Could actually be the worst on the market

MSC Seaside Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

MamaYo

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 4

Overall rating:

1.9 out of 5

4 Night Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 19, 2023

Ship: MSC Seaside

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 14027

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

I recently experienced a mother daughter getaway with MSC cruise lines and I can honestly say they might actually be the worst on the market. Those I met and the several hundred I witnessed on the ship mimicked my own opinion and many worse. The company’s gross lack of integrity, accountability was dumbfounding. And the unbelievable exploitation and insufficient number of employees as well. Many worked 14+ hrs. Then there is the unacceptable unresponsive customer service from both the front desk on the cruise to their archived contact number to reach via telephone MSC customer support. I actually waited on hold to speak to a customer rep for nearly 5 hrs then was disconnected. This was an attempt to resolve the cost of excursion we were robbed of. The sea lions excursion purchase was nearly $400. The event was doomed from the start due to the colossal lack of critical information originating through a significant indiscriminate measure of direction induced from combining a redundancy of excursions scheduled to meet in the same theater resulting in an absurd level of confusion and chaos. The worst part is, customer service blamed us followed by accusations of mendacious stories to steal our money back. Ultimately my efforts proved futile as our refund was defiantly refused.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

It took +3 hrs waiting in line in the hot sun to board the ship

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Our first day we went without lunch and dinner. Wait time for reserved dining was an unbelievably chaotic experience to say the least. Insufficiently staffed and grossly lacking essential supplies e.g. ran out of eggs the first day. The food was good but the restaurants were lacking gluten free options so dinner was pretty boring - The only GF desserts available, ice-cream. Every available bar was like swimming through the plethora of angry passengers just to wait +20min to place your drink order following another +20 to receive the drink albeit spirited or otherwise. Some drinks were even given to wrong customers, and one saw was underage. We discovered several false drink charges among others on our bill.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

Passengers were in poor attitudes due to ongoing major problems. The staff was engaging and uplifting so it made dancing a bit more fun. Pools were beautiful but hot tubs would hold no more than 3-4 adults.

Entertainment

2 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Arguments and tension between bartenders and waiters. Some bartenders blatantly mocked customers.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

The entirety of the ship each day was serviced and kept immaculate

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

The first day was so terrible I cried (I NEVER CRY) answered the door expecting my friend and it was the cabin maintenance man for the block I was in. I was mortified to be seen in such a state but he was genuinely kind and empathetic, even offered to get me water. Every day our room was made immaculate and fresh.