MSC Preziosa, South America
1
Embarkation in Rio was absolutely appalling, took 5 hours, packed in Check to jowl, no water/juice/ snacks available. Only access to water provided by the port at end immediately prior to boarding.
Service in most cases diabolical (not really staffs fault as under staffed) - some breakfasts over 30 mins before even being offered a juice, some lunches took 1.5 - 2 hours. In most cases the food was inedible beef & lamb so tough, fresh fruit tasteless, melon tasted & had appearance of turnip, Baklava (was insult to Greece/Turkey) one would require a hammer to break into it. I could go on for ever.
Entertainment none existent , no shows only shouty/ screaming singing (if it could be called that).
Purchased a drinks package, which had increased significantly since 2017 with reduction in items included, the ice cream being main exclusion.
We were pleased with the stateroom. Did not book any excursions as too expensive.
The main reason we booked this cruise was for the add on to Machu Picchu which was absolutely marvellous, the fresh fruit & food were to "die" for, also for the 3 Brazilian ports (which we'd never been to) of Buzios, Salvador & Maceio. These were cancelled (possibly due to Brazilian restrictions) & substituted with Lanzarote , Fuerteventura & Gran Canaria. We were not informed of this. There is no ways I would book a cruise to the Canary Islands & if I did certainly not at the price I paid for this cruise. We were late docking to each & every port staying 2 nights in Gran Canaria & missing out Fuerteventura, also missed out Le Havre (Not been there) due to industrial action (not MSC fault).
It was such a pity as the worst overall experience in my life putting me of cruising which I love. We had a fantastic cruise on the Preziosa in 2017 to Europe. There is a held belief that cruises out of S America are understaffed in comparison to Europe. This is the 2nd bad experience I've had with S American cruises however the 1st wasn't nearly as bad as this.
To add insult to injury both my husband & I tested positive within days of our return home.
MSC couldn't care less re complaints & were so dismissive.
Alison
Post Date: 04/08/2022
