Posts by Francischem

Indeed, Emeline, the taxis are charming and efficient. But as everywhere, it's best to check the recommendations from country guides that rate the level of danger for tourists. In this case, for Jamaica, it's high, but don’t hesitate to consult the French government’s website (diplomatie.gouv.fr), which lists "red" areas location by location. I mention this because, while very friendly, my driver—"wanting to show me the whole island"—took me into a very high-risk part of the center (I verified afterward). We ended up in narrow, overcrowded alleys, extremely poor and clogged with more scarves than cars, where it was even tough for him to get us out. But as with anywhere, if you’re aware of the risks and avoid the properly flagged ones, everything goes smoothly.

And it’ll be a magnificent cruise. F.

Hi, of course the layover time is key. Personally, I only know Montego Bay, and based on my experience there, I wouldn’t go independently. Honestly, given the layout and variety of places to visit, I wouldn’t even know where to start. And safety seemed to require some kind of guided setup. Have a good layover. Francis

Indeed, unless you go through Costa at that point—which, if they still offer it, has a quota of spots for the excursion. F.

Hello Maryse, I’ll start by giving you precise details: - Taxi: You take an official taxi (the only ones authorized to drop you at the entrance of the Sagrada Família) right from the ship. 30 minutes later, you’re there. If the ship is docked at a location where taxis aren’t allowed, a shuttle bus will take you outside the port area. - Once you’re at the entrance, you’ll be 20 meters from the security check with no line. - Costa: There’s no reason to pay for the excursion if the meet-up is on-site, especially when a taxi can take you there for less than 15 €. - You must book your ticket on the Sagrada Família website for a specific day and time and stick to it. Entries are timed (1.5 hours is plenty) to keep crowds small. - If you’ve never visited before, for example, book a tour for 11 a.m. and arrive at 10 a.m. to explore the exterior—another architectural marvel. - I’m over 80 and use a cane, my wife is 84, and our friends are 85 and 86 (all of us a bit unsteady), but we had no issues. There are seats everywhere and plenty of space to rest.

Now, not about the facts but about those automatic, subjective feelings:

I mentioned the three orientation points of the stained-glass walls, each with different colors. Depending on where you stand, the atmosphere feels like being enveloped in "landscapes." I won’t tell you what we felt in front of the Mona Lisa—pretty much nothing unless you’re a painter specializing in sfumato technique. Otherwise? Just another beautiful painting among hundreds (Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Giotto…). But I’ll say one thing for comparison, worth what it’s worth: Would you go back to the renovated Notre-Dame? Because there, it’s tangible—unique architectural perspectives, intricate details, not to mention the emotional weight of Victor Hugo, the fire… All elements that speak to a person’s intimacy, whether you’re Christian or not (and I’m neither).

So yes, a hundred times yes—the image of the beautiful places and moments you’ve seen, like Corcovado, Iguazu, passing the Statue of Liberty at sunset from your ship as the buildings light up like candles, flickering depending on the materials they’re made of, or entering St. Petersburg by boat at dawn in early summer as the Baroque buildings light up one by one. And apologies for all the beauty of Quebec’s forests and their fiery colors, or the mineral majesty of Angkor…

Have a great cruise, and please share your experiences with us. F.

Hi Maryse, Here’s my contribution to this wonderful cruise I took a few months ago. You’ve already got some great answers, but unless you have a very specific request, you can find all the info on our beloved site. My input is a bit less covered on our site—specifically, the beautiful things to see if you love Art and museums. I won’t talk about places already mentioned (Rome, etc.), but about 3 spots with internationally renowned works. - In Naples, the extraordinary "veiled Christ" statue in the tiny San Severo church, right in the middle of the usual promenade when strolling through Naples: a marble statue of Christ’s body wrapped in a nearly transparent, undulating veil that molds to the contours of his face and body. Beyond the technical feat of "supple" marble, the emotion is overwhelming. - In Malta, for even the least art-obsessed fans, the stunning St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta houses two extremely rare Caravaggio paintings, including *The Beheading of St. John the Baptist*. - In Barcelona, the very recent public opening of the Sagrada Família’s grand interior hall—limited to a select few by appointment—offers a breathtaking sight: three immense stained-glass façades, each facing a different direction to play with the sun’s varying light. A stunning visual experience, much like the genius of another great architect, Le Corbusier, at Ronchamp, where the orientation of the stained glass fills a chapel with emotional light. The Sagrada Família—the thrill of Disneyland’s big rollercoaster… but more internalized! (laughs). Happy cruising, F.

