What we needed to get away. We wanted a space we could sleep as new parents, but the cruise ship itself did not meet our expectations. Wish there were better activities and more options for people who are not Yacht Club members.
Embarkation
2 out of 5
Embarking at Port Canaveral was great. We showed up at our scheduled time and quickly got on the boat.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
1 out of 5
The buffets were crowded! Too many people and not enough places to eat throughout the shop. We had “My Choice Dining” and unless you went before 6:00, you had to wait in a massive line. The food was not good. The salad course often came with a large dollop of dressing. The food was salty or tasteless. Their cookies were good at the snack buffet in the evening. We enjoyed the oatmeal raisin cookies.
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
Often we retreated to our stateroom as the boat was crowded. On board, the top floors were where you would find activities. The front portions of the boat were blocked off for Yacht Club members only. These are people who paid more $$ on their stateroom or have cruised a lot. They had their own dining room, their own pools, and space. The rest of the people, which were the majority had 3/4 other pools. 1 pool that was for kids, like a splash pad. 1 pool that was by the smoking section of the boar. 1 pool where we witnessed a child drown almost and the lifeguard was clueless. This pool was shaded. We didn’t venture the last pool. It was so crowded on our at sea day that we turned right around and just remained in our cabin. The slides were fun, but one of them you got stuck in and had to push your way down. The open was was better. The one withy he tube, there were only 4-5 tubes and you had to wait for the person to come down and then carry it up to the top of the boat yourself. The line to sign the waiver was long as the slides are only open for a few house in the morning and afternoon.
Entertainment
2 out of 5
The night shows seemed the same each night. It was people singing songs or lip singing to songs. Variety would have been nice. The music was very loud too.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
On past crushing, we have always gotten to know our room steward even on short trips. We barely got to know our room steward as we couldn’t find him often. He was busy working, but when we would leave to our room and then come back two hours later, he always seemed to be in our room then. It was like he had no clue we had left. People were nice, but if you want to get a drink at dinner, at the pool, or any other place other than a bar, you would have to seek someone out. Other cursing experiences, the drink people would be circulating asking if you’d like a drink. This was not the case on this MSC cruise.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Common areas were clean and well maintained.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
It was comfortable. The shower was small, but that is expected on a boat.
Ship tip
Stay on the boat when people get off to be able to enjoy the ship. It’s overcrowded and hard to experience the ship when everyone is on it.
I appreciate your criticism and compliments about the overall cruise experience. I have experienced many of the shortcomings of the cruiseline on MSC Seaside. Other criticisms I have read in reviews or heard from other people. I'm hoping that if I go again that the experience is better. Anyway, thank you for your review.
Thank you for the share. The grass isn't always greener on the other side.
The Yacht Club is based on passengers paying for the cabin has nothing to do with membership.
Yes there is a small pool, 2 hot tubs, a small dining room and lounge, that is all. To see a show you would have to leave. Watching sporting events you will have to leave and go to the sports bar ( no TV in the lounge ) Same goes for dancing, shopping and etc. If you were bored on the ship the Yacht club would have super bored you and you'll have less money.
Also it is only about 10% of the ship.
Sorry you did not enjoy your cruise.
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