My View: Trading Seascape for Seaside Semi-Live

[APDMOM]

Party in the Atrium:

 

Due to inclement weather (rain, thunder, lightning Caribbean style), the party was moved to the atrium.  It was LOUD (more about that and cabin selection coming up), energetic, and very well attended:

 

[APDMOM]

TIP: Balcony Cabin Selection on MSC Seaside...

 

We thought we chose very wisely by selecting cabins above the Infinity Bridge on the port side.  Since there is no seating on the bridge, we thought it would be nice and quiet at night, with no chance of people congregating below the balcony.  We were right about that, but wrong about the 'nice and quiet'.  The Atrium has LOUD music until midnight every night.  We can hear it in our cabins on deck 9.  Even when I 'turn my deaf ear (literally deaf on the right side)' and sleep on my hearing ear, I can hear the music through the pillow.

 

 So, from our experience on MSC Seaside, choose a balcony on deck 14 if you don't do the late night party. I recommend closer to the forward part of the hump to be further away from the atrium parties.  If you don't like smelling smoke, choose port side.  On Seaside, as starboard is the smoking side  (Though I am sure deck 14 will be high enough from the smoking area on deck 8 to not smell smoke).

 

I will post pictures of our balconies later this week. 🙂

 

[APDMOM]

My View: End of days 2 and 3, Ocean Cay: (A favorite memory)

[APDMOM]

Daily Program, Day 3 - Ocean Cay:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bruce85]

9 hours ago, APDMOM said:

@nicolen1101 

Coke products:

 

I was in the seaview lounge and a person next to got a Dr Pepper

[publicpersona]

We'll be on Seaside next Thursday, so enjoying your review. Where is the best place to enjoy a specialty coffee (e.g., Latte with a shot of Bailey's) that is covered by drink package. I see that Venchi has them but that's a 3rd party not covered by drink package.

 

Similar question for a good selection of wines by the glass.

[APDMOM]

5 hours ago, bruce85 said:

I was in the seaview lounge and a person next to got a Dr Pepper

@nicolen1101 See above - looks like you can order Dr. Pepper 🙂 

[APDMOM]

5 hours ago, publicpersona said:

We'll be on Seaside next Thursday, so enjoying your review. Where is the best place to enjoy a specialty coffee (e.g., Latte with a shot of Bailey's) that is covered by drink package. I see that Venchi has them but that's a 3rd party not covered by drink package.

 

Similar question for a good selection of wines by the glass.

 

Fun!  You will be boarding right when we get off!

 

There are several bars that also serve specialty coffee.  Our favorite spot for this purpose is  the Seaview Lounge. I will look at all the other venues and let you know which other ones serve coffee/latte, etc.  

 

As for wine by the glass, I will need to look into that one for you - not sure since we don't have the package and only drink an occasional glass of wine.  🙂 

[APDMOM]

My View: Day 4 - At Sea

[APDMOM]

Sea days are usually balcony days for us.  We try to stay away from the crowded areas and just enjoy the ocean from the comfort of our balcony.  

 

As noted before, we took a detour for a medical emergency.  

 

Coast Guard coming to meet the ship:

 

[APDMOM]

Thermal Area Spa Pass:

 

My mom and I have the thermal area spa pass for the 11 days.  It was so much cheaper 4 years ago.  The area was also much less used - most of the time, I was one of 3 to 5 people in the thermal area.  Now, the area is very busy.  It has not yet been too crowded to enjoy, and we are meeting lovely fellow cruisers through the experience.  It is just not as easy to get a preferred spot.  For a full spa tour, refer to my review of Seaside in 2019:

 

Starting at Post number 222 on page 9:

 

[APDMOM]

TIP:  For the Thermal Area, they are now asking you to book slots to use the area.  I am sure this helps decrease the crowded feeling.  So far, I have been able to use it at any time I asked, including 9 AM, 10:30 AM, and 2 PM.   I find it does not help to ask 'when is it the least crowded?" because that is a common question and that time then becomes quite crowded.  I have the best success just calling before I want to go and ask 'How crowded is it right now? Can I come now?"

