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seeriteR

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    Onboard Seaside: Ship B+ to A- everything else C- to C+

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    You made a very interesting point. However, the meet and mingle parties are typically held at the beginning of the cruise. What they should do is offer to have another session towards the end of the cruise where frequent cruisers, or anybody who wants, can offer concerns and opinions to management. NCL was doing this, but not sure if they are still doing it.

     

    The purpose of the M&M is for Cruise Critic members to meet each other and possibly meet members of the crew or staff.

     

    We were at the Meet & Mingle on the Seaside inaugural TA sailing. It was held on day 7 to accommodate the few people who boarded in Barcelona. MSC kindly provided free drinks and a cake for all in attendance (invitation only). After a short speech by the captain and the CD, we were invited to meet the captain. MSC controlled the meeting and there was no Q&A.

     

    The M&M we attended on board the NCL Jade was very informal. The CD attended and was more than willing to hear the comments from the 12 people who were there. He even asked for details and said he would follow up on everything. He scheduled a follow up meeting which was to be by invitation only. When the invitations were not sent out as promised, he rescheduled it and then sent us a plate of chocolate covered strawberries!

     

    Points go to NCL.

    Some of you have interesting cruiser names

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Love this thread. I always think this should be a part of every Meet & Mingle.

     

    I signed up on CC while I was still working. Since I had a login name at work, I just used that one. But when my wife and I retired, I opted to change my CC name. While on a long road trip, I was trying to come up with something catchy related to cruising. So many of you have such great names! Anyway, my thoughts began to come together about the "sea" and "writing" when I realized that the word "Retirees" spelled backwords is seeriteR.

     

    There is a CC thread on changing your login name. You need to submit 3 or 4 choices in case the one you want is already taken. However, you can pre-check your new name by doing a member search. Good luck!

     

    Jim

     

    Sent from my BNTV600 using Forums mobile app

    How cold does it get on deck at night?

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Hey all - relatively newbie cruiser here. This will be my 2nd cruise, but first since I moved to California 6 years ago.

     

    Do the decks get cold at night? Sounds like a dumb question but I have a lot to pack for a bachelorette party and my suitcase space is limited! Do you bring a jacket? I'm definitely a warm-blooded southern Californian now, it's about the same temperature here as our destinations! (Aruba, Curacao, and Grand Turk sailing from Orlando!)

    We always bring along something with long sleeves. My wife will have a shawl, sweater or light jacket. I pack a sweatshirt. Even though outdoor temps could be fine, we often found indoor venues can be especially cool. It's good to be prepared! Happy sailing!

     

     

    Sent from my BNTV600 using Forums mobile app

    Onboard Seaside: Ship B+ to A- everything else C- to C+

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    O god!!! NO way! I just quoted wrong from thread starter. MSC don't need to catch up to any one specially not to NCL .

    The best entertainment we had at sea was on NCL Jade last year. It was our first and only sailing with NCL. Overall, I would say that our Seaside cruise was slightly better. This was our 2nd time on MSC. HAL (6 cruises) is at the top for us. CCL (also 6 cruises) is number 2.

    Onboard Seaside: Ship B+ to A- everything else C- to C+

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    It is indeed true that all mainstream cruise lines offer a class system from a basic inside cabin on the lowest deck up to an owner's suite regarding accommodations. But MSC takes this class system one step further and incorporates it into dinnertime when the Bella guests are possibly relegated to buffet only or a sit down experience in the buffet.

    From what I am inferring, it seems that MSC has a true caste system on their ships. Those in Bella being classified as steerage and possibly stuck in the buffet, those in Fantastica being third class and stuck with fixed dining times, those in Aurea being second class and enjoying anytime seating at dinner and those in the Yacht Club being first class and enjoying their own private dining room.

     

    Not only at dinner time but the caste or class system is evident on deck as well. Aurea passengers have exclusive deck seating at the front of the ship on decks 8 and 18. The entrances are guarded by the guy passing out towels.

     

    I understand offering perks to people willing to pay for them, but when the elevator I'm in bypasses my floor to pick up YC members and then doesn't allow me to exit at my deck as it goes back down, that's a bit overboard.

     

    We were on the December inaugural TA. On the last day, MSC sent a note that if we wanted to participate in a survey, we should provide our email to Guest Services. I did and I responded upon returning home but did not receive any kind of acknowledgement that MSC received or appreciated my comments. Gee, even when I unsubscribe to some email ad I didn't ask for, they send a note to acknowledge it.

     

    MSC must improve their customer relations to get repeat "third class" customers.

    MSC Seaside Dinner times

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    What are your criticisms of the inaugural sailing? I would be interested in hearing your thoughts.

    There are many examples but here is one that seemed to be typical of the MSC mindset.

     

    At the end of dinner the first night (which started 20 minutes late and took 2 hours to complete), we were asked if we wanted coffee. I asked for decaf and was told decaf was only available from the coffee bar for a cost. A few others also wanted decaf and we put up a fuss that it wasn't available. We were told decaf would only be served in the main dining room after the ship arrived in Miami. We complained to the head waiter who said he was unable to do anything for us that night but that tomorrow he would have decaf available. And he did! Good news right? Not so! Three nights later, the head waiter, Pasquale, who was now taking notes on passengers suggestions for improvement, was replaced by a very hard nosed guy who never smiled. When we inquired about Pasquale, we were told he was reassigned to the crew's mess because he was too fat to fit around the tables in the MDR! Absolutely true story!

