Hello
It's our first cruise, we are Canadian, and we're trying to choose between Cat. 4 inside cabin on MSC and Cat. 6 oceanview cabin on Costa Magica.
Oct 16, Rome-Rome, price is almost the same. How to make the choice?
Appreciate your advice.

Nabel,

welcome to Cruise-Chat.com.

the two ships are very different. "MSC Lirica" is a mid-sized ship by today's standards, with Italian-inspired interiors. "Costa Magica" on the other hand is a large ship with "Las Vegas"-style interiors.

What do you consider important when it comes to a cruise ship? I know you are a first-timer, but I guess you might be having some particular expectations.

Thank you, Raoul, that's already helpful information. I guess we were hoping for international crowd (some English-speaking people), good food and no problems with accomodations/sleep. Pretty basic.

We are inclined towards Lirica (managed to upgrade to a very nice cabin). But the only bad review I read about ANY cruise on the net was about Lirica (though it seems like nothing would have satisfied that person).

We are planning to have a good time, so nothing should really matter :-)))

Nabel,

when MSC first introduced "MSC Lirica" the product wasn't at its best, for several reasons. However, the company has made lots of changes over the last three years. This Review by Tom Ogg shows how almost overwhelmed Tom because of these changes.

MSC certainly is more European these days then Costa, which has (sadly from my point of view) turned into a kind of "Somewhat Italian Carnival Cruise Lines with a different funnel design". "Costa Magica" is based on Carnival's "Destiny"-class, for example.

I'm sure you would be having a great time on "MSC Lirica"!

Hi Nabel,

as i have experience both with Costa and MSC (i've been this spring on Lirica's twin- sister Opera), i agree with Raoul in every respekt.

I'm sure, you'll find a large group of english speaking fellow passengers on the Lirica. Just remember that almost all non- english europeans behave somehow different: They like to rush and squeeze, and sometimes they're a little loud. But i think, on the Costa Magica this is worse. Also i'd say that the Magica is far too big for a "first- timer" and there's not very much left of the romantic atmosphere of cruising.

By the way: The Western Mediterranean ist a great itinerary to get to know a lot of southern Europe. But there is a lot of time in Ports (you'll see passengers embarking in almost every port) as there is so much to see, so don't forget to relax!

Have a great cruise, CP

Oops, i forgot: Be sure not to get a category 5 inside cabin, as they are directly beneath the kitchen of the cafeteria

Thank you so much, Raoul & CP.
Tom Ogg's review is overwhelming :-)

We did book Lirica and are looking forward to our trip. Thanks to you - better prepared :-)

Nabel,

have a great time and make sure to let us know how everything went.

By the way, don't miss to visit our sister site PortReviews.com for information on the ports visited.