MSC, Sinfonia Review

Overall Rating

Pretty much everything!!

Could do with more information on ports of call and the celebrity spotters in the restaurant, but thats about it!

Sunday 3rd July 2005 - 1 week Mediterranean - Genoa, Naples, Palermo, Tunis, Palma, Barcelona & Marseilles on MSC Sinfonia.

We were met by an MSC representative in arrivals. The transfer from the airport all went smoothly, and we were at the port in Genoa by 2pm. The embarkation process was extremely efficient, and we were on the ship within 15 minutes of arriving. Having said this, there were only about 30 people there - we were later told that those embarking at Naples had a much different experience; taking up to 2 hours but that was due to there being around 300 people.

Ship
The ship itself was absolutely gorgeous. It was spotless and very well presented. There were always people cleaning and tidying up. We were met at the gangplank by a member of staff who showed us to the cabin. I was really impressed by the cabin - good size with a queen bed (could be 2 singles if preferred) and very modern. We had an inside cabin, so there were lots of mirrors to create a sense of space. There was bags of storage - didn't use half of it. Also had a large TV, minibar, safe and telephone. The charges for the bar weren't too bad either. Bathroom was small, but modern, clean and everything you need - the shower was always hot and powerful. The bed was always made in the morning, and then the bed turned down at night and the next day programme was left.

People
With it being an Italian ship, the Brits were in the minority - probably about 50 amongst all the passengers. However, they were really good about seating us together so that there was lots of dinner conversation - I had read on an earlier review that two Brits had been put with other nationalities and no one could understand each other, but this seems to have been ironed out. The staff aboard the ship were fantastic - they all spoke English and couldn't do enough to help - of course, this was reflected at the end of the trip when you tip the staff via envelopes that they leave in the room.

Food
Food was excellent. Breakfast was served in two restaurants - either the posh one downstairs (where you have the evening meal) or the self-service upstairs. I found both lovely with a wide choice of everything you could want. You can also have it delivered to your cabin. Lunch was in La Terrazzia restaurant (upstairs), with different items on offer inside the restaurant or at the outside grill - again, superb food. Afternoon tea was also offered here if you needed it!! Dinner - this was at the Galliano restaurant downstairs and you go to your allocated table. We were lucky enough to have brilliant company. Food was amazing - 7 courses, with even more extensive menus on the two gala nights we had. One word of warning - we were (unlucky) enough to be by the captains table, and they had a habit of inviting Italian "celebrities" aboard to dine with him - this mean a influx of people crowding our table to take their photos which became annoying on the 5th night of doing so, especially as they were Celebes we'd never heard of! Waiters are fantastic and ask about the wine package - you can pay 99 euros for a wine bundle for the week which works out cheaper.

Entertainment
To be honest, there weren't enough hours in the day for us to take much of it in. We were at the later sitting for dinner so by the time we'd used the gym and got ready, we'd missed the show. Not too worried as not really our cup of tea anyway, but I'd heard good things. The live music was entertaining and we spent most of our time in The Manhattan Bar. We used the gym which was good, and had a massage at the health suite - although we thought this was very overpriced.

Excursions
We did two excursions - one in Naples which was to climb Mt Vesuvius. Excellent trip and certainly the highlight of the week but be warned - you need comfy shoes and a good amount of puff!! The bus takes you so far but the last 250 metres you have to walk and it's all uphill! Well worth it though. We also did the Shopping excursion in Tunis as we'd never been to North Africa and didn't know what to expect. This was split into two parts - the first part was to visit a Souk - a Tunisian market. This was good to see but I personally felt that we spent too long there, and at one point you are taken into a room where they show you handmade rugs and carpets. All well and good, but I would have preferred to be outside rather than stuck inside. Also, they don't tell you this in the information so if it's something you feel you'd like to purchase, take some money or credit card with you. The second part was to a traditional Tunisian village called Sid Bou Said and this was lovely - very pretty with shops and stalls, and a look around a very grand Tunisian house. Only complaint was that there were loads of tourist coaches and it was packed. Apart from that, we did our own thing everywhere else. The Excursion Office on the ship has photocopy maps which you can take. The boat pulls right into the centre of all the ports, with the exception of Marseilles. Palermo, Sicily wasn't nice - dirty, smelly, traffic everywhere so I would recommend an organised trip here. Palma and Barcelona, great - easy to walk to and lots of see. Marseilles - to be honest, we didn't bother. It was the last day and we wanted to make the most of sunbathing by the pool and the fact that the ship docks 10km from the town didn't make it attractive, but they do lay on a courtesy bus if you can be bothered.

Transfer Back
Bit of a downside, but we left the ship at 10am and were transported back to Genoa airport, arriving about 12.30 and our flight didn't leave until 6.50pm. We considered going into Milan, but decided that we didn't have enough time. In the end we went to the Information Point at arrivals, and spoke to a really helpful lady. She recommended a restaurant about 7kms away, who would come and pick us up in their courtesy bus, take us there for a meal and then bring us back to the airport for 30 euros (not including lunch). So we put our luggage into left luggage, the chap picked us up in 10 minutes of the information point phoning them, and we spent the afternoon having a superb lunch in a fantastic family run restaurant in a lovely village - they then took us back to the airport about 4pm-ish. It certainly beat sitting in the airport for 6 hours like many others did. The restaurant is called La Pista - just ask at the information point in arrivals, or see their website www.lapistahotel.it.

