Norwegian Trip May 7th-15th 2011

Cruise - 7 Nights, North Germany, Denmark and Norway and overnight stay in Copenhagen.
...Balcony cabins...
Families and Friends are also welcome


The Cruise Critic on the Internet has a website devoted to complaints or compliments on most cruises. The comments on MSC Orchestra, which we sail on the 7th May 2011 where both good and bad, so these had to be addressed.

It would seem that the general negative complaints centered on the service at meals and the length of queues in the buffet dining area. There were also negative comments on the available menus.

We raised this issue with MSC through our travel agent Elaine O’Brien, and fortunately also got in contact with one of the gentlemen who wrote the very negative report on his group trip in July on MSC Orchestra. Basically forewarned is forearmed. If you would like breakfast served, you can either be served in your cabin by filling out the menu card and hang it on your door the night before. This would be a continental breakfast and a charge of not more than €2. You can get up early enough to have something more substantial in the restaurant. This is open 7.am to 10am. You can decide to serve yourself in the buffet which is open from 7am until 11am (it closes at 11am to prepare for lunch which commences at 12pm) It is in the buffet there seems to be a problem as it is usually very busy particularly between 10 and 11am and seating could be full close to where the food is available. However, you can take your breakfast out onto the deck area were there is amble tables to sit under cover.

There was also a complaint about the quantity and type of food served at dinner. Probably it is Irish, UK and USA passengers who would prefer the typical roast and vegetables that goes with it. It must be accepted this is an Italian Cruise Ship and would obviously pride itself on its Italian food Menu’s. So maybe it will be a change to sample Italian food. Our group will have no control over the ships menus but hopefully will enjoy the ships food.

It is understandable with nearly 3000 on board they do not want to dictate when you get up or where you sit for breakfast and lunch as you are on holidays. If this is not to your liking then this is not the cruise for you. While on the cruise if you are not happy with anything on board you take it up with the ships staff yourself. We will be paying guests also, and on our holidays, therefore with our large group we cannot be expected to act on your behalf if there is something on the cruise you are not happy. Any complaint you have we would prefer you take the matter up with the ships staff at their reception. However, we would do our best to assist with anything serious enough to spoil your cruise.

Most of the issues have already been discussed withour travel agent, and we been assured we will have a great time as long as we are not looking for Irish Stew for dinner or beacon, soft fried eggs, sausages, white and black pudding for breakfast. We have to go with continental and Italian style foods. You will get eggs; beacon etc. in the buffet bar but you will probably have to join a queue.

There was mention pf paying for bottled water, Bottled water is charged for, but you can have as many jugs of drinking water free at meals. For drinks there is a 15% service charge added. We queried the average cost of a beer and was informed a little over a pint (˝ litre) after 15% service charge added is €6.

Those not wishing to go ashore and prefer to stay on board will have the advantage of plenty of room at lunch and plenty of space at the pool. Those going ashore usually find a coach available at the ship to take you to and from the centre of Town, usually at a small charge. On our last three ports of call a tender will come alongside to take those going ashore. There was no reports good or bad regarding the ferries to take us ashore so we must assume this is done very effeciently and in comfort.

There is an automatic gratuity added to your bill at the end of your cruise. This is we believe €6 per day per person. But bear in mind if you are not happy with food, service or anything like that, you can ask to have it reduced or not added at all. This is purely your decision.

Finally, on cruise critic there are some excellent comments also posted posted, but we have to deal with the negative ones. We are doing our best to organise a good trip next May and it should be no reflection on the Naval Association or our organising, if you are not happy during or after the trip.

Summing Up..............Review..

Regards

Terry Cummins
Irish Naval Association
0879873884