MSC Seashore Review - 3-31-24 to 4-7-24 - Ocean Cay, Costa Maya & Cozumel

[wgeddings]

March 31 – Port Canaveral –

 

A pretty day as we got to Terminal 10.  The process was to pull up to the terminal, unload luggage then go park in the garage.   There were 2 lanes approaching the terminal and everyone was lined up in a single line in the right lane. A few shuttles passed in the left lane then people decided that passengers should use both lanes.  We had been waiting in the right lane so it made me angry but of course there was no signage and the person directing traffic ignored the line breakers (if there were not supposed to be doing that?).  Still, we unloaded the luggage, tipped the porter and parked with no issue though there was inadequate signage.  

 

Security and checking was fast and simple since we pre-registered.  As we walked to the ship, there was a man in front of us carrying a 12 pack of Coke.  Everything said you were not allowed to bring drinks so I was surprised no one stopped him. I stayed near to see how mad he would get when they took the 12 pack on the ship after he had carried it so far.  Imagine my shock when no one said anything and he boarded with no problem!  Given how expensive soda packages were (and that if 1 in a cabin has a drink package, ALL in the cabin have to have one) I would have loved to bring my own soda!   Not my place to say anything to him or the staff though but why have rules if you are going to ignore them?

 

The ship is enormous!  It is very beautiful and shiny and airy.  We had an Ocean View (non-Yacht Club) and it is a nice room (5159).  We are less than 10 doors from the main atrium and Deck 5 is where there is a large bar, dining room, live entertainment and lots of noise.  I was worried.  Surprisingly though the room was very quiet and location is not an issue.  There are several twists and turns between our cabin and the atrium and it did great job deadening the noise.  The ship was laid out efficiently to make a huge ship seem not that big.  

 

We went to the Marketplace Buffet.  It was huge but broken into stations so well that it seemed small. The seating was also broken up better than other ships.  The food was varied and very tasty.  We enjoyed it.    Then we started walking the ship.  Did I mention it is HUGE?   Very well laid out and very nice.  The Spa was incredible.  Tons of rooms and options.  Various steam rooms, saunas, hair salon, barbershop, nail salon, etc and even a snow room.  Wow.  

 

Evening dining was unassigned until we got our keys.  We had the Bella experience.  We wanted late seating but learned when we got it that it is 9:30!   Waited in a long line to try to change to early (7:15) or anytime dining. Bella cannot be anytime so will wait to see if we get changed to 7:15.  

 

Now is a good time to mention some things MSC is horrible about.  Of course their website and pre-cruise customer service is well known as not just the industry’s worst but yet they keep going lower.  On board, “signage” is a bad word and you can expect to have no idea where you are going.  One of the main activities is the popular “waiting in a line” event which is free of charge and constant.  Since signs are a bad word, the lines are everywhere.  By assigning staff with the least English skills to address questions, it helps ensure no one gets the right line the first time.  For example, I mentioned we needed to change dining. A very standard occurrence on any cruise.  I had to ask 3 people to finally get to the right place (which was a folding table near closed shops).  Since it is a common issue, you might expect signs and several assigned to help handle it. Ha ha, you are on MSC where the long line terminates in 1 person behind the table.   I imagine some MSC executive saying “Hmm, I think we should take the people with the least English skills, put them in the noisiest area and let them wear signs offering to help!  That should get everyone really frustrated and angry.  But somehow make people line up to get to shout at the non-English speaker in the loud environment and ensure that the crew really has no answer to whatever we think the customer is going to ask!  Yeah, that will be great!”

 

The elevators were like on Carnival Horizon.  You tell a terminal what floor you want and how many in your party and it assigns a car. Car comes and there are no buttons in the car since it knows what floor to go to.  In theory.  In practice on the Seashore, the elevators take forever.  Parents don’t monitor kids who just push lots of buttons so often there are 3 people on an elevator that has 9 stops.  Seashore has a lot of elevators but somehow “waiting for an elevator” is rapidly moving up the activities list.  

 

Back to good. The welcome aboard show was wonderful.  Lots of singing, dancing, magician and a juggler.   Far superior to anything I have seen in the last several cruises.   Tomorrow is Ocean Cay and our ship will be one of the last to visit it before it is closed for renovations. 

