BestNC Cruiser

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I do know what you mean. It feels like I’m spending more $$ if I’m having to “pull out the wallet” Everyday vs. paying up front. To me it’s a mental thing. It’s one of the reasons I love all inclusive resorts. In Reality, its all depends on the up front cost vs what you actually end up spending.

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Sorry! :(:( But the top Pizza looks very unappetizing! I prefer the thin crust pizza. Possibly with some fried eggplant scattered on top!

Sorry! :(:( But the bottom Pizza looks very unappetizing! I prefer the thick crust pizza. Possibly with some onions scattered on top!

What??? No swim up bar! I'm cancelling my cruise.

Swim up bar. I like that idea.

We can go jump on a Carnival thread and debate the merits of Vinegar BBQ sauce vs Mustard BBQ sauce while discussing Guys BBQ if you like.

Or we could get pics of pizza from all cruise lines and debate which pics look best. We could dedicate a thread. After that we could do omelets.

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This is is great stuff. People debating the quality of pizza based on pictures. You can't make that up. People guessing the types of cheese, guessing how hot the oven was, guessing how long its been sitting under the heat lamp. Makes me laugh.

If you are looking for fun, fun, fun, Harmony all the way! My only regret was going to bed at night knowing that I did not have time to do all the things that I wanted that day.

Thank you coolguyinrol and eroller for calming my fears.

 

Being that I am 83 years of age and the scary flu statistics this year, I was more than a little shaken. I don't want my "time to be up" yet.

I work in a ICU setting at a large hospital. Not trying to cause you fear, but this years flu is a bad one. Even more so for the elderly. Just be cautious.

I've been enjoying reading all the comments that people have been posting. However, there's one thing bothering me about the comments so far...

 

 

 

 

 

Isn't there anybody out there, anybody at all, that thinks this pizza...

looks hugely more tasty than this pizza?

In my opinion, the pizza on the top looks better than the bottom one. My final judgement would be withheld until tasting both. But if I had to make a purchase based on the pics alone, it would be the top. ( I sure someone will say that my opinion is wrong)

There are so many criticisms I want to write about this review.... but I don’t want the warning points.

Thank You. Just go on the cruise and write your own review. Not interested in opinions on other people's opinions.

Thank you for such a great review review . Will be very helpful for many future cruisers . Your negative review made many people to book a future cruise on Seaside LOL

That is what is so great about all of Jim’s reviews. It’s the way that all of the positives and negatives are well elaborated. It helps you to make decisions based on your likes and dislikes. It’s not about agreeing or disagreeing, it’s about being informed. My cruising buddies were on the fence, now they have decided against the seaside because what they like very closely matches up to Jim’s. So just like those that have decided that the seaside will work for them, knowledge and info is the key.

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Thank you Chenge... I’m baffled too. I do give Msc credit for acknowledging that a problem exists.

 

Im even more baffled at how travers continue to claim that a problem does not exist when the company admitted to a faulty construction design.

 

Only time will tell if the problem goes away and I recommend that potential cruisers continue to monitor reviews.

 

 

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I have seaside on my very short list for a future cruise. That said, I have a small list of things that I must see get fixed/improved before committing 100%. The smell issues is on that list.

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I don’t quite understand the obsession with deconstructing opinion based reviews. Who gives a crap about what kind of pizza an individual likes.

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A topic that has been making the rounds recently on Cruise Critic is whether the MSC Seaside is truly an American ship or a European one. MSC made it clear from the beginning that this ship would mark a departure from the past, in the sense that a ship would be designed and built to sail from a US port instead of being "imported" from Europe to do duty this side of the Atlantic. A number of posters, both those who have already sailed on the Seaside, as well as those who have not, have expressed disappointment that the ship doesn't deliver what MSC promised it would. I have to say, if I had read the marketing and promotional material in a certain way, I'd be disappointed, too. (NB: I haven't been on the ship yet, either, as our sailing isn't for another 8 months) Articles such as this one MSC SEASIDE do give the impression that MSC is treating this vessel as more Americanized from the start. But note I said "more" American, not 100%. The article I referenced says things like "In a sign of MSC's seriousness about pushing into the North American market, Seaside will be christened in Miami — the first time an MSC ship has been christened in North America. It's also the first MSC ship with an English word in its name." It also says this:"Still, while international in flavor, Seaside's on-board offerings will have elements that will be familiar to North Americans such as a Pan-Asian restaurant by celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi.

