First Cruise Recommendation: MSC Mediterranean Journey

Date: 2018-05-18

Why Is a First Cruise Always Special?

Even after seven or eight cruises on various ships, the first one remains the most vivid memory. Ask any seasoned cruiser and they'll say the same. On a first cruise, you're overwhelmed by the scale of the ship; you sleep, eat, and do the shore excursions — and that's enough. Every single thing is new and surprising. That freshness is what makes it so indelible.

These days, we use the ship much more deliberately: choosing the right venue for the mood (somewhere quiet, somewhere lively, the pool at the right time of day), eating and drinking in moderation rather than to excess, using the cruise to genuinely rest and restore. Cruising is a unique holiday — a dedicated span of time given entirely to recovery of body and mind.

Our First Cruise: Mediterranean on MSC Musica, November 2012

The spark: a friend mentioned they had booked an MSC cruise online and just come back. We looked at the website, and the Venice-to-Venice Mediterranean itinerary — departing from Venice's Grand Canal, visiting the Aegean and Dubrovnik — caught our attention immediately. Santorini was on the route; we'd always wanted to go.

We booked the cruise directly on the website and arranged our own flights. MSC provided a bus transfer from Venice airport to the ship.

Price: approximately £100 per person per night for a balcony cabin (at 2018 exchange rates, approximately ¥15,000 per person per night), inclusive of accommodation and all meals. Not expensive at all for what is included.

MSC Musica: The Ship

MSC Musica is a mid-sized cruise ship — the right size for a first cruise: large enough to have everything, small enough not to feel overwhelming. Our cabin had a balcony but a shower-only bathroom. The crew is predominantly Asian (Indonesian, Filipino), and their warmth and friendliness suits the holiday atmosphere perfectly.

Cabin service: Cleaned and refreshed twice daily — after breakfast and during dinner — with towels changed and beds made. The cabin is always pleasant to return to.

Dining:

• Buffet restaurant: Open from 6am to around 2am, serving food appropriate to the time of day — breakfast items in the morning, hot meals at lunch and dinner, pastries and sweets available throughout.
• Drinks: Free filtered water available 24 hours, though the taste is basic. We typically buy mineral water tickets. Coffee (espresso, cappuccino) is available by ticket purchase. Alcoholic drinks are best handled with an all-inclusive package — check carefully what the package covers before buying.
• MSC's signature: the pizza counter. Open from midday until late at night. As an Italian company, MSC takes pizza seriously — thin-crust, cooked in a high-temperature oven, always fresh. We found it impossible to walk past without stopping for a slice or two after dinner.
• Grill: On the other side from the pizza — burgers, hot dogs, hot sandwiches. Perfect for a poolside snack.
• Main Dining Room: Breakfast, lunch and dinner — full table service, a more formal experience. The food is included; there is also a paid Japanese restaurant on board.

Shore Excursions

If you're not confident about navigating local taxis or public transport, the ship's organised shore excursions take the stress out of sightseeing. You join your group number, follow the guide, and don't worry about timing. They're not cheap, but for unfamiliar places or tight time windows, they're good value.

Alternatively — and we do this more often now — simply walk off the ship and explore the port and surrounding area on your own. Even a wander through the port town is enjoyable and free.

One critical rule: always note the time the ship departs and ensure you're back well before it. The ship will not wait. The departure time is listed on the daily programme and on notice boards near the gangway.

Why Recommend MSC for a First Cruise?

MSC is Italian-owned, European-styled, and covers the Mediterranean extensively. The routes are excellent for first-timers who want to see multiple countries and cultures in one trip. The ships are modern, the food is reliably good, and the atmosphere is relaxed rather than formal.

For a first experience of cruising — especially in the Mediterranean — MSC Musica remains our recommendation.

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