Seaside Royal Suite Review-Sept 15-22

[Linda the Book Lover]

A wonderful way to spend my insomnia and tea time this morning. I can't wait to enjoy our cruise. I will have to just go into the snow room for just a second or two as the picture looks inviting but cold and snow are not on my things to do list this cruise. Which massages did everyone enjoy?

[EMc&DrS]

A wonderful way to spend my insomnia and tea time this morning. I can't wait to enjoy our cruise. I will have to just go into the snow room for just a second or two as the picture looks inviting but cold and snow are not on my things to do list this cruise. Which massages did everyone enjoy?

 

 

 

Oh, the snow room felt so good after the humidity of San Juan, and there is no breeze in the room like you get with real snow! I was able to stand in there wearing just a dry bathing suit for several minutes.

 

My wife and daughter loved their Balinese massages so much that they requested the same two ladies for a hot stone massage the next day. Loved them both, but I think the first one was their favorite. The Balinese was booked in advance prior to the trip at a savings over the cost of booked once on board.

 

 

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[EMc&DrS]

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

 

As I’ve said before, the week was fantastic from start to finish, but to be fair, there were a few things we noticed that I felt should be mentioned. We did notice the infamous sewer smell right away. At times it seemed as if it were coming out of the hot tub on our deck. Our son noticed it in his bathroom in his suite, and occasionally I would smell it coming out of the toilet in ours. Not a huge deal, and maybe not something I would’ve even noticed if I had not read about it so much in advance, but we did smell it from time to time throughout the week.

 

 

 

 

We did notice, as others have mentioned, that bar service was fairly slow throughout the ship. This seems to be caused by a lack of bartenders, which someone else recently commented is a way for MSC to keep costs down. This was not a problem for us, but I did feel like bartenders were overworked and frazzled at times, and I especially felt bad for the YC bartenders who have to make drinks for the Topsail lounge and the restaurant all night long. This was not the case on Divina, where the YC restaurant is located in the back of the ship away from YC.

 

 

 

 

Drink service could also be slow at the pool where there seemed to be far more waiters taking drink orders then there were bartenders to keep up with those orders.

 

 

 

 

 

With that said, most guests seemed to adopt the mantra of, “I’m on vacation,” and were not the least bit upset about having to wait for a drink. We did notice one couple who seemed to enjoy complaining. Every time we would encounter them, they would have numerous butlers, waiters, or other members of the staff around them trying to make them happy about something. I will never understand guests who think it’s OK to bully staff members—or make them feel like “servants” to get what they want. I knew this was not in my imagination when, on the last night of the cruise, we were thanking one of the butlers in the Topsail for taking such good care of us every night. His response was, “Oh, it was a pleasure to take care of your family because none of you ever complain about anything. We notice this-we all notice who is nice, and who likes to complain.”

 

 

 

 

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[EMc&DrS]

 

 

 

As far as the food in the YC dining room, most of our meals were well received by all. As I mentioned in a comment on another thread, the chef and cooks in YC have mastered the cooking of meats! Every steak, pork loin, lamb chop, etc. was delicious, whether in the dining room or out by the pool. Our only negative was that there was a true lack of vegetables with dinner. Our surf & turf on elegant night came with no more than two pieces of zucchini cut in half as a side to the filet mignon and lobster. This was the case with every meal. When I mentioned this on another thread, someone commented that we should have just ordered a side of steamed vegetables. Seems like a vegetable should come with every entrée without having to be a special request.

 

 

 

 

We were typically the last table of the evening to be served each night. As a party of six, we were told that in order to get Arthur as our waiter, we would have to wait until 8:30 each night to be seated. Even at that late time, on at least two nights when we arrived the three tables that were pushed together to accommodate us were still set up as three separate tables. On the final elegant night, our lobsters were severely under cooked. It seemed as though the kitchen was rushing to get our food out and get finished for the evening. We weren’t going to say a word, but it didn’t take Arthur long to notice that none of us were eating our lobster. When we admitted that the lobster wasn’t cooked, Arthur sprung into hyper speed. Soon the maître d’ appeared to let us know we would be having a “do-over” the next night to make up for the mistake. Shortly after that, Vishnu arrived to offer his sincere apology. Totally unnecessary, but a perfect example of the level of service in YC. I’m happy to say we had a delicious dinner the following evening. The maître d’ even brought plates of sushi to the table as a special appetizer because we had mentioned how much we had enjoyed it poolside the day before. The lobster on Friday night was excellent.

