Questions Regarding MSC Seaside

[sidari]

Response from Voyagers club office UK below, plus we have heard from people on the current sailing who have confirmed what MSC UK have said below!

The USA office are clearly out of step with the reality.

 

Hi David

The meal is indeed per person and not per cabin.

Nikki ... Our documents state White, 60,70,80`s and Mediterranean nights, no Italian night. But we shall see.

[nikkiw60]

Response from Voyagers club office UK below, plus we have heard from people on the current sailing who have confirmed what MSC UK have said below!

 

The USA office are clearly out of step with the reality.

 

 

 

Hi David

 

The meal is indeed per person and not per cabin.

 

 

 

Nikki ... Our documents state White, 60,70,80`s and Mediterranean nights, no Italian night. But we shall see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drat! And I had planned on wearing this!

 

 

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[nikkiw60]

Drat! And I had planned on wearing this!

 

 

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Just joking! But I am wearing it at work today...

 

 

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[ashley@cruisecritic]

Not sure if it’s been asked already but will there still be a white night and Italian night?

 

 

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I've heard yes on White Night but not sure about Italian night.

[ashley@cruisecritic]

Ashley ... Thank you for the Venchi information, however maybe you could throw this back to MSC and point this info out to them from their own website / Voyagers Club info for " Individual " Black card holders.

 

 

Complimentary speciality Restaurant Dinner (No Beverages)

 

 

This is not per cabin! but each Individual Black Card member.

 

No problem, sidari. Admittedly I don't have experience with the perks of being a Black Card holder. Does each person normally get a free dinner for two or just a free dinner for himself/herself? From what I've been reading, it seems that the free dinners used to be limited to certain restaurants only, but on Seaside, you can have the free meal at any onboard restaurant without restriction. I'm wondering if maybe that has something to do with it but can't be certain. Will ask and see what they say.

[eroller]

I've never noticed the "Offer is per stateroom" wording before. Does this mean that if both people in the cabin are Black Card members, you only get one meal (for two) on the cruise, as opposed to one meal (for two) per member and thus two meals (for two) for the cruise?

 

 

Lets clarify this. The dinner is for 2 people, PER Black Card member. So if there are two black card members in the cabin, they will each get a dinner for 2 people, meaning they both could enjoy two dinners at a speciality restaurant if they took each other.

 

I have a friend onboard SEASIDE right now. He is a black card member and so is his friend. They are sharing a cabin together. They both used their black card benefit and enjoyed two complimentary speciality restaurant dinners. One in Butcher's Cut for 2 people, and the other in Teppanyaki for 2 people. My friend mentioned it was the same way on DIVINA so nothing new here.

 

Also the Voyager's Club benefit check list (see attachment) clearly states "dinner for 2". Nothing about per cabin. It's per black card holder.

 

Hopefully this clarifies this once and for all.

 

 

[sidari]

Ernie ... Just as I said ... :D BUT ...

 

The MSC for Me app and the UK website says

 

Complimentary speciality restaurant dinner (no beverages).

Notice that the 2 has been removed !

Edited December 15, 2017 by sidari

[eroller]

Ernie ... Just as I said ... :D BUT ...

 

The MSC for Me app and the UK website says

 

Complimentary speciality restaurant dinner (no beverages).

Notice that the 2 has been removed !

 

 

 

Is it any surprise different MSC sites say different things? Of course not. This is MSC after all. It’s unfortunately a product of not being centralized and too many hands in the pot so to speak. Each region caring for their own website.

 

Based upon the very recent experiences of my friends onboard Seaside right now, it’s still “for two” just as the US site states. That is what I’m going with.

[sidari]

That is what I’m going with.

 

 

Ernie ... So are we ... :D

[eroller]

 

 

 

Ernie ... So are we ... :D

 

 

 

[emoji106][emoji106]

[jrccruiser]

Is anyone else having issues trying to book excursions, drink packages on the MSC website? We are booked on the Feb 10th cruise.

Edited December 16, 2017 by jrccruiser

[Sailfish]

Is it any surprise different MSC sites say different things? Of course not. This is MSC after all. It’s unfortunately a product of not being centralized and too many hands in the pot so to speak. Each region caring for their own website.

 

Based upon the very recent experiences of my friends onboard Seaside right now, it’s still “for two” just as the US site states. That is what I’m going with.

We are on the Seaside. My husband and each got dinner for two. We got to go two times to a specialty restaurant using our black cards.

