MSC Seaside is (gasp!) European

[BermudaBound2014]

Tiptoo- thanks for taking the time to respond. For what it’s worth, I thought MSc pizza was absolutely amazing! Best at sea :)

 

 

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[sidari]

Now MSC has a "world class" line of ships: perhaps its time, they work to become "world class", with high standards, of service & hospitality!!

 

 

Apart from a few minor issues that could have been down to communications between land based offices and the ship I am struggling to think of any issues we have had regarding service and hospitality on our 6 MSC cruises so far.

 

 

It is true that some people are angry when they go to customer service and that is reflected back on occasions by the way you speak to people, the Italians do not do demands, they will how ever deal with requests and many issues are driven by people higher up the food chain.

 

 

As I have said on numerous posts where are the so called Executives who are in charge of the US offices, why has there been no communication from them regarding the issues that people have clearly brought to them over Seaside ? until this area begins to function as it should then you will not see any changes.

 

Bea ... Maybe its down to the big discounts, Two for one, discounts for certain occupations and kids sail free prices(not offered in Europe) that MSC are pushing at the US market while they increase prices in Europe to pay for it!

[Beamafar]

Bea, is MSC still your cheapest option?

 

I’m always curious how MSc prices different across countries.

 

BB, it's the reason I'm still cruising with MSC. The onboard experience is not hitting the spot the way it used to, so we've been looking at alternatives. Now and again, I check out the prices of other lines - I'd love to try RCI, but the prices are much more expensive. A balcony cabin costs more than YC on MSC so, if I'm going to pay that sort of price, YC is going to win out.

 

We tried Celebrity once, for a lot more money, expecting to be blown away with service, food, etc. going on what people were reporting on here. I've never ever felt about an MSC cruise/ship the way we did about this one when, getting back to port after a day out, we looked at the ship and said "We've got to get back on this?!" That's how much we disliked the experience.

 

The price and value of the drinks packages (especially when compared with other lines) and the fact that the onboard currency is Euros on most of the cruises we take with MSC, so no exchange rates for us, keeps us coming back. We always felt that MSC offered great value for the price. However, the prices have been increasing steadily for the last couple of years and services are being cut back - it's quite noticeable how little time the crew have to engage with passengers; cabin stewards seem very stretched, as do the waiters in the MDR. To my mind, the atmosphere onboard isn't what it was anymore. We're paying more and getting less.

 

Our next 2 cruises were booked using the 30% casino discount voucher, plus, we got an extra 10% discount on the second one from compensation for missing and changing ports on Orchestra a few weeks ago. If MSC doesn't bring in a new, higher tier in Voyagers Club soon (I reckon I have enough points to qualify) and re-instate the 20% discount that Black Card members lost, we probably won't be cruising for much longer, or certainly not as frequently, with MSC. I won't be happy to pay the prices they're charging, not without them improving the service and food offerings onboard, YC excepted - but YC prices are going way beyond what I'd be comfortable to stretch to. The problem is that prices on other lines aren't exactly enticing us away.

[Beamafar]

Bea ... Maybe its down to the big discounts, Two for one, discounts for certain occupations and kids sail free prices(not offered in Europe) that MSC are pushing at the US market while they increase prices in Europe to pay for it!

 

I totally agree, Dave. For some time now, I feel that we're subsidising the discounted prices being offered in the US.

 

When we first started cruising with MSC, we tended to sail in the Winter/Spring months. The prices were fantastic and we didn't care about the weather in the Med because the ship was the destination for us. (This is no longer the case. I'm often shocked at what MSC charges to sail the Med in Winter.)

 

Then they had the terrific offers on repos so we did a couple of those. At the time, we got a B2 for €55 pppn; for our upcoming one, it's now €107 pppn for a B2 and on next year's one it's €92.45 pppn. These are crazy per night rates for the simple reason that repos aren't stocked up due to the change in onboard offerings in the region they're heading to so, more often than not, they run out of things during the course of the cruise and food offerings are of a lesser quality, too.

 

On Sinfonia, they ran out of (I'm reluctant to say it here since the subject had a thread of its own, so I'll just whisper it) butter, as well as my favourite white wine; we had pork as the meat dish most of the time. Now, things like that are OK when you're paying the reduced price, but it certainly is not acceptable when you're paying the price that you would, were it a regular itinerary, with the ship being stocked accordingly.

[nikkiw60]

I totally agree, Dave. For some time now, I feel that we're subsidising the discounted prices being offered in the US.

 

 

 

When we first started cruising with MSC, we tended to sail in the Winter/Spring months. The prices were fantastic and we didn't care about the weather in the Med because the ship was the destination for us. (This is no longer the case. I'm often shocked at what MSC charges to sail the Med in Winter.)

