MSC Orchestra Pulses With Music by Various Travel Authors on Creators.com

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MSC Orchestra Pulses With Music

The MSC Orchestra, though its music resounded throughout the ship, often struck the wrong chord. But for those looking for an inexpensive vacation amid lovely surroundings, the ship might be just the ticket.

Ironically, the performing orchestra appearing on the ship's publicity is non-existent. Yet live music was much in evidence during my weeklong eastern Caribbean cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A cruise diary even lists the live music options.

My husband Bob and I sailed aboard the 2,550-passenger ship's overture in American waters, the Italian company's largest ship to sail here. The fleet usually sails in Europe and its crew — and most of its passengers — are European. And that's the explanation for many problems, say some staff.

When American passengers choose a foreign-based line, they should understand that the ships are frequently booked first in Europe. Many passengers originate there, and announcements will be made in several languages. We expected that; our co-passengers were mostly French. Because of that, shows don't focus on American songs, but universally understood entertainers such as magicians and jugglers. I found the performers excellent.

The Covent Garden Theatre was a knock-your-socks-off venue, featuring as many fiber-optic lights and lasers as possible, plus rising stage sections. "Midnight in Paris" was an absolute delight (although some parents thought the costumes a bit risque), but nobody found fault with the outstanding "Celtic Spirit." The talent, costumes and backgrounds were outstanding.

My fault with the shows? On several nights only one performance was held for both seatings, at 10:30. That meant that early diners, who were finished at 7:30, hung around for three hours. We don't gamble, and there was no movie theater. One pleasant pastime: a classical string quartet or a South American guitar trio entertained in the small atrium. Similarly, a combo or pianist usually performed in the Amber Piano Bar, where we enjoyed dancing.

One group didn't suffer from lack of music. Concerts at Sea had organized a Golden Oldies cruise. They brought 750 passengers, each paying an additional $500. For this, they received private concerts by groups including the original 85-year-old drummer and two other originals from Bill Haley and the Comets; Paul Revere and the Raiders; Dean Torrence from Jan and Dean; an Elvis impersonator plus others. Odd to see long, gray ponytails aboard ship — on men!

They held autograph signings, rock 'n' roll trivia contests, dance lessons, a sock hop and more. "We bring our own six-piece band," said Tammy Selee, Boisie, Idaho-based producer, "plus four dance hosts, and include a dance party nightly. We've been doing this for 10 years, and have about 40 percent repeats."

Participants wore shirts proclaiming the group. "We got to enjoy lots of '50s and '60s music, which we like," said Jackie Myers of Quincy, IL. "Bobbie Van had his son and grandson along, who were wonderful." John Dean, of Prague, OK, said, "It's a chance to meet most of the performers, who went out of their way to be personable."

The ship itself, launched in May, 2007, is pretty enough. Paneling and granite abound. Dining rooms swathed in soft colors are broken into cozy spaces rather than football-length areas. In the two main dining rooms, guests are seated at designated tables at one of two seatings. I prefer this, since your wait person knows you and your preferences.

Our server, Arfah, in the Ibiscus Dining Room was outstanding. But the poor man had to work as waiter, bus boy and sommelier. The crew, as I've noticed on other lines in these economically woeful times, has been slashed. Passengers delight in the cut-to-the-bones fares, but they must understand that the cruise lines are making economic decisions to adjust as well.

Another major savings: Kids 17 and under sail free. They have indoor and outdoor, plus teen, areas. Children unders 17 also get discounts for shore excursions.

The crew of 987 barely knew how to speak English, say some of those working aboard. Yet that surely doesn't justify the extremely lengthy time it took to serve breakfast and lunch in the Villa Borghese dining room. I tried several times to get Egg Beaters in the dining rooms, to no avail; finally I asked for and received an egg white omelette in La Piazetta (the buffet) breakfast.

The food generally was fair, but one outstanding venue was the Shanghai Chinese Restaurant, the cuisine representing four regions. Within a smart, red and black lacquer setting, the eatery serves delicious lunch and dinner at reasonable a la carte prices. I indulged in my favorite, Peking duck.

We had chosen this cruise partly because of its itinerary, different from many other Caribbean cruises. Our first port, Cayo Levantado in the Dominican Republic, provided us with a lovely beach studded with palm trees. Some passengers joined a whale-watching expedition, where they spotted 10 humpbacks.

Our next port was Philipsburg, St. Maarten. We drove past the Great Salt Pond and the gorgeous harbor, site of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. Many American stars have homes here, including Eddie Murphy, John Travolta, Sylvester Stallone and Chuck Norris, said our guide. We then rode into French St. Martin. Besides the colorful, local open-air market, Rue de la Republique still maintains shops and eateries in Colonial stone buildings sporting red-tin roofs and metal filigree balconies.

In more affluent-looking St. John, Antigua, Bob and I toured Nelson's Dockyard National Park. History buffs like us love being immersed in the old buildings, the British fleet's home during the Napoleonic Wars. We started our sightseeing at the Dockyard Museum, built as the Naval Officer's and Clerk's House in 1835. Displays include model ships, Nelson's telescope and pirate guns, but also artifacts from Archaic people and Amerindians. Other old buildings clustered around English Harbour include 1842-Gray's Hill Anglican Church.

Finally, we docked at Nassau, The Bahamas - but not until 3 p.m. This was disappointing to most passengers. Our favorite stop is Atlantis, Paradise Island, boasting the world's largest open-air marine habitat. Twenty million gallons of water harbor 50,000 marine animals in the aquarium. Besides seeing giant sharks and schools of colorful fish behind huge-windowed tanks, we walked through a large acrylic tube where they swam over and around us.

The Orchestra, sailing Eastern and Western Caribbean routes, will departs Fort Lauderdale May 2 for an 18-night voyage including a two-night stop in New York before heading to Europe for the summer.

IF YOU GO

For information, contact MSC Cruises at 800-666-9333 or view www.msccruisesusa.com.

For Concerts at Sea, 866-365-4337 or view www.concertsatsea.com.

Molly Arost Staub is a freelance travel writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.