 

 

 

 

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[marcoigna]

Enjoying your review very much. We were lucky to have the opposite Royal Suite in February and very fortunate to have snagged it again for 2 weeks in December. Nice they gave full amenities to the Cabana at-least once per week. Not to pat myself on the back but it was I who got the Cabanas complimentary for the royal suite with a few emails to the VP as they offered this from day one on the Mereviglia. Voila, it started on our cruise in February - nice to see they have continued and nice to see they take recommendations.

 

 

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[EMc&DrS]

Enjoying your review very much. We were lucky to have the opposite Royal Suite in February and very fortunate to have snagged it again for 2 weeks in December. Nice they gave full amenities to the Cabana at-least once per week. Not to pat myself on the back but it was I who got the Cabanas complimentary for the royal suite with a few emails to the VP as they offered this from day one on the Mereviglia. Voila, it started on our cruise in February - nice to see they have continued and nice to see they take recommendations.

 

 

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Two weeks--nice! Go ahead, pat yourself on the back, or we'll do it for you. Thank you for pointing that out to MSC. We used the cabana far more than the hot tub on the deck, and with all of its storage shelves, it was handy for the whole family as a place to keep stuff during the day even if there were not chairs for everyone.

 

In case anyone is wondering, at least one or two of the cabanas that are available for rent were used each sea day, but there were always several available as well. If you find yourself spending the day at the pool on a sunny sea day, seems like you could rent one on the spot without worrying about reserving it weeks in advance of your cruise. Two of our three sea days were fairly overcast, so there was really no need to spend the money for a cabana on those days.

[dexddd]

 

The brand new Carnival Horizon was in port when we arrived in Nassau. It had just sailed for the first time from the port of Miami on a 2-day preview cruise before it begins its regular itinerary.

 

 

 

The view out our window.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horizon was first to leave because we were delayed over an hour due to a medical emergency on shore involving a YC passenger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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And someone slapped a bumper sticker on the Carni ship while in port.

[DMH15]

How was the air circulation/breeze in the cabana? Was it comfortable for lounging and reading? Thanks!

 

 

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[dexddd]

So how many seats in the cabana - just the two?

 

Lack of vegetables a negative? I see that as a positive - more room for meat.

 

When we had Arthur last year on Divinia he suggested on lobster night we have lobster for starters and main. Our group loved it! Deja-Vu.

[EMc&DrS]

How was the air circulation/breeze in the cabana? Was it comfortable for lounging and reading? Thanks!

 

 

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When there is a breeze, it does pass through the sides of the cabana. We got fairly warm the afternoon of that third sea day because the sun was shining directly into the cabana much of the day. The chairs are very comfortable, and yes, we were both able to read in there.

[EMc&DrS]

So how many seats in the cabana - just the two?

 

Lack of vegetables a negative? I see that as a positive - more room for meat.

 

When we had Arthur last year on Divinia he suggested on lobster night we have lobster for starters and main. Our group loved it! Deja-Vu.

 

Yes! Arthur called it "Lobster, lobster!" on Divina. On Seaside the lobster is served with filet. I asked Arthur if you could get two lobster tails instead of the filet, and his eyes got big and he gave a quick negative nod of the head like this was something frowned upon in the kitchen. He did offer to bring out a second surf and turf, but there was no way I could eat that much food. He is so incredibly attentive to his guests that I dropped it--I wasn't going to ask why this was ok on one ship, but appeared to be a sore subject on Seaside. For the record, the filet was great!

[EMc&DrS]

And someone slapped a bumper sticker on the Carni ship while in port.

 

 

 

Ha! And a big one at that.