 

In all, Seaside will have 11 eateries, including such American-friendly venues as a steakhouse. Other features will include an Aqua Park with four water slides, a ropes course called Adventure Trail and two of the longest zip lines at sea (at 394 feet)." The two cruises I took in Europe on fellow Italian cruise line Costa did not have aqua parks and ziplines, nor did they have Miami-looking 'condo-type' cabins such as those aft on the Seaside.

 

So I don't think it's fair to say MSC "failed" to deliver on their promises. Furthermore, the article also has this to say about MSC keeping to its European roots, even with this ship: "In contrast to the U.S.-based brands sailing out of Florida to the Caribbean, Seaside will offer a more international experience, in keeping with the company's European roots and global customer base, (MSC Cruises executive director Pierfrancesco) Vago suggests. The company last year drew customers from 193 countries, he says."

 

So I think it's fair to say that MSC is doing exactly what they promised, that is, to offer an essentially European ship with European stylings, that is somewhat tailored to the expectations of its American customers. Keep in mind that a majority of people sailing on this ship are still non-Americans. It would not be fair to say that MSC promised that this ship was only built for Americans, but rather that it would be based in the US, yet offer a cruise experience largely influenced by its European heritage. Another good read on this ship is from this article http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/florida-cruise-guide/os-msc-seaside-review-20180112-story.html. The title of the article is 'MSC Seaside a MORE American approach for cruise line.' (emphasis mine)

 

I don't know how many cruisers have experienced something abroad that purported to be American and found something lacking. I've had 'authentic' Mexican food in Tokyo and 'American style steak' in London. Were these offerings precisely the same as at home? No, of course not, and I didn't expect them to be. They were an overseas restaurant's attempt to deliver something American. (Yes, I know Mexican food isn't American, per se, but in the US there is a large contingent of people of Mexican heritage) Or to take another example: have you ever cooked something in the microwave and there's a "serving suggestion" on the outside of the box, yet the finished product doesn't look quite the same? Well, that's how it is in marketing. A cruise line can say "we're going for a more American type of experience," but does that really mean it'll be 100% accurate? Probably not, and that's okay. If it even approximates some things Americans are used to, that's OK. Because at the heart of it all, MSC is still a European company that serves a predominantly European clientele, but they are branching out a bit and offering Americans a bit of a taste of home. And I'm looking forward to my cruise with them.

My only response is to say that I am not disappointed in what MSC is. I am now just aware and informed much better than before she arrived in Miami.

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Have to admit, I tried to read the whole thing, just couldn’t do it. What I did read though made me realize I am going to thoroughly enjoy my MSC Seaside cruise in October.

 

 

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That’s part of what makes his reviews so helpful. You may not agree with all his opinions, but there is no shortage of information.

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Thanks for the extended review Jim. What I really like is the huge amount of detail you put into explaining everything. Since you rarely gloss over anything, when you get to a topic that interest me I am sure to get the information that I am looking for. I do agree with the your analysis about the advertising leading up to the seaside. That said, I still would like to try it out. Just to see the ship and try something different. I am sure that in time, adjustments and training will lead to fixes to many of the issues that you ran into.

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On the Seaside now. All but one of the booths are reserved. Seating free in the rest of the bar.

 

 

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There always someone willing to pay.

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BB ... A daily constant smell over every cruise would be a matter for serious concern, however what has been described is nowhere near that.

 

I understand it would be off putting, but to cancel a booked cruise that may be some months off on the say so of a few passengers to me is madness.

I don’t see anything wrong with the thoughtful rearranging of vacation plans due to unforeseen issues with the ship. I don’t want to get into whether the sewer smell is a big deal or not. To some it is, and to others it’s not. The truth is, they acknowledge it and are working on it. I believe that it is perfectly acceptable to put off your sailing date to a later time while things are worked through.

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Cool. It is good to hear that they are working on things. Good steps in the positive direction. Makes me feel good about my booking for next year.

I'm also trying to understand your point. You've thoroughly read all the CC reviews concerning Seaside and then some. I fully appreciate your due diligence. You then decided that the Seaside is not for you. Nothing at all wrong with that. People work long and hard for their well deserved vacations. What I don't understand is why you and others that have cancelled continue to lurk around these forums. I appreciate reviews from people that have actually experienced something. You have not. You all talk as if you have expertise on the Seaside and every single American cruiser. It's you and the criticizers that haven't sailed on the ship that can't move on. How can you possibly contribute to any of these discussions just repeating other peoples actual experiences. Basically all you are doing is trolling.

