When I boarded my first MSC cruise, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Most reviews I had read of the cruise line were subpar at best, and although I usually don’t put too much faith into reviews, I couldn’t help but be a little apprehensive.

MSC Cruises, an Italian based cruise line, is controversial amongst many cruise fans. Long established in the European market, the cruise line has recently been gaining popularity among North American cruisers, promising low prices, trendy ships, and world-class destinations.

Despite its growth, MSC has been subject to negativity, with many cruisers complaining about the food, service, and programming onboard its ships.

While weighing the positives and negatives of the cruise line, curiosity got the best of me and I booked a 7-night cruise on the fleet’s biggest ship, MSC World Europa.

Here are 12 things I loved and hated about my first MSC cruise.