Day 389 – March 26th, 2015. Cruise Day 5 – MSC Magnifica at Sea.

A good nights sleep and I feel much better this morning. Breakfast in the restaurant was enjoyable, I had an omelette which was pretty good. We joined a couple, Paul & Gloria from Buenos Aires and got talking to them. They had been robbed a few days before the cruise at gun point… Talk about a need to get away from it all.

Todays Breakfast choice

Here’s the thing though, they were robbed in their home which has full on security in a fine neighbourhood. Being Argentines they know all to well how dangerous the city can be and yet they became the latest victims. They are not short of a penny but had many items taken, apparently the robbers wanted cash more than anything. A terrible ordeal for sure from what they told us.

Considering that it happened only 5 days before the cruise they are very upbeat and still managing to have fun, we enjoyed their company that’s for sure.

After breakfast I enquired at reception to see if we were missing bath robes or slippers from our cabin, but apparently you only get them in Aurea class. Also about a compendium of the ships details etc which I haven’t found in the cabin, and no wonder because they don’t have them.

The cabin only has one pillow each and we like a few of them. I know that some people on various cruise forums have mentioned how uncomfortable they are, yet we have found them fine, maybe not the hotel luxury of three or four plump pillows that you find in classy establishments but not bad.

Next up it was time for a coffee in the Le Gocce bar. I have found out that you can also get a coffee in the Tiger bar, but that doesn’t look that busy in the morning nor does it have the cafe appeal.

Coffee in Le Gocce Bar

Our coffee’s were good and I think that we have managed to find the Barista that knows how to make a good coffee. Service from … and the Indian barista they seem to be the number one team.

Lunch with a twist in L’Edera Restaurant

A table just for two, we didn’t ask just get what comes. It took a while for a waiter to even acknowledge that we were sat there, even though the two of them were serving the tables around in that section.

When he did eventually hand us menus and some bread, without choice I might add, there was not a word from him. After continuing to serve the other tables he came to take our order and was very agitated, he swore (fucking) as he looked toward his other table and after taking our order he kicked the step in anger.

He then came back to ask about drinks, and apologised for his actions and outburst. He was very stressed out almost at breaking point.

This was the first time in all of our cruises that we have noticed that a waiter was so very stressed to the max. Moni & I both said that we would have said something to the MD if he hadn’t of apologised and even with that he was still very blunt. Not sure what had gone on, but it was certainly not a good feeling in that section.

Lunch menu 26 March 2015 MSC Magnifica

Our lunch meals were quite nice,

Appetizers

Grilled vegetables with ricotta cheese and basil mousse (J)

Starters

Penne all’Arrabbiata with tomato, extra virgin olive oil, chilli pepper and parsley (J)

Main course

Tortiglioni con ragü alla Bolognese (M)

Roast rooster with garlic and fine herbs with parsley-roasted potatoes and vegetable ratatouille (J&M)

Dessert

Key Lime pie, lime tart with caramelized meringue (J)

Picture sequence from top left to bottom right.

Lunch on MSC Magnifica cruise to Venice 2015

We had two beers and waters from our package.

MSC Logo shop with MSC Outdoor Binoculars!!

After lunch we walked into the MSC Logo shop by mistake… which is just to the left of the Topazio Bar. You can only walk forward on the right of side on this deck number 6. It’s a small shop with everything you could imagine MSC’ified. Even “outdoor” binoculars which I found a bit strange because where else would you use them??

MSC Logo shop with MSC Outdoor Binoculars!!!

We finally made it back in the cabin, where I sun bathed on the balcony for a while and Moni read her book.

MSC Aurea Spa – Whirlpool & Thermal Spa at Sea

Later we went to the Aurea Spa to use the Thermal Area. I had booked a MSC Spa package online prior to the cruise which includes a 30 minute massage, complimentary tea and use of the thermal area for the entire cruise. It was the Relaxing Touch package at $85 USD each (all currency aboard is USD).

I booked it prior to the cruise for two reasons, first it gave us unlimited access to the thermal area for the entire cruise and second I had found out through some research that it worked out cheaper than buying it onboard.

We were given a locker number each and shown to the changing rooms. Our first visit was to the whirlpool spas where we enjoyed the jets and the view before hitting the steam rooms and sauna. Eventually showering and relaxing in the lounge chairs reading for a while.

Spa whirlpools and relaxing area on MSC Magnifica

Even though it was nice, it all feels like “just enough” and nothing more. No attention to detail at all from the staff, not once did any member check in with us, one mopped the floors, three stood behind the reception desk, one behind the beverage area and a few along the entrance corridor.

After the spa time out we then got ready for dinner.

Drinks in the Tiger Bar

We had a drink in the Tiger Bar before dinner. This bar is huge, probably the largest bar situated in the middle of the ship we have been in so far on any ship. Big is not always best and it certainly lacks some romance.

The decor is all stripes like on a tiger, which is everywhere, yet somehow it doesn’t seem overpowering albeit very noticeable for sure.

Service here was fine and we enjoyed the live music with our drinks, even though we did have to move as we had sat near the speakers. They serve a small bowl of popcorn with your drinks, no expense spared here either.

Tiger Bar on MSC Magnifica

Dinner at 7.30pm and again no other guests at our table, I guess it looks like it’s going to be us alone all cruise. If we didn’t have such great service we would probably have moved, but we have a good waiter, with 22 years experience and it really shows.

Dinner was very good this evening probably the best yet

Tonight’s dinner menu in the dining room on MSC Magnifica

Appetizers

Roast beef wrapped asparagus en bellevue with Russian salad (J)

Salad

Rural salad, lettuce, grilled sweet peppers and cheese mousse on toast (M)

Pasta & Risotto

Maccheroncini all’amatriciana with bacon, onion, tomato sauce and Pecorino Romano (J)

Risotto mantecato ai funghi porcini with Porcini mushrooms (M)

Main course

Aubergines au gratin filled with vegetables and Ricotta cheese on a fresh tomato coulis (M)

Pork saltimbocca escalopes with prosciutto and sage, accompanied by potato purée and stir-fried Cannelini beans with garlic, sage and tomato sauce (J)

Dessert

Almond bavarois with wild berries (J)

Mocha cake sponge dipped in coffee layered with espresso buttercream (M)

Picture sequence from top left to bottom right.

Dinner meals on MSC Magnifica 2015

After dinner we walked slowly back to the cabin.