MSC SEASIDE NEEDS TO READ TO REVIEWS

MSC Seaside Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 5
Helpful Votes: 74

Overall rating:

2.8 out of 5
Verified Review
MSC Seaside

7 Night Eastern Caribbean & Bahamas (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 12, 2018

Ship: MSC Seaside

Cabin number: 12144

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

First off let me state that we are Avid Cruisers and decided to try the MSC Seaside based on the new technology and features of this ship without extensively looking into the ship's reviews which was our mistake. We first noticed that if you weren't Yacht Club member the forward one third section of the ship was unaccessible therefore restricting any forward views or panoramic views moving forward on this ship. We found that the passenger to service Personnel ratio was not adequate to service the ship. To start the food buffet was a disaster which was limited and lacked variety .Certain dishes were not even warm coffee creamer half and half and coffee cups were non-existent during a good portion of the 7 day cruise. If you chose to have juice in the morning such as tomato juice or V8 juice there was an additional charge. The main dining room was extremely crowded and waiters could not get between tables and service properly . The quality of food was poor and sometimes served cold in the middle waiting for water or receiving a cocktail during dinner was a challenge. The gym was small and lacked views to the forward of the ship extremely crowded gave up on that- no staff help. The theater was extremely crowded with passengers often standing up nightly without a seat. We had made reservations every night and were forced to arrive early to get a seat .There was no live Orchestra so the music was on recording no drinks in the theater. The activities were pay for activities for things such a zipline bowling Etc whereas other Cruise Lines include those amenities. If the Sun was out good luck getting a chair to sit on the deck top side again the ratio of chairs to passengers was not appropriate. When ordering a glass of wine or a martini or a mixed drink the appropriate glass in many cases was non-existent it was a challenge to get the right glass for the right drink each evening .Minor things like lack of body lotions or bathrobes are not supplied to the rooms. Restroom placement did not make sense for common areas. In most cases the one toilet that was available was either broken or extremely hard for a handicapped person to access and in need of cleaning. We should have read more reviews before booking this Cruise but that's our fault we would put this ship at the bottom of the line in cruising we have also sailed on the MSC Divina which was also extremely poor. Our advice would be to look for a smaller ship on a quality line such as Holland Norwegian Royal Caribbean to give better service better food and better amenities.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Ship Quality

2 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ship tip

Dont have expectations of great food. Forward areas of the ship not available to all guests- only yacht club members.

Ports of call

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

3 out of 5

Nassau, Bahamas

3 out of 5

Disembarkation

3 out of 5
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16 Comments

jpro77    6 years ago

Just a different perspective here but I think it might be that the experience that was chosen wasn't in line with the expectation. MSC has classified cruising into different experiences Bella all the way up to Yacht Club. Particularly with MSC, I think you have to select the experience that best meets your preferences as a cruiser. I do like the choices for all budgets and preferences but I think it requires consumers to be informed of what they are getting and select the cruise experience that most suits their needs. I think that a lot of the negative reviews are because the cruiser was expecting something different from the experience that they purchased. Just my opinion, I'm sorry this cruiser didn't have a good experience.

CruiseMom150    6 years ago

I just got off the Seaside today and completely agree with this review. Shows, terrible. Service, the worst! Buffet same stuff over and over. Terrible after the 3rd day. Not sure how many burgers and hotdogs someone could eat! Dining room no good food. Always served warm or just cold! Not even Elegant or formal nights provided decent food. If you haven’t been on the Seaside give yourself 10-15 minutes more anywhere you go to wait for the elevators! Anyone knocking someone else’s experience and up selling MSC is probably a fake account. We went with a very large group of about 50 people. No 1 family will sail MSC ever again. That’s saying a lot. Did I mention the waterfall in front of the dining room of this brand new ship? Main water line broke. Flooded 3 floors! Horrible they way they handled it. Long wait no matter where you go. Never got Adriel from a bar or treat from the chocolate bar in less then waiting 20 minutes to even be acknowledged. You can overcome any short comings with decent customer service, this ship has the worst. MSC motto, treat guests like that don’t matter.

vacatime    6 years ago

We were on seaside may 12th..I highly disagree with this review..wide variety of food choices coffee cups were always available shows were great

DebDoesCruises1    6 years ago

I have no idea what glass to use for what drink and could care less....for the price my opinion is MSC does a superb job.. We just got upgraded to a suite with whirlpool on the deck...WOW! Thank you MSC!

thisler    6 years ago

I agree, totally your fault. I'm honestly surprised that someone who claims to be an avid cruiser would be surprised and then upset by things that are easily known. Everything mentioned here, other than what's subjective, such as quality of food, is absolutely known by doing any research at all. However, I'm SOOO glad it was brought to light the terrible problem of drinks in the wrong glass. In my whole life I've never been aware that they tasted any different that way. Now I know! 🙄 Life is what we make it and perhaps if we're privileged enough to be avid cruisers, we should appreciate and enjoy!

Yashu    6 years ago

I can't believe this review. For an avid cruiser he must know that live orchestras do not exist on a cruise ship. How can he expect there to be a live orchestra? OMG. Sounds like a total BS review.

joe178685    6 years ago

Sounds like you just like complaining

nodnoc    6 years ago

capncoke    6 years ago

I have read bad reviews on many ships I have absolutely loved. Some people look for the worst in cruises, some look for the best in cruises. I hope there is a deck that I can go forward of ship. I have come to learn that cruise lines seem to divide guests by class . The more you are willing to spend, the better amenities you will receive.

katej14    6 years ago

I’m sorry, I can’t take a review seriously who complains about not getting the right type of glass for their drink. 😂

captainsteve68    6 years ago

I'm so sorry you were disappointed....I have read other people describing a bad cruise on other ships I have been on and absolutely enjoyed....all I can say is thank you for your perspective....I'm sorry your cruise wasn't better

bbarnett    6 years ago

Will be on the Seaside in October. YC3, can't wait

onlysail    6 years ago

Another moaner

gusgusmom    6 years ago

If you were disappointed on Divina why would you book MSC again? Loved Divina booked on Seaside in Oct. and Divina again in Jan. Wrong glasses seriously...sounds like you might be looking for a future cruise discount? Hahaha

lindaharry    6 years ago

jenrich    6 years ago

I’ll keep this short Entirely opposite views Buffet lots of choices. Theater shows excellent with standing ovations nightly. Any ship you need to arrive about 15 min early. Princess 45 min Lots of rest rooms. All immaculate After more than 30 cruises on what you call quality lines we have two more MSC booked. Excellent in every way.

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