I recently tried Seascanner for a cruise with Mein Schiff, but unfortunately, it’s not sold in France. I called all the agencies, and none of them sell Mein Schiff here.
On the other hand, everything with Seascanner is in English (calls and emails).
Unfortunately, due to reasons we’re all aware of in the Gulf, the cruise was canceled. Otherwise, I usually book my cruises through Croisiland or Logitravel.
Yes...
Actually, from what I’ve understood so far, MSC also used to contribute to its discounts on Facebook.
Now that’s no longer the case.
So the discount is only granted by the agency... They’re dipping into their own margins if they offer an extra discount, which apparently wasn’t the case before—it’s up to them who decides...
I don’t know how much margin MSC gives to agencies, but just as an example, NCL gives them 15%, so when they offer an 8% or 10% discount, it’s deducted from that margin.
CONTINUED
We still managed to sleep despite that horrible ventilation noise... but it’s annoying because when you wake up often during the night like I do, it’s not easy to fall back asleep.
We were in cabin 9123—I’d definitely advise against it because of this issue, which lasted until we left!
We found an invoice slipped under the door (for the cocktails we had last night). Of course, with their constant glitches, my bank card wasn’t registered. 😕
I decide to go pay right away while my husband finishes getting ready... but when I get to reception, there’s already a huge crowd—ugh—and it’s not moving since there are still only two people working there. I give up... we’ll pay before we leave!
Off to breakfast—this time it’s at the buffet on deck 11! The selection is varied and tasty, except for the undrinkable industrial fruit juices. There’s also a clear lack of staff to clear tables and restock when things run out.
I hear people complaining about their night... we weren’t the only ones with that ventilation problem. A woman tells me she didn’t sleep a wink, another says she has a terrible migraine and feels bad for future cruisers who’ll have to put up with this for days...
Someone else overhears us and mentions there was a leak in the hallway outside their cabin... that’s a lot of malfunctions!
Here are a few photos:
There’s a bit of everything—savory, sweet, hot, cold—too bad about the undrinkable fruit juices.
We decide to explore the outdoor decks since the weather’s nice today. There’s a walking circuit at the very top, but it’s not very interesting. The one on deck 6 is more pleasant.
I’m going to test the freezing outdoor pool, of course.
Then it’s off to the gym and spa.
One perk here—the spa is free, but the jacuzzi doesn’t bubble at all, so it’s just a big bathtub. The hammam wasn’t heated either... hopefully, that’s not usually the case.
The gym is decent.
We continue to the panoramic lounge, which is really nice—where they must hold dance parties.
Okay, we’ve seen it all. We head back through the cabin hallway, and you can still hear the ventilation in places—it’s unpleasant. Back in the cabin, the cabin steward came by to collect the water bottles—lol, I guess they’re afraid we’ll steal them. :)
Off to reception to pay, and—shock—there are about a hundred people waiting! Still only two people working there.
I’m thinking they’re really amateurish! It shouldn’t be hard to add staff when it’s this busy.
Some people are worried about missing their train, but from what I hear, a lot aren’t exactly sad to leave—what a shame!
Finally, it’s our turn. I pay—it should be quick, but no! Everything takes forever, even printing a simple invoice...
My mom mentions she drank a bottle of water, and the staff member says he doesn’t see any charge on his screen. He calls someone—no answer. He tries his cell—still no one. Finally, a bit exasperated, he says it’s fine, she doesn’t owe anything...
We head down, and the bus is there to take us back to the model pavilion.
TO BE CONTINUED—CONCLUSION 😉
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Can you imagine a transatlantic crossing on this ship with that noise? It’s unbearable!
I usually enjoy transatlantic trips, but do you see me spending 20 days or more without sleeping at night? No way, it’s unthinkable.
As I’ve said before, this ship isn’t for us. And when I say "us," I mean you, me, Catherine, and the others. For regular travelers, no—it’s really not for us.
Yes, that's right..
MSC ended this partnership but still commissions agencies, of course.
The agency can do what it wants with this commission and may pass part of it back to the client..
That’s why some agencies still offer discounts to their customers.
Ugh+++
I'm at this bridge... hope I don't run into the same issue...
Is it inside the cabin or the whole deck?
I saw you were next to the laundry room... did you check it out?
Can you picture yourself on a transatlantic crossing on this ship with that kind of noise? It’s unbearable!
I usually enjoy transatlantic trips, but can you imagine 20 days or more without sleeping at night? No way, it’s unthinkable.
As I’ve said before, this ship isn’t for us. And when I say “us,” I mean you, me, Catherine, and the others. For regulars like us, no, it’s really not our kind of thing.
