Great first-ever cruise!

MSC Seashore Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Echelon

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 28

Overall rating:

4.6 out of 5

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip

Sail date: May 14, 2022

Ship: MSC Seashore

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 16009

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

This was a really amazing 14-day cruise (Western then Eastern Caribbean). First time cruiser, doing it solo. It's hard to include everything memorable here, but some highlights - Happy I didn't bid to upgrade cabins before hand and instead waited until on board; moved from YC interior to YC balcony for $39/night - Had to make a few calls to customer service prior to the trip, but it wasn't bad - Onboard staff and entertainers were all amazing - I loved the variety in the thermal spa and used it often - I do wish there were more shaded areas on the top deck - Butcher's Cut is unbelievable. - Do wish there was an Italian specialty restaurant on board - Yay for ping pong tournaments. They were all great and well attended. - Excursions were good; only went with MSC offerings since this was my first time - Met some great people at meet-ups and hung out with many throughout the trip - It's hard to be more complimentary of the Butler and 2nd Butler. They were truly outstanding - Loved being on a ship with so few Americans. It was great interacting with people from all over the world. The only real entitlement/attitude I witnessed were from Americans. Everyone else took challenges in stride.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

As a Yacht Club member, you are escorted past the main check-in line to a lounge where you can have snacks or head straight on board

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Yacht Club dining room was very good as was the buffet and Butcher's Cut. Butcher's Cut was my favorite and I visited a couple times on the 14-day trip

Butcher's Cut

5 out of 5

This was truly an outstanding steakhouse. I ate here twice on a 14-day cruise. Had the filet one time and the lamb chops the next. Both were perfect. The array of steak sauces that they include is also very welcome.The foie deviled egg appetizers I found very tasty, but they were potent and my server said a lot of people don't like them. I couldn't get enough of them!The service was great, as was the atmosphere and I was surprised at how big the restaurant was -- it can hold a lot! Definitely worth a repeat visit.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

YC pool was nice, as were the ping pong tournaments (yay!), lounges and everywhere else. If you want to be alone, you can. If you want to be in the middle of it all, you also can!

Entertainment

5 out of 5

I saw most of the shows in both the theatre and cabaret. All were excellent with talented performers.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

First time cruising and it took a while to adjust to having a Butler, but he was truly outstanding, making sure I had everything I needed and wanted.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Hard to compare to other ships since I've never sailed before, but everything I saw was in pristine condition.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Originally booked an inside YC, but upgraded on board to a YC balcony when they had some vacancies. I loved the space, it was large, as was the balcony (2 chairs + table/foot rest), great bathroom with a rainhead shower + wand. My only issue was with the pair of beds pushed together. They created a definite gap/cavity in the middle.

Ship tip

If you want to upgrade your YC cabin, skip the bidding ahead of time and visit the concierge desk immediately after the safety drill (which is when they open up vacant rooms)

Thumbs up

Ports of call

San Juan, Puerto Rico

5 out of 5

Visited Barrachina for the best Pina Colada ever! Suggest reserving a table if you want to eat there (so wish we had done that). Then visited The Cannon Club piano bar which is a 100% must-visit place for drinks, dinner, music or just looking at their amazing decorating and design.

Thumbs Up 0

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

4 out of 5

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

4 out of 5

Liked the new Taino Bay water park/restaurants/shops just off the port. Take a towel if you plan to visit the pool. The restaurant there was also great!

Thumbs Up 1

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas

4 out of 5

Very nice island that's still in the process of being built-out. If you go to the Yacht Club beach, remember to take water shoes. The rocks there are numerous and sharp! Sooooo many people stumbling, hurting, falling as they tried to get in and out of the water. In the sand, there are plenty of chairs and umbrellas.

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