Is MSC Seascape really THAT bad?

[At Sea At Peace]

3 hours ago, Corriegr said:

On Seascape right now on a sea day and I can confirm I have not seen any non YC guests in YC. 
 

And with a nod back to original question this is best cruise we have ever been on and Mustafa really ensures the YC experience is the best . 

 

2 hours ago, markwfpb said:

Mustafa is a unicorn.

He's the only person at that level (captain, department head, cruise director, etc.) that has ever made any impression on me and have sailed MSC four times plus Princess, HAL and NCL. 

 

 

We've been on 10 Yacht Club B2B's 2017-2019 (skipped years Covid) and then again March 30th 2024.

 

Without a doubt, and 'not even close,' Mustafa is the best Yacht Club Director that we've ever experienced.  Not even close.  Seriously.

[lgdesign]

21 minutes ago, At Sea At Peace said:

 

 

We've been on 10 Yacht Club B2B's 2017-2019 (skipped years Covid) and then again March 30th 2024.

 

Without a doubt, and 'not even close,' Mustafa is the best Yacht Club Director that we've ever experienced.  Not even close.  Seriously.

We'll be on the Seascape in November.  Does anyone know if Mustafa will still be there at that time?  Would hate to miss him after all these glowing reports.  🙂

[chrisgp999]

23 minutes ago, At Sea At Peace said:

 

 

We've been on 10 Yacht Club B2B's 2017-2019 (skipped years Covid) and then again March 30th 2024.

 

Without a doubt, and 'not even close,' Mustafa is the best Yacht Club Director that we've ever experienced.  Not even close.  Seriously.

Agree with all of the above.  We were on the Seascape in February.  It was Mustafa's first week on board as the YC Director.  On the first day it was obvious that Mustafa's predecessor let the quality of service slide.  Mustafa started turning that around immediately.   We noticed positive changes in YC service and staff attitude by the hour.  The man is a miracle worker and a true gentleman.

[At Sea At Peace]

1 hour ago, lgdesign said:

We'll be on the Seascape in November.  Does anyone know if Mustafa will still be there at that time?  Would hate to miss him after all these glowing reports.  🙂

 

Another CC member posted he is on until this contract ends in August.  I do not know if that is correct or not.

 

What we found impressive was that he not only was so visible (we're talking meeting him 4-5 times a day, everywhere) but he was both a solver (listened to the issue, or saw an issue, and acted) and a leader; he clearly motivated his departmental staff and, if applicable, addressed an underperforming crew staff immediately.  Seriously, no beating around the bush.  It was noted that a TS Lounge bartender appeared to be annoyed to pour drink orders (🤨) and the next day and to the end of the crew that bartender was sugar candy every day.

 

Will definitely consider his whereabouts when booking.  The head waiter (also One Deck food manager most days) from Mauritius, whose current contract expired at our cruise end, was another asset and promising gem that would end up heading the restaurant and someday possibly even a Yacht Club.  Just 'has it.'

 

[Corriegr]

35 minutes ago, At Sea At Peace said:

 

Another CC member posted he is on until this contract ends in August.  I do not know if that is correct or not.

 

What we found impressive was that he not only was so visible (we're talking meeting him 4-5 times a day, everywhere) but he was both a solver (listened to the issue, or saw an issue, and acted) and a leader; he clearly motivated his departmental staff and, if applicable, addressed an underperforming crew staff immediately.  Seriously, no beating around the bush.  It was noted that a TS Lounge bartender appeared to be annoyed to pour drink orders (🤨) and the next day and to the end of the crew that bartender was sugar candy every day.

 

Will definitely consider his whereabouts when booking.  The head waiter (also One Deck food manager most days) from Mauritius, whose current contract expired at our cruise end, was another asset and promising gem that would end up heading the restaurant and someday possibly even a Yacht Club.  Just 'has it.'

 

Yes the head waiter another great asset more so than the Maitre D … will name check him tonight as he always takes time out to chat to us.

[DaKahuna]

10 hours ago, Corriegr said:

Mustafa really ensures the YC experience is the best . 

 

 Would you please see if you can find out when Mustafa's contract ends?  We are hoping he will still be aboard in September but it sounds like he's been there quite a while already. 

 

[morpheusofthesea]

9 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Would you please see if you can find out when Mustafa's contract ends?  We are hoping he will still be aboard in September but it sounds like he's been there quite a while already. 

 

August. But sometimes they are extended.

Edited June 13 by morpheusofthesea

[DaKahuna]

2 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

August. But sometimes they are extended.

 

 Thanks.  Guess we'll just have to wait and see.  We love "Peppe" on the Divina.  Seems him and Mustafa are cut from the same cloth.  Always present and always on top of things. 