     

    MSC staff always gave the impression that if you have a problem, it's your problem because they are doing what they are told. Don't expect anyone to apologize because you are not getting the level of service you expect.

     

    We received no apology when our cabin was flooded. No apology when the phone system would only provide instructions in Italian. No apology for having an unknown person on our account and having our cabin listed under his name. No apology for the 2 hour delay at disembarkation in Miami.

     

    Plus a few other things. And these are only our issues! Other passengers had worse! Like the couple who arrived at their assigned cabin to find it a disaster! The steward happened to be nearby and they showed him their cabin. He immediately locked them out and called his supervisor. They ended up being reassigned to another cabin but said there was no apologies or explanations provided.

     

    Sorry to sound so negative. We are easy going folks who have sailed 15 times on various lines. However, this experience puts MSC at the bottom of our list.

    Spencer or Cosol Tours

    in St. Lucia

    Posted

    Help me decide. Both have similar itineraries.

     

    Thanks for any advice.

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Forums

    We did Cosol twice and found them to be excellent both times! Good, well rounded tour for the money. Saw the major sites and did some good snorkeling too. Free beer and sodas all day plus a stop for lunch to sample local foods was included. Do it!!

     

     

    Sent from my LG-M210 using Forums mobile app

    MSC Seaside Dinner times

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    Hello everyone,

    Do we book dinner times on board? Or can we schedule them beforehand? We have a big group with us and would like to get everyone seated together. Are there just set times for everybody? Some have the Fantastica packages and some have the Bella package.

    Thank you!

    Seating times can be different for Fantastica and Bella. However, when you do on line check in, you can specify who you are traveling with and MSC will try to accommodate you. You need to know the other folks booking number. I would suggest that all of you put in all your names so MSC gets it. If only one person does it, you may not get what you want.

     

    Just returned from the inaugural sailing. I wish you a good experience. Ours was not and I'm anxious to hear of what others think.

     

    Download the MSC for Me app. It failed often while on board (poor server connection) but it was helpful when it was working.

     

     

    Sent from my LG-M210 using Forums mobile app

    MSC Seaside Interior Renderings

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    Thank you a thousand times over to all of you posting these videos and pictures of the Seaside (and the links) for those of us who do not know how to find them on our own . I check this thread daily ( some times several times a day ) and I am thrilled with each new insight.

     

    I can hardly wait to see the early cruisers photos and reviews ! She is a beautiful ship and I have great expectations for a fabulous cruise in June .

     

    Thank you all again ! !

     

    Two weeks from today until we board MSC Seaside in Trieste. The original departure port of Venice was changed some time ago to Trieste. MSC has arranged for buses to transport passengers arriving and/or staying in Venice to Trieste on December 1. Passengers will be collected at either the airport or the cruise terminal. We are staying 2 nights pre-cruise in Venice and will head to the port for the pick up. Can't wait! All the photos and Captain Scala's videos make it much more exciting!

    Meet and Greet on MSC?

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    On RCCI we register via the Cruise Critic forum for the meet and mingle. When we board an invitation to the meet and mingle is waiting for us in our cabin/stateroom. The invitation is handed in / shown at the venue.

    I have set up a roll call for a Fantasia cruise next April (2018) Barbados to Genoa but no meet and mingle is as yet showing.

    G

    The CC M&M menu for MSC ships has just been updated to include Seaside as a selection. We are now able to sign up!

     

     

    Sent from my LG-M210 using Forums mobile app

    MSC Seaside Interior Renderings

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    according to the deck plan, 16045 appears to be a balcony yacht suite, not an inside cabin?? am i missing something?

    https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Discover-MSC/Cruise-Ships/MSC-Seaside/Deckplan.aspx

     

    Still...a great cabin location anyways....:p:p:p

     

    Oops! I had a typo. Wishful thinking on my part. Our cabin is still a lowly inside. I should have typed 14065. But, thanks for checking!!! I could have been wrong the other way and really been surprised!!! Yacht Club! Woohoo!

    MSC Seaside Interior Renderings

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    Awesome pictures. Just can't help wondering how on earth this vessel will be ready by December 1st ??? That date is merely weeks away and it looks like there's such a lonngggg way to go yet !!:confused::confused:

     

    My wife and I are on the Dec 1 sailing, so we will find out first hand if it is ready (or at least MOSTLY ready)!!! Getting very excited about sailing on our first inaugural cruise. We are in interior cabin 16045.

     

    Jim and Pam

    Tandoor assistance Magic or other similar ships

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    No. I believe Tandoor is only on the three Dream class ships....Dream, Magic and Breeze

    Never tried Indian until our cruise on Dream last January. I ate lunch at Tandoor nearly every day after the first! Now. I seek out Indian food restaurants near home. Please try a sample of everything before deciding you dont6 like it. Naan bread was freshly made and tasted awesome with the chutney.

     

    The pea shoot salad was incredible. DH and I wore out Tandoor. *so good*

     

    If anyone can figure out the recipe for the pea salad,I would be grateful!

     

    Breeze, Dream, Magic, and Splendor have Tandoor.

     

    https://www.carnival.com/cruise-food/tandoor

     

     

    Sent from my LG-M210 using Forums mobile app

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