Thinking of jumping ship

We are platinum on carnival and love it but would like to try something new. I've tried looking but wondering what all is included (dining, entertainment, etc) and maybe most importantly how good is it for little kids, 2 and 5. We would probably be sailing the Seaside Thank you in advance.

We are platinum on carnival and love it but would like to try something new. I've tried looking but wondering what all is included (dining, entertainment, etc) and maybe most importantly how good is it for little kids, 2 and 5. We would probably be sailing the Seaside Thank you in advance.

It's all the same, MSC is WAY better then Carnival especially entertainment.

It's all the same, MSC is WAY better then Carnival especially entertainment.

What about the food? :')

We enjoyed msc. The kids Buffett area was a nice touch. My 8 year old was happy with his nuggets, pizza, fish sticks, fries. The kid pool area is a lot of fun. Your kids will love it! They have the smaller slides in the pool just like carnival.

What about the food? :')

You've come to the right board...LOL If you read the threads you will hear from poor to very good. It appears Seaside is improving in many areas as she gets her sea legs (more cruises). I suggest reading Nikki's very detailed "live" review (Live from the Seaside 2/17)....Lots of pictures and pictures of the food!! Also there is a comprehensive review with ton of pictures from ERoller (which was posted in the past week)....You can probably find that thread on page2

We are platinum on carnival and love it but would like to try something new. I've tried looking but wondering what all is included (dining, entertainment, etc)

...Yup, we're in the same boat. We're Diamond on CCL, and if you take a look at my signature, it's REALLY time for a change. We read the reviews for this ship on many different cruise sites (not just CC) and regardless of the extremely high number of negative reviews, are willing to take a chance and try MSC for ourselves. Their website is not very good. Trying to figure out what is included with each of the different "experiences", including what part of the ship is "off limits" is a bit challenging. Then adding things like drink packages, meal time drink packages, soda packages, and drink vouchers (sometimes they're available, sometimes they're not...UGH!) can make you a little nuts. But, we'll give it a try and see if we want to continue sailing with MSC. I'm sincerely hoping for the best!

My husband and I loved our cruise on the MSC Divina... I can't speak for the SeaSide and I'm sure there will be some kinks to be worked out as they get into a groove.

Their website is difficult but if you call one of their cruise specialists it was wonderful. In fact that was how we ended up with Yacht Club, which if you can do it is AMAZING... wonderful especially on such a large ship.

Again, for the Divina, the food was amazing, not typical American food, definitely Italian and European but we had no complaints at all.

I guess I should also admit we are foodies...we like the gourmet, coursed meals, (things I can't cook at home) not big fans of the fast food, fried foods, or buffet. Our dinners averaged 2+ hours and every single one was wonderful. If you chose to give them a try remember they are NOT American, they are a Family owned Italian company and they want to make you happy, go with an open mind and heart, enjoy some Italian hospitality. Give them a try or watch for the Divina to return and try her.

We are Platinum on Carnival and have never had a bad cruise. For a change we sailed on the Divina two times last year and thoroughly enjoyed the change. And in February we sailed on the Seaside and have nothing bad to say. Now we go between MSC and Carnival. On MSC did Inside Fantastica and enjoyed the 12 voucher booklet we each got.

I'm in the same boat (pardon the pun). Been cruising only Carnival since 1995. We have the Seaside booked for this summer. Definitely wanted a change, and the deal they were offering when I booked in March of last year was too good to pass up. I've read the negative reviews, and honestly I'm not worried at all. They are the same sort of complaints that I've heard for just about every ship out there. As long as there is sun, water, some sort of decent food, I'm good to go. Also the all inclusive alcohol, and whirlpool on my balcony for the same rate as I paid for a Carnival cruise without such amenities helps :)

You know I have done more cruises with Carnival than any other line, though truly I find them more similar than I do different. Each has aspects I like and other aspects that I don't like as much.

I liked the shows on MSC and the broadway type shows on Disney and NCL, while Carnival has better comedy shows. I am not a fan however of improv comedy which NCL seems to like and will also be on the Seaside.

Food just really is all around way too subjective. I like the alternative choices on Carnival (Guys, Blue Iguana), while specialty dining I prefer NCL (which I hate their main dining rooms). I am on the fence about trying the specialty dining on our up coming trip.