 

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[Tall-Cruiser]

Response from Voyagers club office UK below, plus we have heard from people on the current sailing who have confirmed what MSC UK have said below!

The USA office are clearly out of step with the reality.

 

Hi David

The meal is indeed per person and not per cabin.

Nikki ... Our documents state White, 60,70,80`s and Mediterranean nights, no Italian night. But we shall see.

 

Sid - Where in the documents does it state White, 60, 70 and etc.? Was it in your e-Ticket? Thanks

Edited December 16, 2017 by Tall-Cruiser

[sidari]

TC ... Yes its on the cruise ticket, not got them with me here so not sure which page its on.

[Tall-Cruiser]

TC ... Yes its on the cruise ticket, not got them with me here so not sure which page its on.

 

Thank you Sid.

 

One more week and you will be on Seaside. I am sire you are looking forward to it after such a long wait. I hope you have a great trip.

 

Many thanks for all your help and the feedback.

[sidari]

TC ... The info is on page 6 under the luggage heading, because we get a free photo it also says it can be collected after the Mediterranean night.

Strange thing though they re issued our tickets about a week ago because we booked a photo package and my other half is now at Black card level, the embarkation time has changed from 2pm to 3.15pm! Our plans are not changing though.

[Benzbuddy87]

I have a friend onboard SEASIDE right now. He is a black card member and so is his friend. They are sharing a cabin together. They both used their black card benefit and enjoyed two complimentary speciality restaurant dinners. One in Butcher's Cut for 2 people, and the other in Teppanyaki for 2 people. My friend mentioned it was the same way on DIVINA so nothing new here.

 

To clarify, on the Divina, Black Card specialty dining includes Galaxy Restaurant and Eataly Steakhouse, but not Ristorante Italia.

[Tall-Cruiser]

TC ... The info is on page 6 under the luggage heading, because we get a free photo it also says it can be collected after the Mediterranean night.

Strange thing though they re issued our tickets about a week ago because we booked a photo package and my other half is now at Black card level, the embarkation time has changed from 2pm to 3.15pm! Our plans are not changing though.

 

Sid - Thanks. I will check my Ticket copy. Our boarding time also said 14:05. I called MSC and they said it was a mistake and we can board earlier.

[TravelinGert]

Good morning! I've heard back from MSC on the Venchi gelato/coffee and black card dining.

 

From the line's PR team:

 

Venchi gelato is included in the beverage packages. Venchi coffee, up to a value of $7.50, is included in the classic drink package. The premium package includes all Venchi coffee drinks. Retails items are not included in the beverage packages.

 

Black card members are entitled to a complimentary specialty restaurant “Tasting Menu” dinner for 2 once during the cruise (beverages excluded). Offer is per stateroom. The tasting menus we refer to are the same as the dining experience menus. Guests can choose from any restaurant on board.

 

 

Yay! Many thanks for finding out the true dish on this, Ashley! And many thanks to Venchi and MSC for making my cruise complete as well. :D Can't wait!

[TravelinGert]

Is anyone else having issues trying to book excursions, drink packages on the MSC website? We are booked on the Feb 10th cruise.

 

Hello jrccruiser!

 

I talked to an MSC CS who said the website is complete tosh and will be for the foreseeable future due to the IT department giving it a complete re-work for security's sake. She said no one is currently able to book through it, but please let everyone know the CS line is very happy to assist until they get the bugs worked out of the online site. :)

 

Edit: Aaaand of course just for grins I had to go try the website. It worked perfectly. Also worked perfectly for me several days ago for about five minutes and went to complete tosh right after so here's wishing everyone good luck. :)

Edited December 17, 2017 by TravelinGert

[TravelinGert]

TC ... Yes its on the cruise ticket, not got them with me here so not sure which page its on.

 

Just finished uploading our photos and MSC sent us an email with our tickets attached. Can't find anything in the tickets regarding events. Lots of fine print though so perhaps I've overlooked it.

[TravelinGert]

UPDATED: Questions and Any Answers so far:

1. Do you board on deck 5 where it says "Seaside Reception" by the Atrium bar?

 

Answer: Boarding so far has been reported to be on Deck 4

 

2. I've read a lot about musical offerings on the ship including Latin, Opera, and such. Are these all being held in the Metropolitan Theater? If not what other locations should we be watching out for on our cruise?

