need2cruise

Thanks for the info

Was wondering about the sauna/ steam room situation on Armonia...are there any complimentary sauna or steam rooms or is it like the thermal suites on the newer ships

Anyone know what the steam room sauna situation is on Armonia. Is it complimentary or similar to ships like divina or more like seaside. Thanks

ok...I know this isn't specific to MSC board but is anyone having trouble getting into specific

boards. I try to access specific boards and get an error message. Anyone else having this issue.

There is also a small sauna in the men's locker room of the gym which is free and I believe it's the same in the women's lockerroom

I too am glad I experienced seaside before the increases and cutbacks...after sailing a couple of MSC ships I enjoyed the differences...hate to think that MSC is becoming another NCL or even royal caribbean....was getting a group together for June for seaside but that plan has now changed

We were on seaside last week of August. Had upgraded to classic drinks package....we always ordered wine with dinner....but did see a lot of guests around us getting beer and mixed drinks during dinner. About coffee with dessert...we were never offered coffee at all during the week....witnessed maybe only a handful of guests receive coffee and at various times....it appeared that you had to specifically request it...we felt a bit rushed during dinner....so usually went to venchi for after dinner coffee or cappuccino

Was on seaside week of 8-25-18 and did butchers block for black card dinner. Started off with a bump regarding wine also. We were told only red or white wine couldn't order any other wine even though we had the classic drink package. Server couldn't explain why and so I stated package states can be used in all specialty restaurants...his response was yes for cocktails they go out to the bar which is located in foyer of the specialty restaurants but not wine. I finally said that I would go get it myself...he came back a few minutes later and said he would get it....one difference than your experience our server did state that we could get 2 apps if we forego the dessert

Well I just wrote this really long review of the Seaside(9/15/18) but my cat jumped on my lap and the whole thing disappeared off my screen. That pretty much sums up what my week has been like.

 

Embarkation: a cluster. The parking garage is actually quite a walk from Terminal F. We were in at 12:20 and they were not boarding yet – we were given boarding station 23 (and no map or information or daily planner. Nothing. Oh, and the pictures that we uploaded in advance – we had to have them re-taken because MSC doesn’tr eally use them). Just one example of the communication breakdown apparent everywhere.

 

At this point I realized that DH had not grabbed the bag of my shoes that I had left next to the luggage (so as to not crush them). The ones that were on the “before we leave the house list” … so I was left with my black tennis shoes that I was wearing and nothing else. Not a good way (understatement) to start a cruise. There was no concierge or help within the terminal (other than YC) to see if there was a crew shuttle or something over to shopping. We wound up taking a taxi to Bayside (because if we moved the car out which had been parked there for an hour at this point we would have had to pay $22 to get it out, then more to park at Bayside). Pickings were slim and I got some flip flops and a pair of dress shoes. Ok, that issue solved.

 

When we got back at 2:00 the ship was boarding – what a gerbil trail to enter the ship! Up and down and through mazes. I felt sorry for anyone who was mobility impaired. There was NO assistance and the elevators in the terminal were reserved.

At this point we were hungry and thirsty and rattled and went for our first (one of the last) adventures in the free-for-all known as the Deck 8 buffet. It was every man and woman for themselves. (To note, lunch ends around 3 or 3:30 and the only food before dinner service is pizza which we found to be more often than not very doughy and ‘rushed’, not fully cooked.) I tried a couple of times again in the buffet but the layout was poor, there was NO bar or drink service tableside and the guests were, well, in it for themselves. (Favorite ‘you got to be kidding me’ moment of the week was when a group went to the cheese/meat display at breakfast and took ALL of the displays.. I mean the whole platters… back to their table. They then started assembling sandwiches which grandma was packing in her Tupperware (as it was a port of call day)). This was pretty much how the week went.

 

We had multiple issues in the main dining room for breakfast/lunch. The hours of operation were really short(8-9:30 for breakfast) which led to too many people trying to squeeze in all at once. I always say that breakfast is the hardest meal of the day to prepare. Everyone likes their coffee just so (hot milk, cold milk, no milk, etc)and they have their own idea of what an “over easy” egg is like. You get the picture. So one day we were there at 8:10 and seated at our own table (again, a joke, as the two-tops are pulled 1 inch away from another two top, so you really better make friends with those around you.) We chatted with this sweet couple for 45 minutes and never got our order. People around us were getting up and leaving as they were done and we never got any food. The worst part was that we couldn’t get the maître d’ to admit that our order was lost/never placed. She kept saying that the ‘kitchen was backed up.’ (To note, stop blaming the kitchen for service errors, than you). We left not having eaten. This was pretty much a theme.

