Besutiful Ship with many issues

MSC Seaside Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Elnel

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 26

Overall rating:

2.6 out of 5

7 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 30, 2017

Ship: MSC Seaside

Cabin type: Inside

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

The main reason for this cruise was to celebrate new year’s together with family and friends. In the future, we would choose another cruise company and ship for a similar occasion. The ship is beautiful, as well as the Miami terminal.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

Ok for the number of passengers on this ship. Needed more staff. No smiles, no welcoming faces.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

Main restaurant assigned to us was Ipanema 7:45 sitting. Our waiter was wonderful, attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. He was the BEST! Food was ok. Some seafood dishes were undercooked. Buffets on 8 and 16 overcrowded with unclean tables and chairs and difficult to find staff for assistance. Coffee earns not available at all times. Lemonade/ juice dispensers empty at times. Food stuck to decks outside buffet dinning areas. (Another sign of understaffing)

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

Fitness center was fine. Enough equipment availability, although no visible staff.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Ship entertainers were ok. Only two shows were excellent. Very short due to the three scheduled shows to accommodate the number of passengers. Reservations required for each show.

Children's Programs

Not children in my party

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Room steward had to be reminded of refilling shampoo and shower gel dispensers as well as replacing the correct number of towels on a daily basis (two in the room) One morning we got stuck in one of the glass elevators. It was difficult to understand the person’s English through the speaker while trying to answer her questions. Apparently it was an electrical issue and resolved after a few minutes. NO ONE even contacted us afterwards to find out how we were (I am claustrophobic) No one to tell either, as the lines at guest services were long and perpetual. ***The BEST service we received was from our dinning room waiter. He was knowledgeable about the food.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Common areas were not clean. ( see my comments about the buffet areas) Common area restrooms were not clean, lacked toilet paper, overflowed or unable to flush. Doors were not closing properly or not at all. Wet floors. There was an odor In some hallways. Obviously a plumbing issue.

Cabin / Stateroom

2 out of 5

Cabin was small. Bathroom shower very small (ok for us) if you are a tall and medium to large built person you won’t be turning around without opening the door! Ship is new so linen and towels are fresh.

Ship tip

Don’t Cruise on this particular ship if you have no children or dont’t like large crowds. If you like good service and attention while cruising (we do) this is not a ship for you!

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