 

 

 

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[EMc&DrS]

 

 

 

 

 

 

One thing I have missed on several ships we have been on recently including Seaside is a true promenade deck. Although Seaside was specifically built to maximize outside public spaces, there was not one deck that offered any length of walking space. Even deck 8, which has the most walkable space, is not suited for walking for exercise because of narrow pathways between the outside dining tables, the pathway ends mid-ship on both sides due to the spa.....

 

 

 

and you must go down stairs to deck 7 in the back of the ship to get to the other side of the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

The one morning we did get up early to walk before most people were out and about, it started raining. We were rewarded for our efforts, however, with a rainbow just off the port side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[EMc&DrS]

You’ve heard the good, and now the Bad....

 

Muster drill on MSC is a hot mess—that’s all I can say. Unlike Divina, we did not have to wear our life vests, but like Divina, there seemed to be way too many people assigned to the muster station (for YC, it’s the casino). We were all crammed in there with no one really in charge, just a bunch of video screens repeating the same info over and over in different languages. People never stopped talking, and eventually everyone just started leaving because there was no human in charge. We love MSC, but I would not want to find myself on board during a real emergency. Seems like it would be total chaos.

 

AND NOW THE UGLY!!

 

On the final morning, Vishnu met us in the Top Sail at 9 AM, and walked us to the exit of the ship. This is where the yacht club experience comes to an end. Ours came to an end abruptly. Our daughter and her husband were stopped; they had a $20 balance on their account because they used the F1 simulator on Friday afternoon, and that charge did not make onto their final bill. So, the other four of us stood on a little balcony between the exit of the ship and the entrance to the gangway, and waited for them to settle their account. All of a sudden, a tall heavyset man exited the ship screaming obscenities at the top of his lungs. The four of us, along with an unarmed MSC security guard, found ourselves standing on this small platform with this man who was out of control! He was yelling back into the ship, but his statements were not making any sense. It seemed as though he was upset about having encountered passengers or crew members who were non-Americans. He was screaming about “Cubanos“ and using the F-word over and over again directed at specific people just inside the ship out of our line of vision. He stepped onto the gangway and then turned his rage against my son’s friend, screaming something like, “And F- you and your stupid round glasses!!” This was not someone who appeared to be playing around or possibly intoxicated, but this was pure rage spewing from this man. He was now some 20 feet off the ship, but he continued yelling and pointing at us and past us into the ship: “Yes, I DO wear white socks with shorts, and I DO want my F’ing pizza and my F’ing lasagna.“ Other passengers were having to walk around him as he continued ranting. At this point an elderly lady in a wheelchair came off the ship pushed by another gentleman, and they appeared to be with this man. He finally began to move down the gangway behind them screaming all the while. Only after he had moved on did the security guard crack a smile, but I was concerned because this man seemed to be totally out of control. When my daughter and son-in-law came off the ship, they had experienced it inside-said he was screaming from the minute he exited the elevator, through the lobby yelling at passengers and crew, and that everyone just seem to ignore him. When we were in the luggage area, we could hear him through the wall on the other side still screaming. It was very bizarre and somewhat scary, especially since no one in authority seem to be doing anything about it. I would love to have seen what happened if he spoke to the customs agent in the manner he was speaking to everyone else!

 

 

(Clouds over MIA on our last morning. Reminded me of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters...but also resembled the tall, screaming man towering over everyone trying to get around him!)

 

 

 

Well, that about wraps it up. If you have any questions concerning yacht club, the Royal suite, or the ship in general, do not hesitate to ask. For those of you preparing for an upcoming cruise on Seaside, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

 

 

 

 

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[helen haywood]

"Nobody steps on a church in my town!" Thanks for your great review and your wonderful pictures.

[missthesea]

Thanks for a wonderful review! Sorry to hear your cruise ended on a scary note. It’s already hard to leave the YC, and a crazy person screaming must have been a little unnerving. We sailed in 16035 in June, and are bringing our parents and our kids back to YC this Saturday. We will miss Arthur! He and Roshan were so fun. We also had Vishnu, who was very helpful. Do you recall seeing anyone from YC or the ship helping elderly folks get a ride from the ship to the end of the pier at the islands? I remember golf carts on some of the piers taking older folks - probably for a fee or tip. My in laws aren’t usually needing wheelchairs, but those are long walks.

