Overview

I was diagnosed with MND in 2016 and can't talk and need a walker/crutch/Luggie/Trike to get around. As a family of 4, my wife, I and two children (boy 14 and girl 13) went on a Mediterranean Cruise for 15 days with MSC Cruise company. We chose MSC because they were so helpful on the phone unlike other cruise companies. We chose our cabin on-line, with a balcony, I recommend choosing your cabin. We left from Southampton which was so easy, parked next to the ship and were in our cabin in under an hour. I took my Luggie, easy to get around on the ship because everywhere flat and lifts to all floors. Luggie could get into the room which slept 4 and there was one step to get into the bathroom which I managed. A brief summary of the cruise. Day 1, 2 and 3 - Sea Days, 4 - Cadiz Spain, 5 - Malaga, 6 - Alicante, 7 - Palma, 8 - Sea Day, 9 - Villefranche-sur-Mer, 10 - Barcelona, 11 - Sea Day, 12 - Lisbon, 13 and 14 Sea Days and 15 Southampton. I managed to get off at every port by using the Luggie down ramps and one port was a Tender boat and the staff helped me then. So much to do on the ship which was huge, our cabin on deck 14! My son used the gym, both played 5 a side football, bowling alley. My wife/daughter used the running track on one of the decks. Indoor and outdoor pools, 24 bars (didn't visit them all unfortunately), live show every night. Breakfast we used the buffet which was nice but not our first choice as we like to eat together without getting up etc so one of the family would have to get mine. We often missed lunch (apart from our son) as we ate enough at breakfast but dinner we dined in the restaurant. Great service from our waiter and food really good for all of us and my wife is vegan. During the trip we all saw dolphins and the kids saw whales (we were gutted). This is a snapshot of a superb trip.

Transport & Parking

We live under 2 hrs from Southampton so drove there. Plenty of disabled parking next to the ship, then used my Luggie to get on board and this trip cut out all the hassle of flying which we've done several times.

Access

On the ship the corridors were generally wide including the one to our cabin which was at the end of a long corridor. I could drive my Luggie into the cabin and used my walker/crutch in the cabin or held on to things to get around. Having a balcony was great, money well spent, and we all had plenty of room to socialise on it.

Toilets

Plenty of disabled loos on board and quickly you get to know where they are.

Staff

All staff were helpful, couldn't do enough for any of us. Our waiter for two weeks was excellent, knowledgeable about the food, kind, helpful and funny. The entertainment each night was great from dance shows to comedians. Unfortunately, the auditorium where it all took place had steps and you would have to go down at least one, or sit at the back in your wheelchair/Luggie on your own unless you got there early. Some nights we had a drink in the middle of the ship before dinner where a very good Pianist and Cellist played.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Each day when we went to the buffet we were checked for Covid by a member of staff and all staff wore masks.

Photos