I’ll be there for the wrap-up!
I totally agree with you!
On this ship, the cabin situation is like Russian roulette… My mom was on deck 6 with an old-school ventilation system, but she didn’t have that problem.
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
I can't help thinking they're really quite amateurish!!
There are just so many things going wrong!
As I've said before, this boat isn't for us. And when I say "us," I mean you, me, Catherine, and the others. For the regulars, no, it's really not for us.
Hi Alfred, Hi Isa,
Unfortunately, we’ve come to the same conclusion about this company.
I’ve just finished reading all your posts with great interest, and I really want to thank you because I got back 2 days ago from a terrible 8-day experience on the MSC World Europa (I’m putting together a short review of this “giant of the seas”), and I decided to check out CFC instead. I already remember Catherine’s less-than-stellar experience last year… and this time? More of the same. Between the cold pool, the noise, and everything else… the verdict’s in—I’m looking elsewhere!
Thanks to everyone.
Francis
Hi there,
Yes, it’s pretty risky to book with this company unless you get a really good deal, since their prices are high.
Why not try an American cruise line like CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, OCEANIA, or AZAMARA, depending on your budget?
I’m familiar with these lines—if you tell me what you’re looking for, I can point you in the right direction ;)
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
CONCLUSION
First of all, I don’t regret this experience. Being able to test a ship under these conditions is, at its core, a great idea. Seriously, I’d love for other companies to take inspiration from it!
But… what a shame they didn’t go the extra mile to win over future customers. You could tell there was real potential, left a bit at the dock.
Sure, the ship is old, and we knew that when we boarded. But since it was renovated, we could’ve hoped for a more… convincing refresh. Let’s just say they probably prioritized the essentials—though, faced with slightly cracked cabin walls, you do wonder where the “essentials” begin and end.
That said, a ship with a bit of history wasn’t what bothered me most. After all, it almost gives it charm… almost.
The most negative points:
No swimming or jacuzzi access—so much for a relaxing cruise.
A pretty glaring lack of staff. At times, you’d wonder if the crew hadn’t gone on an excursion without us. 😉
An embarkation and disembarkation process that felt like a nightmare, with security checks that seemed more amateur than reassuring. Given there’ve already been incidents during tender disembarkations, it’s not exactly comforting…
Repeated technical issues: finicky air conditioning, unreliable ventilation, chaotic check-in, leaks, and even hot water shortages (a shout-out to my mom, who couldn’t wash up the morning of disembarkation, and my husband, who got lukewarm water for his shower…).
Staff not always attentive, and not as French-speaking as promised, which can be surprising.
A value-for-money ratio that’s hard to justify: the prices are clearly higher than the quality of services offered.
Few onboard activities. Without a usable pool, days at sea can quickly start to feel like… well, long days at sea—or even in a retirement home. 😄
The positive points:
Food was actually quite good, whether at the buffet or the restaurant (though, again, the lack of staff was noticeable).
Shows were decent quality—if they’re all at the level of the one I saw, that’s a real highlight.
In short, you’ve probably gathered that this experience didn’t make me want to sail with this company again. At this rate, I’m afraid they’ll end up joining some of those old cruise lines in the “memories” section.
A shout-out to that dear agency PLANETE CROISIERE—this experience also showed me just how dishonest and bad-faith they were!
THANKS FOR FOLLOWING ALONG 🙂
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
I can’t help thinking they’re really quite amateurish!!
There are just too many things going wrong!
As I’ve said before, this boat isn’t for us. And when I say “us,” I mean you, me, Catherine, and the others. For the regulars, no, it’s really not for us.
Hi Alfred, hi Isa,
Unfortunately, we’ve come to the same conclusion about this company.
Sure thing, Catherine!
I never doubted your account anyway, but this was a great opportunity for me to see it with my own eyes 😉
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Just a little backstory—I hesitated a lot before booking with CFC myself. Given all the negative comments you could find, I also came across more nuanced reviews, and the price I was offered was really appealing, so I decided to take the plunge, though not without some apprehension.
In the end, not everything was perfect. Fortunately, we didn’t encounter any major issues on board. The air conditioning breakdown I noticed in my cabin was fixed the same day I reported it.
After weighing all the elements—both the negatives and positives—I don’t regret this trip at all. For us, it had far more pleasant moments than unpleasant ones. But of course, everyone has their own experience, and the balance can tip either way depending on the situation.
I wouldn’t pay "full price" to sail with CFC, but if a good deal came up again, I’d definitely be up for another trip with them. For example, I managed to get two double cabins for the same price as a quadruple, whereas with another company, it would’ve cost me a lot more. And I know how hard it is to find a good deal during school holidays.
