MSC Sinfonia Mediterranean Cruise: Highlights, Tips, and Destinations

Over Christmas vacation, our family embarked on a MSC Sinfonia Mediterranean cruise. Here are my thoughts and highlights from our journey:

The Ship

MSC Sinfonia is an older ship but well-maintained, which we appreciated. Its size was perfect—large enough to offer a variety of amenities but small enough to easily navigate. The rooms were kept impeccably clean, and the staff stood out for their friendliness and willingness to go above and beyond to assist us.

Entertainment on our MSC Sinfonia Mediterranean Cruise

The evening entertainment was engaging and enjoyable for the whole family. Each performance was well-done, we looked forward to it each evening onboard. it was a highlight on our MSC Sinfonia Mediterranean cruise.

Dining on MSC Sinfonia Mediterranean Cruise

Before boarding, I had read reviews mentioning that the food was average, so my expectations were tempered. While this isn’t a luxury cruise line, and we weren’t paying luxury prices, I found the food to be decent. The standout dishes were the pasta and pizza, which were made fresh on the ship and tasted excellent. The kids particularly enjoyed the freedom to eat whatever they wanted at the buffet.

Activities on MSC Sinfonia Mediterranean Cruise

While there were scheduled activities onboard, we didn’t participate in these. Instead, we enjoyed the ship’s amenities, which included:

• A swimming pool
• A splash area with fountains for younger kids
• Mini-golf
• Basketball

We were on the ship during New Year’s Eve, and the celebrations were a blast! Parties were happening all over the boat, adding to the festive atmosphere on our MSC Sinfonia Mediterranean Cruise.

Ports of Call

The itinerary was one of the main reasons we chose the MSC Sinfonia Mediterranean Cruise, and it did not disappoint. The ports offered a variety of interesting experiences for our family:

• Piraeus, Greece: We embarked here and had time to explore Athens before and after the cruise.
• Izmir, Turkey: We took a day trip to Ephesus, which was fascinating.
• Istanbul, Turkey: A highlight with its rich history and vibrant culture. CLICK HERE to read about our experience at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
• Corfu, Greece: A beautiful island to explore.
• Bari, Italy: From Bari, we hired a driver and visited Alberobello and Matera, both of which were unique and memorable. The company we hired a driver from was Apulia Shuttle. They were wonderful and their vehicles were imacculate. They have also received excellent reviews on Trip Advisor. CLICK HERE to read their reviews

Seasonal Considerations

Since it was December, the weather was cool, and you needed a coat to sit outside. However, one of our days at sea was sunny, and we made the most of it by lounging outdoors. Traveling during this time of year had its perks: there were only two cruise lines operating in the region MSC and Viking, so the ports weren’t crowded.

Observations

The ship was at full capacity, and it did feel crowded at times. However, this seems to be the norm for most cruise ships. We opted for the late dinner seating, which began at 9:00 PM—later than we expected but manageable.

Final Thoughts

Overall, our family had a wonderful time on the MSC Sinfonia. While it’s not a luxury cruise line, it offered excellent value for the price. The friendly staff, engaging entertainment, and memorable ports made it a fantastic holiday experience. If you’re considering a Mediterranean cruise during the holiday season, MSC Sinfonia is a solid choice! For more information on MSC Cruises CLICK HERE.