Wow....some really harsh words about the Seaside !

[seaweeyin]

That is from Jean Philippe on Meraviglia. Although there is only one asterisk against the items, the premium package didn't cover them (or anything else in the café!).

How very disappointing. I don't understand listing items included in a package but then not delivering them.

 

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[Vacationdreamer<><]

I’m afraid to even get used to things with my cruise 6 months out. But I’m already disappointed in non-alcoholic drink package prices for adults and children and none of my family (of 8) will be happy with high cost add ones for slides and theaters.

 

 

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[Beamafar]

How very disappointing. I don't understand listing items included in a package but then not delivering them.

 

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You will probably be able to get hot chocolate (though not the wonderful specialist ones) at some other venue onboard, but the introduction of these franchises where you get charged extra for what used to be included is the direction MSC is going in, unfortunately. Even the list of included drinks on the deluxe package has diminished, with quite a few items now in the "Super Premium" (newly introduced) category with 2 asterisks denoting that they're not covered by any drinks packages.

[vea52]

Where and when did you buy the 18 drinks package. I can’t see it online.

 

 

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I checked the list and I don't see it either at this time. I checked our list of what we have prepaid and my drink pkgs are there, it says "18 drink coupons 538W17 @$89."

I am wondering if you contacted MSC and asked for it specifically? Also I have confirmed 3 restaurant pkgs on our list but it does not seem to be an option today, not sure why, sorry

[gkbiiii]

If people booked under the "free drinks during meal promo" and Seaside does not offer them during meals; I can see much pandemonium with passengers in 2018!

[vea52]

I looked a bit more on the MSC site and found the 3 restaurants pkg still available, from the home page, click on discover MSC then you have some options for specialty restaurants, the pkg we purchased is there and available.

[LMaxwell]

I called today to purchase 18 drink vouchers and was told it was no longer offered. I protested that the agent who took my booking said I could buy them anytime and even deferred me from buying them at booking because we received OBC with our booking and told me I could order the vouchers on the ship.

 

When I booked there was no Wi-Fi or Meal Time drinks promotion. I asked if they would switch my $100 OBC to the 50 OBC, Wi-Fi, Meal Time drink promo. Yes, they would, but at nearly $500 additional charge. I passed on that.

 

I did work my way up through resolution management and negotiated additional compensation. At least two different phone agents told me they have been getting a lot of complaints over stopping the sale of the 18 drink vouchers.

[vea52]

I had purchased the 18 drink pkgs when we were on the Divina last year and it is perfect for us. I hope with many complaints they will bring them back!

[DCGuy64]

I’d love to hear something about the coffee they serve on board as well as the drinks included in the meal time drink package. Our travel agent just booked us last week and we have two adjoining balcony cabins, we got the mealtime drink program, Wi-Fi service and $50 onboard credit. We’re in Fantastica level so supposedly that includes a 12 drink voucher. I’m a professional classical singer and multilingual (incl Italian) and am excited about doing my first MSC cruise next October.

 

 

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[perakcruiser]

I’d love to hear something about the coffee they serve on board as well as the drinks included in the meal time drink package.

The free coffee is drinkable. But for me to enjoy a cruise with MSC a coffee package is definitely needed. Anyway it is very cheap.

[perakcruiser]

You will probably be able to get hot chocolate (though not the wonderful specialist ones) at some other venue onboard, but the introduction of these franchises where you get charged extra for what used to be included is the direction MSC is going in, unfortunately. Even the list of included drinks on the deluxe package has diminished, with quite a few items now in the "Super Premium" (newly introduced) category with 2 asterisks denoting that they're not covered by any drinks packages

 

The place for coffee on the Meraviglia now is the EDGE bar, there all non-alcoholic coffees including the ice coffees are included. I did not ask, but @ Jean Philippe probably not even a cappucino can be bought with the coupons. Well, let´s just hope people ignore this branded places so that the business finishes ;p

[gkbiiii]

From reports I hear that coffee/tea/beer/etc. is not served in the dining room for meals, yet for the "free drinks at meals promo", is mentioned. This whole things is very strange.

[Beamafar]

I’d love to hear something about the drinks included in the meal time drink package.

 

The following is how the Mealtime drinks package is described by MSC:

 

Unlimited wine (a choice of 2 white, 2 red and 1 rosé house brands), mineral water, draft beer, sodas and fruit juices during lunch and dinner.

The drinks included in this package are for consumption in the main restaurants and the self-service buffet, but not in the specialty restaurants.

Edited December 8, 2017 by Beamafar

[dexddd]

I'm not sure I've ever sailed a large mass-market ship where the buffets weren't crazy overcrowded. Seems par for the course. I try to avoid them.

 

I agree with you but when we sailed Divina I had heard ahead of time of how busy their buffet was but usually room way at the back.