 

April 1 - Ocean Cay

 

Ocean Cay (OC) is a beautiful place and it is nice that the ship docks and it is only about 50 yards from ship to OC. No long walks from the ship.  I am curious to know what they will renovate but no one knows yet so keep in mind my comments are pre-renovations if you read this when OC reopens.  There is a huge food pavilion which is nice but there were only 2 lines.  The lines moved very slow and were long.  Last time we were here, they were actively cooking burgers and food but this time it was all pre-cooked so that aroma was missing.  Food was okay but nothing special.  Hopefully they will redesign the pavilion.  Another big issue was lack of beverages.  There are bars but for those of us who just wanted water, some ice and water stands would be nice.  There was a single point for water/tea or lemonade on either side of the pavilion but nowhere else that I saw.  DW (darling wife) enjoyed the beach but I am not a sand fan so returned to the ship.  

 

A late cruise through the buffet yielded some good food but also highlighted an on-going problem with the buffet - lack of beverage stations.  There was one on each side of the huge buffet. Thus, long lines most of the time and there was usually no ice working on one side or the other.  When they had ice, it was the “good ice” (chewy, crushed) but they need more beverage stations.  

 

No word on our request to switch dining times so I got to wait in some lines and be directed to different people/places then the restaurant manager changed it in about a minute.  Seeing how easy it was makes me wonder why MSC made me first stand in so many lines and see so many people.  Maybe most people just give up?

 

Found out the cabin TV had a “source” option that showed options for TV, Screen Mirroring, & Bluetooth.  Bluetooth was simple and worked great.  Since I had a lot of movies on my iPad, screen mirroring would be awesome but it did not work.  Guest relations claimed TV and my iPad had to be on the wireless network and since TV was not on a wireless network, screen mirroring was not really an option.  Doesn’t sound right to me but hopefully some day screen mirroring will be an option.   I also noticed that there are no free movie channels (other than TCM) but there is an option for movies on demand for $10-18.00 each.  Categories like Action, Fantasy, Drama, Horror or Adult with 4-6 in each category.  It would be nice if the TV had a guide showing what was on each channel (not just the channel name).  

 

Watched NCAA women’s Elite 8 in the sports bar and took a brief break to see the OC lighthouse show.  Lighthouse show was okay but not awesome.  Since Elite 8 started at 7:00, we did not eat in MDR (Main Dining Room) or catch the show (a comedian).  

 

April 2 - Ocean Cay -

 

Nothing really new.  Stayed onboard.  Lunch buffet was good (especially meatloaf), beverage bar still a problem and elevators still slow.  

 

First night in MDR (we were originally in Central Park now in Tribeca - there are several complimentary dining rooms with same menu). It was nice and the food was average to above average.  Service was average.  Italian wedding soup was very good and DW loved the Short Ribs.  I will say Carnival service was better and quicker.  There is $5.00 charge for second or more entree.  A couple seated next to us the man was deaf so I had to ask a stupid question.  ASL (American Sign Language) fascinates me. Turns out different countries have different sign language and even American is different from British.  Always fun to learn something. 

 

Show was “Divas”.  It was terrific!   Singers were great and so were dancers.  There was a dark skinned woman dancer with very short hair who was truly incredible.  She must have gymnastics training the way she was spinning and flipping (think tango or samba).  In Feb we saw a show called Divas on Carnival and we both agreed that this was so much better (same name but different shows/songs) and we enjoyed it very much.  The theatre holds about 1300 and there are more than 5300 passengers so reservations are recommended.  No assigned seats but up to 15 min before the show, only people with reservations are allowed in.  A big difference is that there were no waiters walking around taking drink orders so get any drink before going in.  

 

Found an app on my Apple Watch that measure sound noise.  In Atrium by our room, noise level was 96 (exposure for more than 10 minutes is likely to cause hearing loss). Sound level dropped steadily walking to our cabin and inside the cabin noise was 43 (seemed silent to me).  Just FYI.  

 

April 3 - Day at Sea 

 

Time change to match Mexico so back 1 hour.  We got up in time for breakfast and there were lots of choices.  Including lots of bacon!   There was a 3:00 Magic Show in the main theatre.  It was okay but nothing great. Magician did card tricks and rubric’s cubes and in a huge theatre, it was hard to see. I was only about 6 rows back.  Almost full theatre so I pity those in the balcony level.  

 

First formal night.  Maybe 25% were really dressed up but I did see staff turn away folks in shorts so that was good.  Filet Mignon, Shrimp and lobster tail was all good but not great.  

