Aboard the Seaside LIVE! Not Good!

We were on a maiden voyage once (Coral Princess).

It was not on purpose, but there were so many delays, it just happened that ours' was the first.

There were workers onboard too. Funny things happened like they couldn't find the keys to open up the buffet doors. We had no remote controls for the TV.:confused:

However, food was good, cabin was clean (this was our first balcony), cabin steward was great, our wait

staff was experienced. It remains our favorite cruise ever.

However, it is not acceptable for public toilets to be dirty and cabins not cleaned. I could compromise on most things but not cleanliness and hygiene - there is no excuse, even on a maiden voyage.

I agree cleanliness needs to be first and foremost, regardless of a maiden voyage or a ten year old ship.

I can tell you that MSC is pretty fanatical about cleanliness, more so than probably any other line I've sailed except Disney. The ships are truly kept spotless. You might be able to fault the food or service, but the cleanliness was always spot on.

Very surprised to read about cleanliness issues on SEASIDE. While it's not right, I can guarantee it won't stay that way long based upon past MSC experiences.

Wait till you get on the ship! People running into mirrors and glass doors all the time. Quite comical, but not good design.

 

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I, for sure, know what you mean. We experienced it on Divina. We were standing in front of the "secret" elevator, and for those that aren't sure what I'm speaking of, it's a single elevator shaft that is like hidden behind a wall, but close to the atrium, and when you first approach it, there is a large mirror on the wall, which actually makes you feel like you can go completely across from one side of the ship to the other.

I still laugh, when I think of the day that my husband and I were waiting for the elevator, and my husband looked at the mirror and asked me to walk through it to catch the other elevator that was on the other side. (and he was very serious). The remainder of the day, we'd be somewhere on the ship, whether it be eating, or just lounging on our balcony, and I would think about him and that mirror, and would bust out laughing.

I actually took a photo of the mirror, and you'll see that it looks like you could walk right through it, when in actuality, you're looking at an image of what's behind you. Can't get the link to work, so hoping that you can just view it from here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kri85mYgvXD9lFa62

Finally, I would not hesitate to go with MSC again...even the Seaside, if the dates and cost met our requirements. Oh, and forgot to mention, we have an inside cabin. Last year, on Divina, we booked a balcony. We go in any stateroom type that presents us with the best deal. Not at all picky.

 

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Thanks for the background info and for your observations!

We sail Seaside on February 10th...hope many of the issues are ironed out! ;)

I, for sure, know what you mean. We experienced it on Divina. We were standing in front of the "secret" elevator, and for those that aren't sure what I'm speaking of, it's a single elevator shaft that is like hidden behind a wall, but close to the atrium, and when you first approach it, there is a large mirror on the wall, which actually makes you feel like you can go completely across from one side of the ship to the other.

 

I still laugh, when I think of the day that my husband and I were waiting for the elevator, and my husband looked at the mirror and asked me to walk through it to catch the other elevator that was on the other side. (and he was very serious). The remainder of the day, we'd be somewhere on the ship, whether it be eating, or just lounging on our balcony, and I would think about him and that mirror, and would bust out laughing.

 

I actually took a photo of the mirror, and you'll see that it looks like you could walk right through it, when in actuality, you're looking at an image of what's behind you. Can't get the link to work, so hoping that you can just view it from here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kri85mYgvXD9lFa62

 

Ha ha! I know exactly what you mean! I kept thinking there was another lady standing there with the same shirt on that I was wearing!! LOL! (Of course it was ME that I was looking at!)

Is there anywhere civilised to smoke a cigar on board? By civilised I mean indoors and in an area where it won’t offend other non-smokers? Casino not suitable for that reason. The divina had a cigar lounge but have heard nothing on seaside about this?

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I, for sure, know what you mean. We experienced it on Divina. We were standing in front of the "secret" elevator, and for those that aren't sure what I'm speaking of, it's a single elevator shaft that is like hidden behind a wall, but close to the atrium, and when you first approach it, there is a large mirror on the wall, which actually makes you feel like you can go completely across from one side of the ship to the other.

 

I still laugh, when I think of the day that my husband and I were waiting for the elevator, and my husband looked at the mirror and asked me to walk through it to catch the other elevator that was on the other side. (and he was very serious). The remainder of the day, we'd be somewhere on the ship, whether it be eating, or just lounging on our balcony, and I would think about him and that mirror, and would bust out laughing.

