CruisinLJ

This year, I am looking at the 6 day cruise with the overnight in Cabo.  Can anyone tell me the details on that?  How does it work?  Can the evening be spent in Cabo.  

This year, I am looking at the 6 day cruise with the overnight in Cabo.  Can anyone tell me the details on that?  How does it work?  The way it looks, the first day they show 10am to 6pm and then 7am to 4pm the next day.  So it doesn't look like the evening can be spent in Cabo.  True?

Does anyone have a confirmed Christmas decorating schedule?  I know they decorate all ships around Thanksgiving, so no guesses or assumptions, please.  Looking for a confirmed schedule 🙂

the last time I cruised Carnival (4 years ago) I went on the Miracle.  The Red Frog Rum Pub had a happy hour and the bartenders would let you buy a case or two of beer at the happy hour rate to take to your room and use as you please.  My guess is that Carnival caught on to this and stopped the practice.  Does anyone know for a fact?  Besides the fact that I don't think that there is a Red Frog Rum Pub on this cruise having used the space for the Heroes bar.

Second question - how is the Heroes bar?

Much like simplelife, I take a stack of $1 bills to tip extra.  I know that I get better service after I've picked my favorite bartender/server/the coffee bar person.  And I know they very much appreciate the cash.

I sailed solo in 2019 on the MSC Seaside. I was originally booked in a Bella balcony.  They changed it to guaranteed and then I received the same email to upgrade.  I looked at it and decided against paying for an upgrade.  3 days before we sailed, they upgraded me to a suite on the back of the ship with a wrap-around balcony.  Obviously no guarantee that they'd upgrade you, but may be worth the wait.  Happy cruising! 🙂

Refresh my memory - on a 7 night cruise, what are the theme nights?  I was on one other one and remember a white night and a 70's night.  Any others?

On 11/2/2021 at 2:52 PM, Tapi said:

We were there in September. Like most private islands, this type of destination is mostly for people who enjoy a beach day. Not so much for people who appreciate local cuisine or the destination’s history. 
 

But we had an absolutely fantastic time and found things to do besides sitting at the beach all day. We booked a wave runner excursion which was exhilarating and informative. We started by taking the wave runners to a location where we spotted dolphins freely frolicking in the ocean. From there, we raced to another cay south of Ocean Cay.
 

I was a bit apprehensive about the thought of being on a waverunner far from land, but the water was so clear and shallow that my apprehension quickly subsided. We then stopped the wave runners and the tour guide took some time to inform of us about the area, the history behind Ocean’s Cay development, and the conservation efforts with the marine reserve. My wife is a NON-beach person and she loved this excursion. We then returned to Ocean Cay. It provided a different perspective to see our ship docked at Ocean Cay from a distance. 
 

At night, we returned ashore for the beach party and the lighthouse light show which was entertaining and different. You can watch the light show from the ship as well, and the synced music will be played on the open decks. It was neat to be ashore at night; something that is rare when visiting private islands. 
 

Once again, Ocean Cay is best for people who enjoy a beach day, but there’s more to Ocean Cay than just the beach. 
 

Thanks Tapi!  It is really good to hear they are doing a beach party at night.  That will be a new experience for me 🙂
 

 

 

 

 

32 minutes ago, Paphillyguy said:

CruisinLJ, please do not think I was being rude.  I tried to edit my post to add that I know that to some the stop might not be their thing but there might be something you find that you never realize you would have enjoyed. 

No worries, Paphillyguy!  I make the best of wherever I am, trust me. 

I booked this cruise knowing it had this stop so I'm not complaining.  I'll explore and eat on the island, I'm sure.  We are there at all day through midnight so I am hearing sometimes they have a beach party (maybe not because of COVID this year?).  I am hearing that they temporarily canceled the parade. 

Nevertheless... Reading the reviews of Ocean Cay, it sounds like a good day for me to explore the ship without the usual crowds.

My cruise with Ocean Cay in December will be my first stop there.  As I look at it now, it looks like it may be a good place to swing by for lunch, but that's about it.  I'm not a 'beach guy' and prefer stops in islands where I can find a restaurant with authentic food, a hole in the wall bar away from the tourists and anything to do with history.  I know that Ocean Cay won't have any of that.  But... what is there to do on the island?  Basically looks like beaches to me.  True?  I am thinking it may be a good day to concentrate on the Seashore's slides and zipline.

I am seeing a stop in Amber Cove listed on this site

https://cruisedig.com/ports/amber-cove-dominican-republic/arrivals

Although it shows 4 ships stopping there.

On 7/24/2020 at 10:40 AM, flametsfan said:

Hi I got question to solo cruisers out there.I am booked on Msc seaside 2-28-21.If we sail just wondering how it is to sail solo on msc.