 

Show was “Encore”, Broadway show tunes and we were really excited based on the last 2 shows.  It did NOT disappoint.  It was an incredible show.  The singing was wonderful and the dancing was amazing.  I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful the shows have been.  We have been on other lines and even another MSC ship but nothing like this.   Major kudos to MSC if all their ships’ shows are this good.  

 

April 4 - Costa Maya 

 

At 10:00 the alarms went off for a crew drill so there was no sleeping through that.  We loved Majahaul and have watched it go from poor, simple fishing village to a tourist spot.  We were not prepared for what we found though.  The Costa Maya port area has grown exponentially and is huge now.  There is a faux Mayan Temple visible that is a water park.  There were tons of taxis available ($4 per person to Majahaul each way).  Of course no one has change so it is really $5 per unless you were prepared with change.  When we first went, it was almost all dirt road from Costa Maya to Majahaul.  Now it is paved highway passing many hotels, shops, restaurants and houses.  

 

Majahaul was completely changed.  No simple shops, schools or fishermen.  Bars, tourist shops, etc all the way.  It was so sad to see the old Majahaul gone.  The new one is not awful though.  The Krazy Lobster was very busy and a larger beach area than I expected.   There were tons of women offering beach front massages ($25-40 for 30 min). I got one at Krazy Lobster for $30 for 45 minutes.  It was okay but clearly she was not a trained masseur.  Prices for food and beverages were very reasonable. People with pushcarts were going up and down the street selling food and beverages too.  Of course every shop was shouting for you to come in.  It was not what I expected but it is definitely worth visiting.  

 

Show tonight was “The Journey”. A man gets a train ticket and visits European countries. Started in England/Scotland, Ireland.  Then France, Spain and ending in Italy.  At each “stop” there was dancing and songs in the local language.   The “traveler” was an awesome dancer and all the songs and dancing were very well done.  

 

April 5 - Cozumel 

 

We ate lunch at buffet then walked into town.  There are pedicabs available (tips only) but we walked from the ship to the port area.  The port area is very busy with shops and vendors calling people in.  FYI there is a Starbucks at the exit of the port area into town with free WiFi.  Walked around a couple of hours then returned to the ship.  No MDR or show tonight since we have to watch the Lady Gamecocks in the Final Four.  Buffet was good and show was the magician I saw earlier so no problem.  Lots of QR codes asking for feedback but oddly the QR codes don’t work.  Pretty much sums up the MSC attitude that they want you to think they care but in reality do not care.  

 

April 6 - 2nd Sea Day 

 

We had to set our clocks ahead an hour to return to EST.  A quiet relaxing day.  DW got a pedicure at the spa.  Which brings up another pet peeve – mandatory “gratuities”.   Cokes were $3.50 each and then an additional “gratuity” of 18%.  So Cokes were really $4.13.  You could leave an additional tip if you wanted but why not just say Cokes are $4.13?  Even if you don’t use the bar, such as getting a Coke out of your minifridge in your cabin, it is $4.13.  Who is getting that “gratuity”?  What did they do to deserve it?  I am pretty sure no bar person put the drinks in the mini-fridges and that the person who did (cabin steward) is not getting any of that.  The pedicure was $59.00.  But there was a 15% “gratuity” added so it really cost $67.85.  The worker implied that she got none of that so where does it go?  This is not about tipping or not tipping, this is about being honest and open about pricing.  

 

The show was “Rock Royalty”.  It was not quite as good as the others, perhaps because we had some knuckleheads behind us who kept telling in a very loud piercing tone.   It was still good though.   The elevators continued to be a huge problem as everyone was sick of waiting for them and there never seemed to be rhyme nor reason to what they were doing.  Maybe they only had 1 working a bank of 4.  I know that on the Horizon, this same system worked very well so it has to be something MSC did but I wish they had just left them regular elevators. 

 

April 7 – Port Canaveral

 

I remembered the nightmare that was debarkation on our last MSC cruise and had read how bad it was.  It was that bad.   We were supposed to be out of the cabin at 7:00.   There were lots of lines and total chaos.  Elevators?  Forget it, they were never arriving so people where lugging heavy suitcases up and down stairways.  No crew or signage to be found.  It could have been worse or more of a confusing disaster but I am at a loss to really figure out how.  Fortunately, we were mentally prepared for it but it was still not a good way to end the cruise.  Long walk to the parking garage with luggage.   Fortunately we got home in time to see the Lady Gamecocks win the NCAA Women’s Basketball championship. 