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.

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

Thanks Isa, I know some of them already, but I’ll reach out to you for more details when my next one is coming up. Thanks, Francis

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

And there we have it, the circle is complete.... Thanks so much, Guylène, and see you soon! Happy cruising. F.

Hi Guylène, and thank you. One last little clarification to make sure I’ve got it right: we’re in the Fantasia atmosphere, and the three restaurants Foglia, Hexagone, and Esagono are open to us, while Bubbles is reserved for Aurea—is that correct? And sorry in advance for my slow brain...! Have a great week. F.

Hi Francis, Hi Mylene, and thanks for your detailed comment. I’ll respond in turn between your lines in italics. There will likely be announcements like 'bingo at such-and-such a time,' and music in areas with foot traffic, like on the Costa.

Oh, that won’t be too bothersome. I don’t know what type of cabin you booked, but the "promenade view" and "promenade-sea view" balconies are very noisy because the sound from the entertainment, activities on Deck 8, and the evening light shows carry up. Plus, on the balcony, you’ll be facing those across from you. Ah, promenade deck cabins—never again! They’re basically machines for discomfort: no privacy, noise, etc. No, we’re in a balcony cabin on Deck 11, and it suits us—neither too close nor too far from the elevators for noise, and for the same reason, not next to a service room that’s already noisy at 7 AM with their carts and all sorts of clatter. I just checked your ports of call, and the one in Messina is listed from 9 AM to 6 PM—you should have enough time to visit Messina/Taormina. In 2023, we took the MSC excursion: meet-up at the theater at 8:50 AM, back on board by 2:55 PM. Maybe some dates have full-day stops, but unfortunately, ours is only half a day. The Strait of Messina is a must-see as the ship arrives in port. Great tip, thanks! I love port arrivals—like in Malta, Rio, or New York... those moments are magical. I reviewed my notes, and for the stop in Naples, make sure to have an ID on you because there’s a check for your MSC card and ID when reboarding. In the maritime station hall, there are lots of shops. Thanks, but we’re not stopping in Naples this time. For Barcelona, right outside the terminal, there are CRUISE BUS LINE buses (blue). In 2023, for 4.50 € round-trip per person, the bus drops you off at the same spot as the MSC shuttles (but not at the same price...). When you get off the bus, there will be two sightseeing buses: City Tour (red) and City Sightseeing. If you’re interested, buy the ticket when you arrive at the sightseeing buses rather than in the hall, like we did. That way, you’ll have more choice between the tour buses and avoid the line for the red bus. We bought our tickets in the maritime station hall (waited 45 minutes to board a bus...) while there was no wait for the other tour bus. Thanks for the info for next time, but there are 8 or 10 of us, and a relative living there has booked a minibus and will be our "driver" for the whole day. For breakfast and lunch, there are two options on Deck 19 and Deck 20, in addition to the restaurants included in your cruise fare. Another good tip—hopefully, that means we’ll find a spot... Don’t hesitate if you have any other questions. Have a wonderful cruise, Mum49! I’ll take advantage of this, then: I’m in the Fantasia ambiance, so I get to choose my dining time but not the restaurant: - First, I misread, but I saw on a forum that there are 3 services: the usual ones around 6:15 PM and 9:15 PM, plus one at 5:30 PM... Is that wrong? - Out of the three, do you have one you’d recommend or avoid? I’m trying to negotiate with the restaurant managers for a better spot or restaurant when we arrive. Thanks so much. Take care. Francis

Thanks Laurence. Unfortunately, that’s the sticking point—it’s not offered... of course, because it’s just a bit too tight. If nothing else works, I’ll get off the boat and decide on the spot with the taxis available if it’s possible to do it faster. If not, I’ll save this visit for next time and do it at a more relaxed pace. How often do we have to skip a visit we were really looking forward to because of time or other constraints! Thanks again. F.