 

WOW - it was a huge buffet with tons of seating but it was usually full whenever we went with literally no seating at times. Staff was clearing tables just fine but crazy busy - busiest I've seen on any ship.

 

I'm not sure if people didn't go to MDRs for B/L but I can say most other areas were pretty empty. Sports Bar was pretty small but we could go there any day anytime and get a seat.

 

So I think the pax mix just really preferred the buffet.

[LMaxwell]

From reports I hear that coffee/tea/beer/etc. is not served in the dining room for meals, yet for the "free drinks at meals promo", is mentioned. This whole things is very strange.

 

From someone on board the ship right now

 

"Not sure what you're talking about or where you're getting your info from. There are plenty of drinks in the main dining room. We have not had any issues getting drinks or coffee in the main dining room. In fact, our waiter or assistant waiter have our drinks already waiting for us when we walk in."

I don't know why you would think you can't get coffee, beer, tea, etc. in the dining room. Always had that on Divina. Guarantee this won't be a problem once this ship gets to Miami.

[omarchs]

One thing that i saw in various articles about the ship was the comment that the casino was non-smoking. I would have thought that this would have been mentioned quite a bit if this was the case since you don't see this on ships and some people may be angry while others will be thrilled.

[spidybabe]

One thing that i saw in various articles about the ship was the comment that the casino was non-smoking. I would have thought that this would have been mentioned quite a bit if this was the case since you don't see this on ships and some people may be angry while others will be thrilled.

 

Our sailing on the Divina in sept, the casino was non smoking, but there was a cigar bar right next door where everyone went. I don't see a cigar bar on seaside. Waiting to hear. Hubby needs place for cigar smoking

Safe sailing

[Tatka]

My friend just posted that their 5 days cruise has ended.

There were positives. They loved chocolate buffets for example

[Smurf2017]

I looked a bit more on the MSC site and found the 3 restaurants pkg still available, from the home page, click on discover MSC then you have some options for specialty restaurants, the pkg we purchased is there and available.

 

You got me excited for a minute there Vea. That soon disappeared though when I gave it a try. For sure, all the packages are there but as soon as you select one it takes you to a blank page.

 

Thanks for trying though. :)

[CarrieAP]

Our sailing on the Divina in sept, the casino was non smoking, but there was a cigar bar right next door where everyone went. I don't see a cigar bar on seaside. Waiting to hear. Hubby needs place for cigar smoking

 

Safe sailing

 

 

 

On the Divina now and the casino is not non-smoking.

 

 

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[keeponcruising]

The harsh words are deserved as far as the cabins are concerned. The public area look fabulous, except I see there are bottlenecks in certain spots. All I can say about the cabins remind me of Carnival cabins circa 1985. Italians are known for great design. I don't see it in the cabins. Oh, and they want to gear the cruise to American customers. They have to do better, much better. Their website is horrible and frustrating. I have a cruise booked in March and I am beginning to think I need to go back to my normal.

[dodgeenterprises]

I've seen photos/videos of some of the cabins. I agree some of them look like a design disaster, while others seem fine. I'm in a YC cabin in March, and from what I have seen the cabin looks fine, although I am disappointed in the shower.

 

 

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[gkbiiii]

From someone on board the ship right now

 

"Not sure what you're talking about or where you're getting your info from. There are plenty of drinks in the main dining room. We have not had any issues getting drinks or coffee in the main dining room. In fact, our waiter or assistant waiter have our drinks already waiting for us when we walk in."

I don't know why you would think you can't get coffee, beer, tea, etc. in the dining room. Always had that on Divina. Guarantee this won't be a problem once this ship gets to Miami.

 

This coffee issues, was mentioned in the First Official Cruise Critic Review.

[LMaxwell]

This coffee issues, was mentioned in the First Official Cruise Critic Review.

 

I don't take service inconsistencies to mean anything on Inaugural voyages. NCL Escape had some serious issues on it's Inaugural, Harmony of the Seas was a disaster, Carnival Vista still had many workers and unfinished areas and so did Koningsdam. If I recall correctly Quantum of the Seas had major, major issues being not only new but first in class. Not giving MSC a free pass here. All these cruise lines use paying guests to shake down incomplete ships. It's not fair or right. But service inconsistencies, and remaining minor fit out work (furnishings, fixtures, decor) I will wait a few weeks for things to improve, just like they improved on all of those named ships.

 

I guarantee you will be able to get water, wine, beer, cocktails, coffee, soda/soft drinks in the dining room no problem when this ship sails from Miami.

[riclop]

I’d love to hear something about the coffee they serve on board as well as the drinks included in the meal time drink package. Our travel agent just booked us last week and we have two adjoining balcony cabins, we got the mealtime drink program, Wi-Fi service and $50 onboard credit. We’re in Fantastica level so supposedly that includes a 12 drink voucher. I’m a professional classical singer and multilingual (incl Italian) and am excited about doing my first MSC cruise next October.

 

 

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No more 12 drinks.