Spoiler: The private island was a dream, the chocolate tour…not so much!

As a family who works hard so we can play hard, we booked an MSC cruise departing from New York City, hoping it would be a restful, fun, and adventurous getaway in the middle of a Northeast winter. Let’s just say parts of it lived up to the dream. Other parts? Well, they left us underwhelmed.

This post is a mix of our honest reflections, helpful travel tips, and the kind of review we wish we’d read before booking. If you’re a family who loves good design, meaningful travel, and a little more peace than party, read on.

Leaving NYC in Winter: Beautiful, But Cold & Cramped

We left out of NYC in January. This sounds romantic in theory, but the frigid temps meant all the outdoor decks and amenities were basically unusable for the first couple days. That left everyone crammed into indoor common areas that weren’t quite designed for that level of traffic.

If you’re someone who recharges through quiet or spacious environments, the first few days may feel overwhelming.

The Room: Tiny & Windowless

Yes, we knew cruise cabins would be small, but not having a window made it feel a bit like being in a prison. Josh enjoyed the cruise more than the rest of us (we love that for him!), but truthfully, it felt claustrophobic for the rest of us.

Although we had small accommodations, we were happy to at least have some interesting “backdrops” for photos throughout the cruise ship.

I wouldn’t say the interior of the ship was exactly my “style,” but the sheer size of it (along with the level of detail) certainly made it impressive.

Sea Days vs. Port Days: 4 at Sea, 3 on Land Felt Off-Balance

Here’s the breakdown of our week:

• Port Canaveral, FL – We visited the Kennedy Space Center, which was exciting but expensive and rushed. What should have been a $20 Uber became $90 one way because all 3,000+ people are getting off at the same time. We only had about 3 hours to explore, so we couldn’t do the full launchpad tour.

• MSC’s Private Island – This was our favorite day. It was beautiful, clean, and not overcrowded (a nice surprise). Unfortunately, it was windy and chilly (low 70s), so all outdoor activities like kayaking and paddleboarding were canceled. Still worth it for the view alone.

• Nassau, Bahamas – We visited the historic Queen’s Staircase, which was gorgeous, and then went to the Graycliff Chocolatier. The tour was underwhelming, especially at a price tag of $350+ for four people. Even though everything was walkable from the port, we’d 100% recommend skipping the organized excursion and going on your own instead.

Plus, I loved having an opportunity to walk around and take in some of the beauty of the local area. The colors were absolutely perfect against the tropical surroundings!

Activity Options: Karaoke, Origami & Not Much More

Most of the onboard activities skewed toward karaoke, trivia, origami, or casino-style entertainment. The shows were okay (some nights were better than others), but overall they were not on par with other cruise lines. Put simply, if you’re not into alcohol, gambling, or group dancing… things got old fast.

That said, we did meet an incredibly talented musician, Margo Messenger, who made the whole trip feel more special. Here’s her Instagram – give her a follow!

Final Days: A Bit Better, But Still Not “Us”

Our last two days at sea were smoother. The shows improved, we found little ways to make it work (hello, card games and people-watching), but we still couldn’t shake the feeling that seven days, with only three on land, wasn’t the right ratio for our kind of vacation.

One thing we always appreciate no matter where we go or what is “on our schedule” is a chance to try new foods and enjoy good cuisine. We definitely had some yummy options on the cruise, and I would say that the food was one of the BEST parts of our trip. If you’re a real foodie, maybe that would make all the rough parts of this cruise, completely worth it!

What We’d Do Differently (AKA: What You Should Know)

Overall, I would say this was just NOT the trip for us. I am glad we had the experience because it has given me an opportunity to share ways we would proceed differently. Here are my tips for making sure your cruise experience is a great one:

1. Only Cruise from Warm Locations

Embarking from NYC in winter meant two full days before hitting real warmth. If we cruise again, we’d fly to a warmer port first.

2. Splurge on a Balcony Room

Natural light changes everything. If your budget allows, a room with a balcony or even just a window makes a big difference.

3. Bring Entertainment

Games, books, puzzles, or even watercolor kits go a long way on sea days, especially if you’re not into the scheduled activities.

4. Get the Full Wi-Fi Package

The MSC messaging app sometimes didn’t work. Get the full Wi-Fi so you can stay in touch and make plans on board.

5. Don’t Rush Off the Ship

Disembarkation was chaotic. I am talking, like Black Friday meets airport security. Wait it out in your cabin if you can or get up early to be first in line. Trust us.

6. DIY Your Excursions

In Nassau and Port Canaveral, you’ll save a ton by skipping organized excursions. Book your ride ahead so you aren’t wasting a ton of time waiting for an uber or other transport. Research ahead and go at your own pace.

Final Thoughts: Cruising Isn’t for Everyone, and That’s OK

We love intentional living. We love beauty, creativity, and rest. This cruise, while filled with little bright spots and one amazing island day, just didn’t check the boxes for us.

That said, if you’re someone who thrives on constant activity, casino nights, and karaoke, this might be your dream trip. But if you’re like us and crave peaceful adventure, thoughtful design, and immersive cultural experiences, we’d recommend something more like…

•  Cruising fewer days at sea
•  Choosing warmer departure cities
•  Or opting for a different kind of vacation altogether

Wherever you’re headed next, we hope it fills your soul and makes space for joy.

Ready to See More Great Places?

Do you love to travel but aren’t sure how to get it done? I love sharing insights from our other trips. Consider checking out other journeys over the years, tagged on my travel blog and also linked below. You can also check out my blog post on our first stop in Central Europe: 12 Must-Visit Sights of Budapest, and Travel Tips for a Family Trip to Vienna, and Puerto Rico Family Vacation: Relaxation & Rainforest Adventures in the Rio Grande.

Ready to start?

Get Top Travel Tips for fun & affordable journeys around the GLOBE.

FunCycled Travel Blog

Thanks for Following Along

I hope hearing about our journey has inspired you to make some travel plans of your own, even if it’s just to a new town close to home! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture at the top of this page. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on  Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do. 

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and I may earn from any qualifying purchases.