 

[At Sea At Peace]

15 hours ago, Corriegr said:

Yes the head waiter another great asset more so than the Maitre D … will name check him tonight as he always takes time out to chat to us.

 

Yep, for us also.  Welcomed us with conversation upon arrival and seating, upon sparkling service, checked our meals in person for temperature (I order and eat only the protein and, if meat (favorite lamb - any) medium rare.  Again after the meal and walk to the stairs to the TS lounge.  Great hospitality skills and a a modest age.  I recall a first name like 'deekshay' or something to that effect.  Ended his contract on the last day of our B2B.  Had no guaranteed assignment to return as Yacht Club Head Waiter (and One Pool Deck Head of Service) and preferred to get assignment on the Divina.  If not offered a contract for the YCHW, said he would not considering returning for another position.  A real talent, voiced such to Mustafa and the Captain in the TSL.

 

Never was greeted by the MD, mostly the Host for seating (very bland) and never visited our table for the B2B.  The MD was noticeably very, very good and close, however, to what appeared to be select tables.  Must be from past relationships.  In all of our 10 YC B2Bs we've never observed a MD with split qualities depending on the passengers.

[DaKahuna]

@At Sea At Peace We had Mehmet for our Maitre'd on Divina and he was wonderful.  I asked him on the way out the door one afternoon if it would be possible to have French Onion Soup for my DW that evening.  He said he would look into it.  That night after we were seated he personally brought her a bowl of French Onion Soup.  That had it prepared for her every night after that.  One night he noticed that it was not on the table when our appetizers were served and promptly got our assistant waiter's attention and her soup showed up immediately. 

 

 He made rounds of all the tables every meal making sure everone was well taken care of and every thing was going smoothly.  

 

 One evening he chastised me, in jest, for not having the Cherries jubilee, which he himself was cooking at the entrance to the restaurant.  I told him had I know he was cooking them I would have ordered but alas it was too late.  

 

[morpheusofthesea]

19 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

@At Sea At Peace We had Mehmet for our Maitre'd on Divina and he was wonderful.  I asked him on the way out the door one afternoon if it would be possible to have French Onion Soup for my DW that evening.  He said he would look into it.  That night after we were seated he personally brought her a bowl of French Onion Soup.  That had it prepared for her every night after that.  One night he noticed that it was not on the table when our appetizers were served and promptly got our assistant waiter's attention and her soup showed up immediately. 

 

 He made rounds of all the tables every meal making sure everone was well taken care of and every thing was going smoothly.  

 

 One evening he chastised me, in jest, for not having the Cherries jubilee, which he himself was cooking at the entrance to the restaurant.  I told him had I know he was cooking them I would have ordered but alas it was too late.  

 

Why, why, why is it that most of us have such royal treatment and others of us post such disappointments while in the Yacht Club ?

[DaKahuna]

Just now, morpheusofthesea said:

Why, why, why is it that most of us have such royal treatment and others of us post such disappointments while in the Yacht Club ?

 

 My only guess, and yes it is a SWAG, is that it is a matter of expectations.  Someone with high expectations is likely to be more disappointed that someone with low expectations when they receive the same exact treatment.  

 

 I have found that if you set your expectations at zero, you will never be disappointed and more often that not will be extremely pleased. 

 

 

[DaKahuna]

Does anyone know which side of the ship smoking is permitted on the YC Pool Deck?  We are in 19014/19018 and are curious as to whether our balcony will be impacted by smokers above us on deck 20. 

 

[Best Cat Mom]

9 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Why, why, why is it that most of us have such royal treatment and others of us post such disappointments while in the Yacht Club ?

We strive to always be friendly with all the staff in YC. We smile and say hi every time we pass the concierge desk. We greet the host at the restaurant with a big smile and good morning/afternoon/evening (and in their own language if we know it). We show everyone that we are having a great time and thank them for making it so.

 

We have seen others who seem rather surly at times. For instance, I've seen people approach the concierge desk with a question or a concern and not even start with a "hi, how are you today?" but jump into some issue. It is always good to take the time to establish a relationship with the concierges when all is good so they know who you are if something goes awry later. We use the same approach in land-based hotels as well. It's always worked well for us. 

[At Sea At Peace]

43 minutes ago, At Sea At Peace said:

 

Yep, for us also.  Welcomed us with conversation upon arrival and seating, upon sparkling service, checked our meals in person for temperature (I order and eat only the protein and, if meat (favorite lamb - any) medium rare.  Again after the meal and walk to the stairs to the TS lounge.  Great hospitality skills and a a modest age.  I recall a first name like 'deekshay' or something to that effect.  Ended his contract on the last day of our B2B.  Had no guaranteed assignment to return as Yacht Club Head Waiter (and One Pool Deck Head of Service) and preferred to get assignment on the Divina.  If not offered a contract for the YCHW, said he would not considering returning for another position.  A real talent, voiced such to Mustafa and the Captain in the TSL.

