Ship Review: MSC Preziosa
Cruising is usually one of our favorite ways to travel. We love the balance of unpacking once, waking up in new places, and enjoying attentive service along the way. Unfortunately, our experience aboard MSC Preziosa was one of the rare cruises we finished knowing we wouldn’t recommend to friends or family.
While there were genuine highlights - most notably the ship’s beauty, holiday atmosphere, and our stateroom - the overall experience was consistently underwhelming, largely due to service and dining issues that never improved over the course of the week.
The Itinerary: A Flexible Northern Europe Loop
Enjoying my first Pina colada of the trip on the MSC Preziosa
This MSC Preziosa sailing operated on a continuous loop itinerary through Northern Europe, beginning and ending in Rotterdam, with port stops in Zeebrugge, Le Havre, Southampton, and Hamburg.
One unique aspect of this cruise is MSC’s flexible embarkation and disembarkation model. When booking this itinerary, we had the option to start and end our cruise at ANY of these ports. This makes it appealing for travelers who want to pair a cruise with time in a specific city or simplify flights and rail connections.
However, this structure also meant there was constant passenger turnover, with guests embarking and disembarking every few days. While convenient, this likely contributed to a more impersonal onboard experience.
Deluxe Suite Aurea Stateroom Experience
The Deluxe Suite Aurea With Sealed Window on the MSC Preziosa
We stayed in a Deluxe Suite Aurea with Sealed Window, and the stateroom itself was genuinely excellent.
A partial view of the spacious walk-in closet on the MSC Preziosa in the Deluxe Suite Aurea with Sealed Window
The suite was exceptionally spacious, offering far more room than a standard cruise cabin. One standout feature was the huge walk-in closet, which made a noticeable difference when traveling as a family. Storage was plentiful, the layout felt thoughtful, and the space never felt cluttered.
Relaxing before dinnertime
Despite not having a balcony, the floor to ceiling sealed window never felt dark or closed in. Physically, this was one of the better staterooms we’ve experienced. Unfortunately, the quality of the space was not matched by the level of service.
Service: Consistently Lacking Across the Ship
Service issues were apparent early on and never improved.
Stateroom Attendants
Interactions with our stateroom attendant were consistently uncomfortable and the tone was often dismissive and never warm or friendly. Despite staying in a suite category, not once were we greeted by name, something that is fairly standard on most cruise lines - especially at this level.
The constant turnover may explain the impersonal service, but it doesn’t excuse it.
One feature of MSC Preziosa - possibly across all MSC ships - is that your key card must be inserted into a slot by the door to activate the room’s electricity, including the lights, charging ports, and air conditioning. That in itself isn’t unusual. What was frustrating was that it impacted housekeeping.
It took us two days of our room not being cleaned before we were finally told that leaving the key card in the slot signals to the stateroom attendant that you are in the room. When the card is in place, they will not clean the cabin at all. They won’t even knock to check whether you’re actually inside.
We had been leaving the card in the slot so our devices could charge not realizing it was preventing housekeeping entirely. This is something that should have been clearly explained at the start of the cruise, especially given how unintuitive it is for first-time MSC guests. Instead, it became another point of frustration that could have been avoided with basic communication.
MSC Preziosa - the hallways looked like this every day of our cruise
One ongoing issue we noticed was the condition of guest hallways. Laundry bags and service carts were frequently left out for extended periods, often feeling like a permanent fixture rather than temporary equipment. It detracted from the otherwise polished look of the ship and made guest areas feel more utilitarian than they should.
Coffee Shop Incident Highlights Service Issues
The coffee shop menu on the MSC Preziosa
One moment in particular summed up the broader service issues onboard.
The first time I visited one of the coffee shops, I immediately noticed the barista’s attitude. There was no greeting, no acknowledgment, just a clear sense that he did not want to be there. I mentioned it to my husband but brushed it off. Everyone has bad days, and cruise ship staff work long hours.
The problem was that it didn’t stop. Day after day, there was still no “good morning,” no welcome, no basic courtesy. I could have brushed it off, but it was validating to see another guest notice the same issue. One morning, while waiting for my coffee, another guest placed an order and finally confronted him about his demeanor. It was heated and the atmosphere was awkward. Was she in the wrong for confronting him that way? Probably. But it was validating to realize I wasn’t the only one noticing the issue.
After she walked away, the barista turned to another staff member and said, “What room is she in? I’ll make sure to remember her when she comes back.” The tone was unmistakably hostile.
It was wildly unacceptable and left a lasting impression.
Food & Dining: Sub-Par
The side dishes at the Butcher’s Cut on the MSC Preziosa
Before sailing, we had already heard mixed feedback. My in-laws had cruised with MSC previously and warned us that the food was sub-par. Based on our experience, that assessment was accurate.
A convenient kid’s corner in the buffet.
Dining options quickly became repetitive, and quality was inconsistent. Even the kids - who are usually easy to please on cruises - were bored of the food by the end of the seven-day trip, including staples like pizza and fries.
Gelato shop menu on the MSC Preziosa
There was also a gelato shop on board that charged extra. My husband ordered milkshakes there several times, and they were almost always made incorrectly - even though the recipe was clearly visible behind the counter. Small things like this added up and reinforced the sense of disengagement we felt across dining venues.
