The summer of 2014, July, was truly amazing! It was the year we had our first experience of cruising. We are a family of four that, somewhat reluctantly, booked an entry level cruise without doing much research. The cruise company we chose was MSC. The ship was the Armonia, a mid-sized, slightly older vessel, the cabin an Oceanview four berth Bella category. Cruising for 7 nights, the route took us out from Venice, into the Adriatic and then the Mediterranean. The price seemed reasonable, the route was ideal, the dates fitted perfectly in with our plans. Before we confirmed the booking we spoke with friends who had cruised before. They recommended... Royal Caribbean or...NCL, we hesitated. However, in the end we did our own thing. We booked with MSC. We are so glad we did, and here is why.

Before we left the shore we felt cared for, even special. Even though we had opted for a lower price cabin the staff were so helpful, respectful and efficient. Our inexperience did not matter. We sensed that all we had to do was ask, or even just look bewildered, and help arrived. The boarding was seamless, the queuing minimal. The ship was gleaming, spotlessly clean. We were impressed. The cabin was much as we had expected, a little cramped for 4, but very comfortable nonetheless. The cabin option was fine for us at the time. On a budget, and reluctant to spend too much money on a holiday choice we were unsure of, we were happy that we had made the right choice.

Then the fun began. Like 4 children swept away on a tide of excitement and overwhelmed by the size and grandeur of our first cruise ship we went to explore. The bars, restaurants, leisure facilities were wonderful. The choice and the quality of food was amazing at the buffet. The shows were unmissable. That week went so quickly. However, those family memories are treasured and remain with us. Read more