This is one of the, if not 'the', best large ship of today I have sailed on. Well laid out and IMHO very attractively designed and decorated. OK a few areas are not entirely to my liking, but in the main she is gorgeous. The design of MSC's Fantasia Class funnel sets these ships apart from the rest to start with.

Photos can be viewed from here. If you are really really bored after the New year festivities there are literally thousands of 'other Cruise Ship and Ferry' photos from the trip at the bottom of the page to browse through.

Pam

[ 01-02-2011: Message edited by: PamM ]

Overall I like most of what I see with SPLENDIDA. It's also nice to read some positive comments about the line and the ship. I personally enjoyed my experience on MSC OPERA a great deal, but a good 90% of the comments I read about MSC Cruises are unfortunately negative (not all from Americans either).

It's interesting you like the funnel so much. I find it rather unremarkable. I guess I prefer a nice solid funnel instead of the steel cage variety. SPLENDIDA's funnel reminds me very much of the Princess Cruises funnels. The pool areas are very nice, and also remind me a lot of those on the Princess Grand Class ships.

The atrium is not a favorite. I'm thinking circa 1988 SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS. Not sure about Club 33 and La Piazzetta either. Perhaps La Piazetta is trying a bit too hard, and Club 33 looks like a teen club, not something for adults.

The gym and spa area look fantastic and what great equipment! Love the stairs and foyers too. Very sophisticated looking.

The cabin looks decent although nothing too special. The balcony is a bit narrow. Any pics of the bathroom or is it just the standard fare?

Two questions.
1. How was the entertainment? This was something that I really enjoyed on MSC OPERA. It was quite unique and not the typical cruise ship fare. Very energetic. I forget what they called the entertainment staff, but it was unique in the way Disney calls the staff "Cast Members".

2. How was the security? The reason I ask this is because on MSC OPERA the security were like the Italian Secret Service. They wore these expensive suits all the time (not uniforms) and had ear devices just like I've seen the Secret Service wear. They were very mysterious and handsome, and spent a lot of time in the disco at night. I found it all very entertaining, although perhaps a bit dramatic for a cruise ship.

When I sailed on MSC OPERA I felt like the experience was as close to Sitmar Cruises and Home Lines as you could find today. The Officer's, staff, and crew were almost all Italian. I'm not sure this is the case anymore as I think MSC Cruises recruits a lot of crew from Asia now? Is this true?

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Originally posted by dougnewman:
Aren't the MSC security staff Israeli?

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They might have been. They looked like Italian fashion models though, at least on MSC OPERA.

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Originally posted by Tom Burke:
You'll remember that our own first cruise was 7-nights in the W Med on MSC Sinfonia, and at the time we loved it.

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Hi Tom, am I right in recalling that the though of sharing a ship full of fellow Brits scared you at the time.

La Piazzetta was one of the areas where I agree they did try a bit too hard, and too 'enclosed' for my liking, but nice quiet seating areas when you find the windows. The bathroom was just standard, and curtain for the shower, but fully enclosed under the sink, so plenty of cupboards to put everything away v just having shelves for everything to roll around. The balcony was the same as any other we've had, I don't have more pictures as it was usually occupied by son and the friend of his who came with us.

The 'Animation Team' or the Animators is the term for the Entertainment Team on many of the European Lines. Certainly that's what they were called on our Costa, Pullmantur and previous MSC cruises. But I did note that in the dailies both Animation and Entertainment appeared in the descriptions on different occasions - maybe as some might not realise what an Animator is. As energetic as ever with the various activities.

The 'Suits' [or 'Goons' as we have nicknamed them to ourselves in the past ] did not seem to have as visible a presence as previously. They were everywhere before, but I can't say I noticed at all on SPLENDIDA. I understand they are Israeli, but cannot say for sure.
The officers were Italian in the main, but the rest of the crew now appear to be the same as any other line, from all over the world. The front desk staff and various hosts all speak many languages.

Tom, I love the differences and International aspects of cruising with MSC or any other non catering specifically to the English speaking world line v P&O/Celebrity or any other UK or US based line. I enjoy the menus with the Italian selections v the bland junk on P&O [just IMHO, but I have never had decent food on P&O not even paying an extra charge on Ventura]. But food is not a main reason I pick a line, just a plus or minus low down in the overall aspect, people differ. You can have a jug of water on the table; smile sweetly. We didn't ask for coffee on this trip, but on previous cruises we have, and got it no problem; it is the same on other lines too with coffee being drunk elsewhere [think there was a thread on this aspect of the various lines sometime during the year?].

Thanks for reminding me about the "Animators". I had never heard that term in reference to entertainment staff before. I guess it's a European thing since it's not unique to MSC Cruises. In the US, when I think of an "Animator", it's a highly skilled artist (often working for Disney) that actually draws the cells used in cartoons and animated movies.

I think the ship overall looks quite nice (yet 'busy' in places) and for some reason kept reminding me of a cross between Holland-America and public spaces of some of the older Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships. I agree that La Piazzetta is a bit much (maybe the lighting should be toned down a bit), the pool deck looked crowded and jacuzzis full of kids, and I dont think I cared for the Strand Theater. Looked cold and sterile.

I thought I saw you in some cameo reflection shots and some pink toenails in another?

Sad to see the old Pacific Princess just kind of rotting away.

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:
WOW Pam, and I thought I took a lot of pictures!!! [...]

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This are indeed a lot of pictures - thanks a lot for putting them online! How many do you have on your webpage altogether now?

Splendida indeed looks a bit bland but this is not necessarily a bad thing with most cruise ships being totally overdecorated in a very tacky manner (Splendida of course still has her fair share of tackiness).

There are some nice details that got my attention like those windows without struts or the small but cute waterslide.

However, for me the highlight of your photos is certainly the series of pictures on passing Stromboli.

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:

Have you ever considered cruising MEIN SCHIFF or and of the new class of Aida ships?

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I do get the impression from your recent postings that you are interested in trying one of those ships. I admit that both lines (TUI and Aida) are not really to my taste but I still would encourage you to give it a try - with some good will it's certainly possible for someone who does not speak German to enjoy such a cruise. I am sure some members here could even help you to book such a trip.

[ 01-05-2011: Message edited by: Ernst ]

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Originally posted by Ernst:

There are some nice details that got my attention like those windows without struts

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Very common on MSC Cruises. In fact this type of window was used even back on MSC OPERA and MSC LIRICA. I remember noting these windows on my MSC OPERA cruise.

I think LIRICA may have been the first major passenger ship to utilize this design on a large scale.

I remember there was an announcement either from the shipyard or MSC Cruises about it, stating how it provides a nearly seamless wall of glass.

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Originally posted by eroller:

Very common on MSC Cruises. In fact this type of window was used even back on MSC OPERA and MSC LIRICA. I remember noting these windows on my MSC OPERA cruise.[...]

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