peekyman

My wife & I had a Shih Tzu named Peekaboo Hoover, nicknamed Peeky, who had to be put to sleep after 15 years.  One would had swore my wife gave birth to him. That will always make me a Peekyman

1 hour ago, golferwife said:

I think negative comments can be more about shoreside customer service. It is horrific. No one has authority to solve a problem. 

Could not agree with you more.  I hear it about customer services aboard as well.  There’s a negative approach when it come to public relations.  And as you state, MSC seems to turn a blind eye to it.

We’ve sailed on many MSC cruises, once in the Yacht Club, there was no looking back.  The service is impeccable and far exceeds any other cruise line we’ve experienced.  However, even in the YC, sometimes people are still learning their job.  With that said, the old saying “you get what you pay for” should mean, "you should get what you pay for."  Courteous behavior makes a person want to say thank you.  Something MSC could add to their handbook.

Peekyman 

MSC Seaside December 30,2017

I’m going to break this review down in chronological order from our experience.

We (my wife & I) were on the second cruise out of Miami on the Seaside. Prior to our cruise, we were able to read in real-time, some of the reviews being generated from the ship. As could be expected, some were in the negative category along with the positive. We tend to weed out a percentage of the negative due to the ship being new with a new crew as it was. (Not to mention some people would find something to complain about on a free cruise)

Yes, we are veteran cruisers with a number of cruise lines under our belt. We tried MSC 1n 2012 and never looked back. We have indeed had questionable occasions while aboard MSC that makes you want to say Huh! We’ve experienced similar on other lines as well.

We were in the YC. The YC embarkation tent is located almost all the way at the end of their new terminal. From the drop off area, the tent is in the shape of an "L". The actual YC processing tent was up next to the building. We arrived around 11:15 and there was no one in line. We dropped our luggage off, (they put nice tags on the bags) a quick processing and we were escorted through a private line to screening and into a large new lounge where champagne and snacks awaited us. Within minutes we were issued our keycards and soon taken aboard the ship to the concierge area. There is a credit card processing machine located by the concierge desk for your onboard charges. It was simple and convenient.

We found our deluxe suite, and our luggage arrived within three hours. The room was larger than that of the Divina by far. However, about the same amount of storage space. The bathroom was quite large and the balcony was more than adequate with two chairs and a small table. On the right as you walk into your suite, you must insert your keycard in order to activate the lights in the cabin. (Someone suggested bring an old keycard and use it instead of your current card which is very good idea. That way you won’t have to continuously repeat every time you leave the room)

The Top Sail lounge was spacious with a two tier, twenty foot long, any brand a person might enjoy, bar. The lounge officially opened for business at 6:30 each morning. I was there around 6:00 and it only took one day for the bartender and waitress to remember how I liked my coffee and my bourbon. The snack area was available twenty hours a day and replenished every two hours. There was a spot of tea every afternoon at 4:00 and a variety of nightly entertainment before, during, and after dinner. Outside the lounge was outdoor seating with a dedicated smoking area.

The dining room overlooked the lounge with stairs leading up from the lounge. The steps, (same as in the atrium) were embedded with Swarovski crystals. Each step contains approximately $30,000.00 worth of crystals. FYI, there is an elevator in front of the concierge desk that leads to the dining room deck & the Top Sail pool deck. While I’m on the subject of elevators, you may have heard, you can use your YC keycard on the forward elevators to bypass all decks except for the one you have selected. But be forewarned, be ready for some sneering glances from fellow passengers when it doesn’t stop on their selected floor. Just another fun perk.

We have never enjoyed a better dining experience on any ship we have ever sailed on. The food, I’d say, a solid four stars plus, the wait staff, on a scale of one to ten, an eleven! By far the most attentive and personable group to date. I can only speak regarding our staff. The attire ranged from resort casual to casual most evenings. On "elegant" nights, (there are 2 on a seven day cruise) we saw the women in lovely gowns and the men in tuxes or suit & tie. Wine or champagne was always offered at dinner at no extra charge.

The One Pool deck & bar was roomy with plenty of well padded lounge chairs. They opened every day at 11:00 with a fantastic buffet and bar service. There was a dedicated smoking area and a covered seating area for dining. Again, we saw the captain there for lunch and it’s a great place to buttonhole him for a selfie. There are about ten cabanas available for a daily fee that range from $99 to $149 per use. We did not employ one, but I imagine the higher end comes with a personal butler. There are a couple of nice pools and they were never crowded. At least one whirlpool maybe two available that saw more use than the pools. We never saw any type of entertainment at the pool area except for New Years Eve.

There was a captain’s cocktail party in the Top Sail lounge on the first sea day that took place around 11:00 where the captain welcomes you as he meanders from table to table. It’s a wonderful time for a photo op as well. Champagne & other cocktails along with hors d’oeuvres were served. The attire was mainly resort casual. Again, this is only if you are in the YC. ( For all others, the captain will hold a meet & greet with a photo op in the atrium. Check you daily program for info). Every evening we found photographers in a number of locations throughout the ship. Moreso near the atrium, which made for a gorgeous backdrop.

Our YC party had merely began, when the Captain suddenly turned and ran (yes ran) out of the lounge. An announcement from the bridge alerted us to the fact that we were responding to a capsized vessel. The ship literally made a 90+ degree turn and everyone gathered on the starboard side for a look-see. However, within thirty minutes, another announcement saying we were returning to our scheduled course because another vessel had arrived prior to us and the situation was well in hand. Needless to say, the Captain did not return to the party.

We walked about the ship, took in some shopping, entertainment, & bars. Our favorite place was in the atrium. By far the "Creme Dela Creme" if you will, of the ship with it’s four tiers of Swarovski crystals on either side. There are three stages behind the bar and occasionally entertainers on all three stages simultaneously. We took in only one show while on the ship and as before on other MSC ships, entertained far beyond the imagination. A note: everyone (including the YC) has to make a reservation for any of the shows onboard. Seating is on a first come first serve bases for all.

We can’t address any of the other dining venues, although we did walk through for a look-see. We had a drink or two, but I can’t tell you how much they were, simply because if you were in the YC, your drinks were all-inclusive throughout the ship.

There are so many things to see and do on this beautiful floating palace. We can’t wait to get back in Dec. We hope you will find all the fun and enjoyment that we did, and as George Carlin once said, "If it doesn’t meet you expectations, lower your expectations."

Peekyman