 

OVERALL –

Bartenders were something to watch.  They were incredibly slow and would ignore customers with practiced ease.  There seemed to be no rhyme nor reason to who they would serve first and people were getting very annoyed.  But, of course, they were getting an 18% tip regardless of what they did, right.  

 

Room steward was pretty good.  Their system of requiring a key card to have the lights on helped the steward know when the room was empty and he did pretty good emptying the trash, restocking towels, making the bed, etc.  However, he would often ask us if there was anything we needed.  We would tell him things like “please keep ice in the ice bucket” but he never did those things.  Instead he would keep asking if there was something else we needed and it was tempting to say “please do what we have been requesting” but we just quit.  He seemed nice. 

 

There is a section of the ship dedication to the MSC Foundation.  Before the show, there was a presentation about the MSC Foundation and lots of posters about it and ads on TV.  I am glad they have a Foundation but when I am on a cruise, I do not give a hoot about it.  I paid to be on a relaxing cruise, not be pestered about donating to a massive multi-national corporation.  I am sure they get some tax benefits by having the Foundation stuff but give is a break from having to hear about it or how you are pretending you are doing something helpful for the world.  

 

I was excited because I finally got my status match and was MSC Gold in Voyagers Club.  That is the 2^nd highest.  It meant nothing.  There was a reception the last night of the cruise where I would get my “free drink” and get to take a “free picture”.   I did not bother to go.  On other lines, you get benefits like free gifts, free bottles of water, something at least but not on MSC. If you are not he highest tier, it is no benefit.  All the so called discounts are other things, I never saw.  No shorter line for guest services, nothing.

 

MSC Positives –

·       Beautiful ship that is mostly very well laid out with comfortable cabins (bathroom was a little tight but workable).

·       Good food (not great but certainly good)

·       Incredibly good shows

·       Beverage stations had tea, lemonade and fruit juice most of the time

·       Nice Main Dining Room(s)

 

MSC Negatives –

·       Beverage package too expensive and all in a cabin have to have it if 1 does

·       Bartenders slow and rude, ignoring customers and generally very slack

·       Lines, lines, everywhere a line

·       Poor English skills. 

·       Lack of beverage stations, ice or water

·       Horrible horrible elevators

·       Lack of signage

·       Total chaos of debarkation

·       Website, MSC for Me app, Customer Service in general

·       Crummy Voyagers Club

[Heartgrove]

Thanks for the revue. Read with interest as we are on the same ship next month but a different itinerary. Our first time sailing MSC in the USA and on a bigger MSC ship. We were on the Carnival Venezia last November that had the same style of elevators. The concept is fine during the cruise - but doesn't work on disembarkation day. Finally had to travel to the top deck to travel down to get off!

 

We are actually Diamond so the discounted fares make a difference.

 

 

Edited April 8 by Heartgrove

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, wgeddings said:

he would often ask us if there was anything we needed. 

Some of these stewards have limited knowledge of English and are taught some phrases to use. Probably thinks the phrase means 'have a nice day'.  Sometimes one must go to the ice bucket, take the cover off and show it is empty.

[PTC DAWG]

CASH talks at the bars, on every ship I have ever been on. 

[Av8tor]

7 hours ago, wgeddings said:

But there was a 15% “gratuity” added so it really cost $67.85.  The worker implied that she got none of that so where does it go?  This is not about tipping or not tipping, this is about being honest and open about pricing.  

 

 

 

Nice review, thanks.

 

Perhaps the spa employee said that hoping to get an "additional" tip?

[rrraydon]

Thanks for your review.

[wgeddings]

15 hours ago, Heartgrove said:

Thanks for the revue. Read with interest as we are on the same ship next month but a different itinerary. Our first time sailing MSC in the USA and on a bigger MSC ship. We were on the Carnival Venezia last November that had the same style of elevators. The concept is fine during the cruise - but doesn't work on disembarkation day. Finally had to travel to the top deck to travel down to get off!

 

We are actually Diamond so the discounted fares make a difference.

