Thanksgiving Cruise

Item: MSC Seashore
Rating: 4
Author: missys03

MSC Seashore Cruise Review

missys03

Contributor Level: Second Mate

7 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 8

Helpful Votes: 176

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

6 Night Western Caribbean & Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 20, 2023

Ship: MSC Seashore

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 12178

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 9 months ago

Review summary

This was my second MSC cruise and we brought our entire family on this trip for a Thanksgiving cruise. It started out very rocky with boarding taking about 4 hrs because of some issue. I try and find the best in everything and any cruise is better than no cruise; however, it seemed like around every turn there was some sort of speed bump. We would order things and get something totally different, the ship ran out of things early in the cruise, service was super slow everywhere and a major lack of communication from staff. Our motto became “expect the unexpected”. We still had fun and laughed about all the weird service things that kept happening. It was a completely full ship and kids club told us there were 1100 kids onboard. It felt like the crew was ill prepared. I feel as though MSC has such good potential as their ships are beautiful, entertainment is good, and drink package is fantastic compared to other cruise lines. It just seems as though management and service are lacking. Also, MSC definitely needs to add more complimentary food venues because only having main dining and a buffet with 5600 people on a ship does not work. Will I sail MSC again? Possibly, if it is a really good deal and not a holiday.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

We arrived at the port for our 12 PM check in and joined a very long line. We were told several different things regarding delay and we think it was a customs problem and people getting off ship late. We waited outside in line for about 3 hours.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

The food in the main dining room was fine, but the buffet was monotonous and late night food choices were few and far between.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

The parties and music around the ship were good. My son enjoyed the fitness center. Hot tubs could be a bit warmer.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment. It was different than most other cruise lines but entertaining.

Children's Programs

4 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Bar service was rough more often than not. We did have some good servers and routinely would seek out those crew members for service. Our steward would clean our room at odd times and we would often come back from being off the ship all day to a dirty room.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

The ship was kept clean or as clean as it could be kept with such a full ship and 1100 kids on board. As far as layout, I prefer Seaside layout better. I hate that you have to walk through the arcade all the time to get to other side. Elevators were also a disaster. We generally take stairs so didn’t bother us.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

We were in a balcony cabin. The cabin layout with bed by closet and then the couch made into bunk beds the entire time makes it a bit tight. Our bathroom also always smelled like a litter box.

Ship tip

Pay attention to app and flyer on your bed. Rarely, do they make announcements. All the port days we didn’t know we had been cleared to exit ship u til we saw people walking outside.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

5 out of 5

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas

5 out of 5

Head over to Bimini beach for a nice quiet day and good snorkeling around the rocks.

Thumbs Up 0

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

Highly recommend Paradise Beach for a very affordable all inclusive day.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

2 out of 5

Nightmare!!!! We did self carry off the ship. They do not make clear announcements and there is no clear direction from staff. People were jammed in stairwells and corridors with suitcases as they tried to make way down to disembarkation deck. It felt chaotic and not very safe.

5 Comments

Other reviews of this sailing

Beautiful suite, ship, kind staff, food and service lacking

Beautiful ship

Worst cruise ever!