 

I sailed solo on the Seaside last November.  I am not very outgoing but had a good time.  I never went to the main dining room for dinner, though.  I usually sat at the bar for drinks and chatted with a few people from time to time.  I don't mind being alone, though.  It's a nice ship and there are many activities per day on the ship that I found myself going to for fun.  The entertainment crew kept pulling me out to dance during their dance parties which was nice 🙂  As most will say, it depends on how outgoing you are and what you're looking for.  Traveling solo meant I was always able to find a lounger on the top deck, always able to find a seat at the shows, even the busy one and always able to find somewhere to eat/sit for dinner.  I do regret not eating at the MDR but I was Bella and they gave me the early seating so I kept forgetting about it.  nevertheless, I didn't make any effort to change it to the late dining because I was really OK with the buffet and for the most part didn't feel like dressing up.  I enjoyed my trip and even though originally I wasn't planning on going solo again, I planned another solo cruise this fall, but am putting it off until next year because of COVID.  Check out my review: https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=671394

thanks for the pictures Motegi!  Looks like fun!

5 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

MSC doesn't spread their eating venues all around the ship.  Other than the MDR's, there are the specialty restaurants, and the two buffets.  the buffet on deck 16 is only open for breakfast and lunch, but I found it never crowded.  the one on deck 8 is larger and I understand have more variety, but still lots of seating.  One thing I liked is that there are hand washing stations as you enter and leave the buffet areas.  Nice to wash before eating, and handy if you have a messy sandwich - you don't have to hunt up a bathroom to wash hands.  

Deck 8 handwashing:

 

 

Deck 16:

 

Handwashing stations?  What a great idea!!!  Thanks!

5 hours ago, CruisingFox27 said:

Yes you can have drinks up to $6, there's draught Heineken and sometimes in some of the bars others. The included bottles are Heineken & Miller Lite. No one apart from you will know your drinks package and you'll certainly not be treated any differently to someone with Premium or someone without a package for that matter. 

 

The included food options are the same regardless of your experience package, excluding YC. 

 

Lots of evening entertainment, bars have singers music etc and there are shows and a disco. Not forgetting the white night party. We've certainly never been in bed by 10pm!

 

I'm fairly certain that I've seen solo cruisers meetings. Have you joined your roll call? A good place to find out if there are any other solo travellers. 

 

MSC aren't an American cruise line, the experience is different and that has resulted in more negative reviews. If you're sailing with an open mind you'll have a great time. 

Great info!  Exactly what I was looking for...  I'm going to have to remember to pack for white night :)

6 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

Hello and congratulations on booking Seaside. We sailed her last October and loved the ship and the crew. Since we were in Aurea and had the Premium drinks package (and were traveling as a couple), I can't comment on some things. I will say that the coffee was GREAT. I love Italian coffee and stopped in the News Café every morning for 2 cappuccinos. They use Segafredo, which is a good brand, IMHO. We loved the food (always ate in the MDR), and we especially enjoyed the pizza and pasta, as well as the pastries and GELATO. The ship itself is stunning. There is nightlife but my wife and I always went into port for excursions and so after walking around all day and eating dinner at 8:30 pm, we were too sleepy to do much nightlife. The shows were supposedly good, one issue we ran into is that due to our port excursions and dining time, there was only 1 show we could see each night and it was always fully booked. I will say this about the negative reviews on CC: I ignored them. I mean, I read them, but nearly always it came down to some else's personal taste and I'm not the typical American. I encourage anyone to remember that food taste is highly subjective, and MSC's experience feels more European. The vast majority of the negative reviews I read before cruising came down to 1) MSC feels European vs American and 2) Their food isn't geared towards Americans. The one negative I came across was that the bar staff sometimes seemed overwhelmed and drinks on occasion were slow in coming. But the positives outweighed the negatives by far. (For this reason we have 2 upcoming cruises booked with MSC) Hope you have a great time! 

I'm always more open to new things, so I am looking forward to it.  Glad to hear that the Bella class isn't segregated in any way...  Thanks for your input!  I really appreciate it! 

I have sailed on Carnival 10 times.  My cruise on the Seaside will be my first on MSC.  I have been wanting to try a different cruise line and am going into this with a totally open mind.  But... This ship has many more bad reviews on CruiseCritic than I am used to. 

I always get a drink package as I like good coffee in the morning and usually get my money's worth out of beer, Bacardi/Coke's and bottled water.  The easy package is perfect for me as I typically do not get anything else to drink.  Are the cruisers that have been branded with the easy drink package treated differently because they didn't get the premium package?

