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MSC Fantasia, Mediterranean

3

MSC Fantasia is a magnificent ship, with plenty of beautiful bars and restaurants to keep most people happy and without making people feel crowded out. The exception to that is the huge theatre; despite its size, it still isn't big enough to hold all on board, and popular shows & events get full up quickly. Our cabin (10199) was generous in size and kept very clean by a personable and attentive steward; it was blighted by a strong smell of drains throughout the week-long cruise, and the only way to get rid of the smell was to open the balcony door. The main problem was MSC's choices of shore excursions which were, frankly, awful. The company had decided that Covid protocols would mean that stringent rules would be applied:- no going ashore independently, only as part of a MSC organised tour, and no leaving the group at any time for souvenir shopping or toilet breaks. The tour guides we encountered had clearly been briefed to adhere rigidly to these restrictions and some enforced them in a rude and authoritarian manner that led to heated exchanges aplenty. The shore excursions were expensive and the descriptions given for passengers' guidance completely dishonest - the tour of Naples, for example, was cited as a short stroll through the ancient port street, and the actuality of was a 2.5 hour forced march on rough and uneven surfaces, often over cobbled streets. Personally, I have one leg amputated below the knee and, had there been an honest appraisal of what to expect, I would have chosen to remain onboard; as it was, the length and difficulty of the excursion rubbed the skin off my residual limb resulting in considerable discomfort and distress. I was physically unable to manage the tour next day in Palma de Mallorca and went to Guest Services to cancel our participation in the Palma tour and was told - very rudely - that I could not cancel without a medical exemption certificate that I could get from the ship's Medical Center once my injury had been "validated" and "verified", further that the certificate would cost me €100 that I could claim off my travel insurance. (With the excess on my policy I would have been still out of pocket, all caused by an outrageously dishonest appraisal.) MSC have lost all face with this particular customer, all due to shocking treatment received; despite the undeniable beauty of the vessel I shall never again board an MSC cruise.

Andrew
Post Date: 31/03/2022
Score
Cruise Overall
3
Ship Overall
4
Dining
5
Service Onboard
5
Accommodation
5
Public Rooms
5
Boarding & Disembarking
3
Excursions
1
Value for Money
3
Review Images
Customer Reviews
Anita wrote a review in Aug, 2021
LÅNGLÄSNING – En oförglömlig resa World Cruise 2020 Allt började vintern 2017, vi hyrde boende i Mexiko och jag såg något om en jorden runt kryssning 2019, har alltid drömt om att få göra en sån. Enda...
LINDA wrote a review in Aug, 2021
The car parking terminal was right on the doorstep of the MSC Virtuosa, so easy to get to the ship. Boarding was easy considering the Covid testing etc, but our luggage was right outside our cabin doo...
ruth wrote a review in Aug, 2021
MSC Yacht club, a ship within a ship what an experience !!!!!!!!! Complete and utter pampering all inclusive except trips. Nothing was too much trouble, food was amazing , delicious and catered for ev...
Francesca wrote a review in Sep, 2021
We boarded this almost new ship at Greenock. The Covid mitigations were carried out smoothly and all vaccination paperwork viewed and lateral flow test done with no problem. It is a very impressive sh...

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