 

 

 

Then they had the terrific offers on repos so we did a couple of those. At the time, we got a B2 for €55 pppn; for our upcoming one, it's now €107 pppn for a B2 and on next year's one it's €92.45 pppn. These are crazy per night rates for the simple reason that repos aren't stocked up due to the change in onboard offerings in the region they're heading to so, more often than not, they run out of things during the course of the cruise and food offerings are of a lesser quality, too.

 

 

 

On Sinfonia, they ran out of (I'm reluctant to say it here since the subject had a thread of its own, so I'll just whisper it) butter, as well as my favourite white wine; we had pork as the meat dish most of the time. Now, things like that are OK when you're paying the reduced price, but it certainly is not acceptable when you're paying the price that you would, were it a regular itinerary, with the ship being stocked accordingly.

 

 

 

Also for the American market they are including drink packages and vouchers so that makes it cheaper for them.

And as the exchange rate is not good (for the U.K.) at the moment that also adds to what we pay.

 

 

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[Beamafar]

Also for the American market they are including drink packages and vouchers so that makes it cheaper for them.

And as the exchange rate is not good (for the U.K.) at the moment that also adds to what we pay.

 

They seem to get quite a bit of OBC, too!

[sverigecruiser]

Be careful there, SC. There's a certain poster on here that reckons there's no way an MSC cruise costs that much because he can't see anything like that price ON THE US SITE!!!! That was the response to a post where I stated that a YC inside on Seaview would cost us the *equivalent* of $7000 - I didn't say "$7000" nor was I quoting from the US site. I posted a photo of the price from the MSC website in Euros. Apparently, if you quote the price in US$ (just for illustration purposes so that Americans on here can relate to the price) it is assumed by some that you must be referring to what MSC is charging in the US.

 

I know. The worst thing is that I still think that MSC are rather cheap!

 

They are cheap compared to what NCL charges for the Haven!

[Frode]

 

 

 

Our MSC Cruise next year cost around $7000. If we decide to fly in business class the flight will cost around $3500.

 

 

Hej sverigecruiser - another Stockholm citizen here [emoji6]

 

Around $7000 sounds rather expensive to me...

Even though I guess you’ve booked YC and that the rate is for the two of you?! Depends on the season & area as well (when/where are you going?). Which ship (one of the very new ones, I guess)?

 

Myself, I often look at cruise prices at the German market...and always find them (much) more expensive than here in Sweden/Scandinavia.

I cruised myself around 30 times onboard Kloster/NCL (our first one was onboard SS Norway from MIA in May -92, of course - as I’m a Norwegian [emoji3]), MSC many times (never YC, though), RCI, Celebrity and HAL.

 

While the ships tend to be larger and larger [emoji33], my wife and I prefer the smaller/mid-sized vessels ourselves.

[sverigecruiser]

 

 

Hej sverigecruiser - another Stockholm citizen here [emoji6]

 

Around $7000 sounds rather expensive to me...

Even though I guess you’ve booked YC and that the rate is for the two of you?! Depends on the season & area as well (when/where are you going?). Which ship (one of the very new ones, I guess)?

 

Myself, I often look at cruise prices at the German market...and always find them (much) more expensive than here in Sweden/Scandinavia.

I cruised myself around 30 times onboard Kloster/NCL (our first one was onboard SS Norway from MIA in May -92, of course - as I’m a Norwegian [emoji3]), MSC many times (never YC, though), RCI, Celebrity and HAL.

 

While the ships tend to be larger and larger [emoji33], my wife and I prefer the smaller/mid-sized vessels ourselves.

 

It's in March next year, 11-nights on Divina from Miami.

 

Our first seven cruises were with NCL but with the extremely high prices for the Haven we decided to try MSC Yacht Club last summer and that was much better value for money.

[JAGR]

 

It's in March next year, 11-nights on Divina from Miami.

 

Our first seven cruises were with NCL but with the extremely high prices for the Haven we decided to try MSC Yacht Club last summer and that was much better value for money.

 

Depending on what room you're getting that seems very high or low. YC is $10,173 and Aurea Balcony is $4,633 as I look at it on the US site for two.

[sverigecruiser]

 

Depending on what room you're getting that seems very high or low. YC is $10,173 and Aurea Balcony is $4,633 as I look at it on the US site for two.

 

I can't see how much it should cost to book our cruise from Sweden now since MSCs Swedish site say that the YC is sold out.

 

We really loved our cruise on the Meraviglia last summer and one of the reasons why we decided to book a new cruise immediately was that we expected the YC prices to go up since it's so cheap. Maybe that is what has happened.

 

I'm glad to see that $7000 was a good price!