Also on the easy drink package - I have seen pics of menus that lay out what you can get on the ship with the easy package but then I also read that you can get anything that costs up to $6 per drink.  Then they say beer is limited to only Miller Lite.  It's confusing.  Any guidance?

I am not a foodie so I don't buy the upgraded dining experiences but on Carnival, there seem to be a lot more free options than just a buffet or the main dining room - were the food options for the Bella folks adequate?  Seems like I'll miss Guy's Burger joint and the Pizza place at the quiet pool that Carnival always has.

I'm a night owl and like the shows, the music and the disco.  Not many people on the threads talk about nightlife on the Seaside.  Is there any?  Or does the ship pretty much go to sleep at 10pm...

One last thing - I'll be solo on this ship.  I've always managed to meet people on Carnival cruises either through the singles meet and greets or just by chatting with people at the bars.  I am guessing that MSC will be no different, but that said, their website doesn't do a lot to market to solos.  Any one remember seeing a singles meet and greet on the daily schedule for Seaside.

The only reason I ask all these questions is the bad reviews have me wondering.  I just want to go in with my CruiseCritic brother and sister's knowledge.  I'm already booked at a really good rate and am optimistic that I'm going to have a great time... I'm just trying to set a baseline for my expectations on the MSC Seaside.

All input will be appreciated.  except for cancelling the cruise... I'm going!  so tell me your tips for the Seaside :) 

Many Thanks!

Does anyone know if there are solo/single meet ups on board?  I have always sailed Carnival and they always have some sort of organized meet and greet (they were hit or miss but it was always nice knowing that I am not the only solo on the ship :-)

Is there an adults only area of the sun deck?  My guess is that there will be lots of kids on a Thanksgiving cruise...

I am looking for a cruise to go on over Thanksgiving.  I am a solo cruiser and typically take Carnival but even though I was hoping for Cuba cruising this year, the new itinerary  on the Empress of the Seas looks like a relaxing one for me.  I know what I am getting on Carnival.  I like the smaller ships so I am OK with no wave machines or rock walls.  Just give me a pool, a couple stops for beaches, a few bars, a lively entertainment crew and a late night dance club and I will find the fun :)

If you have sailed recently, how was the crowd?  How is the nightlife and entertainment?  Is there an adults only section?  Any other tips?

I am looking for a cruise to go on over Thanksgiving.  I am a solo cruiser and typically take Carnival but even though I was hoping for Cuba cruising this year, the new itinerary  on the Empress of the Seas looks like a relaxing one for me.  I know what I am getting on Carnival.  I like the smaller ships so I am OK with no wave machines or rock walls.  Just give me a pool, a couple stops for beaches, a few bars, a lively entertainment crew and a late night dance club and I will find the fun :)

If you have sailed recently, how was the crowd?  How is the nightlife and entertainment?  Is there an adults only section?  Any other tips?

here's a link to the Carnival bar menu

http://www.zydecocruiser.net/Carnival-Bar-Menu/CarnivalCruiseBarMenu.htm

I know they have more rums than this list shows.  I know that the Glory and Dream had my  favorite rum Zaya on board and they are not listed on the menu here. The Red Frog Rum bar had the best rum selection, of course ;)

Red Frog Rum bar menu here

https://www.carnival.com/~/media/Images/explore/onboard/bars/menus/redfrog-rum-bar-menu.pdf

12 minutes ago, joy4ron said:

Thank you.

Cruise Critic has been great for getting prepared.  I'm sure that we'll be that wide-eyed family that does all the newbie stuff.

My Dad is crashing our party.  He's been on numerous cruises also

LOL - There's always something going on - That's for sure!  Did you join the roll call in cruise critic for this cruise?  A few people talking on that board

7 minutes ago, joy4ron said:

My family will be on the Miracle next week also!  Our first cruise

joy4ron - Welcome to cruising!  This will be my 10th cruise, of those, 7 on Carnival.  I'm crashing my brother and his family's spring break trip.  REALLY Looking forward to it!

This one is just for fun as I am going on the Miracle next weekend and can't wait!  A couple questions - I am also surfing the board for answers but this might be fun too :)

- I know that the ship is lacking the upgraded food options.  I will VERY MUCH miss Blue Iguana Cantina and Guy's Burgers...  what are the hidden gems of the Miracle?

- I can't wait to see the decor in the main dining room to see if it's as eclectic in real life as the pictures show.  What area of the ship is your most favorite place to be?  

- How was the cruise director?  I think I'll have Frank The Tank

- I've been to most of the ports several times and know what I am going to do in each port - except for Roatan.  Any ideas?

- Any other tips and secrets?

Again, this is just for fun!  Thanks!