 

I actually took a photo of the mirror, and you'll see that it looks like you could walk right through it, when in actuality, you're looking at an image of what's behind you. Can't get the link to work, so hoping that you can just view it from here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kri85mYgvXD9lFa62

 

We had heard about glass on Divinia too and knew of the secret elevators but apparently everyone else heard about them too so they were actually pretty crowded whenever we tried to use them.

About mid-way through we almost ran into the glass there too as we kind of had let our guard down.

We are in Puerto Rico today; lots of US Coast Guard presence on the ship. Full crew evacuation drill the likes I have never seen. We went through US Immigration this morning. As we had a tour, we got it out of the way early. But it was quite crazy and unorganized when it came to figuring out where to locate your tour group.

Many passengers are grumpy and have no patience. I have been trying hard to remain positive, but I hate to admit it, I am looking forward to getting off the ship in Miami. So many angry passengers constantly complaining.

We enjoyed our tour and are now back on the ship relaxing.

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Many passengers are grumpy and have no patience. I have been trying hard to remain positive, but I hate to admit it, I am looking forward to getting off the ship in Miami. So many angry passengers constantly complaining.

 

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Very unfortunate to hear this, but I have to admit there have been cruises where I was very ready to disembark and get as far away as possible. One particular Carnival Cruise comes to mind. Thankfully they are very few and far between. Also fellow pax make a big difference. If they thrive on complaining and try to wrangle others into their complaining mentality that is a huge downer, especially if you’re trying hard to enjoy yourself.

Try to make the most of your last days onboard. It will all be over very soon and a distant memory before you know it.

Sailfish ... MSC have no control over US immigration and it was the one thing we were not keen on during our two transatlantic sailings on Poesia and Divina, we were lucky on Divina and got through quite quick, some missed half their day on St Thomas.

Immigration went smoothly. The problem was lack of information from shore excursion staff to passengers where to assemble afterwards.

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I am glad we went through immigration today as opposed to Miami on debarkation day! Immigration for US Citizens took seconds! We simply walked past officials with passports open!

Shore Excursions scheduled this morning were not organized well. It's up to MSC to inform passengers where to go. They told our group to wait for an escort that never showed up.

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Can you answer a few questions please?

Is there a "Card" or "Games" room onboard? Do you know if they have a supply of games available for the passengers to play? Mah Jonng, playing cards, board games, etc?

Can you answer a few questions please?

 

Is there a "Card" or "Games" room onboard? Do you know if they have a supply of games available for the passengers to play? Mah Jonng, playing cards, board games, etc?

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We are finally on the last two sea days if our voyage. Last night, Ricky Martin got on board. Saw his big Entourage. But I don't believe he is performing. He will be part of the ceremony in Miami.

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No reason given why they closed the buffet on Deck 8. Lots of rumors and speculation. One is too few passengers to warrent opening it up. Another is maintenance problems. But it is open for breakfast and lunch. This is the main buffet. The one on Deck 16 is open. But menu is limited to pizza and a couple of items.

 

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I was told by a chap in a white uniform with bars and braid that the food is the same in the Deck 16 buffet, and the Deck 8 buffet was closed for dinner because they (the ship's management) wanted to see how Deck 16 would work out with more people in it. I also heard that the Deck 8 evening buffet was in use more than the management expected.

In my opinion, the general food quality on the Seaside compared to other lines I have sailed is lower and boring. And Deck 16 buffet's quality and variety are not equal to Deck 8.

Overcooked vegetables, the same7 item salad bar every night, overcooked proteins - these are not shake-down cruise issues.

Side note: the room stewards, bar staff, and junior kitchen and wait staff are fabulous and are working their tails off.

Can you answer a few questions please?

 

Is there a "Card" or "Games" room onboard? Do you know if they have a supply of games available for the passengers to play? Mah Jonng, playing cards, board games, etc?

Susan, have not seen a card or game room on the deckplans, but Pat and I will find a place with comfy chairs and a table where we can play. Since this is a ship cruise, not a port cruise, we will be spending most of the time onboard, we carry several decks of cards, plus rules and scoresheets.

Stan

Susan, have not seen a card or game room on the deckplans, but Pat and I will find a place with comfy chairs and a table where we can play. Since this is a ship cruise, not a port cruise, we will be spending most of the time onboard, we carry several decks of cards, plus rules and scoresheets.

 

Stan

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I was told by a chap in a white uniform with bars and braid that the food is the same in the Deck 16 buffet, and the Deck 8 buffet was closed for dinner because they (the ship's management) wanted to see how Deck 16 would work out with more people in it. I also heard that the Deck 8 evening buffet was in use more than the management expected.