The kids really enjoyed their trip too (aside from the pool temperature 😉). Thanks to the French-speaking environment on board, they could take full advantage of all the services and activities—they weren’t bored at all. That was actually one of the things that caught my attention when I booked; it seemed like a great perk for them.
It’s true there probably aren’t as many activities as with other cruise lines (just to give you a few examples: indoor pétanque, mini-golf, molkky, cooking demonstrations, quizzes, etc.), but the ones they had were well-received.
I wanted to give CFC a chance, whereas Costa and MSC still don’t appeal to me at all.
GOOD FOR YOU if you were happy with it!
With kids, RCI is 150 steps above, though—gotta say that 😉
After all, there’s something for every taste and every age, but I doubt this company’s staying power when they keep letting technical issues come back again and again without really taking action.
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
not that I’m trying to defend them (far from it, quite the opposite)
maybe when it comes to the ventilation noise, there’s just nothing they can do?
You can’t make something new out of something old.
But for everything related to organization, yeah, they *should* take action... though since the complaints seem to disappear...
without meaning to defend them (far from it, quite the opposite)
maybe regarding the ventilation noise, there’s nothing they can do?
You can’t make something new out of something old.
But for everything related to organization, yes, they should act... though since the complaints disappear...
Some people say they have cabin issues and get changes—what happens if the boat is full? It probably doesn’t happen often, but still... I actually recorded the ventilation noise, I’ll share it on FB
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
I had fun asking the AI the question yesterday...
and here’s its answer:
The highest-risk cabins
On this type of ship, ventilation noise mainly occurs:
❌ near technical shafts
❌ under public decks (pool/restaurant)
❌ close to central areas where air ducts run
Why was cabin 9123 noisy?
Makes total sense:
located right next to:
the main ventilation shafts
vertical technical zones
so:
constant airflow
possible vibrations
👉 This is typically the riskiest spot on the deck.
Here’s the letter I sent to the great agency PLANETE CROISIERES.
I’ll share their response if I get one.
Hello,
I’m writing to file a complaint as a former member of the FAN DE CFC CROISIERES group, following my recent experience and your management of the Facebook group titled « FAN DE CFC CROISIÈRES ».
After sharing a factual, measured, and respectful experience, I noticed that my post was deleted and I was removed from the group. My feedback was simply about concrete observations from the cruise, including:
an abnormally cold pool,
a jacuzzi that didn’t meet expected standards (no jets, very limited functionality),
a particularly disorganized boarding process with inconsistent and sloppy checks,
as well as various malfunctions (air conditioning, ventilation, check-in, water leaks).
These points, expressed without aggression, represent a legitimate consumer experience.
I also note that this group presents itself as a space for exchange among enthusiasts, when in reality it appears to be a promotional tool, managed with commercial objectives, where negative reviews—even when respectfully worded—are systematically deleted. I’m not the only one who has been subjected to this moderation.
This approach is misleading for consumers, as it presents a biased and exclusively positive image of the services offered.
I’d like to remind you that such practices may qualify as misleading commercial practices, under articles L121-2 to L121-4 of the Consumer Code, specifically:
hiding the commercial intent of content presented as independent,
as well as manipulating or deleting reviews to alter consumers’ perceptions.
I want to express my deep disappointment with these methods, which fall short of the professionalism expected from a travel agency.
As a result, I ask that you:
provide an explanation for these practices,
and review the management of this group to ensure honest and transparent information for consumers.
Best regards,
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Here’s the agency’s response!
Of course, I had misunderstood—my removal was temporary! LOL
Dear Ms. Pihen,
We have received your letter today regarding your experience on board and your exclusion from the Facebook group « FANS OF CFC CRUISES ». We regret that your stay did not meet your expectations regarding certain facilities (pool, jacuzzis, air conditioning).
Regarding the technical incidents on board: Please note that we take your comments very seriously. We have already forwarded your observations (pool temperature, jacuzzi operation, and boarding organization) to the CFC company to obtain technical explanations for these occasional malfunctions. You will receive a specific response as soon as we have their feedback.
Regarding the moderation of the Facebook group:
The group « FANS OF CFC CRUISES » is a private community space governed by a code of conduct that you accepted upon joining.
The reason for moderation: Rule No. 3 of our charter states that while issues can be shared, they must be done so with "moderation" and not be "exclusively negative." The finding: Your comments, though based on your personal experience, were deemed by the moderation team to lack the goodwill required by the community.
Transparency: Contrary to what you feared, we are not trying to hide reviews but to maintain a constructive and courteous exchange, far from the "bad publicity" prohibited by our rules. I remind you that this group is called Fans of CFC.
