Soundproofing of connecting cabin on MSC Meraviglia
FR

Translated into English.

Original post
JP
Hi there,

I recently booked a cruise on the MSC MERAVIGLIA in a Yacht Club cabin, and the company assigned me a connecting cabin (with a shared side door to the neighboring cabin, which wasn’t occupied by anyone in our group). I really struggled with the soundproofing compared to the neighboring cabin. Just one door separates the two cabins, and while non-connecting cabins are usually very well soundproofed, the one we had let us hear the neighbors’ conversations and even their toothbrushing. I asked to change cabins, but the ship was fully booked. I think a single door (instead of two) isn’t enough for proper soundproofing, and if it’s even slightly misaligned, it lets air—and therefore sound—through.

If others have experienced this issue, I’d love to hear about it because MSC tells me it’s not a recognized problem (except by me, apparently!)...
CR Cristianh Globetrotter ·
Hello, ... For some time now, I’ve been sharing my experience on this topic. We had tasted "the thing" in an "Aurea" Suite on the Magnifica.

I’m convinced that MSC is aware of the issue, ....... but: - they can’t do anything about it on the ships, .... - and, in any case, for the staff: - next week ... "there will be others" ... so .... - the response: - "the ship is full .." to avoid wasting time moving cabins .... and that’s that. - that at a higher level of the hierarchy .... it doesn’t bother them, ..."they" have other things to do, it’s not their responsibility, ..... so!!! - and even higher up .... "they’re too high up and probably wouldn’t even know" ... where the problem is.

I’m surprised, however, that you’re finding "this" on a recent YC.

This point is disconcerting because it reveals either: - the depth of their ignorance. .... - or the extent of their disregard for real comfort beyond advertising arguments, in anticipating and designing the most profitable filling conditions.

Too bad! ..... for you ... for all those who will suffer from it, because it’s really annoying .... even embarrassing, ... for the YC ... for MSC!

........ When I think they chose the Magnifica, where there are: - 82% of "connecting" cabins in the highest (and most expensive) "Aurea Suites" category ... for their first "World Cruise" ... 106 or 112 days, I believe!!!! ........ wow!!! They should be made aware of this.

Best regards,
Christian
PL Plucasana Regular ·
Hi,

I had the same issue on the Meraviglia in YC.

I’m not exaggerating at all when I say the noise ruined our cruise. We had an active family of three on the other side, and we could hear every word, every off-key song, every intimate sound...

At the price we paid for this cruise, it was outrageous!

Best, Sandra
CR Cristianh Globetrotter ·
Hello,

I had the same problem on the Meraviglia in YC............At the price we were sold this cruise, it was an impertinence!............

Hello Sandra,

You're not wrong, ..... and your comment is measured.

I’d add that the nuisance is regrettable, ... no matter the price of the trip.

I mentioned above the carelessness of MSC, which had chosen the "Magnifica" for the 2019 world cruise (and 2020 😕). You suffered this nuisance for: - 8/10 days? ..... for them, it’ll be: - 112 days! You paid the bill for a YC cabin .... at its price! .. for them: - I suspect between 60,000 and 80,000 € for "the cabin."

No matter the bill amount or category: - it’s a serious hidden defect.

On the Magnifica, this will affect: - 34 Auréa Suites ( ... 80%! ) - 24 Auréa Balconies, - 130 Fantastica or Wellness Balconies, !!!!

Nearly 360 passengers, ... for 112 days.!!! ... they should still hear about it, and I think claiming, as they did for you: "that the ship is full" .... will get old pretty quickly.

Best regards,
Christian
PL Plucasana Regular ·
Hi Christian,

Of course, a longer trip—I don’t know if I could’ve handled it!

I hope I didn’t give the impression that I thought my experiences were more serious or more important, because no matter the price paid, poor soundproofing shows cost-cutting at the expense of guests.

And saying "no one had complained about it until now" seems like a response MSC uses too easily and too often. Apparently, they don’t really need to sweet-talk customers anymore.

Best, Sandra
JP JPS33 ·
Thanks Plucasana for your testimony, which completely matches mine but isn’t taken seriously by the Company. The worst part is that before this cruise, I had booked another one—also in a connecting cabin (assigned by default)—for August 2018, and MSC still won’t respond to my request to change cabins...