Actually, I am here looking and planning for my 2019 vacations. While I did cancel for March, I am booked for YC 2019. I also enjoy the conversation surrounding new ships. All the good and the bad and the problems they all work through. I don't think anyone on here is going to be persuaded by me one way of the other anyway.

Not being defensive, dude, just pointing out things I thought were presented without evidence. It's funny, because yesterday I got raked over the coals by a self-described fact-checker. Anyway, I don't think you realize what's going on: people are posting subjective negative reviews about the ship which is contributing to its low rating. Which is a shame because I read very good things about it, too. I also found it ironic that you suggested I just move on. OK, then you can, too?

Dang it. I said I would not respond. I failed. I don't claim any evidence. I am purely speculating and wondering about people seeing the bad reviews and moving on. I'm just really curious about the overall effect that it has on what kind of people go on the seaside. You could have just said that you disagree with my assumptions and I would have gotten the same message. Your post felt very attack oriented.

Some of you may recognize my name from my past posts questioning the MSC Seaside's actual cruise experience vs what I perceived they advertised to entice more of the N American market. I am not here to restart this debate.

 

However...through feedback from everyone on this board... I had decided if a Yacht Club Suite became available , I would give the Seaside a chance. I have been monitoring several of my internet agencies 4 to 5x a day hoping a cabin will become available for a end of march cruise. This is the only week I can make it work due to wife's and my work schedule.

 

Last night a Yacht Club Suite (YC1) became available and I jumped on it immediately!! I am looking forward to giving MSC a try and am excited about cruising on the beautiful Seaside. Being in Yacht Club should alleviate most, if not all, of my onboard concerns . Now I need to find a way to get my 5% (from the Status Match) applied to my cruise fare.... but I'm sure this will be worked out!!

Im in the same boat as you. (pun intended). I canceled my cruise for this spring break but have plans for YC 2019.

Just a reminder that a review of a ship is entirely subjective- the writers experience is just that- THEIR experience. No need to call into question, doubt or snark about the reviewers experience. Take what you want from it and move on . If you don't believe them, book the cruise and see for yourself if your experiences differ . I would rather have honest reviews than sugar coated ones. Also, depending on what deck your room is on, what dining service attendants you had, what entrees you ordered, if you were Yacht Club or not, etc will cause your experience to vary greatly! Just because you did not experience an issue or problem with something, does not mean someone else is lying. Honest individual reviews is what makes Cruise Critic so wonderful.

I'm with you. I want to hear it all. The good and the bad. But you just have to know that you will always have posters with a defensive nature to reading things they disagree with. Its just part of the forum and you just have to read around them.

Really, you that much believe what is posted on CC? You did not do any other search ? :confused:

Unfortunately, I way over research stuff. My wife things I have a problem. So yes, I probably have read as much as there is out there about the seaside. Im planning for our spring break 2019 and still looking hard at new reviews and video still coming in.

Wow, I can hardly count the number of unsubstantiated assumptions in this post. Who exactly IS this "average" American? I know lots of people and they're all individuals, no two exactly alike. And how do you know that people who cruise don't read any reviews, here or elsewhere? YouTube is, I suspect, a very popular channel for people and there are already many reviews of the Seaside there. With all due respect, I think you are making way too many assumptions here. Your last sentence "They are not going to get that message, and they will be on another cruiseline," how do you know this? Have you done any market research? Asked the proverbial "man on the street?" If you have, please let us know. But I'm afraid I have trouble doubting the accuracy of your predictions, and have to conclude they're just speculative. Sorry.

You are way over reading it man. And being strangely defensive. I'm not trying to substantiate anything. All I'm doing is speculating, assuming, predicting and speculating which I am more than welcome to do despite your objection. I'm just making forum conversation and people like you get all bent out of shape. You could just read my post, disagree with my assumptions, and move on. Of course people read reviews. That's what I actually said. That's the point. The seaside is currently the lowest rated ship on CC sailing from NA and people go to Youtube and see a TA post a video and being disappointed and a video about bad smells. Moving forward, I choose to not respond to you.