Think that covers everything, although I'm happy to answer any questions. This was our first cruise and we loved it - the experience was made by the fantastic ship, friendly and helpful staff, great amenities and of course, wonderful food!!!

Members' Comments onCJC's Review

• Searover on 23rd Aug 2005

  Hi, We are Cruising on the Sinfonia on the 4th sept 05 (From the u.k )and were wondering about the formal evenings. Do the men wear DJ's or a Tux and Dickie bow or would a Blazer and Tie be acceptable ? Also how many formal evenings were there please. We are just going for a week.
  We are so looking foreward to the Cruise and I can't seem to find many reviews of the Sinfonia on the web so any info tips etc would be very helpful.
  
  Many thanks in advance.

• CJC on 24th Aug 2005

  Hi Searover
  
  There were two gala nights during the week, although you need to keep an eye on the programme that they leave in your room each night to tellyou when they are - its not obvious! To be honest, there were guys in the full tux, but also ones with just trousers, shirt and tie so its up to you. Same went for the ladies - some were in full cocktail dress, but I opted for trousers and a spangly top. It was all very relaxed and as long as there is an air of smartness, its fine - no one looked out of place whether in full evening dress or not. I think the italian style of cruising is more relaxed and I love it! Please feel free to ask any questions, I'm happy to answer if I can as I couldnt find many reviews so I didnt what to expect, so ask away! Hope you have a great time!

• Searover on 25th Aug 2005

  Hi ! Thank you so much for the quick response!
  Our tickets arrived this morning with all the bumph(sp) that comes with them.
  When we booked we were quaranteed a Cat 3 cabin but on out tickets we now have a Cat 4 cabin (Is that better ?)
  Just a couple of queries if you don't mind. The first one is Tipping. Did you tip "As and when" or did you tip at the end of the Cruise ?
  The second query is How is the food at the Grill? Was there a good variety of dishes such as Steaks Chicken etc ?
  I had to telephone Iglu.com this morning as our Insurance documents havent arrived yet so fingers crossed that they arrive before we go.
  I'm sure that I may think of a few more questions before we go so watch this space !...I hope you don't mind and thanks once again for your help.

• CJC on 25th Aug 2005

  No problem – we rated it so much that I’m happy to answer questions!
  
  Not sure whether a category 4 is better than a category 3, but I’m 99% sure it will be – they wouldn’t have downgraded you and it seems quite common that MSC cruises upgrade people. The cabins were fabulous – far, far better than I expected, and totally 5* (and we were inside, bog standard!)
  
  Tips – you only tip once, at the end of the week. They will leave an envelope in your room on the last night. There are instructions so don’t worry. You literally don’t need cash on the ship – when you embark, you give them a credit card details that they keep, and then give you and/or partner a keycard – this operates the room and is also your payment and ID so you need to carry it AT ALL TIMES!! It gets you off and back on the ship! When you buy drinks etc, you simply hand over your card and they add the amount to your credit card bill, which you get given on the last day (you can also check it as you go along, either at the internet café or at the accounts desk).
  
  Food – food at the grill is great - if you go to the one outside, there isn’t quite as much choice but is different each day – but there was chicken, steak, pork, lamb, sausages, burgers… Also outside is a fresh pasta counter. If you go inside, there is more of a range and you can always take your plate back outside if you want to sit out.
  
  Funnily enough our insurance docs didn’t arrive either, but a quick phonecall and they came through! Just get the policy number over the phone just incase.
  
  Feel free to ask away!
  
  Regards
  Clare

• SeaSalt on 29th Aug 2005

  hi, I am a little confused about the mention of Milan. If you arrived at Genoa Airport with 6 hours to wait where does a Milano restaurant fit in? Please de-confuse me :-).

• CJC on 31st Aug 2005

  sorry - re-reading it, it was a bit confusing! The ship docked at Genoa, but we were flying from Milan so we had a 2 hour transfer to milan airport. However, when we arrived at the airport, it meant that we had 6 hours to wait before our flight back to London, so thats where the restaurant fits in. It meant that we could put our luggage in storage and have a nice few hours in a lovely village restaurant, rather than sitting in a horrible airport cafe for 6 hours! If you're having to wait in Milan for hours like we did, let me know and I'll give you the details of the restaurant and how to get there.

• SeaSalt on 31st Aug 2005

  Hi CJC, thank you. Reason I was curious is I am going on this ship in Dec. and my booking agent (Cruise Control) is very averse to give flight details. They say either Genoa or Milan. If its Milan and you docked at 10:00 and 2 hours travel and 6 hrs wait when did to take off ( and arrive). I need to know this as if too late arrival I will have to book overnight accomodation as I live in Aberdeen. Can you help?

• CJC on 31st Aug 2005

  It was a BA flight, going from Milan at about 6.50pm, and we landed in Heathrow at about 7.50pm so it would depend how quick your connection is. We were with people that were travelling on to Dublin and they were scheduled to get back to Dublin about 11pm. Will look at the flight details tonight. Let me know if there is anything else I can help with.