I’ll take the liberty of quoting your testimony because you and I both know there’s an issue that MSC refuses to acknowledge.

If others are reading this, don’t hesitate to share your experiences!
CR Cristianh Globetrotter ·
.................;The worst part is that before this cruise, I had booked another one, also in a connecting cabin (assigned by default) for August 2018, and MSC won’t respond to my request to change cabins.............

Hello Jean Philippe,

I’ll dare ask: have you tried simulating a new booking for your cruise on the MSC website? Then, once you reach the point where a cabin is assigned, you click on "change cabin" and get a wider selection. From there, an immediate phone call to MSC reservations, with your current file at hand...!?

If you find available cabins (which, admittedly, isn’t guaranteed for August), a "gentle" approach—playing along with your contact, or even asking to speak to their supervisor—might lead to a happy outcome.

If not, you can always write an official letter to MSC France (registered mail) to express your disappointment and complain about their insistence on assigning cabins with high noise potential when others are available. Ask them to take action and propose a solution.

It’s not a sure thing, but at least you won’t regret not trying—and you’ll have a clear stance on their attitude.

Best regards,
Christian
BE Beinheim Regular ·
Hi Jean Philippe, We just got back from a cruise on the Meraviglia. We had a balcony cabin on the 14th deck, but unfortunately, the Market Buffet was right above us. I’d say it was almost unbearable (even with the balcony door closed)—all day long, chairs scraping, and starting at 6 AM, the dish carts, etc. The soundproofing really isn’t great on the Meraviglia!
CA Cajoline312 Regular ·
Hi everyone.

I’m getting a connecting cabin on the Preziosa in August and I’m not worried.

I think the Meraviglia really has an issue. I was in an Aurea cabin and could hear the next-door door all night long. The wind in the AC vents. Even the ship’s rotation system... In short, a nightmare.
JP JPS33 ·
Hi Christian,

I’ve been on this since last August, right after experiencing that infamous connecting cabin YC1. I sent a first complaint, which MSC didn’t respond to, then another one three months later—they replied saying they were sorry but couldn’t do anything for me. So I’ve started a procedure with the Tourism and Travel Mediator, which is still ongoing.

In the meantime, the ship has obviously filled up, and there are no more cabins available...
CR Cristianh Globetrotter ·
Hello Jean-Philippe,

Your experience isn’t surprising anymore. For some time now, unfortunately, MSC no longer communicates about touchy subjects, whatever they may be.

I got stuck on "one question" for 8 months... only to never receive an answer and eventually refuse a settlement they proposed, their indifference showing more contempt than concern. The assurance that "they just don’t care anymore" is now firmly planted in my mind.

It’s obvious that—communication, new ships, and the carefully marketed price range aimed at the "general public"—will generate a surge in demand... but what then??

The fact remains that the nuisances are still there, and every trip will have its share of "perplexed" passengers. I’ll add that given certain characteristics of their "core target" passengers, it’s not certain they’ll get all the feedback they expect. Either way: They’ve got time and a fertile ground to exploit... and later, I think they’ll discourage people from returning with different attitudes.

Regarding the Yacht Club in particular (the source of my frustration), I’m no longer up to date on the news... and for good reason. However, I did notice a "new" situation this month: - Since 2012, as far as I’m concerned, booking a YC Suite for a transatlantic crossing required serious anticipation and relentless monitoring of the MSC site... to spot an opportunity between strings of "fully booked." 18 months to 2 years in advance wasn’t too early.

This month, though, at this same timeframe, for a trip that suited us ending with a transatlantic crossing, the competition I’ve been testing showed "fully booked" for their Suites!! The opportunity, curiosity, and chance led me to an MSC Yacht Club option for nearly the same trip at the same time. Far from the usual "fully booked" status of recent years: I could choose from 15 YC Suites... and without even looking at Deck 16! Well, that’s new. ... Lucky coincidence: A "Suite" became available after calling the competition, but MSC was too slow to provide a serious price quote. Their rates at this level are almost a joke and need confirmation.

We’ll see what happens... but an era is over.

Best regards,
Christian
JE Jero15 ·
Hi Karine, I also have to travel this summer on the Preziosa in a connecting cabin. Did you suffer from noise during your cruise under the same conditions? Thanks in advance!

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