highly efficient revenue-generating operation with passengers along for the ride.

Perhaps MSC should consider going back to hauling freight. Based on our experience, they seem to apply much the same philosophy to hauling people.

Our butler and housekeeping staff were wonderful. They deserved five stars.

The rest of the experience did not.

Run, run away as fast as you can.