[Beamafar]

 

I can't see how much it should cost to book our cruise from Sweden now since MSCs Swedish site say that the YC is sold out.

 

It's showing as €2839 pp on the Ireland website, SC. (That's roughly about $7000 for 2 using today's exchange rate, so it's the same here as you're paying). I calculated how much that would work out at if it was a 7 night cruise ('cos that's the price I'd be familiar with) and it works out at just over €1800 pp. That's not a bad price, as YC is averaging around €2600 now for a 7 night Med cruise. We're paying a little under €1200 pp per week for our upcoming YC cruise on Splendida, so we're really getting a great deal!

 

John, the Aurea (B3) price you've quoted is in or around the same on the Ireland website, too.

Edited February 12, 2018 by Beamafar

[DCGuy64]

What you do not understand is that MSC does not need to be the "Celebrity" of Europe just to suit a Minority of people or anywhere else for that matter, yes they are not perfect and unless you pay the prices for the likes of the smaller niche lines there is no use going on about they should do this or they should do that.

 

The fact that Seaside and Divina are still attracting passengers regardless of where they sail shows that MSC have a good model despite the early whinges and whines from people some of who have never sailed MSC before.

Even now I would hazard a guess that over 90% of people in North America have never heard of MSC.

 

 

Quite right, sidari. Still amazed that so many are predicting MSC’s imminent demise based on a statistically small sample of people (some of whom clearly weren’t sure what MSC is all about) who cruised on a brand new ship. That’s okay, I’m looking forward more all the time to our cruise.

 

 

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[tiptop33]

Thanks!

 

Tiptoo- thanks for taking the time to respond. For what it’s worth, I thought MSc pizza was absolutely amazing! Best at sea :)

 

 

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[sidari]

DC ... Most if not all of those proclaiming the demise clearly are not aware that MSC currently own a massive commercial fleet operation which was there long before any of their cruise ships ... :D

There will always be people from all over the world and we have seen many on our MSC cruises who will continue to travel to the Caribbean and sail on an MSC ship just as they did out of Fort Lauderdale.

 

I can only think that those wanting them to fail have their fingers in the pies of the other cruise lines based in Miami and North America, if MSC is not for them then they need to move on with their life.

[Formula280SS]

DC ... Most if not all of those proclaiming the demise clearly are not aware that MSC currently own a massive commercial fleet operation which was there long before any of their cruise ships ... :D

There will always be people from all over the world and we have seen many on our MSC cruises who will continue to travel to the Caribbean and sail on an MSC ship just as they did out of Fort Lauderdale.

 

I can only think that those wanting them to fail have their fingers in the pies of the other cruise lines based in Miami and North America, if MSC is not for them then they need to move on with their life.

 

sidari, complements on your steadfast 'holding your ground with facts. There is an ugly contingent that is hell bent on attacking MSC from all sides, angles, etc. and it is so obvious. And, too bad.

 

For me, it crosses the line when they take a personal one or two week FIRST TIME cruise experience (the reviews, even negative, are fair game and welcomed) BUT THEN IN MANY WAYS ATTACK THE ENTIRE MSC CORPORATE MISSION, FLEET AND (IGNORANT OF ITS') SUCCESS WITHOUT AN OUNCE OF A CLUE OF WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

 

Again, the cruise experience comments, and reviews, are FAIR GAME.

 

The dire EXPERT predictions of MSC's FINANCIAL AND CORPORATE MISSION DEMISE by unhappy cruise expert reviewers (again, the negative reviews are fair game); PLEASE JUST DON'T RETURN TO THESE SHIPS AND THE NEW ONES FORTHCOMING - MORE FOR THE REST OF THE VERY INTERESTED CRUISERS) is TOTALLY off base, unsupported, clearly uneducated (financial and nonfinancial performance data) and clearly ignorant of the FACTS about the financial position and results of operations, and nonfinancial data (cruise capacity % for example, but there are many many other industry measurements) of MSC.

https://www.msccruises.com/en-gl/Assets/MSC%20Cruises%20SA%20-%20Annual%20Report%202016.pdf

 

 

Take a read of the 2016 MSC ANNUAL REPORT.

LOOK AT THE EARNINGS FROM 2014, 2015 AND 2016.

 

LOOK AT THE PASSENGER CAPACITY %'S AS WELL.

 

SUCH TOTALLY REFUTES AS BS THE FALSE EXPERT DIRE PREDICTIONS.

Then consider ~ 2017 two of the first new ships came out, quite a few more on the way, and a destination island, etc.

 

THE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT SHOULD BE OUT IN DUE TIME.

