Reviews of MSC Cruises show consistent praise for onboard staff, cabin cleanliness and a wide range of entertainment and dining options. Common criticisms relate to limited seating in bars and lounges, instances of noisy or crowded public areas, and some unclear inclusions in drink or dining packages. A few guests reported communication failures at reception or concerns about hygiene enforcement. If you are planning a cruise, check exact package inclusions (mini‑bar, speciality restaurants), consider where to sit/which areas to expect busy periods, and raise unresolved issues promptly with guest relations.
Examples from available reviews (Sep 2025 – Feb 2026).
Adriatic cruise was fantastic with helpful staff and spotless cabins.
“The Adriatic cruise on MSC Opera was fantastic.”
Ship was noisy with few quiet areas and extra charges required.
“The ship is extremely noisy with no quiet areas to relax”
Insufficient seating in the Vertuosa lounge and infinity entertainment areas.
“insufficient seating in the Vertuosa lounge bar”
Customer service was worse than the previous year and refused to resolve issues.
“reception staff just didn’t want to resolve any issues.”
Most reviewers highlight friendly, attentive crew and daily cabin cleaning. A few report unresolved reception issues, but staff interactions are generally reported as positive.
A small number of reviews note good overall value, while others cite extra charges or package exclusions (mini‑bar, speciality dining) that affected perceived value.
Multiple guests report limited seating in bars/lounges and noisy or crowded public areas; a few praise easy boarding and plentiful activities despite space issues.
Reviewers commonly praise ship cleanliness, cabins, varied food and entertainment. A minority report noisy areas, repetitive menus or disappointing yacht‑club experiences.
Some guests found operational communication lacking—examples include reception not resolving issues, unclear package inclusions and concerns about onboard hygiene enforcement.
Most reviews describe an enjoyable cruise overall, citing staff, cleanliness and itineraries; a minority report significant disappointment or specific service failures.
For each review, the core experience based on original source reviews.
Sources: Trustpilot (60) · Quotes shortened · As of: February 2026
First adult cruise met expectations with great places and good entertainment.
“the entertainment on board was good and food was excellent 👌”
Many problems occurred, including miserable staff, lukewarm food and poor entertainment.
“miserable staff,lukewarm food,low budget entertainment”
Modern cabins, good food and entertainment delivered very good value for money.
“very good value for money”
Great itineraries at affordable prices with good service; will book again.
“Great itineraries for affordable prices”
Most ports of call were disappointing except Lanzarote and Madeira.
“Ports of call except Lanzarote and Madeira were disappointing”
Trusted cruise liner lived up to expectations on this voyage outside Europe.
“it did not disappoint”
MSC World America exceeded expectations with excellent design, food and service.
“MSC World America exceeded our expectations.”
Wonderful cruise with good food, beautiful ship and great entertainment overall.
“Wonderful cruise experience good food, beautiful ship, great entertainment.”
Staff were reportedly disinterested from embarkation through to leaving the ship.
“Staff were disinterested from embarkation to leaving boat.”
Deck 13's large smoking area causes cigarette smell near pool and hot tubs.
“therefore it stinks of cigarette smoke.”
Lovely week cruise with a nice itinerary, good price and impressed first-timer.
“Lovely weeks cruise nice itinerary good price”
Reviewer reports very good staff on board.
“Very good staff”
Booking inclusions disappeared at payment and customer service was unhelpful.
“Be very careful when booking with MSC”
An awesome experience, though slightly below a previous MSC cruise's standard.
“It was an awesome experience”
Immaculate large ship with professional staff, excellent food and brilliant shows.
“All in all a 10 out of 10 holiday.”
Fabulous cruise again; reviewer couldn't fault staff, food or the experience.
“cant fault the staff, food or experiance.”
Booking inclusions disappeared at payment and customer service was unhelpful.
“Be very careful when booking with MSC”
Serious housekeeping and medical issues, alleged onboard illness and poor cleanliness.
“my daughter became unwell during the cruise”
Amazing experience aboard Seaside with exceptionally kind and helpful staff.
“The staff was exceptionally kind and helpful.”
Great from start to finish, though reviewer disliked no acting theatre.
“not to keen on no acting theatre”
Chaotic boarding, overcrowded buffet, untrained staff and insufficient sunbeds reported.
“Buffet was like feeding time at Zoo.”
Cruise met expectations with fantastic dining, varied entertainment and strong recommendation.
“I would highly recommend this ship.”
Poorly organised disembarkation forced long queues for a prepaid excursion.
“we were required to stand in a long line”
First time on World Europa was impressive with clean ship and helpful crew.
“the ship is very well organised and the excursions are great too”
Severe hygiene and food safety failures caused sickness and poor facilities onboard.
“High number of sickness on board due to food and hygiene.”
Misleading customer service information about holds and occupancy waiver caused issues.
“I feel as a customer I was lied to and treated like it didnt matter”
Very poor customer service and delayed refund over 60 days caused frustration.
“Customer service is absolutely horrid!”
Lack of local office communication and broken promises prompted cancellation threat.
“Nobody seems to care about your booking by MSC!”
Rats reportedly in cabin walls, widespread illness and dirty ship claimed.
“MSC seaside ship had RATS crawling in the walls of cabin.”
Amazing time with delicious food, warm service and memorable moments ashore.
“The food was delicious, the service was warm and genuine”
Dining and onboard service were slow, unfriendly, and poorly managed.
“SLOW service, rushed out from 5pm seating despite not receiving dessert.”
Booked experience included long waits, changed dining time, and wrongful charges.
“Don't waste your money.”
Despite a delayed ship, the food and staff were praised.
“the food was great”
Food was bland and repetitive, and persistent upselling spoiled relaxation.
“felt like 'walking wallets.”
Pre-cruise communications were rude and gave inconsistent excursion access.
“the person I tried to talk to was rude.”
Poor food quality caused illness, and staff were often rude or overwhelmed.
“I threw up for two days.”
Customer service refused written explanations and access to senior management.
“They would not give me any of this info in writing?”
Overall experience was terrible with poor cleanliness and sickness onboard.
“I would describe my experience as the cruise from Hell.”
A third-party vendor scammed them and MSC offered no reparation.
“No reparation at all from MSC”
Staff were friendly, hardworking, and provided outstanding service throughout.
“The staff were just great, at all times”
This page combines submitted experiences with public reviews from platforms such as Google, Trustpilot, etc. Recurring points are summarised without changing the content of reviews.
MSC Cruises is a global cruise line within the MSC Group, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The company operates a fleet of contemporary cruise ships offering Mediterranean, Caribbean and worldwide itineraries, multiple dining options including speciality restaurants, onboard entertainment and a range of cabin categories and fare types. Consumers researching MSC Cruises reviews will typically look for information on staff performance, cabin cleanliness, dining and entertainment, pricing and what is included in ticket packages.