I don’t want to leave things on this disagreement. If you commit to respecting the group’s charter of goodwill and objectivity in the future, I am fully prepared to lift your exclusion immediately—it was temporary—so you can continue to engage with the community in a more peaceful manner. What do you think?
Looking forward to your response,
Best regards,
Lylian SCHILLINGER
Director, Planète Croisière
For info, here’s the message he sent me via Facebook Messenger:
I’m sorry, Ms. Pihen, but I’m just doing my job. I’m required to moderate repeated negative comments on a group managed by the agency, as was the case this morning, and you weren’t the only one affected. If I hadn’t done it, the CFC company and other users would have held it against me. It’s not personal at all.
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Hello,
I want to point out that the criticisms you’ve made against me are unfounded. Throughout our exchanges, I’ve remained objective and courteous.
I fully stand by my observations: the pool was particularly cold, even freezing, which clearly displeases you, and the facilities presented as jacuzzis did not meet expected standards.
While I may have mentioned certain aspects like dining, the theater, the cabin, and the spa, you didn’t give me the chance to fully express myself. That’s regrettable, especially since I have some visibility in the cruise industry, being active and recognized for nearly twenty years on various specialized forums.
I didn’t hesitate to share a detailed account of this experience in several groups, also mentioning your moderation practices at Planète Croisière.
Without any pretension, I believe I have enough experience to assess the quality of a cruise line’s services with discernment. I’ve traveled with many well-known companies, such as Costa, MSC, Royal Caribbean International, Holland America Line, Ponant, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Azamara.
Additionally, I’m also familiar with the agency Naja Tourisme, which I’m sure you know. I actually attend the Cruise Salon every year.
Under these circumstances, I don’t wish to rejoin your group. On the contrary, I’m particularly shocked by your practices, which I find questionable. Deleting negative reviews simply because of their quantity could be seen as misleading for consumers.
I’d also like to remind you that you clearly told me, via Facebook, that you were forced to delete unfavorable reviews about CFC. I still have this written exchange, so I encourage you to adopt more transparent communication.
Finally, I should mention that my exclusion isn’t an isolated case, as you yourself confirmed. Several people have also told me, in other groups, that they’ve been banned under similar circumstances.
These elements suggest that this is a recurring practice within Planète Croisière.
With such actions, not only will you fail to help this company address its recurring technical issues, but you also risk losing other customers who are just as dissatisfied and shocked as I am by these questionable practices.
Best regards,
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Well said!
And the group is public, not private.
So it’s even worse because deleting real and justified comments amounts to fraud, especially if those comments are removed by a travel agency—meaning a professional.
On another note, I just found out that the Renaissance won’t be going to the North Cape after all. They’ve apparently canceled the stops, likely due to the weather...
Hi Isa,
I’m picking up the ongoing discussion about CFC.
Regarding laundry on CFC, I use laundry wipes, which are really handy when traveling.
We’re going on a cruise from Dunkirk for 6 days/5 nights—the Tulip Cruise—because the cabin is on promotion (487 € per person for an inside cabin).
We’ll see if there are any noticeable differences compared to the one in March/April 2025.
Apparently, it won’t be the young Captain anymore, which is a shame because he was really nice and approachable.
What surprised me was having to register my credit card to access the boarding passes... With MSC/COSTA, I always register my card at the counter on embarkation day. I don’t think this is normal in case their CFC site gets hacked...
Hopefully, we’ll get a cabin without noisy air conditioning (we’ll be on deck 4 at the back).
We’re expecting broken elevators.
I’ll share my little review after we return.
Have a great evening! Magguy
Hi Guylène, I just got back from a cruise on MSC and didn’t register my credit card to get my boarding pass.
Sure, MSC offers it without making it mandatory. Like you, I don’t really like my credit card details floating around. So I did what I usually do—I registered myself and my group of friends (some of whom were first-time cruisers) at the dedicated kiosks.
Have a great cruise, and I’m looking forward to your trip report!
Francis
Hi Francis,
The "catch" with CFC is that if I didn’t enter my credit card numbers, I couldn’t access our boarding passes... Last year, I registered my card at the reception desk on the day of embarkation.
Apparently, the weather won’t be great for this cruise—pullovers and pants will be a must.
I’ll post my review around 04/21–04/22/26.
Have a great day! Mum49
But photos in the fog and soft lighting are always stunning for their evocative power... it’s such a change from sarongs and palm trees...!
Have a great cruise.
F.
Isabelle, many passengers in the various groups are saying the same as you—that the pool is freezing and obviously not heated.