 

Answer: The theater is slated to hold 1 or 2 different shows each night with at least 2 time slots for each show to give everyone a chance to see them per Ashley@CC's report. On videos from the ship I've seen musical acts in the Haven Lounge, the stage over the Atrium Bar, a DJ in the Garage Disco, and what appears to be trivia type activities in several different bars on various days at various times in the Dailies Ashley posted. Dance Lessons happen in the Haven Lounge and there seemed to be line dancing lessons going on in the Disco in one of the videos.

 

3. How were the lines for the zip line and water slides?

 

Answer: Again, Ashley@CC has kindly offered up the following: The water slides weren't open during the first week when I was on because it was too cold, and I suspect they were still testing things out. Only one of the ship's two ziplines was open, and only for two of the seven days I was there (also due to weather). There were four or five people ahead of me in line. I might have waited 10-15 minutes. I'm guessing the lines might be a little longer when the ship reaches warmer weather.

 

4. What was the first thing you did when you got on the ship?

 

Answers so far:

 

Only Ashley@ CC has answered so far:

 

The first thing I did was go to my cabin to drop my bags.

 

5. How about some pictures of the menus from the MDR?

 

Ashley from CC has kindly posted this and other images above just scroll back to Post 62

 

6. Confirmation the bar food in the Sports Bar is included at no extra charge? Additionally could we get a picture of the food menu?

 

Answer: This thread has bar menus including Sports Bar which reportedly only offers simple nachos which is probably just chips and queso included in cruise fee.

 

7. What are the height or age requirements for the slides?

 

Answer: Ashley@CC says for the Adventure Trail, it's 32 inches/80 cm.

 

8. Could we see the non-alcoholic and coffee beverage menus, please? Also could we get confirmation as to where the ice cream and coffee drinks included on the drink plans are available?

 

Answer: So far all I have definite is some of the menus on this thread have non-alocholic and coffee drinks. Also a report on that thread is the Venchi venues on the ship are all franchised and thus don't honor the all inclusive plans. More in posts #66 and #67 of this thread from Ashley@CC. According to Ashley's posted menus some coffee drinks are served in the Atrium bar.

 

Ashley also reports in post #120: Venchi gelato is included in the beverage packages. Venchi coffee, up to a value of $7.50, is included in the classic drink package. The premium package includes all Venchi coffee drinks. Retails items are not included in the beverage packages.

 

9. Please post links to some pictures of the themed events and / or a list of themed events currently being held on the Seaside. Some of us like to bring costumes.

 

Answer: No photos but Ashley@CC reportsthere were Gatsby- and 60s/70s-themed parties while onboard.

10. Is there a cigar bar? If not where is smoking allowed?

 

Courtesy of Ashley at CC : Smoking is allowed only on the starboard side of the South Beach Pool area and some other areas onboard. Someone elsewhere reported there's a smoking area up on Deck 19. Possibly also in a section of the Casino or it may be No Smoking Allowed not definite yet. THE CABINS and any public areas not specifically designated as smoking allowed are all very definitely NO SMOKING.

 

11. Are there any drink coupons available on board such as the 18 for $89?

 

Answer: Spidybabe reports calling and asking an MSC CS and being told no.

12. What restaurants are included for the Black card dinners?

Answer reported my Ashley at CC in post #120 Black card members are entitled to a complimentary specialty restaurant “Tasting Menu” dinner for 2 once during the cruise (beverages excluded). Offer is per stateroom. The tasting menus we refer to are the same as the dining experience menus. Guests can choose from any restaurant on board.

 

13. How about menus for the specialty restaurants?

Answer: Found this thread. Ashley@CC reports she has added the Bistrot La Boheme and she has also been kind enough to answer other questions as well.

 

Butcher's Cut

 

Ocean Cay

 

Chef Roy's Teppanyaki and Sushi

 

Bistrot La Boheme and drinks menu Courtesy of Ashley@CC

 

Dining section of Ashley's review

 

14. How much are the YC cabanas topside?

Answer: This thread reports $149 on sea days and $99 on port days.

15. Is the Specialty Restaurant Trio available on board and how much?

 

Answer: jmele999 had this to report:

 

They told me about the $69 pp trio special which uses the set menu shown in links above reportedly.

 

Ocean cay is $40 pp which includes a 25% discount. There is a $75 pp Chef’s table at Butcher’s cut.

