Chill Weekend Away

Item: MSC Seaside
Rating: 3.9
Author: brittlea

MSC Seaside Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

brittlea

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 12

Overall rating:

3.9 out of 5

Verified Review

3 Night Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 26, 2023

Ship: MSC Seaside

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 13225

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 7 months ago

Review summary

Overall it was great. There were a few things that put me off but other than that if I wanted a relaxing weekend getaway this is a great option.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Easy and smooth

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

The food was nothing to brag about. If you wanted a good meal you had to make a reservation for one of the specialty restaurant and pay extra for that. Which we did because the food in the main dinning room was nothing amazing and small in portion size. If you wanted more or to try multiple options you had to pay extra for them. It was not all you can eat unless you were eating at the buffet. The ice cream mechanic was not 24/7 and was not self serve so my daughter was not happy. She did not get to have ice cream whenever and how ever she wanted it. The unlimited ice cream was what she was looking forward to. To get "ice cream" (gelato) when the ice cream machine was closed you had to pay extra for that but it was good.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

The pools were great. The water park area had a small pool with a dumping bucket and the slides were a blast. I loved the size of the Jungle room pool but the area was closed in and did not love that. I wish the pool outside was that size.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Loved the Beach Party! The DJ was great. I was disappointed that there were no family friendly shows. We did not get to experience any because they were all rated PG13

Children's Programs

1 out of 5

I do not have anything good to say about the teen entertainment team. We went to two of the activities that was on the agenda and no one from the staff ever showed. We asked the arcade staff for one event because it was supposed to be in the area beside it and they called and we were told the activity was moved to the teen lounge but no-one ever showed up to let us know that. Then we went to the beach volleyball and we were sitting there waiting along with others and no-one showed up. We asked the kid entertainment staff and they said they did not know maybe they had a "meeting". So I have nothing good to say about the teen entertainments staff. It was actually every disappointing because my daughter was looking forward to playing beach volleyball and so she was very upset about not getting to do that after she had been looking forward to it! Very disappointing!

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

The adult entertainment team was great. We loved one of the guys, we forgot his name, but he was from DR. He was over the scavenger hunt on the island and then over karaoke the same night and he was so kind and made every activity he was a part of fun. Our room was always clean and we had what we needed. I did run into a very rude employee in the arcade. She had no customer service, was rude, not understanding, and was not helpful over a $3.50 game!!! I do not know her name but she was working Saturday night in the arcade. I would have given a 5 star review but because of her lack of empathy 3 stars it is!

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Some areas were confusing to get to but after the third day, we had it down just in time to leave. The boat itself was clean.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Comfort was great, cleanliness was great, and size was expected for an inside cabin.

Ship tip

Bring a water bottle if you do not do the drink package. They charge you for water and you will need water in the heat so you can fill it up at the buffet for "free".

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