I have two written records from the CFC chat confirming that the pool—or even both pools—are heated.
So this is a real lie and close to fraud.
Like you, the pool is important to me and truly part of the enjoyment of traveling.
I fully intend to file a complaint if it’s still cold during my cruise.
This is indeed misleading commercial practice (Art. L121-1 of the Consumer Code).
Do you have any advice or tips for this complaint?
Should I do it upon return or on board?
Should I go through the travel agency, the tourism mediator, or directly with the company?
How would you proceed?
Thanks
Hi,
If I were you, I’d use every means at my disposal.
Okay, the travel agency PLANETE CROISIERE, CFC’s partner, probably won’t help you,
but don’t hesitate to file a complaint with the cruise line, copying the tourism mediator, the travel agency, and especially the DGCCRF, which always makes an impact.
You’ll need proof, so bring a thermometer to measure the water temperature on-site.
Then don’t hesitate to tell them you’ll share this experience on social media—they don’t like that—and sometimes, miraculously, they’ll offer you fair compensation in exchange for your silence...
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Well, yeah, you have to be on board, document it with photos, provide proof, etc...
The travel agency PLANETE CROISIERE, as useless as they may be, is also responsible, so they should be copied on this.
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Now, Nathalie, let’s drop this pool issue—I don’t want to waste that much time on it. As you know, heating the pool isn’t exactly my area. Planète already sent an email, and I just followed up. Happy cruising!
It may not be within their remit to heat the pool, but selling the cruise and anything that might not be suitable is legally their responsibility.
The "stop with this pool story, Nathalie" used in the response is a strange way to talk to a customer. And he doesn’t have time to waste!!!! This message is worth keeping.
You should take action against the agency. The mediator only comes into play after that, just before court.
Great!
I already have two, and now here’s a third.
Can you manage to copy the time and date because I don’t have that right—I’m not sure if it’s important, but anyway, I’ve had it happen twice, and two other people confirmed it too.
Do you think that’s enough to accuse them of deception and questionable business practices?
Nous voila de retour de cette croisière. Embarquement à Dunkerque: les portes ouvraient à 12h environ, étant un peu en avance, je suis allée demander pour que…
Merci pour ce compte rendu. Si tout n’a pas été parfait il semble que la croisière se soit globalement bien passée et que vous en revenez satisfaite, ce qui…
Croisière sympa mais mon mari reste marqué par le changement de cabine. Je pense qu'à partir d'un certain âge les situations prennent une plus grande ampleur…
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Hello,
We’re back from this cruise.
Boarding in Dunkirk: The doors opened around 12 PM. Since we were a bit early, I asked if my husband, who uses a walker, could wait inside instead of outside. I left him with the two suitcases and our two backpacks in the small hall while I parked the car in the reserved CFC parking lot for 10 € per day.
The shuttle that was supposed to take people from the parking lot to the model pavilion was supposed to arrive in 5 minutes, but after 15 minutes, nothing. After waiting 15 minutes, I saw a man walking and asked if I could follow him. In 15 minutes, we arrived, and still no sign of the shuttle—it must have passed us. Arrived at the model pavilion.
My husband had already checked in the suitcases with the help of a CFC staff member. The remaining formalities were completed quickly. We were on board by 12:15 PM. Headed to the buffet on deck 11 and waited in a lounge to access our cabin.
At 2 PM, we discovered our balcony cabin on deck 9 at the rear: spacious with a large balcony compared to MSC/COSTA.
Since we were at the rear, cabin 9202, there was always an issue with elevator number 4: "priority."
Elevator number 2 stops at deck 10... and elevator number 3 was often out of order, leaving only number 1 for those with mobility issues to reach the buffet, especially for people who struggle with stairs. Note: only one child on board and lots of "gray hair."
DAY 2: At sea. Lots of activities offered.
Day 3: GOTHENBURG (Sweden). Sunny, 19°C at 11 AM.
Excursion booked with CFC: Gothenburg and Haga for all.
Interesting visit with a great guide. The HAGA district, in our opinion, is full of cobblestones and nothing special, not suitable for people using a cane or wheelchair. Elevator number 3 was out of order again.
Day 4: Copenhagen. 15°C in the morning, showers in the afternoon.
We didn’t book an excursion since we’d already stopped here with CFC in 2025, and based on advice from this forum, we took the hop-on/hop-off bus right in front of the ship. I still went to see the Little Mermaid again.
No TV, but the elevator was fixed.
DAY 5: At sea. Still no TV.
DAY 6: GDANSK (Poland). 15°C, rain all day.
There’s a shuttle to get to the city center.
We took the excursion: Panorama of Gdansk.
