MSC Seaside a big disappointment to these frequent cruisers

Item: MSC Seaside
Rating: 2.9
Author: KathyNTim

MSC Seaside Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

KathyNTim

Contributor Level: Second Mate

59 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 5

Helpful Votes: 98

Overall rating:

2.9 out of 5

7 Night Western Caribbean & Bahamas (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 27, 2019

Ship: MSC Seaside

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

We were tremendously disappointed to find out that our “gratuities/service charge“ was not truly a gratuity. The workers explained that that money was used for their base salary. If cruisers did not provide cash tips, they were living at poverty level, even considering room and board are included in their salary. MSC needs to do a better job of educating their customers so that we don’t look cheap by not tipping additionally. Other cruise lines in the United States divide the gratuities amongst the workers IN ADDITION to the base salary Provided by the cruise line.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

From curb to ship was about twenty minutes!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Food was sub par, small portions, no free soft serve, sodas were only part of a $33/per day package. Otherwise $3.75 per can.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

NO planned activities on port days. Minimal activities on sea says. Zip line, bowling, arcade, all cost extra. Positive note: nicer prizes than we are used to for winning trivia.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Average at best. Shows were repetitive. Many acts appeared several times throughout the week in the evening theater variety shows.

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Waiters were lacking in personality. Room steward did a great job.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Very nice ship. Clean, elegant.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Clean cabin, but not enough storage or closet space.

Ship tip

The Buffett is not on the top deck near the pool. It’s on deck 8. Counterintuitive to every other ship we have been on!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

2 out of 5

Visited Blue Hole and Kaz Kreole Beach through Sham and Orion Tours. Inexpensive, but you get what you pay for. Tons of marijuana smokers everywhere in Jamaica. You’ll get a contact high even if you’re careful to try to steer clear. Beware of you drug test for work!

Thumbs Up 2

George Town, Grand Cayman

5 out of 5

Love GC- can’t go wrong at this port!

Thumbs Up 10

Nassau, Bahamas

2 out of 5

Visited Junkanoo Beach and the Straw Market on our own. Both are a short walk from the pier and very doable if you’re on a budget.

Thumbs Up 12