 

 

You will love the ship.  Hands down the prettiest ship we have been on and I continue to be amazed at how the layout kept it from feeling so big (until you start walking it 🙂).  Be aware too that there is no self-serve ice cream and instead free ice cream is available on either side of the buffet from amount noon until 5 but there was always a very long line.   The concept for the elevators was a good one and as I mentioned it worked fine on the Carnival Horizon so it must be something MSC does on purpose or by accident to make them so bad.   Please, whatever you do, make sure to at least tour the Spa area even if you do not plan to use it.  I have never seen nor imagined such a place. 

[wgeddings]

14 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Some of these stewards have limited knowledge of English and are taught some phrases to use. Probably thinks the phrase means 'have a nice day'.  Sometimes one must go to the ice bucket, take the cover off and show it is empty.

That is a great point that I had not considered.  Thanks!  

[wgeddings]

8 hours ago, Av8tor said:

Nice review, thanks.

 

Perhaps the spa employee said that hoping to get an "additional" tip?

Entirely possible and I am sure she wanted additional tip.   Who would not.   I just wish they would eliminate tips except completely voluntary when one receives great service.  Raise the prices or rates a little and actually pay a decent wage to the employees.  Most of us in the real world do not have to rely on tips (unlike waitresses and bartenders).  

[noshoobie]

13 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

CASH talks at the bars, on every ship I have ever been on. 

I can't agree more!!

[bruce85]

We sail on Sunday. Do you happen to know which nights they had prine rib or lamb in MDR. 

[Essiesmom]

I was on Seashore in Dec., same itinerary, and going back through the menus, no prime rib or lamb.  I could have sworn I had it, but I also sailed Celebrity and Carnival last year where I did have it.  E

[bob10173]

We were on the Seashore in February. It must have been a different Seashore. We experienced none of the negative comments you are are referring to. Especially the bartenders. They are a bit slower than some other cruise lines but never was ignored and no extra tip was needed.

[wgeddings]

17 hours ago, bruce85 said:

We sail on Sunday. Do you happen to know which nights they had prine rib or lamb in MDR. 

They had lamb as an option often both in the MDR and in the buffet.  Being from the south though, we never ate lamb growing up so I do not usually eat it.  There was almost always an Indian food option and lamb was in that often. I do not recall Prime Rib in the MDR but it may have been there.  Filet Mignon and such was the first sea day on "elegant night".   When on board, all of the menus for the MDR every night are available to review at the start.  There might be a post somewhere where someone posted each night's offerings. 

[ptguard]

thanks for the review.  we've cruised the seashore & it was a little hard to manuever around after being on the divina & meraviglia.  we were at the crazy lobster last year for the day & the ladies only charged $25 for an hour massage, which is unbelievable.  guess inflation has hit there too.  we are trying the seascape next week & are trying our first med cruise in october on the europa.

[wgeddings]

On 4/12/2024 at 6:23 AM, ptguard said:

thanks for the review.  we've cruised the seashore & it was a little hard to manuever around after being on the divina & meraviglia.  we were at the crazy lobster last year for the day & the ladies only charged $25 for an hour massage, which is unbelievable.  guess inflation has hit there too.  we are trying the seascape next week & are trying our first med cruise in october on the europa.

I probably could have talked her down some more but I did not mind paying the $30.  Had you been to Majahaul before?  I wish I could probably convey how disappointed I was to see it so developed yet also how it was a very nice place now too.  Just different.  If it was more than just my DW and me, I would have definitely spent more time there and I heard several people commenting how good the food was at Krazy Lobster while I was getting my massage.     

[ptguard]

no, didn't go to jajahaul.  we did eat at the krazy lobster & it was surprisingly very good & not expensive at all.  i think we've gone there two or three times & it's a definite destination for us when a boat docks in costa maya.

[jamon]

At krazy lobster are the lounge chairs free or is there a minimum that you have spend to make them free??? How much is a bottle of beer??

[wgeddings]

4 hours ago, jamon said:

At krazy lobster are the lounge chairs free or is there a minimum that you have spend to make them free??? How much is a bottle of beer??

You can go to their website and that information, and a menu, are available.  I hate to put a price since if someone reads this in a year or so and the prices have changed, they will not know.  You can google search krazy lobster or try thekrazylobster.com

[Jeal]

There isn’t a charge for the lounge chairs at Krazy Lobster. A bucket of beer is between 7 and 10 dollars depending on the size. The Chicken Nachos are big enough for two and are $11. Look on their page on Trip Advisor. There is lots of information on there.