 

16. Can we get details regarding under-3s baby care on Seaside? Is there evening care available?

 

Answer:

 

Link provided by Mycykfamilytime - More extensive information on kids activities and care provided by Ashley@CC in Post # 68 of this thread

 

17. Do they offer a package deal on the Seaside for the Bowling , simulator , and 4 D movies, where you pay a fee (it was $85 on the Divina ) per cabin for unlimited use of these attractions ?

 

Answer: Reports now say there is a package deal in MSC's app. This thread has posted pictures of prices starting with spend $25 and get $30 worth. Billiards starts at $10 and bowling at $25. Pictures are a bit small or my monitor is because I couldn't quite read what you get for those rates.

 

18. What are the height or age requirements for the ziplines?

 

Answer:

Seaside Ziplines per MSC:

Height Restriction: Minimum 52in/130cm

Weight Minimum: 75lbs/35kg

Weight Maximum: 290lbs/130kg

 

More to be found here. Assuming you can somehow enlarge it enough to read it, anyways. :)

 

19. What about the comedy club? Tells us something about the acts and if you enjoyed them.

 

Answer: It's improv style and I've heard there are several shows a night. ~ Proseccoandsun

 

20. Do we need to book our seats for the shows in the Metropolitan Theater or can we just show up provided we don't mind where we sit? I've read the shows are amazing and won awards so we're really hopeful we'll get to see all of them.

 

Answer: Ashley@CC has kindly replied stating they just ask that you book a time but don't reserve specific seats in order to make sure to have enough seats for everyone. They scan your card for the reservation up until 5 minutes before show time when they open any seats not yet claimed to those waiting.

 

Some other bits and bobs from Seaside's published review:

" Note that the ship has neither an internet cafe nor a printer for passenger use.There are also no self-service laundry facilities, but washing and pressing services are available for a per-item fee"

 

And some special information to note: Cabin lights must be turned on with a keycard. Be warned: You can't cheat the system on this one; it won't recognize business cards, credit cards or any of the other workarounds cruisers often like to use. Outlets include both 110-volt American and 220-volt European ones. There's also at least one USB outlet near the beds in each stateroom. Buttons near the door tell your room steward if you'd like your room made up or if you'd rather not be disturbed.

 

Special thanks goes out to Ashley for posting dailies, MDR menus, and other tid bits to our thread! Thank you!

Please post your questions and any answers you have!

 

If posting an answer please cite your source. Are you on the ship or found it on a post from someone who was? Did you get it from a phone call to MSC CS line months ago?

 

Thanks!

 

NEW QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERS

1. The all inclusive drink plans list fruit drinks, milkshakes, energy drinks, ice cream, coffee drinks, premium tea, hot chocolate, and non-alcoholic cocktails. Other than the non-alcoholic cocktails which are listed on pretty much all the bar menus I've seen and the coffee drinks, fruit juice, and energy drinks I spied on the Atrium bar menu, where are these items found on Seaside? Especially interested in the ice cream and milkshakes.

 

From Ashley at CC: Ice cream and milkshakes can be found at either Venchi location or at the Miami Beach Bar and Miramar Bar. I believe Miramar is reserved for passengers booked in certain types of cabins only. As for coffee, tea and hot chocolate, those can be found at nearly every bar onboard, as well as both Venchi locations.

2. Can you go to the Bistrot La Boheme and just order say a dessert to share and drinks on your all inclusive plan?

 

From Ashley at CC: Yes! Bistrot La Boheme's desserts are amazing. Because it's a la carte, it's possible to just go there for dessert.

 

3. Anyone ever taken one of those golf umbrellas or sun shades that clip on your chair or lounger on an MSC cruise ship and used it at one of the pools?

 

No takers yet. Hopefully we will find MSC has something in mind already for a bit of shade in the pool areas that isn't going to be revealed until the ship is fully settled in Miami.

[sidari]

The Aurea bar is the one that is within the Top 19 area which is for Aurea and Wellness Suite guests, I thnk the Miramar bar could be for everyone but not sure.

[Shippy]

Hard to believe there is no internet cafe or printer for passenger use......as stated in the above posting.

How do they expect passengers to print out their airline boarding passes ?

Seems that people would inundate the poor guest relations area asking them to do it.

[eroller]

Hard to believe there is no internet cafe or printer for passenger use......as stated in the above posting.

 

How do they expect passengers to print out their airline boarding passes ?

 

Seems that people would inundate the poor guest relations area asking them to do it.

 

 

 

There is a business center, midship on Deck 6 starboard side. I’m guessing here is where you can access the internet from desktop computers and print anything needed.