The Beef Stroganoff Incident
One night, I ordered beef stroganoff, and when it arrived, it looked different than my mom’s and tasted a bit game-y — but I kept eating. While waiting for our dessert course, we could hear an exchange at the table behind us between the server and diner. My husband’s eyes went wide, and I said: “he got my beef stroganoff and I ate something else?”
The story got even stranger. The server retrieved the dish from the other table, placed it in front of me, and apologized profusely for the kitchen mix-up. Then, he begged me three times to “at least take a bite” so that the kitchen would see it had been eaten and wouldn’t question him.
It was both ridiculous and more than slightly uncomfortable, yet perfectly illustrates the chaotic and inconsistent dining experience onboard MSC Preziosa.
Kids Club: Not What We Expected
MSC Preziosa has a kids club, which might appeal to families looking for onboard activities for younger passengers. Unfortunately, our experience with the kids club was disappointing.
Our children rarely wanted to return, which is unusual since they typically enjoy time in supervised play areas on other ships. Part of the issue was the service and attitude of the staff in the kids club. Rather than being warm or encouraging, staff often made it feel like a nuisance to drop the kids off. The space and activities existed, but the overall atmosphere lacked the energy and friendliness families typically expect.
For families prioritizing a fun, engaging environment for kids, this is an area where MSC Preziosa fell short. While the space and planned activities existed, the overall atmosphere lacked the energy and friendliness you’d expect for a family-oriented area.
Onboard Amenities & Shared Spaces
The girls playing air hockey on the MSC Preziosa
MSC Preziosa does offer a variety of onboard amenities.
There is a bowling alley and a small arcade, which are nice additions, especially for families. The ship also features a large water park and splash pad, which looked great visually.
However, since we were sailing in early December, the weather was cold, and the splash pad water was not heated, making it uncomfortable rather than fun. This is something to keep in mind for off-season sailings and not something we can blame the cruise ship for.
What MSC Preziosa Did Well: A Festive, Beautiful Ship
One of the gingerbread house displays on the MSC Preziosa
To be fair, MSC Preziosa really is a beautiful ship. The design is elegant, public spaces are visually striking, and everything appeared well-maintained.
We sailed at the beginning of December, and the ship was already decorated for the holidays. As the cruise went on, more and more Christmas décor was added, which I genuinely loved. It truly made the ship feel like a floating holiday, and this was one area where MSC absolutely delivered.
Looking into the casino on the MSC Preziosa
Those seasonal touches added warmth and charm and were one of the few consistent bright spots throughout the sailing.
Aurea Spa: Relaxing With Stunning Views
While we had some service frustrations elsewhere, the Aurea Spa was a definite highlight. Although I wasn’t able to book the full Aurea Spa experience due to it being “completely booked,” I did manage to schedule a facial, and it was enjoyable.
The spa itself strikes a nice balance—it’s not overly cold or clinical, but not overly cozy either, making it comfortable for relaxation. There’s even a bar serving specialty smoothies to complement the wellness experience.
Not a bad view during a facial on the MSC Preziosa
What really sets the Aurea Spa apart are the views from the treatment rooms. Most, if not all, feature floor-to-ceiling windows, letting you enjoy sweeping ocean vistas while being pampered. It’s a space where MSC truly delivered a peaceful, high-quality experience.
A Short Cruise That Still Felt Long
The indoor pool on the MSC Preziosa
This was the shortest cruise we’ve ever taken, just seven days, with only two sea days—which is rare for us. Even with a port-heavy itinerary, the onboard experience should still feel engaging and enjoyable.
Instead, by the end of the week, the lack of service, repetitive food, and overall disengaged atmosphere made the cruise feel longer than it was and we were all ready to disembark.
Who This Ship Is For
One of the lounges on the MSC Preziosa
While MSC Preziosa was not the right cruise for our family, it may still appeal to:
Guests who prioritize ship aesthetics and holiday ambiance – The ship is beautiful and festive.
Travelers seeking flexible embarkation – Board or disembark at multiple Northern Europe ports.
Families with older kids or teens – Bowling and arcade activities may entertain.
Who this ship isn’t for:
Families wanting attentive, welcoming service.
Passengers expecting high-quality, consistent dining.
Guests seeking engaging kids club programs.
In short, MSC Preziosa works best for travelers who value the ship and itinerary more than service or dining.
Going In With an Open Mind
Enjoying mulled wine one afternoon on the MSC Preziosa
Despite the warnings, we booked this cruise with an open mind. Every ship is different, and experiences can vary even within the same cruise line. We were also genuinely excited about the itinerary - MSC offers routes that aren’t always easy to find with other cruise lines, particularly in regions we’d love to explore more by sea.
That’s what makes this experience especially disappointing. MSC seems to hold a near-monopoly on cruises in certain areas that interest us, but after this sailing, it would be difficult to justify spending that kind of money while anticipating the same level of service we received aboard MSC Preziosa.
MSC, Not for Me
MSC Preziosa is a beautiful ship with a strong itinerary and an excellent stateroom layout. Unfortunately, service and dining are foundational to a good cruise experience and this sailing consistently fell short in both areas.
Every cruise line has its audience. After this experience, we’ve learned that MSC simply isn’t ours.
So - MSC: Not For Me.
Walking the pool deck on the MSC Preziosa
Author’s Note: We sailed on MSC Preziosa in December 2024, and this blog was written and edited through February 2026. My intention is not to sound entitled—service may have improved since our cruise—but this was our experience.