The guide left us at the entrance of the city center for 45 minutes, telling us what to visit. Meet-up for the rest of the tour at 3 PM. The bus left at 3:15 PM to cover 10 km to see St. Mary’s Cathedral. We arrived at 4:16 PM... The guide said there are often traffic jams in that direction. We had 10 minutes on site before heading to see the lighthouse and the Westerplatte monument, where we also had 10 minutes.
Many of us wondered why we didn’t do the tour in the opposite direction since they knew there would be traffic...
I went to reception to complain about the organization. The staff member read me the program: we were supposed to start with the lighthouse, then go to the cathedral and stay for 30 minutes before heading to the center of Gdansk for a short guided walk with some free time to buy souvenirs, etc.
The guide did the complete opposite of what was planned and didn’t even give us a guided tour—just dropped us off in the city...
DAY 7: Bornholm Island (Denmark). 14°C, a few sunny spells.
We saw in the excursions that there was a walking tour of RØNNE. So, like many others, we explored on our own. There was a small orchestra welcoming us at the port and two people with city maps. We took the shuttle to leave the port—it ran every 15 minutes. The tourist office was next to the "shuttle bus." A pleasant visit at our own pace.
DAY 8: KIEL (Germany). 18–23°C, nice weather.
We took the "Kiel for all" excursion. Great guide and interesting visits.
The port is in the city, and in 10 minutes, we were in the city center by following a blue line on the ground from the port. Elevator 3 was stuck again... and the TV was back.
DAY 9: At sea. Elevator 3 works.
DAY 10: At sea. Elevator 3 is out of order again...
DAY 11: Disembarkation in Dunkirk.
Cabins had to be vacated by 7:30 AM. Buffet open until 9 AM.
Elevator number 1 was "reserved," leaving only number 2, which doesn’t go up to deck 11... a problem for people with mobility issues who had to cross the entire deck 11 and try to use one of the four working elevators at the front, which were crowded.
My opinion: Interesting stops.
The onboard staff were always welcoming, smiling, and mostly French-speaking.
Evening shows were better than in March/April 2025—better singers, dancers, and presenters, and the costumes were improved.
I liked the "magician" shows less.
There were three onboard lectures by a very cultured person, but they went off-topic and were too historical for my taste. I didn’t attend the other two; my husband went to the second but not the third.
For this cruise, there was a bridge theme, but we’re not players or interested.
We didn’t take a drink package on board—water, coffee, tea, and herbal teas were available.
We had a water leak in our cabin the night before disembarkation. We reported it, and after the technical staff came (with a translator who didn’t speak English), we were asked to leave the cabin for a while for repairs. We went to a lounge, and after 1.5 hours, I checked in at reception. The repair took longer than expected... we had to change cabins... not ideal the night before disembarkation. No balcony cabins were available, so we got an ocean-view cabin, 6075, with a bathtub (impossible for both of us to use). We packed our suitcases, took a shower in our cabin, and moved to the new one. Noise from chairs until 12:30 AM because the cabin was under a lounge, and constant ventilation noise in the hallway... sleep was hard to come by.
Disembarkation: Well organized. We were helped with transporting the two suitcases and bags to the waiting room while I took the shuttle to get the car.
Guylène
hi there
Here’s the cruise schedule for 2026.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members.
2 essential rules:
1) never "quote" the calendar when replying—this’ll avoid any confusion
2) follow the format below
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry!PLEASE respect the templates!
COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026:
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Hello,
We’re taking a cruise to Northern Europe with a stop in SOUTHAMPTON.
We’d like to visit the Stonehenge site.
Is it possible to get there on our own (my husband is a wheelchair user), since the MSC excursion to Salisbury is priced at 127 € per person?
There’s also a stop in Rotterdam, and it seems there’s a "miniature village to visit" nearby. Has anyone here been there, and if so, how did you get there?
Thanks so much for your tips. Mum49
If you're traveling on the Costa Diadema from October 17th to 28th, 2026 to Lisbon, we can meet up for a drink. Share our cruising experiences, an excursion, a table...
hi there, a group of friends and I are going on a cruise at the end of June with CFC in Norway. I’d love to get some info on the different stops we’ll be making. Most of them are one-day stops (from around 10 AM to 8 PM on average). Here are the stops: Andalsnes, Trondheim, Honningsvåg, Alta, Hellesylt, Sandane, Austefjorden.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can share what there is to see or do in these places.
When I get back, I’ll post what we did—it might help others who come after us.
Also, does anyone know if the boat sticks to the arrival time in Dunkirk for catching tickets to head back south? We’ll plan a buffer just in case.