Thanks Guylene, I’ve got the answers to most of my questions, and that’s already great. Thanks for the info about the theater—it’s really important. I’m also relieved to hear that even with so many people, and on top of that during school holidays, it wasn’t a nightmare for the ears. We all know that on a cruise, too much noise can ruin all the positives of our trip, including the stops. I won’t forget to check out the little sound and light show on deck 8.

When I mentioned "passenger management," it was a discreet way of not naming MSC’s big competitor—you know, the one that starts with a C—whose rudeness and borderline practices have driven away many cruisers (myself included). Their cold refusal to understand passengers is chilling. Here’s a small example: for our 50th wedding anniversary, I invited my small family (10 of us), and on the night of the cake (which I paid for since it wasn’t on the actual date), I ordered and paid for a video of the event. The video was made but never delivered, and we never found out why. No refund, no discount on a future purchase, and above all, a definitive and angry "it happens, there’s nothing we can do" when I insisted.

I was wondering if, on this ship, interactions are smoother, more pleasant… or at least as correct as commercial relationships should be.

Last little question: MESSINA/TAORMINA: We’re only stopping in Messina for 5 hours. We really want to see this little gem everyone talks about. Do you think that’s enough time without having to rush like gazelles (age is a factor…)?

If anyone has any other tips to share, I’d really appreciate it. Happy cruising to all! F.

Hi everyone, I’m leaving at the end of March 2026 with 8 friends to celebrate an event on the MSC World Europa. I’ve been cruising for over 20 years with all kinds of companies and under many skies, but I’ve never traveled on a ship this size (6,800 people), and some specific info about this ship would be really helpful. So, to those who’ve been on this boat before—thanks in advance! SHOWS: Is it true that you have to book the evening show?... Just to secure a spot, or is it an internal rule? THE SPA: Are the saunas and hammams mixed-gender? Are there several of them? Which pools are available? SPORTS: Are there any “spaces” where ball sports like volleyball or basketball can be played? Finally, is the management of passengers flexible and friendly, or quite strict? Thanks! Happy cruising. Francis.

Thanks again, Catherine, for those beautiful, evocative stops—it should inspire others (including myself, of course!) to take the time to tap away on their keyboards and share even a short review, since it brings so much joy to everyone. And it’s true, there’s such a mismatch between a packed cruise calendar and so few reviews. I used to be a regular review writer myself, but I stopped, thinking there wasn’t much left to inform or move people. But *mea maxima culpa*—even if we’re not Nobel Prize winners in literature, we can always provide someone with useful info… and that’s always a win. So, let’s keep our wonderful forum alive, saved by a miracle, and pick up the pen for texts and photos. I’ll keep Catherine’s tutorial in my travel journal for my own tips.

I promise, I’ll get to it next time—I’m leaving at the end of March and will write a little review.

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to all. F.

Hi Catherine, still here to enjoy the weight of your words and the impact of your photos... A real pleasure. F.

Thanks for the schedule! My cruise: 21 March - francischem/MSC WORLD EUROPA/ 8 days/ from Marseille to Marseille/Marseille

Thank you, Catherine, for brightening and enriching my long convalescence since the first stop—I wait for you every day like I wait for my nurse...! Thank you. ... F.

Thanks Nathalie, it’s a delight to read you and soak up the atmosphere you describe so well. If I may, there are also some spots not usually mentioned in guidebooks. For Shibuya, which is to Tokyo what Times Square is to New York—it’s not theaters you’ll find around there, but if you’re interested, dozens of small museums showcasing traditional or modern Japanese culture. Thanks again, Nathalie