 

 

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[TrinaLC]

Great review, thanks. We have the royal suite in March. Hope Arthur is back on Seaside! Had the pleasure of his great service and smile on Divina and Seaside, and fab Vishnu as well. Would love to get them both again!

 

 

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[Two Wheels Only]

So how many seats in the cabana - just the two?

Vishnu offered us an extra lounger but we didn't want one. We liked the seat/space ratio.

 

Also, we received "bonus" snack service in the cabana just as the rented cabanas did. All 4 of us did, actually. I guess we got lucky.

 

BTW, if Marco and Iggy can take credit for the cabanas, I'm taking credit for the 16037 issues getting fixed.;p

[frank808]

Thanks for a wonderful review! Sorry to hear your cruise ended on a scary note. It’s already hard to leave the YC, and a crazy person screaming must have been a little unnerving. We sailed in 16035 in June, and are bringing our parents and our kids back to YC this Saturday. We will miss Arthur! He and Roshan were so fun. We also had Vishnu, who was very helpful. Do you recall seeing anyone from YC or the ship helping elderly folks get a ride from the ship to the end of the pier at the islands? I remember golf carts on some of the piers taking older folks - probably for a fee or tip. My in laws aren’t usually needing wheelchairs, but those are long walks.

 

 

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Speaking with roshan in july I think he will still be on board.

 

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[EMc&DrS]

Thanks for a wonderful review! Sorry to hear your cruise ended on a scary note. It’s already hard to leave the YC, and a crazy person screaming must have been a little unnerving. We sailed in 16035 in June, and are bringing our parents and our kids back to YC this Saturday. We will miss Arthur! He and Roshan were so fun. We also had Vishnu, who was very helpful. Do you recall seeing anyone from YC or the ship helping elderly folks get a ride from the ship to the end of the pier at the islands? I remember golf carts on some of the piers taking older folks - probably for a fee or tip. My in laws aren’t usually needing wheelchairs, but those are long walks.

 

 

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I only noticed them helping people on and off the ship with wheelchairs in Miami, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. I know they have people in Cozumel who peddle people back and forth on rickshaws for a fee. Have a great trip!

[EMc&DrS]

Great review, thanks. We have the royal suite in March. Hope Arthur is back on Seaside! Had the pleasure of his great service and smile on Divina and Seaside, and fab Vishnu as well. Would love to get them both again!

 

 

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Arthur was fairly certain he would be assigned to Seaside again, but he'd be happy to return to Divina as well. Vishnu goes on vacation in mid-October, but we didn't ask him if he'd be returning. (yn)

[jules815]

Arthur was fairly certain he would be assigned to Seaside again, but he'd be happy to return to Divina as well. Vishnu goes on vacation in mid-October, but we didn't ask him if he'd be returning. (yn)

 

I can't remember where I read it, maybe on the YC Facebook page, but I thought Arthur was being promoted to a head waiter position on a different ship?

[Cruisergal1208]

I can't remember where I read it, maybe on the YC Facebook page, but I thought Arthur was being promoted to a head waiter position on a different ship?

 

Yes, Arthur is on vacation and will go to Divina in December as Head Waiter in MDR. He was given a great promotion.

[marcoigna]

.

 

BTW, if Marco and Iggy can take credit for the cabanas, I'm taking credit for the 16037 issues getting fixed.;p

 

 

 

 

Trust me - we had a few issue in February with our royal suite - 16024 - including flooding near the living room patio door, took 5 days to dry-up even with all of their equipment - and furniture falling apart, .... but with all of this, it didn’t really bother us.

 

 

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[frank808]

Good for him! He definitely deserves it.

Yes, Arthur is on vacation and will go to Divina in December as Head Waiter in MDR. He was given a great promotion.

 

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