The MSC Euribia, named after the goddess Eurybia who held power over the sea, lived up to its name as it gracefully navigated the turbulent waters of the North Sea on our first day at sea. Despite the rough conditions, passengers were gifted with smooth sailing, showcasing the ship’s design excellence and MSC Cruise’s commitment to superior superior onboard experience, writes Jenny Evans.
We embarked in Copenhagen for a seven night cruise to the Norwegian fjords (Hellesylt, Ålesund and Flåm) returning to Denmark via Kiel in Germany. The huge ship was at capacity (6,327 passengers) though you would hardly believe it. The clever design of the public areas including 21 bars & lounges offered cosy corners and room to relax.
The crew were courteous, engaging and culturally diverse. We counted 21 nationalities, and they were just the ones we met. Every guest facing crew member must speak four languages providing easy communication whatever your native language.
THE CABIN
Our balcony stateroom on deck 10, port side, was spacious and well-appointed. In a twin bed setup, ample space between beds ensured we didn’t feel cramped. The room also featured a 3-seater sofa, floor-to-ceiling windows, a mini-bar, and ample storage options. The balcony was large enough for 2 deckchairs.
The sound proofing in the room was impressive. With the doors closed, the cabin was incredibly quiet. There was no engine noise nor vibration and no sounds from neighbouring cabins.
It was also possible to sleep with the balcony door open enabling fresh air and sea sounds which I loved.
DINING
Each passenger is assigned a table in one of the five main dining restaurants for a specific time. That table is yours at that time every day. In addition to the set dining option, the marketplace buffet restaurant is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. The menu in the restaurants included a selection of three starters, mains, and desserts. Portions were on the smaller side, but you could request multiple helpings. The buffet offered a selection of international dishes with a focus on Mediterranean cuisine.
SPECIALTY DINING
The ship also offers speciality dining include Mexican, Steak, Sushi and Teppanyaki restaurants.
Le Grill is the quintessential French Brasserie centred around shared dishes, such as seafood platters, caviar, and a wide variety of steak cuts. The flavour of each dish was top quality and easily the best meal that I experienced on board.
KIDS
Being out of season there were not many children on our cruise, but they are well catered for with an aqua park, 3 water slides, a Himalayan climbing feature, kids club, organised sports and a large arcade including Formula Racer. There is even a bowling alley.
ENTERTAINMENT
Nightly entertainment is provided in the 945-seat theatre featuring a seven day program of big-production shows. The Carousel lounge hosts the big band, a 19-piece band with three live performances per night.
HEALTH & FITNESS
There is a large, well-equipped gym and some instructor-led classes. Two main pools, several spa pools and the Aurea Spa offering a range of treatments. The thermal spa with sauna, steam room and whirlpools.
EXCURSIONS
There are a wide variety of excursions offered at each port ensuring an outing to suit all sightseers. Remaining onboard at port also provides a super-relaxing day whilst most of the passengers are ashore.
INCLUSIVE AND AFFORDABLE
With a broad spectrum of cabin classes and optional add-ons, the cruise experience was adaptable to every taste and budget. From family cabins to 60 wheelchair accessible rooms, inclusivity was a core value. The MSC Yacht Club, a ‘ship within a ship’, offered an exclusive experience with premium cabins and private lounges.
There was so much to offer on board, I haven’t covered all activities available (we won afternoon trivia and tried a dance class) or the shopping galleria but in short, I would recommend the MSC Euribia to families and people who want an easy relaxing holiday where each person can do as much or as little as they wish.
This voyage also reflected the cruise line’s dedication to environmental stewardship, setting new benchmarks in sustainable cruising.
Oh, and we also saw lots of imposing cliffs and raging waterfalls!