 

 

10 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Why, why, why is it that most of us have such royal treatment and others of us post such disappointments while in the Yacht Club ?

 

FYI, the above post was along the lines of 'such royal treatment.'  😉

 

43 minutes ago, At Sea At Peace said:

 

Never was greeted by the MD, mostly the Host for seating (very bland) and never visited our table for the B2B.  The MD was noticeably very, very good and close, however, to what appeared to be select tables.  Must be from past relationships.  In all of our 10 YC B2Bs we've never observed a MD with split qualities depending on the passengers.

 

10 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Why, why, why is it that most of us have such royal treatment and others of us post such disappointments while in the Yacht Club ?

 

TMK, I am unaware that it is generally considered incumbent on the guests to initiate ones' reception of hospitality leaders' personal service protocols and find the odds of missing a B2B guest every night quite low.  It was not a disappointment at all, as others have espoused, the Head Waiter was so over-the-top in all regards he was preferred (in our reference, also at the 'such royal treatment' category) over the MD.  😀  

[mica178]

Was your MD Ercan? I had him on Seaside last year. It was my first time sailing on MSC, and he was so lovely to my family. We're even Facebook friends, and he wants to show us around Turkey or Panama, his and his wife's home countries. I have two adorable and polite children (objectively!), so staff tends to hover and stick.

[morpheusofthesea]

3 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Does anyone know which side of the ship smoking is permitted on the YC Pool Deck?  We are in 19014/19018 and are curious as to whether our balcony will be impacted by smokers above us on deck 20. 

 

starboard

[DaKahuna]

4 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

starboard

 

 That was my concern.  Oh well,  hopefully the wind will be in our favor. 

 

[morpheusofthesea]

4 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

that it is a matter of expectations

It is more than low expectations. For example, on our recent Regent Grandeur cruise in a Grand Suite I asked our butler if he could get us a reserved table for 2 at the once a cruise Grand Barbecue on the transformed pool deck. "Sorry sir, it is First Come First Served." Where on MSC Seascape for 1/3 the price in a Royal Suite  our butler comes to us and says he has reserved a table for two at the once a cruise Pool Party/ Buffet on the One Pool Deck if we want to attend. This is just the one example that still sticks in my craw as did other disagreeable acts, like butler escorts to the end of a line for dinner instead of directly to our table in the YC restaurant.

Edited June 13 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

I can escort myself to the end of any line. I need a butler to escort me to the front of every line.

Edited June 13 by morpheusofthesea

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 6/5/2024 at 8:49 PM, BirdTravels said:

It is not the "rudeness of the clientele". It is because they are not American and they do not act and behave like someone from the US. That, by definition of an American, makes them "bad" or "rude". The world does not evolve around the social standards of the United States. In fact, the US is in the minority. 

It is, though. When an Italian guy cuts in line in front of you right right as you are about to place an order for coffee, and then he has the nerve to yell out to the rest of the people at his table, asking them what they also want him to order from the bar, it is RUDE no matter where you are from. I am originally from Europe, and this is still rude. Social standards in the US are quite similar to that of Europe in that regard.

[ellie1145]

On 6/14/2024 at 5:39 PM, Itchy&Scratchy said:

It is, though. When an Italian guy cuts in line in front of you right right as you are about to place an order for coffee, and then he has the nerve to yell out to the rest of the people at his table, asking them what they also want him to order from the bar, it is RUDE no matter where you are from. I am originally from Europe, and this is still rude. Social standards in the US are quite similar to that of Europe in that regard.

I totally agree. That sort of behaviour is rude whatever your nationality. 
 

We are on Seascape at the moment and love everything but the behaviour of the large contingent of Hispanic or southern European passengers. 
 

Their behaviour in the theatre for example has spoilt every show. They talk loudly and carry on conversations throughout the performances. They leap over seats in their shoes to get to their preferred seats, and throughout the performance walk up and down chatting loudly and obscuring others views. 
 

in over 80 cruises this is the first time we’ve had such bad behaviour. 
 

and don’t get me started on elevator behaviour!

[MonsterJoe]

Coming back here really screwed up my plans for this cruise in August. After reading for the past couple weeks I threw my hands up in the air and upgraded us to YC.

 

Now at least I can bribe the butler to lead my son to the front of line at the water slides and robotron.

[DaKahuna]

5 hours ago, MonsterJoe said:

Now at least I can bribe the butler to lead my son to the front of line at the water slides and robotron.

 

You do not have to bribe him to do it.  Just ask him and he'll take care of it. 

 

[CarolnLarry]

Whatever happened to the ugly american  Have we lost that to everyone else?  I doubt it but who knows as I am American.