We all thought the spaces onboard Splendida were pretty and inviting. The various lounges and other public spaces were all spotlessly clean and each had its own unique character and feel, which we really enjoyed.
We had read that the MSC ships are overly glitzy---but did not feel that way (we DID feel that on the only Carnival sailing we took many years ago). Yes, the main staircases in the central area as well as the one one going into the lobby of the YC are filled with Swarovski Crystals, but that is balanced with less glitz other places and felt lovely but not ostentatious to us.
I epscially like the little Piazza area with a fountain and also the large number and variety of pools (more than I have seen on any other ship). Here are just a few photos (again, I refer you to cruisetricks.de for additional photos of virutally every space: http://www.cruisetricks.de/bilder/msc-splendida/ )
covered pool area--they actually opened and closed the roof several times depending on weather---I have not seen other lines acutally use the feature, though most have it!
one of the outdoor pool areas
little plaza sitting area (cupcakes and other snacks can be purchased here, for much lower prices than the add ons on other lines. Cupcakes were 80 cents.)
Cons about the ship's layout are that the ceilings are lower than on other lines, David at 6'5" was only an inch from hitting his head in most hallways and always felt slightly clausterphobic and the boys tell me there are no urinals in any of the public toilets; they consider this a con as well.Overall we found the ship's design and condition to be a positive experience and a plus for MSC.
The Food:
This is what everyone seems to always want to know, isn't it?
Of course taste is subjective, but we found the food to be overall some of the highest quality we have had cruising. This was the case not only at dinner in the Yacht Club restraunt (where one might expect a higher quality than the rest of the ship, perhaps) but also in the buffet (open to all) and the foods served at lunch in the YC (which, so far as we could tell were the same as some offerings on the buffer, just plated nicely), and also in the specialty restraunt. We've read a lot of complaints about the food in MSC and pondered several times where those were coming from---everyting seemed fresh with quality ingredients, good flavour, nicely presented, etc.The only thing that was not good were the hamburgers--whether from teh buffet or ordered in the YC they were from low quality frozen patties which did not even look appealing, much less taste good.
Furthermore--I have a sweet tooth and yet almost never eat dessert on ships. Line after line after line brings out pretty things which taste like cardboard. Not the case on MSC in which I enjoyed really tastey desserts daily. Mmmmmmm.
The Buffet is open 24 hours serving at least something (at very off hours that seems to mean just pizza) and a good listing of what is available when is in the Daily schedule, which is nice. It is BIG and winds back much further than you expect ,and items tend not to be duplicated on both sides--so if you do not see something you like right away, keep looking. There is a set of tables midway and I think many people thought there were no more offerins--but there was a whole other section behond those as well. Water, coffee and tea were the only drinks available in the buffet during lunch and dinner (we did not go at breakfast time).
Sit Down Meals might be different for those not sailing in the YC. I do know there are fixed dining times for the evening meal outside of hte YC. In the YC, we had the pleasure of showing up whenever we wanted, no reservation needed, and getting right in. THAT was a luxury we thouroughly enjoyed for a cruise--no stress. (oddly, in spite of reading about this, and having it work that way after day 1---6 people asked us to tell them what time we wanted to have dinner within the first half hour we arrived at port---3 butlers, 2 concierges in the YC lobby, and the check in person). We hadn't seen a schedule yet to know when evening shows were to choose and felt very pressured---but once we went to dinner one night it wqas never asked again and it was clear we could go as we pleased.
Dinner in the YC includes a vast array of drinks (with and without alcohol) at no upcharge. There were usually 2 red, 2 white (a dry and a sweet) and a rose on offer every evening and the wine was wonderful----mostly good Italian wines, though the occasional french or German as well. Our water glasses were kept full, etc. I believe that in the main dining rooms NO drinks are included--you must purchase them each (even water--so I have been told). However, drink prices onboard were much better than on most ships we have sailed and all inclusive packages are also significantly cheaper than on Royal and even less than on Princess.
The YC menu was never huge, but even my picky son and picky self found some appetizing things nearly every night. There was one night when even my husband who likes almost everything looked at the menu (always available ahead of time in the YC lounge) and saw nothign he wanted--so we used our free meal as Black card holders (that loyalty match program I mentioned) at the specialty dining venue instead.
All of our dinners were very good. I think it is the only cruise I have been on where none of us ended up with somethign dry or overcooked at any time. Everything was tastey. The one thing missing was a good salad, other than a Ceasar salad, on most nights. I would have liked to have that, but it is clearly not a make it or break it item. I frequently ordered the healthy choice menus with low calorie/lowfat/low sodium and even those were excellent and if no one told you it was healthy, you would not guess.
I should note that no one in the YC was seated with other parties. I do not know if this is ship wide or just Yacht Club. It held tru for lunch as well as dinner (we never had breakfast).
Another big plus about sit down dining on MSC is that you can dine in the sit down venues for lunch every day--not just on sea days like most lines.
Room Service was free in the YC. I believe it does carry a charge in other levels. We had sandwhices for lunch one day and late night Eately brand pizza a few tmies (served from 8 to midnight and quite tastey) and the quality was excellent---again, far better than is typical of other lines.
Specialty Dining: On Splendida this is a Tex Mex place serving some typical tex-mex and also "texas steaks" It was good, with very friendly staff. MUCH better than the pathetic attempt at tex-mex on some RCI ships. Not the best I have ever had (and some of the names are off, the "tacos" are taquitos and the "quesadillas" are cheese empenadas) but still very enjoyable. We had dinner one night and lunch one day (this is also open daily for lunch)--nboth free with our Black Card status (but pricing was OK otherwise). A round of drinks (2 sodas and a margarita) each time came in at around 10€
There is also a menu of burgers, deep fried munchies, etc in the sports bar. Our Black Cards Status did not extend to that venue and the bowling (fun!) made it loud and not relaly somewhere we wanted to sit for a meal, so we never ate there to review it.
(more coming soon, I hope)
--Hadley
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