 

Specialty dining: ok,this is where it gets even more fun. Soon the first day when DH was checking our dinner table assignment a Maitre D from the Divina recognized him (we tip handsomely for service). Oh, welcome back, blah blah blah. He offered to make the reservations for our Black Card dinner so we arranged for dinner at the Pan Am restaurant for a few days out. Fast forward. We check in, wait at bar, half hour later hostess says “oh, we couldn’t find you” (huh? What? We are standing here), and ok, if you want your Teppanayki table has been waiting on you. That’s not what was reserved, that wasn’t covered on our black card (which we were reminded OFTEN that we were ‘status matched and not real black card’). There were no tables at the Pan Am at this time…. So we went to Butcher’s Cut. Another fail.

 

I asked if I could have two apps (salad and app) in lieu of dessert as part of my 3 choices. NO. Ok, I could get soup instead. Fine, if those are your rules. DH orders wine that would be included in our package. The“Sommelier” brings us a higher end bottle of wine. Ok, fine. A bit later the somm comes over and starts pouring what is literally a$10 bottle of low end Cabernet into my husband’s glass of wine (which still has about 2 ounces of wine) until I stop him and say “NO,that’s not what he was drinking!” Somm removes glass and himself and just leaves in embarrassment. (Needless to say we never saw him again and he didn’t offer to do anything about the wine he just ruined and removed. ) (Can’t make this stuff up.)

 

Oh, and the wine. For some reason the staff has been trained to FREEZE all champagne and white wineglasses. The Somm (still can’t help but giggle on this) says that Americans like their white wines very cold and their red wines warm so that’s why they do this so as to avoid guests asking for ice cubes to put in their wines. Honest to goodness I can’t make this up. So I had to REQUEST a non-chilled glass each and every time I wanted a glass of Prosecco/champagne/white wine. (BTW – the white wines are kept in beer coolers and are ridiculously cold.)

 

Food: when we could get it (kidding, not kidding) was perfectly fine. I found it odd that only on two nights on the MDR men was there a sort of “always available” menu (shrimp cocktail, Caesar,chicken, salmon.) There wasn’t a callout the other nights so I actually can’t say if it was available or not. The quality was perfectly fine and we even arranged for a delightful curry one night as there was an Indian vegetarian table of six near us who had the most glorious meals prepared for them. We pre-arranged to “have what they are having”and it was delicious.

 

Room Service: we upgraded to the Deluxe package. I asked twice at Customer Service if room service was included as we had the Deluxe package but Bella service level. Was told NO twice so I didn’t push it. The Room service menu was not the one that has been posted recently but more of the limited European one with a few sandwiches. I basically lived off the Pringles and peanuts in the mini bar. Speaking of included mini bar, you could not request Diet Coke or Coke Zero in it. Nope.Denied. Was told to go to a bar if I wanted one.

 

Shows: they were good and I enjoyed the fact that they were 30 minutes. You did have to pre-arrange for the later ones but not the 6:45 as that was poorly attended. The aerialists and acrobats were stunning;the singers a bit over the top. Hubby wouldn’t let me go up to do Master Chef (we didn’t turn in our quizzes even though we got all the questions correct…) but that was fun to watch.

 

Pools: apparently there are no “adult only” pool areas. This did not even occur to me to look into in advance as I would have assumed (you know what they say) that there were child free zones. Nope. Deck 7 aft pool is reserved for 16+ (as it should be because it is 6ft deep), but the loungers in that area allow kids. (What?) On day 2 I went out to Deck 7 aft (not knowing this yet and thinking it might be a respite) at 8:30am and every chair was already hogged with lonely towels and magazines. (You know the drill). I asked the pool attendant if there was a “30minute” policy and he said no. MSC would never remove a towel. I (admittedly snippily) asked if I should get there at 6am to get a lounger and his response was “make it 5.” Thank goodness I had a balcony (despite being directly above the smoking area).