[APDMOM]

Soft Serve:

 

We decided to go to Biscayne as soon as it opened for the sea day lunch to get soft serve ice cream first.  When we got there, we were about number 8 and 9 in line.  The line moved very quickly.  By the time we sat down at a table to enjoy our ice cream, there were about 30 people in line.  Still, they do a good job of keeping the line moving.  

You can have a cone or a cup.  On this day, they had vanilla, chocolate, and swirl options.

 

[APDMOM]

The Most Beautiful, Calm Sea Day:  The Sea was like glass at one point.  Look at those lovely clouds too...

 

 

[APDMOM]

Elegant Night:

I don't personally pay attention to what people wear to 'formal night'.  If something stands out as beautiful, I do.  Otherwise, I just make sure my son's hair is combed and my husband remembers to wear his 'formal/elegant' shirt.  So, I can't guide much on what people wore to elegant night.  I did not see any tuxedo's though.  Here is the official wording for 'elegant night' on MSC Seaside:

 

 

I used to enjoy dressing up, but now we just dress up a 'little bit'.  

 

My Mom at the beautiful Swarovski stairs:

 

Family time:

[APDMOM]

Dinner Menu: Elegant Night - Day 4

 

 

All our meals were good, except for the Fillet mignon.  I don't know what it is about MSC, but the red meat is usually over-cooked and dry.  We were not able to custom order how we wanted it cooked.

 

 

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

The Show: Moonwalker

 

Once again, the singers were excellent.  This show featured the male singers most of the time, as it is a tribute to Michael Bublé. 

 

Before the show, the Captain and some of the senior officers were introduced:

 

A few views of the show:

 

 

 

 

Edited June 2, 2023 by APDMOM

[APDMOM]

My View: End of Day 4 - At Sea 

 

 

[APDMOM]

I will post the dailies tomorrow.  Have not taken pictures of them yet.  

 

Thanks for all the likes and for reading along!  I really enjoy sharing our experience.

 

Thanks to @bruce85 and @Fissues for your contributions!  🙂 

[skipsaur]

33 minutes ago, APDMOM said:

Dinner Menu: Elegant Night - Day 4

 

All our meals were good, except for the Fillet mignon.  I don't know what it is about MSC, but the red meat is usually over-cooked and dry.  We were not able to custom order how we wanted it cooked.

 

Really love the food photos and how you label what they are, so helpful!

[momofmab]

Thanks for another great review!

 

Do you have to pay extra for the shows you've been attending?

[APDMOM]

6 hours ago, momofmab said:

Thanks for another great review!

 

Do you have to pay extra for the shows you've been attending?

Shows are all included on this ship. 🙂

[Steff79]

On 6/1/2023 at 4:09 PM, APDMOM said:

Party in the Atrium:

 

Due to inclement weather (rain, thunder, lightning Caribbean style), the party was moved to the atrium.  It was LOUD (more about that and cabin selection coming up), energetic, and very well attended:

 

i love the atrium for partys ( and without partys too )

thank you for your semi-live

[amygutman]

15 hours ago, APDMOM said:

Elegant Night:

I don't personally pay attention to what people wear to 'formal night'.  If something stands out as beautiful, I do.  Otherwise, I just make sure my son's hair is combed and my husband remembers to wear his 'formal/elegant' shirt.  So, I can't guide much on what people wore to elegant night.  I did not see any tuxedo's though.  Here is the official wording for 'elegant night' on MSC Seaside:

 

 

I used to enjoy dressing up, but now we just dress up a 'little bit'.  

 

My Mom at the beautiful Swarovski stairs:

 

Family time:

Beautiful family, beautiful view ❤️

[APDMOM]

Dailies: Day 4 - At Sea