 

In my opinion, the general food quality on the Seaside compared to other lines I have sailed is lower and boring. And Deck 16 buffet's quality and variety are not equal to Deck 8.

 

Overcooked vegetables, the same7 item salad bar every night, overcooked proteins - these are not shake-down cruise issues.

 

Side note: the room stewards, bar staff, and junior kitchen and wait staff are fabulous and are working their tails off.

All the workers are awesome. It's management and leadership that's the problem.

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I'll be boarding the ship on Thursday for the day and night for the big naming ceremony and event as a guest of a friend. I wonder if they will have the ship cleaned up for the big event. They have assigned us a balcony stateroom on the 12th floor for they night. (After just coming off the Regal, it will be interesting to see what a MSC ship looks like.) I'm really looking forward to seeing Ricky Martin and Andrea Boccelli sing and Sophia Loren name the ship!

Thanks for reporting on your sailing. Hopefully you are able to enjoy the very end of it and I'll go ahead and say an early "Welcome to Miami"!

We are in Puerto Rico today; lots of US Coast Guard presence on the ship. Full crew evacuation drill the likes I have never seen. We went through US Immigration this morning. As we had a tour, we got it out of the way early. But it was quite crazy and unorganized when it came to figuring out where to locate your tour group.

 

Many passengers are grumpy and have no patience. I have been trying hard to remain positive, but I hate to admit it, I am looking forward to getting off the ship in Miami. So many angry passengers constantly complaining.

 

We enjoyed our tour and are now back on the ship relaxing.

 

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Guessing they docked at the dock in Old San Juan by the Sheraton. We sailed out of San Juan but we sailed out of the dock on the other side of the bay there. Whenever a cruise ship docks at the one in Old San Juan the place is a crazed mad house. We stayed in that Sheraton for two nights prior to our cruise and two ships docked the day we arrived. Our Uber driver must have known it because he drove in the back way and dropped us off behind the hotel. We decided to walk out to see the sights after checking in and could barely even walk for several blocks as the ships were apparently just letting people out.

Susan, have not seen a card or game room on the deckplans, but Pat and I will find a place with comfy chairs and a table where we can play. Since this is a ship cruise, not a port cruise, we will be spending most of the time onboard, we carry several decks of cards, plus rules and scoresheets.

 

Stan

I've seen group seating around a table type booth set ups in several of the videos around the ship in different areas. That I recall in the Sports Bar, near the Atrium on the second or third floor, and in some other bar. Also there appear to be tables and chairs that can be moved together for larger groups out by the South Beach Pool, in the Jungle Pool area, and in most of the bars and such around the ship. I think there will turn out to be numerous little quiet corners when everyone has gone off on their shore excursions for card games. I'm quite looking forward to seeing what the ship will be like when it isn't packed full. :)

We are finally on the last two sea days if our voyage. Last night, Ricky Martin got on board. Saw his big Entourage. But I don't believe he is performing. He will be part of the ceremony in Miami.

 

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He is singing along with Tenor Andrea Bocelli with children of "Voices of Haiti" choir Thursday night at the ceremony.

I'll be boarding the ship on Thursday for the day and night for the big naming ceremony and event as a guest of a friend. I wonder if they will have the ship cleaned up for the big event. They have assigned us a balcony stateroom on the 12th floor for they night. (After just coming off the Regal, it will be interesting to see what a MSC ship looks like.) I'm really looking forward to seeing Ricky Martin and Andrea Boccelli sing and Sophia Loren name the ship!

 

Thanks for reporting on your sailing. Hopefully you are able to enjoy the very end of it and I'll go ahead and say an early "Welcome to Miami"!

Hope you enjoy your cruise and have a good time during the naming ceremony. I am sure it will be great.

Would love to hear your feedback on the various cabin categories if you have an opportunity to see them while on board. I am sure you have seen the comments and discussions on the various boards here on CC about cabins and balconies on MSC Seaside.

Many thanks and enjoy.

Hope you enjoy your cruise and have a good time during the naming ceremony. I am sure it will be great.

 

Would love to hear your feedback on the various cabin categories if you have an opportunity to see them while on board. I am sure you have seen the comments and discussions on the various boards here on CC about cabins and balconies on MSC Seaside.

 

Many thanks and enjoy.

Thanks. Only on for the night and the only time we leave the dock is when we move from Terminal B to Terminal F around 2 am.

We actually get off the ship and the main events take place on land and then we go back on around 8.