MSC Cruise: First Impressions

MSC Galveston Cruise Review (January 25–February 1)

I recently sailed on an MSC cruise out of Galveston, and I want to share an honest, easy-to-understand review of my experience so far. My goal is not to praise or criticize blindly, but to explain what went well, what did not, and what travelers should realistically expect.

Before the Cruise: Emails, Texts, and the App

Before departure, I noticed something right away. MSC sent more emails and text messages trying to sell upgrades than any other cruise line I have used. I do not have data to prove this, but it felt excessive. I understand that selling upgrades is part of the business—after all, I sell services too—but the frequency stood out.

I purchased a specialty dining experience and internet access ahead of time. However, those purchases did not clearly show up in the MSC mobile app. The app itself felt very basic and hard to use before the trip. Most cruise line apps are simple and intuitive. I consider myself fairly tech-savvy, and I still found this one frustrating before boarding.

Travel Day and Weather Concerns

The weekend of this cruise came with winter weather warnings across the state. I briefly considered staying overnight in Galveston to avoid travel issues, but I decided to drive down Sunday morning instead. Thankfully, the roads were clear and the trip was smooth.

We sat in the car waiting for embarkation because it was bitterly cold. It was strange wearing a winter jacket.

That said, this experience reminded me how important travel insurance is. I had coverage, and many travelers needed it due to weather delays and cancellations caused by the storm. This is something I always recommend, especially during winter travel.

Embarkation and Check-In

Embarkation day was cold—the coldest day of the year—and the terminal felt crowded and hectic at first. Everyone was trying to get inside quickly. Once staff stepped in, they did a good job directing passengers and keeping things moving.

Security took about 25 minutes before we even reached the check-in area. The check-in process itself felt slower than on other cruises I have taken. For a ship that holds around 4,000 passengers, there seemed to be fewer agents than expected—about 23 check-in staff. This likely added to the wait time.

First Impressions Onboard

Once onboard, our first stop was the buffet. The food was better than I expected. Buffet food is not made to order, so expectations should be reasonable. The food was tasty and nicely presented. My travel companion thought it was good but mentioned it needed more seasoning. This is a common comment, but I always feel it is better to add seasoning than to remove it.

The MSC app, which felt weak before the cruise, became much more useful once connected to the ship’s Wi-Fi. After boarding, the app provided helpful information and worked much better overall.

Entertainment and Reality vs. Reviews

I had read many online reviews before this trip, and honestly, I was prepared to be disappointed. People tend to post negative comments more than positive ones. So far, my experience has been very different from what I read.

The first night’s production show was a great example. Was it Broadway-level? No. Was it Cirque du Soleil? No. But it was entertaining, well produced, and enjoyable. The singing, dancing, and acrobatics were fun and engaging, which is exactly what I want on a cruise.

Final Thoughts So Far

My goal with cruise reviews is to be honest and helpful. So far, MSC has delivered what it promised: good value and family-friendly fun. It is still early in the cruise, and things can change, but first impressions have been positive overall.