 

Deluxe package: definitely worth it and I’m sure that the night accountant lost his or her mind looking at our charges. For a ‘very strong’ cappuccino they’d ring in a Cappuccino and an Espresso (unlike at Starbucks where can add a shot) so our two breakfast drinks were about $7.50 each… The coffee in the MDR and buffet was undrinkable and there was no drip coffee offered at the bars. I did get fresh OJ a few times (Miami pool bar, deck 7 aft) which was delicious. Had Venchi twice, but never got to try the crepes.

(more to come..)

Just off seaside Sept 1st. Did black card comp dinner at butchers block and was advised by server you can order 3 from tastings menu....server stated you could order 2 starters and 1 entree if not ordering dessert. Could order anything else for 50% off menu price.....to substitute rib eye for filet from tastings menu would have been a 22.50 USD upcharge....hope this helps

With the Black card in the steakhouse can you get the porterhouse like we did on the Divina last year? If not, can you pay the difference to get it?

Just off seaside Sept 1st....the previous post is correct....I want to add though that there are milkshakes included as well as gelato ....upgrade from drinks on us to classic and feel it was extremely worth the cost....great value

We experienced one of the smoothest sailings....hardly felt any motion throughout the ship and we did have some mild stormy weather

[Qquote=RNELL;56957885]I will be sailing in a 2 bedroom 2 bath Grand Suite next year. I am concerned about motion sickness. Since these

suites are located in the very front of the ship,how bad is the rocking motion?

Actually forgot about wings at sports bar...and I love wings

They do set up chairs for mscinema....not sure if its all the time...a lot of inconsistencies onboard seaside

[

quote=kimala;56934295]Welcome home. Did you attend outside movies on Deck? I hear msc is now setting up chairs for movie watching instead of expecting people to sit on backless staicase to helipad.

Did you try the chicken wings in the sports bar.?

Just off seaside today...hope you get your excursion issue fixed to your satisfaction. A couple issues cropped up for us....took a few times to get rectified but eventually they were....just a very annoying route to get them fixed but there is hope....enjoy the cruise

We're onboard now; queued up at the excursion desk to get the vouchers for tomorrow's excursion cancelled and get the correct excursion booked. We were told that tomorrow's tickets will arrive to our cabin this evening and we have to return them to the excursion desk before they can cancel them and book the excursion we actually booked. [emoji849] we've been assured that there are places still available on the excursion we want.

 

I wonder if tomorrow's excursion will be delayed while they wait for us to turn up! [emoji44]

 

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Just off the 8-25-18 sailing of Seaside. Had the Grand Suite #14001....2 bedroom/2 bath deck 14 at the front of ship. Loved the room...balcony a bit disappointing but still enjoyable. Incredible views while standing but not so much while sitting in chair or on lounger. Walk-in closet was unbelievable for a cruise ship...feel free to ask any questions about cabin and cruise.

Thanks....I will inquire onboard....

They will add you, just go to guest services late Saturday or early am Sunday...like R2cruise again said...also post on roll call asking someone when/where it is...if large will be in theater...mostly they hold them in Haven Lounge on 2nd day.

Would like to sign up for the Cruise Critic meet and mingle on this sailing.. anyone have any suggestions how I can ...I tried link earlier but this sailing wasn't an option....thx

Never tasted a Moscato until we went on the Divina last October. I thought I died and went to heaven. They have Poggio Moscato and I was so excited to find that I could buy it here at home. Anytime I have a glass of it, I think of our fantastic time on the Divina in the YC where Lorato kept my glass full. Cheers and have a wonderful time on

your cruise.

 

 

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Thanks...looking forward to experiencing seaside

Moscato is included in the classic package.

 

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Thanks for the answer ...going on 8/25 and DW drinks Moscato so wanted make sure before upgrade to classic

On seaside....is Moscato include in classic drink pkg

After reading your review...I booked for 4 nighter in Sept....couple a questions if you don't mind....is there still complimentary steam and sauna.....can you get diamond plus drinks in MDR....How was pizza at cafe promenade? Thanks

On the renovated mariner is there still a diamond+ lounge? What about complimentary sauna and steam rooms. Can you use the 3 diamond drinks in the MDR?

[Thanks...good to know about childrenquote=Two Wheels Only;56582668]Children under 2 years-old - No Hotel Service Charge

Children 2-11 years-old - $6.25 per person per day

Anyone 12 or older - $12.50 per person per day

$12.50 per person per day

Thanks for the quick reply

Booking seaside for September and looking for amount of daily service charge pet person...standard balcony cabin

Thanks....must have confused it with Harmony