MSC World Asia

Great time and Fun

I read some of these reviews and wonder what planet some people are on, or what they expect. Along with another couple we have just done the Canary Itsland cruise. Staff unbelievable, ship clean and tidy, shows the best I have seen on any cruise, and I have done a lot. Food great. With regards to a previous comment about no fruit, I suggest you go to spec savers! and it was always available. Also the comment about Butlins at sea, stupid stupid stupid! You can make a cruise with Marella whatever you want it to be, we chose to go to our waiter service meals presentable and treat it as a sense of occasion. What Marella offer is a choice, that there is not this stuffiness and tuxedo,s/ball gowns every night! for the vast majority it works, probably the reason Marella cruises are the fastest growing in the cruising market at the moment! (No me guessing but look it up). Also I have met many many people on these cruises who have done Cunard/Royal Caribean/Holland America, who all say the same Marella offer the best value for money, all inclusive as standard without having to pay ridiculous bar bills at the end of your cruise! It one price and that is it! Sorry but if you don't like it go elsewhere! For our party we have no issues!

180 from Ordinary

180 from Ordinary. That's their catch phrase, and we found it to be accurate. Our cabin, deck 2, was small but very efficient, in tip top shape. It was so nice to have cabin service 2x a day, no longer available on many lines. Food is subjective, but we found it excellent. Happy crew, always going the extra mile. My one complaint, not much night life. Captain Tom Schoville did an excellent job of keeping everyone informed, esp. when there were issues with tenders. Always had a balcony cabin, so wasn't sure how we would feel about not having one. The only time we missed the balcony was drying bathing suits. We had the all-in package and would do it again. The pool is very small, but adequate for jumping in, and putting out the "toys" on the back of the ship is pretty unique. Going into the smaller ports in the Caribbean was a treat. WIndstar does a great deck party and a great beach party.

Fantastic Cruise for Adults and Teens

We just returned from our cruise on the Equinox. Overall the experience was perfect for us. We brought our 15 and 23 year old with us. Our 15 year old connected with a nice (well behaved, seemingly responsible and fun) group of teens she hung out with most of the time. They were in and out of the teen club and she had good things to say about the activities and staff there. We stayed in the Penthouse Suite which, if you can do it, do it! The room was amazing with more than enough space for the four of us. The suite staff (Kenneth was our butler and Tetiana was our statroom attendant) were attentive, amazing and very friendly. The Retreat concierges were also incredibly attentive and made every request a reality. One of the perks was the inclusive dining. We enjoyed Luminea, mostly for breakfast and two dinners. We went to Le Petit Chef but found it a bit gimicky. The food was good but we would probably skip it next time. Murano was incredible! The food, service and presentation were beyond compare. We ended up eating there three times and they were very accommodating of adding reservations for two nights we had not initially reserved. We are Jewish, and I requested Challah's for Shabbat which they brought to our table. The common areas were clean and comfortable. My wife and I spent most of our time at the Retreat sundeck. Our kids stayed by the pool which was more lively. Both areas were great. We really enjoyed the cruise and would not hesitate booking this ship again.

As perfect as a trip could be.

If you can pay the steep price, seeing the Galapagos from the Aqua Mare is the thing to do. We did a seven day cruise, and from the moment we embarked to the moment we were escorted through the airport, this trip was about as perfect as a trip can get. Our guides were energetic and knowledgeable, the crew on the ship worked tirelessly to keep us happy, and the boat itself was exquisite. I am a tough customer, and I have nothing but warm memories of the trip. Here are some highlights: our park ranger guides took us on foot and in the water on expeditions where we saw sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, thousands of fish, eels, octopuses, giant tortoises, iguanas, hundreds of sea lions, and birds, birds, birds. Even though we went during the rainy season, each day felt like a spectacular adventure. There is a rigorous schedule, but guests are invited to do whatever feels right for them. We traveled with a legally blind person, and not only were the guides super informative, they went out of their way to help navigate the terrain. We had a child with us, the only child on the boat, and the staff engaged her with great care and warmth, even ensuring that there was always a tender within easy reach while she was snorkeling. We did not have to ask for this, they just did it. The food was copious and delicious, with lots of fresh fish. We have no dietary restrictions, but they did have a “comfort menu” which our daughter enjoyed. We saw them deal with many other guests who had food restrictions, and everyone felt well fed. The ship was incredibly well appointed. The cabins felt luxurious, the boat had multiple recreational spaces, gym, equipment, etc. And a small onboard shop had basic necessities for anyone who needed them. One got the sense that the crew was treated very well, and in return, were warm and diligent and always on hand to make sure we were happy. I feel a bit sensitive that you won’t take me seriously, because I have no significant complaints. But the truth of the matter is - I would get back on the Aqua Mare in a heartbeat.