MSC Europa Cruise: Practical Tips and Insights

Just disembarked from the MSC Europa! Here's a heartfelt and practical cruise guide for you. This time, we sailed on the ultra-modern and spacious MSC Europa, and the onboard facilities were absolutely amazing. Instead of a day-by-day account, I've compiled a "lazy guide" for those about to set sail.👇 💸 Ticket Price Tips｜Travel Off-Peak for Savings We booked a "2 adults, 2 kids ocean-view balcony room." Initially, the Christmas season price was over €5,000, but by choosing the Easter period, we paid less than €3,000! 📉 Flexibly avoiding peak holiday seasons can save you a lot. 🚖 Transportation to the Ship We boarded in Genoa and recommend taking a taxi directly to the luggage drop-off point. Walking with your luggage can be exhausting (it's really far!). Other ports may differ, but if luggage services are available, don't hesitate to use them. 💎 Benefits of MSC Diamond Card (Match if Possible) 🎁 Complimentary champagne and macarons 🚀 Priority boarding and delayed disembarkation ✔️ Priority reservations at paid restaurants, offering great value ⚠️ Children's Spending Alert! Set Limits on Cards Each passenger receives a room card. If linked to a credit card, remember to set spending limits for children's cards at the front desk. Especially in places like the arcade, a quick swipe can lead to unexpected charges... speaking from experience 😅 📍 Floor Layout Overview • 5F｜Main Restaurant • 6F｜Front Desk and Customer Service • 8F｜Outdoor Deck (perfect for sea views and sunsets) • 9–16F｜Guest Rooms (no 17th floor) • 18–20F｜Buffet, Pool, and Entertainment Facilities 🛗 Elevator System The elevators use an intelligent allocation system where you select your floor outside, and it assigns an elevator. Wait times are generally short, but if you're not in a hurry, taking the stairs is often more convenient. 🌊 Sea Conditions and Sea Day Experience The sea is usually calm, but on "sea days" (days spent entirely at sea), the waves are noticeably stronger. Some performances were canceled due to seasickness among the performers. Even for us, who rarely get seasick, the difference was noticeable. Sensitive individuals should prepare motion sickness patches or medication in advance. 🎭 Must-See Performances! Every evening features shows like Broadway musicals, magic acts, international dance performances, and more. These are must-watch events! (Reservations can be made via onboard screens.) 📶 Internet Purchase Advice We bought high-speed Wi-Fi for two devices, and it worked well. However, with so many onboard activities, you might not even need Wi-Fi. ❌ Smartwatches generally don't connect well; walkie-talkies are a more practical option. 🍽️ Dining Experience｜Tips to Avoid Disappointment Coming from Switzerland, a "food desert," we found the main restaurant and buffet quite good—not as bad as rumored. There's limited Chinese cuisine, but there's a paid Japanese restaurant worth trying. 🍷 We didn't buy a drink package, opting instead to order drinks per meal and occasionally open a bottle of wine. Prices are comparable to land-based restaurants. 🎮 Extra Expenses Are Inevitable... But Still Fun We spent an additional €140 on a game card, and the kids loved the bumper cars and arcade games every day. Ice cream and dessert shops are also extra charges 🍦 🧹 Exceptional Service Although gratuities are included in the ticket price, the main restaurant and room service staff were excellent. We gave them some extra cash to show our appreciation ❤️ Rooms are cleaned daily with great attention to detail. 🎉 In Summary: This Mediterranean Cruise Was Totally Worth It! The Europa's facilities, entertainment, dining, and service were all top-notch. I hope this guide helps you. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment, and I'll do my best to respond 🙋♀️