Seriously, the location was awesome! Deck 11 is mid-height, not too high and definitely not too low. I like to make sure my cabin is near the venues that I think I’ll spend the most time at, but if you book Bella you don’t get to choose your cabin. You’re at the whim of MSC. Thankfully, cabin 11197 was roughly midship and very (very) close to a midship elevator…which also opened up at the entrance to the Marketplace Buffet on Deck 8. 

One thing though. It seems that MSC takes annoying cruise content crap seriously. When I came into the cabin, the couch had a sheet on the seat, much like crazy influencers are saying is a “must do” on cruises. No. It’s cheap and tacky. If I want a sheet on my couch, I’ll put it there. And yeah, I do like a sheet on my couch, but I don’t want my stew thinking I’m some gross person who needs the sheet!

It was also interesting that my room steward was nowhere to be found early in the afternoon. But I realized that this was a different kind of sailing than I’m used to, and this early afternoon time was likely their rest time. 

I don’t think I’ve been on a short cruise — under seven days — for a long while! On this sailing, I’d only see my stew for a few days; we weren’t going to form a strong bond where we learned each other’s habits over the course of three days. 

Passengers on short cruises usually don’t spend much time in their cabins, either. They’re soaking up every moment, doing every possible activity on board. For these passengers, the room steward stocks the towels and makes the bed.

Even still, I like to know my stew. Mr. XD showed up later that evening and helped me with my usual requests. All good. 🙂