Our 3rd trip in 3 years on MSC to the same destination but all 3 were different ships. This ship definitely was our least favorite with a very poor design to move around. Our weather was great. The ports went fine. Food was ok but nothing spectacular--main restaurant and buffet. Even though our room was supposed to be "deluxe" , it was the same as others. This year, the weather was cooler so the balcony was more enticing. The main theatre entertainment was good---not the #1 shows they say, but we didn't attend their stand up comedian as I felt most likely not for a family. We didn't take in much of the other entertainment as like I said first, the ship was poorly designed and hard to get around. The one steel drums I wanted to see was in the very heavy smoking section. I never heard/saw any entertainment in the atrium that was worth stopping to listen to. I will give MSC credit that this year check-in was so much better than the fiasco last year. But they still have their fiasco for leaving the ship. Their accounting system has to be a total disaster. We were held for a room refrigerator charge and we didn't even have access to the refrigerator--probably our bill wasn't big enough. This year's emergency drill was more organized than last year's for sure. It would still be better if they had the deck along with the "muster" letter on your room card. And even with us watching the video/calling in and going to the "muster" location to have our cards scanned, we received a nasty letter stating we did NOT complete the mandatory drill.
So overall, I would not book a cruise on the Seaside again. We just did not like the flow of the ship, availability of shops/entertainment, and of course the MSC continued disembarking problem.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
After an MSC total disaster last year, this year it went smoothly. Last year we were given show time of 10am, but they never let people in the building until after 11 leaving us stand in the 90 degree heat. Lines stretched down the street for hours. Even at 5pm there was a long line. Of course they only had about half of the agent spots open at the check-in for about 6,000 guests too. This year, it seemed much better/smoother and most agent posts were filled.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Disappointing that there was a lack of variety, especially in the main dining room. They offered free ice tea and lemonade (no sugar in it) Main dining room was fine, but I was not impressed with the food and selection. Service was much faster this year than last when it would take at least 2 hours for the meal. Buffets....2 on the ship, but we found the 16th floor one closed most of the time. There was variety, but never changed from day to day.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Lots to do. Excellent water park for the kids. Disappointing that some of the live entertainment were in the thick smoking areas. Normally on a ship, there is a great walking deck around the top for exercise. Not on the Seaside
Entertainment
4 out of 5
First night was a Peter Pan show, but was actually more of a gymnastics show similar to Cirque du Soleil. Second night we didn't go to as it was a stand up comedian which normally are not for a family. Third night was a salute to Michael Jackson. That was a good show but shorter than expected.
Children's Programs
Youngest was 16
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Main dining room staff was excellent. Paper menus were hard to come by--one to a table so you had to share which made it difficult for ordering. Room was kept clean and made up. They charge $30 for a pool towel missing so hang on to those. We were charged for an in-room refrigerator beverage and we didn't even have a key and caused us disembarking problems...still had to pay it.
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
Poorly designed ship that did not flow right. Main buffet was on the 8th floor. If you wanted to go to the 16th floor buffet, don't take the elevator to the 16th floor, because they have their specialty restaurants blocking access so you need to go to the 17th level, walk across to the aft and then take the stairs down. That was true in a number of places to go---they had a bulkhead or limited access area. And that seemed too common too--restricted for their Yacht Club members. The shopping areas seemed confusing too spreading different levels. This is the 3rd MSC ship we have been on and the poorest design. Cleanliness seemed fine. They had hand wash areas at the buffet, but again poorly designed---never any soap it seemed and to throw away your towel, you had to reach under the basin and stick the towel in a small hole which often was overflowing with other wet/dirty towels. I have seen other ships with many more hand sanitizers around.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Nothing different than what you would expect. It said "deluxe balcony" but it was a standard room.
Ship tip
Having been on MSC 3 times now....don't EVER expect disembarque to go well. This time I thought I had it by going to guest relations the night before and checking my bill (which you MUST re-register your credit card) and was told I was all fine. Leaving, we waited in the line, got to the person checking our cards and I was told I had not paid my bill. I had to go to another line with about 50 people and 2 clerks. There I was told I had a bill even though the night before I didn't and had to pay cash to get off. I paid then had to take the family back in to the main line waiting again to get to the check out. Later I looked at the bill and found it was a in-room refrigerator charge---we didn't even have a key for the refrigerator!! Felt like it was a ransom to leave. But year before, it took 5 hours to leave the ship. Everyone's accounts were messed up. With the design of the ship, I would not take this ship again.
Typical port. Lots of jewelry shops that the ship tries to direct you to. I felt safe with the family walking around, but didn't leave an area more than about 4 blocks from the port.
Someday, maybe MSC will get it right with people's accounts. You MUST register your credit card on their ship. 3rd year for us on an MSC so I knew to do that. Plus, I checked at 10 the night before at the main desk if my account was clear and was told no problem. Next morning waited until called, in the long line to leave, and at the end, told I had a bill. He pointed to another huge line at a desk with 2 people working. So eventually told I had a charge not paid, but my credit card was on file. They wanted CASH. I was so mad explaining I had checked the night before, but talk to the wall. And now back in to the main line to leave the ship. After we got off, looked at the bill and a room refrigerator drink charge was added. We didn't even have a key to the refrigerator so how, but it now feels like MSC feels our bill wasn't enough so had to add a little more at the end. The year before MSC took over 5 hours of people waiting in lines to find out they had "charges" for us to get off. That was why I checked the night before. Don't ever expect MSC to let you off easily it seems.
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