My Experience With MSC Fantasia Cruise Discovering places
MSC Fantasia-Escaping Winter
A thrilling winter sale made it impossible to resist, and we were delighted to receive a free upgrade to a balcony cabin.
Our cruise from Barcelona to Marseille, Genoa, Naples (Pompei), Palermo, and La Goulette in Tunisia.
-Our Cabin
**The embarkation process was a breeze. As long as you stick to your designated embarkation time, you’ll have a smooth start to your journey.
Our cabin on Deck 12, with a spacious balcony, was a superior accommodation that exuded comfort and relaxation. It was generously sized, featuring a bathroom and balcony, a full-size sofa with a small oval table, a desk, a three-door wardrobe, and a safe.
The king-size bed was comfortable. The cabin was in excellent condition and very clean. The bathroom was huge compared to the other rooms we had.
The shower stall was large enough, like a sinking level, so water was on the floor every time we showered. Bath gel and shampoo dispensers were on the wall.
No facecloth was available, so I always brought mine from home.
The cabin was quiet, with no vibrations, and even when the sea was rough, I noticed only the most minimal movement.
-The Buffet
The buffet was a delightful array of dishes, offering a diverse selection. However, it wasn’t enjoyable to find that some dishes were served at suboptimal temperatures.
Sometimes, we couldn’t find a table at a buffet restaurant.
Some people have been starving for months because they used to pile food on their plates and fill their bags. Worse, they left their plates full without finishing the food. What a waste of food.
The servers were often too fast to remove the plates from the table. I had to tell them to leave it a few times; we weren’t finished!
On a brighter note, the dessert selection was a true highlight, with each sweet treat being a delicious end to the meal.
-Excursion:
This cruise was all about the ports. We wanted to visit Pompeii, but the number of visitors allowed at the site was limited, so we took a tour. You stop at a jewelry store on our way with an expensive price tag,
There are so many shore excursion options that if you take all of them, your cruise will become more expensive.
Most ports are located far from the city and offer limited transportation options. They will say the town is 5-10 minutes away, but I’m sorry to say, you cannot walk everywhere.
The only options are walking, taking a taxi, or taking the bus. Some places have many taxi drivers at the ship’s exit.
1-Barcelona, Spain
20 minutes from the cruise
Iconic architecture, colourful culture
Sangria and olives are my favourite.
2- Marseille
To reach the city center takes about 30 minutes.
Marseille is on the spectacular coastline of the French Riviera. The port city is a unique mix of grit and glamour, seen in its labyrinthine streets and historical architecture.
From the old Port, you will find Charismatic cafes and stunning cities.
3-Genoa Italy
Walking from the cruise to the city center takes approximately 15 minutes, providing a convenient location for exploring the city.
Genoa, Italy, is a city that invites you to wander down its winding medieval alleyways and historical Piazza Matteotti and admire its 16-17-century buildings.
4-Palermo Italy
10 minutes from the cruise ship to the city center!! NOPE!!
The Port of Palermo is the regional capital of the island of Sicily.
The cosmopolitan city is known for its heavenly architecture, street food and beautiful beaches.
5-Naples / Pompeii
5 minutes from the cruise
Naples is one of Italy’s oldest jewels. We Visit
Pompei instead.
6-La Goulette, Tunisia.
It was too far, so we took a tour.
-Drinks And Wifi
We opted not to purchase a Wi-Fi and drink package, as we found it pretty expensive.
I use an Airalo SIM card on my phone. The Wi-Fi works well until you’re out of range of the port.
-MSC For Me–Digital daily program
They encourage all guests to support their initiative to reduce printing on board and use their digital channels to plan daily activities.
They recommend their app as a convenient tool for all your information needs, from adding tours to navigating the ship. It’s like having a personal guide in your pocket, tailored to your unique preferences and needs.
There is no wifi, so you can just tap into any digital screen around the ship and see what happens.
It was a nicer cruise ship than the last MSC we took.
**This was a much larger ship than we are used to. **It was a nice ship, but it was too crowded with people, kids, and teens. **
The elevators and the buffet area were always crowded, even at 6.30 am!!
The exit to leave was not so bad; go early, and most people sleep, LOL.
My Pet peeve….
When you book a tour, the price looks good, but upon arrival home, you discover it is actually in Euros. Prices go up!!
**They also fail to inform you that you will receive a $81.00 per-person bill for customer service, an additional expense. ** ** **
Conclusion:
A Fantasia cruise through Tunisia, Italy, and France offers a perfect blend of cultural discovery and a scenic journey, creating unforgettable memories.
With seamless onboard and exciting shore excursions, a Fantasia cruise is an exceptional way to explore these diverse and enchanting destinations