Hi there, The day before boarding the Costa Favolosa for the Norwegian Fjords cruise departing from Hamburg, I'd like to book a hotel. Which one would be the most convenient location-wise relative to the port?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
I’m looking to get in touch with someone who’s been on an Arctic Cruise aboard the ship POLARFRONT, operated by the French company "LATITUDE BLANCHE", for some info.
Hi there, I was wondering if anyone has ever taken a cruise with this PO Cruise company.
Would love to hear your thoughts!
They’ve got some great itineraries for Norway.
Hello,
We’ll be sailing on the Renaissance with CFC to southern Norway from July 4 to 11, 2026, departing from Dunkirk (the cruise was booked through "Planète Croisière").
When entering some personal details or pre-selecting options on the CFC website, I’m wondering about the "optional" categories for drinks and WiFi.
I’m actually a bit surprised by these extra charges, as we weren’t used to them on other cruises (Australis in Patagonia; Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express in Norway and Alaska; Rivages du Monde in the Arctic or on the Douro River; a Nile river cruise in Egypt), where we sometimes had access to basic drinks at meals and free WiFi when near land.
Anyway, for those who’ve already taken a CFC cruise on the Renaissance, could you share some advice? Specifically about the most basic drink package, called "Fraîcheur" (238 € for two), which doesn’t seem to be described anywhere. The "Premium" package seems excessive (490 € for two for the week) for light drinkers.
As for WiFi, it’s 10 € per day per person. While I find that price acceptable for parking our car in Dunkirk, it feels overpriced here (especially since it was free on the Nordlys "Coastal Express" just 3 or 4 years ago).
So, I’d love to hear from experienced cruisers who’ve been on this ship!
Looking forward to seeing the excursion prices, which should be available soon! 😐
Hi there,
I’m considering a cruise on this ship in the recently introduced Yacht Club category.
Have any forum members tried it?
What are your thoughts? Positive or negative? Which cabins should we go for—or avoid?
We’re already familiar with the Yacht Clubs on the Splendida, Fantasia, Preziosa, and Divina series.
We weren’t as keen on the one on the Seashore—we found it too big.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Best,
Claudine
Hi there,
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this cruise and its slightly unusual itinerary.
Also, what do you think about the price?
Good deal or too expensive?
Thanks
We're considering a new cruise soon and would like to try the Renaissance.
The uniqueness of the promenade cabins appeals to us, but could anyone give us some insights on the following points:
- Is the glass door sufficiently tinted to prevent outsiders from seeing into the cabin?
- Is the soundproofing good enough to block out conversations on the promenade deck?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!
My husband, our two teens, and I are going on a cruise on the COSTA Esmeralda at the beginning of July. We’re thinking of exploring the ports on our own. Do any of you have recent experiences or tips to share? Are there shuttles between the port and the city center? Are they free? Looking forward to hearing from you.
As promised, here’s my review of the cruise I took from the 5th to the 19th on the MSC Virtuosa.
As you know, I had initially booked a cruise with Mein Schiff departing from Dubai (from Dubai to Cape Town). It was a 22-day cruise. Due to the issues in the Persian Gulf, my cruise was canceled by Mein Schiff.
So, we started looking for a Plan B because we really wanted to go. Especially my wife, who had just had a minor procedure and needed some rest. Since she had already taken time off, she was determined to travel. However, we were looking for an affordable Plan B since we weren’t sure when Mein Schiff or the airline would reimburse us.
While browsing online, I found a 15-day cruise departing from Pointe-à-Pitre (including flights, transfers, the cruise, and drinks) for a price of 1,200 € in a Fantastica balcony cabin. We thought, *Why not?*
I should mention that I’m not usually a big fan of MSC. My last experience with them was post-Covid (I took two cruises, one in 2021 and another in 2022), and it was honestly a disaster. We didn’t want to repeat that, but after talking to Catherine, who told me she was very happy with a short Christmas cruise, we decided to give it a try.
I have to say, I was left speechless. Honestly, the cruise was absolutely perfect. There’s nothing to complain about (or just a few minor details). In terms of service and food, I felt like I was on a premium cruise line. I’d even say MSC has nothing to envy from some of those companies. While premium lines like Holland, Celebrity, and Royal are cutting back on services, I think MSC has made huge improvements. Seriously, I wasn’t expecting this at all. You’ll see what I mean as we chat more.
I won’t do a full review like I usually do because there weren’t many stops:
1. We boarded in Pointe-à-Pitre
2. We stopped in Saint-Martin
3. Then it was a direct crossing to the Azores...
This cruise was really about relaxing, even if it’s not the kind of trip we usually take.