[cruzeluver]

I can only speak for this American, but loved the European touches on our recent Seaside cruise, our first with MSC. If I want the usual US-focused cruise experience I have a ton of options. Loved hearing the different languages spoken throughout the ship. We met incredibly interesting people from all over. Food in the main dining room was excellent, just not the usual one finds on the US-based lines. Having said that, there were plenty of options for those who want that, we just did not choose those dishes as we eat broiled salmon, grilled chicken, shrimp cocktails etc. at home.

 

In 20 plus cruises we have never once eaten dinner in a buffet so having limited options there was of no consequence.

[sidari]

sidari, complements on your steadfast 'holding your ground with facts. There is an ugly contingent that is hell bent on attacking MSC from all sides, angles, etc. and it is so obvious. And, too bad.

 

 

Formula ... Thanks for that ... :D

 

We had an old saying in the UK Fire Service that BS baffles Brains, and there certainly has been some on these boards since Seaside was launched and many have been baffled.

[DCGuy64]

sidari, complements on your steadfast 'holding your ground with facts. There is an ugly contingent that is hell bent on attacking MSC from all sides, angles, etc. and it is so obvious. And, too bad.

 

For me, it crosses the line when they take a personal one or two week FIRST TIME cruise experience (the reviews, even negative, are fair game and welcomed) BUT THEN IN MANY WAYS ATTACK THE ENTIRE MSC CORPORATE MISSION, FLEET AND (IGNORANT OF ITS') SUCCESS WITHOUT AN OUNCE OF A CLUE OF WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

 

Again, the cruise experience comments, and reviews, are FAIR GAME.

 

The dire EXPERT predictions of MSC's FINANCIAL AND CORPORATE MISSION DEMISE by unhappy cruise expert reviewers (again, the negative reviews are fair game); PLEASE JUST DON'T RETURN TO THESE SHIPS AND THE NEW ONES FORTHCOMING - MORE FOR THE REST OF THE VERY INTERESTED CRUISERS) is TOTALLY off base, unsupported, clearly uneducated (financial and nonfinancial performance data) and clearly ignorant of the FACTS about the financial position and results of operations, and nonfinancial data (cruise capacity % for example, but there are many many other industry measurements) of MSC.

https://www.msccruises.com/en-gl/Assets/MSC%20Cruises%20SA%20-%20Annual%20Report%202016.pdf

 

 

Take a read of the 2016 MSC ANNUAL REPORT.

LOOK AT THE EARNINGS FROM 2014, 2015 AND 2016.

 

LOOK AT THE PASSENGER CAPACITY %'S AS WELL.

 

SUCH TOTALLY REFUTES AS BS THE FALSE EXPERT DIRE PREDICTIONS.

Then consider ~ 2017 two of the first new ships came out, quite a few more on the way, and a destination island, etc.

 

THE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT SHOULD BE OUT IN DUE TIME.

 

 

 

Well said, both to sidari and Formula. I have no problem with people expressing subjective opinions, even when expressed histrionically, eg “worst pizza ever,” “staff totally uncooperative, etc. But I cannot abide ridiculous and reckless “predictions” that an entire company is “guaranteed” to fail because there was 1/2 teaspoon too little sauce on my spaghetti. Puh-leeze!

 

 

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[manime]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with people having a negative opinion of anything. I just wonder though are some people paying low cruise prices and expecting 5 star ritz service ? Some of the things people are letting ruin their holiday, for me, is incredible. Am I expecting 5 star for what I paid, absolutely not although I am looking for something decent as although not the most expensive cruise line it’s still not cheap. Just Enjoy your holiday and don’t let the little things grind you down. Have a cocktail, chill and move on. Holidays really are what you make it.

[Extra Kim]

kids sail free prices(not offered in Europe)

Well that's wrong. MSC do offer kids (0-2 years) sail for "free" in Europe. I say "free" since you have to book certain cabins to be able to cruise with kids.

[Extra Kim]

Bean, is MSC still your cheapest option?

 

I’m always curious how MSc prices different across countries.

 

I did my first cruise on NCL. Since then we have sailed Royal/Celebrity, the only reason is that NCL always have been more expensive for similar cruises compared to Royal. When I have said this before people have had a hard time believing me, my conclusion is that the price difference is large between the U.S and Sweden.

[sidari]

Kim ... In the US kids under 2 go free anytime, 3 to 11 free year round subject to availability and promotion, 12 to 17 free or with a reduced fare depending on sail date and subject to availability and promotion.

 

In Europe under 2 travel free, 3 to 11 from £119, 12 to 17 from £160.

[gkbiiii]

For Europeans I believe the cheapest option is Costa; which is why, I don't understand why MSC, a private family company, with over 800+ shipping vessels, can't strive to be better?

[The_0neuk]

If americans don't take to the ship and don't want to sail on it that's fine by me :D

 

Leaves more room for us Europeans to book her ;)