Sherry Laskin, ACC, recently sailed aboard the MSC Splendida. Here she reports on what its like to sail as a Yacht Club guest.

The Epic’s maiden voyage was preceded by a 2,500 passenger inaugural two-night cruise to nowhere from Southampton for travel agents and UK Press. I managed to get a spot on that sailing and then stayed aboard for the ship’s first trans-Atlantic crossing.

Sherry Laskin, ACC, owner of Florida-based Vacation Shoppe, is currently aboard the inaugural trans-Atlantic sailing of the Norwegian Epic. Here are some of her thoughts regarding the much anticipated ship.

Sailing with MSC Cruises is not like sailing with any of the major American cruise lines; the European ambiance is evident everywhere. Yet the Poesia still offers the same services and amenities passengers find on the larger cruise lines.

With former Celebrity Cruises president Rick Sasso now the president of MSC Cruises, expectations run high from those that remember how he ran Celebrity. I was not disappointed. The Poesia is beautiful and spotlessly clean (as are all of the MSC ships), the food quality and preparation is very good and the overall service is good to very good.

In November, amid media hoopla and fanfare, the MSC Poesia arrived at Port Everglades from its home in Italy to begin its maiden Caribbean season. Meaning “Poetry” in English, this beautiful ship will sail 3 to 10 night itineraries throughout the Caribbean. Our sailing was a five-night cruise to Grand Cayman (where tendering is required) and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Italians are fond of their food, so its no surprise that the Poesia offers five dining areas, including two formal dining rooms.