MSC POESIA REVIEW by John Pond, Sydney Australia. The bath towels are too big”, I said to the Poesia’s Hotel Manager, it’s difficult to dry yourself with them, they’re so large”. I’m sorry, he replied, it’s what Mrs Aponte wants.
Mrs Aponte (wife of Commander Gianluigi Aponte the cruise line’s founder and owner, which also owns over 340 cargo ships) wanted the biggest and the best. Mrs Aponte’s touch is everywhere - the ship’s decor was her baby, only the best. Definitely five star. Built in the same shipyard as the QM2 she is not much smaller, definitely one of the finest vessels afloat.
When I received an invitation to her official launch and naming ceremony by the ship’s godmother, Sophia Loren, it didn’t take much thought before my acceptance was off to MSC.
I flew from Sydney to Paris, then after a few days of sightseeing, a 3 hour $120 fast train ride to Saint Nazaire, where the French shipyards are located that built Poesia and many of todays super-liners. St Nazaire during WW2 was a major submarine base for the Germans.
Once on board, the ship is a joy to behold, quality fixtures and fittings everywhere, only the best. I rate the ship as 5 star with 4 star food and service, which is still very high. Cruise pricing (considering quality) is perhaps the best in the industry with great “deals” being offered. Children up to 18 travel free in the same cabin as 2 adults.
To keep prices really low, pricing for “extras” exists. For example, Continental breakfast in the cabin is included, but room service at other times is billed at a modest per item fee.
Alternate dining, other than in the two luxurious included dining rooms, attracts a small fee per dish. There is an outstanding Japanese Restaurant and International Restaurant.
Cuisine in the two dining rooms is Italian inspired & the popular buffet offers food for all tastes. The numerous bars and lounges throughout the ship are exceptional in layout and design, with many offering live music and dancing. On a balmy night one can sip cocktails under the stars and watch movies on the giant electronic screen on the pool deck.
Australians are just beginning to hear about this great cruise line and their booking numbers are gaining each year as word of mouth spreads.
MSC Cruises currently has a fleet of nine ships: MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera, MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica, MSC Melody, MSC Rhapsody, and the new MSC Poesia , which will cruise in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean and South America. The fleet will increase to 12 ships by 2010. In the autumn of 2008 the MSC Fantasia will launch, followed in spring 2009 by MSC Splendida. These will be two of the largest ships built by a European ship owner. Then in 2010 MSC Magnifica, the fourth ship in the Musica class will enter service.