First off, I’m not a big fan of "flight and cruise" packages. I asked if we could leave two days early, but they said it wasn’t possible. We had to take the flight, then the bus, and board the ship directly.
It’s not really my thing, but given the price we paid and since we really wanted to relax, we thought, *Why not?*
Here’s the itinerary:
Boarding in Pointe-à-Pitre
Saint-Martin
Five days at sea
The Azores
Four days at sea
Hamburg
One day at sea
Le Havre
But as I mentioned, it wasn’t about the itinerary. It was really about taking a break and unwinding. Honestly, I came back thrilled.
We’re stopping over in Rovinj this coming May, and since we’ve already visited the main sights (port, church, etc.), is there a walk we can do on our own—no boat needed—that would fill a morning?
Thanks to anyone who knows the area…
My wife and I are going on a cruise on the MS Vesteralen on August 4th. The ship stays close to the coast to deliver mail and packages. My wife is a musician and is sensitive to the movement of the boat. Which deck and cabin should we choose?
Hi there,
So, I booked this cruise...
I know CFC gets a lot of criticism—
- And that it’s not really like the ships I usually take.
But the destination really interested me...
So, I’m giving it a try...
I’m going in with an open mind, thinking I got a good deal, so I’m not expecting the same experience as when I travel with Yacht Club or The Haven.
We’ll see... soon!
hi, we’re going on a cruise with MSC Virtuosa in the Caribbean. Has anyone done this cruise before and could give us some tips for excursions on the different islands? Thanks for your help
Hi,
We received a promotion from our CFC agency offering cruises at up to 40-100% off, and among other details: CFC organizes parking for departures from Dunkirk.
"Unattended parking located about 12 minutes away, fenced off with barriers, at a rate of 10 € per day. Drop off passengers and luggage at the Model Pavilion, and a CFC shuttle will take you from the parking lot to the Model Pavilion every 15-20 minutes. Same for disembarkation. You can book through your agency or on their website. No refunds if the booking is canceled; payment is due at reservation."
Have a great day,
Guylène
PS: Personally, we’d rather keep our vehicle in a free, supervised parking lot and take a taxi to the Model Pavilion.
Hi there,
In June we’re taking a cruise called "Pearls of the Baltic" on board Renaissance CFC Cruises—with stops in Kiel (Germany), Gdańsk (Poland), Rønne (Bornholm), Copenhagen (Denmark), and Gothenburg (Sweden).
This layover in Gothenburg doesn’t really inspire me—could you tell me what’s worth seeing? Are there locals offering excursions around the area by van right when you leave the port, like you often see on Caribbean cruises?
I saw there’s a hop-on hop-off bus, but I’m not sure if there’s a stop near the terminal.
What are your suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Best regards,
Hi! On June 10th, we’re heading off on a 10-day Baltic Sea cruise with CFC Cruises’ *Renaissance*. We’ll be stopping in Copenhagen, and we’re planning to take the City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off buses to explore the city with multiple stops. Could anyone tell me which quay cruise ships usually dock at and how to get from the quay to the nearest stop to board the tour bus? Thanks for your tips and suggestions!
hi there
A group of friends and I are going on a CroisiEurope cruise along the Danube in September, from Vienna to Bucharest.
The excursions are optional and, in my opinion, pricey. I’m convinced we can manage on our own...
* In Vienna, is it easy to visit the city and Schönbrunn Palace in one day? (Since we only have a day, is it better to explore the palace grounds or the interior?) ...97 €
* In Bratislava, is visiting the castle and hiking in the Little Carpathians worth it? ...79 €
* Budapest: Széchenyi Baths ...119 € and the Great Market Hall ...84 €
* Kalocsa: the Puszta nature reserve and a horseback riding show ...76 €
* Novi Sad: a panoramic bus tour followed by a walk to Petrovaradin Fortress ...41 €
* Ruse: visiting the Rusenski Lom Valley ...43 €
For all these cities, can we get around on our own? If so, should we take a bus, a taxi, or is it enough to be good walkers? (Share all your tips!)
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Best regards
Hi there,
I'm looking at a cruise in the north.
Hi there, I was wondering if anyone has ever taken a cruise with this PO Cruise company.
Would love to hear your thoughts!
They’ve got some great itineraries for Norway.
Hi there,
So, I booked this cruise...
I know CFC gets a lot of criticism—
- And that it’s not really like the ships I usually take.
But the destination really interested me...
So, I’m giving it a try...
I’m going in with an open mind, thinking I got a good deal, so I’m not expecting the same experience as when I travel with Yacht Club or The Haven.
We’ll see... soon!
