MSC Cruises, MSC Fantasia, Mediterranean Review

MSC Fantasia is a magnificent ship, with plenty of beautiful bars and restaurants to keep most people happy and without making people feel crowded out. The exception to that is the huge theatre; despite its size, it still isn't big enough to hold all on board, and popular shows & events get full up quickly. Our cabin (10199) was generous in size and kept very clean by a personable and attentive steward; it was blighted by a strong smell of drains throughout the week-long cruise, and the only way to get rid of the smell was to open the balcony door. The main problem was MSC's choices of shore excursions which were, frankly, awful. The company had decided that Covid protocols would mean that stringent rules would be applied:- no going ashore independently, only as part of a MSC organised tour, and no leaving the group at any time for souvenir shopping or toilet breaks. The tour guides we encountered had clearly been briefed to adhere rigidly to these restrictions and some enforced them in a rude and authoritarian manner that led to heated exchanges aplenty. The shore excursions were expensive and the descriptions given for passengers' guidance completely dishonest - the tour of Naples, for example, was cited as a short stroll through the ancient port street, and the actuality of was a 2.5 hour forced march on rough and uneven surfaces, often over cobbled streets. Personally, I have one leg amputated below the knee and, had there been an honest appraisal of what to expect, I would have chosen to remain onboard; as it was, the length and difficulty of the excursion rubbed the skin off my residual limb resulting in considerable discomfort and distress. I was physically unable to manage the tour next day in Palma de Mallorca and went to Guest Services to cancel our participation in the Palma tour and was told - very rudely - that I could not cancel without a medical exemption certificate that I could get from the ship's Medical Center once my injury had been "validated" and "verified", further that the certificate would cost me €100 that I could claim off my travel insurance. (With the excess on my policy I would have been still out of pocket, all caused by an outrageously dishonest appraisal.) MSC have lost all face with this particular customer, all due to shocking treatment received; despite the undeniable beauty of the vessel I shall never again board an MSC cruise.