kvickers Posted May 27, 2017 #1 Share Posted May 27, 2017 Trying to decide between 6 nights on the Vista with stops at Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios and Cozumel or 7 nights on the Seaside stopping in St. Martin, San Juan and Nassau. We are family with 2 active boys, ages 11 and 8. It will be a holiday sailing, so I want to make sure I pick the best one for us:) The Vista is coming up more expensive (approximately $1500 more) since kids are free on MSC. I am wondering if the Vista is worth the extra $$? We haven't sailed either of these lines yet so would love to hear feedback from those who have. Thanks in advance! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khewston Posted May 27, 2017 #2 Share Posted May 27, 2017 It depends on what you are looking for. MSC has beautiful ships but I heard they cater more towards Europeans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homosassa Posted May 27, 2017 #3 Share Posted May 27, 2017 If you are looking to leave home on vacation, but still be at home without any new experiences, then Carnival is for you. If you would like to meet people from around the world, enjoy food from different nationalities, enjoy entertainment geared for the multicultural, multilingual passengers, then MSC is for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umbrino Posted May 27, 2017 #4 Share Posted May 27, 2017 We went on Vista in April and it was my least favorite cruise with carnival so far. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhsails Posted May 28, 2017 #5 Share Posted May 28, 2017 MSC..more variety in food, gorgeous ship, many Nationalites sailing, terrific shows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallnthensome Posted May 28, 2017 #6 Share Posted May 28, 2017 I sailed the Vista in April and have been booked for the Seaside since 2016. The Vista is a fine ship but way way way more expensive than the Seaside. Nobody can give you a real review yet on the Seaside. I'd go Seaside and upgrade with the extra savings. We sail on it April 7th 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdkbrim Posted May 28, 2017 #7 Share Posted May 28, 2017 I'm always for saving money and prefer the Seaside's ports. Plus. 7 nights is better than 6 nights. Nevertheless, if you plan to use the kids' camp, I would recommend you looking in to the experience of other parents sailing with kids on MSC during a holiday time period. A few years ago, we sailed on MSC during Spring Break. The kids' camp never followed their schedule and ended up just being a glorified day care...their excuse was the number of kids. My 11 year old (at the time) refused to continue going. And, her 2 younger siblings were crying on the last day feeling "cheated" by the kids' camp staff who kept promising stuff and never followed through. Maybe it was a fluke, but we have never had a problem on any other cruise line with the kids' camp at busy times of year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted May 28, 2017 #8 Share Posted May 28, 2017 Trying to decide between 6 nights on the Vista with stops at Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios and Cozumel or 7 nights on the Seaside stopping in St. Martin, San Juan and Nassau. We are family with 2 active boys, ages 11 and 8. It will be a holiday sailing, so I want to make sure I pick the best one for us:) The Vista is coming up more expensive (approximately $1500 more) since kids are free on MSC. I am wondering if the Vista is worth the extra $$? We haven't sailed either of these lines yet so would love to hear feedback from those who have. Thanks in advance! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Nothing Carnival has will come close to MSC and you are saving $1500. Run don't walk !!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsfuzzmo Posted May 28, 2017 #9 Share Posted May 28, 2017 We've sailed the Vista, and I'd sail the Seaside (to try it) before going back on the Vista. Use the extra money for an upgraded cabin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted May 28, 2017 #10 Share Posted May 28, 2017 You should also consider cabin type. If you want a balcony on Seaside, your boys will be sharing a foldout couch, although there are bunks in insides and OV. EM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momof4girls Posted May 28, 2017 #11 Share Posted May 28, 2017 For that kind of savings, I'd definitely choose the Seaside. We were originally booked on a spring Seaside cruise but I really want to visit their private island, so we moved it to November. The price was unbeatable. While I've never been on the Vista, and the Seaside hasn't even set sail yet, all my research leads me to believe I would prefer the Seaside over the Vista. Since the Seaside is being built specifically for Miami, I have a feeling it will be the most "Americanized" ship MSC has sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted May 28, 2017 #12 Share Posted May 28, 2017 We selected MSC for our last cruise exactly because of the kids sail free promo. It was considerably cheaper than a similar Carnival cruise sailing on the same day. I don't regret it for one minute. It was great to try a new cruise line while saving money. The kids loved it and got off the ship begging to sail on MSC again. Personally, I would place the MSC experience one notch above Carnival but a notch below Royal. Do understand that it's a different atmosphere than Carnival. As others have mentioned, MSC ships sailing from Miami attempt to cater to both Europeans and Americans so things will be different than what you may be used to. If you enjoy trying new things and embrace change, MSC will be for you. If you prefer to stay in your comfort zone and don't like vacations unless they are specifically geared towards Americans, then don't bother no matter how substantial the savings are. Even though we thoroughly enjoyed our MSC cruise, we met a few Americans that were not enjoying their cruise and said that it would be their last time sailing on them. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceansOfTravels Posted May 28, 2017 #13 Share Posted May 28, 2017 I would pick the Seaside. I think the Seaside is worth a try over the Vista based on what I like out of cruise ships, but that's just my opi nion. The Seaside will also have people from all over the world, specifically Europe, on it, so if you're like me, someone with a European soul trapped in an American body, you will likely enjoy it. If you want to meet someone from France and discuss international soccer or hockey, instead of meeting someone from the next state over and discussing NFL football, it may also be your thing. In terms of ports, I may be partial because St.Maarten is my favorite island, with Puerto Rico and Barbados at close seconds, but I would pick St.Maarten and Puerto Rico over Grand Cayman and Cozumel any day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted May 28, 2017 #14 Share Posted May 28, 2017 Nothing Carnival has will come close to MSC and you are saving $1500. Run don't walk !!!!! Where was can you get announcements in 5 languages that go on for hours.. Sent from my iPhone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzkitty Posted May 28, 2017 #15 Share Posted May 28, 2017 We are trying the Seaside next year also. I really wanted to sail on the Vista, but I got a great price on the Seaside with drinks included, OBC, and several other freebies-can't beat that! Also, MSC will match your Carnival Status, which is a great perk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted May 29, 2017 #16 Share Posted May 29, 2017 Where was can you get announcements in 5 languages that go on for hours.. I must say that they first time I heard the announcements in so many languages I thought it was so neat, but by day 3 the novelty of it all had worn off. Still, it was pretty impressive to hear the Captain welcome all passengers in so many different languages consecutively. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted May 29, 2017 #17 Share Posted May 29, 2017 I must say that they first time I heard the announcements in so many languages I thought it was so neat, but by day 3 the novelty of it all had worn off. Still, it was pretty impressive to hear the Captain welcome all passengers in so many different languages consecutively. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Was not a big deal, but it got annoying by end of cruise. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerin Posted May 29, 2017 #18 Share Posted May 29, 2017 MSC, they have a great children's program and their ships are beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtonda Posted May 29, 2017 #19 Share Posted May 29, 2017 Where was can you get announcements in 5 languages that go on for hours.. Sent from my iPhone From what I understand, this will not be the case with the Seaside, and the other new ship they are building, as these will be catered towards the US market. They will be "Americanized", if you will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare lazydayz Posted May 29, 2017 #20 Share Posted May 29, 2017 I think you have your answer. Even on the Carnival board, the overwhelming pick is for MSC. For that kind of savings, I would try it. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kvickers Posted May 29, 2017 Author #21 Share Posted May 29, 2017 Thanks everyone for your valuable feedback! Much appreciated! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakesnana Posted May 30, 2017 #22 Share Posted May 30, 2017 Where was can you get announcements in 5 languages that go on for hours.. Sent from my iPhone I just attended a webinar about MSC and we were told that the announcements that were made in 5 languages were only done twice a day. Maybe someone who has sailed MSC recently can verify that for us. If that's the case, I'm pretty sure I could manage 2 announcements a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted May 30, 2017 #23 Share Posted May 30, 2017 I just attended a webinar about MSC and we were told that the announcements that were made in 5 languages were only done twice a day. Maybe someone who has sailed MSC recently can verify that for us. If that's the case, I'm pretty sure I could manage 2 announcements a day. It has been a while since we sailed on the Orchestra. It sure is possible it is changed. It was most definitely more than two times back then, and it was my impression that there was a ton more non U S citizens on that ship than we had ever seen on another Caribbean cruise. Sent from my iPhone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homosassa Posted May 30, 2017 #24 Share Posted May 30, 2017 On the Divina (and probably on the Seaside), there might be one or two announcements a day made in five languages and those are fairly short. What is amazing is listening to the person doing the announcements seamlessly flow one language to another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryano Posted May 30, 2017 #25 Share Posted May 30, 2017 Even on the Carnival board, the overwhelming pick is for MSC. Is that really a measure of anything though? I'm starting to think the majority of this place would recommend the SS Minnow over a Carnival ship for a cruise. I always have to double check what forum Im actually on as this forum has a lot of Carnival haters and disgruntled Carnival cruisers in general on it it seems. Most of them keep booking Carnival cruises though. LOL Insanity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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