Occasionally live review, MSC Seashore YC, 8/4 to 8/11

[mica178]

Alas, I'm already not live as I'm already on my second day! But hopefully you'll forgive me.

 

We are a family of four, including two kids, ages 6 and 8. We are sailing in a grand deluxe suite. This is our second MSC cruise.

 

Tropical Storm Debby wreaked havoc on our start, with bouts of rain and huge gusts of wind to start. The storm was in the gulf, but tendrils made it across the state to us. Because of the weather, the ground crew decided not to enforce boarding times, so there was chaos at Port Canaveral Terminal 10. It took 40 minutes for my husband to drop me off with the luggage because of the crowds. However, once dropped off, we were whisked off quickly to the YC waiting area to wait for my husband to park and join us. The lines for the non-YC were just unbelievable.  I felt sympathy claustrophobia  and felt relieved to be in the peaceful and very uncrowded YC area.

 

They moved the YC waiting area from last year, so there's more space and light (good), but the offerings were poorer than I recalled. Tropicana juice for the kids, only some cookies for snacks. It was fine but not very luxe feeling. 

 

Finally, my husband arrived, and we were officially checked in, and we then joined a large group of fellow YC guests to follow a butler on board. We had to cut through a line of regular guests, and I think some tried to join our group, but the butler dispatched them fairly quickly. 

 

We stopped by the casino to do our muster check in, then we were escorted into the Top Sail Lounge. At that point, I was feeling hangry, and as I knew the lunch buffet was nearly closed, I decided to skip the formalities, drop off the bags in our room, and get some lunch. 

 

The nice thing about the nearby storm was that it was pleasant to dine alfresco... for about 20 minutes before it started sprinkling again. I had some nice curries and panoramic and a crisp Sauvignon blanc. 

[mica178]

Our stateroom is pretty big. Compared to the deluxe balcony YC suite from last year on Seaside, this one is about 35% bigger and has a walk in closet. We have more closet space than we know what to do with!

 

Our butler is Jesee, and he is lovely. He came to our stateroom to do the spiel that we skipped in the TSL, and he came back later with cookies for the kids (along with their names written in dark chocolate on a white chocolate slab) and our complimentary bottle of gin.

 

We spent the afternoon unpacking, checking in at the Kids Club, and exploring the ship. The kids and I went to the YC hot tub with frozen drinks to watch the sail away. It was very windy but so pleasant.

 

We went to eat at about 7. No problem getting a nice table right away. Our server was Oka, and he told us that he would serve us all week. He got a kick out of my son, who borders on excessively polite. Both he and his assistant absolutely fawned over the kids.

 

The food was solid. I started with the chicken and duck terrine and a crisp rose. Then I has the prime rib and a glass of the Oberon. I finished with a cheese plate. Everything was very nice and cooked as requested. No, it wasn't like dining at a Michelin starred restaurant, but honestly, that wasn't the expectation. I'm awful at remembering to take pictures, so I apologize in advance.

 

After dinner, we dropped the kids off at the kids club and explored the ship a bit more. We discovered the arcade had many broken machines, which was disappointing but typical of arcades in general, even on land. 

 

Then we picked the kids back up and returned to our room. We were left some treats by the turn down crew as well as bottles of water at every nightstand. Very considerate. Then bedtime for the kiddos, and some frustration trying to stream Netflix on the room television.  We ended up watching on my husband's tablet, which was probably better for not disturbing the kids, but not as satisfying for us.

[mushroom]

I will definitely enjoy following you this week.  We sail in two weeks.  Fingers are crossed that your weather will improve and the onboard experience will be amazing for you!  Thank you for taking time to share your cruise with us.

[mica178]

Greetings! 

 

It was a rough night, lots of rocking and shaking from the stormy weather. 

 

I woke up early and waited for someone to wake up to join me for breakfast. My son and I ate at the YC restaurant, which was quite civilized. They do poach the eggs properly,  but there could have been a bit more hollandaise. 

 

Because of ongoing rain, the arrival at Ocean Cay has been delayed. Which is fine with me, as the thought of a soggy beach doesn't appeal. 

[mica178]

We have arrived at Ocean Cay!

 

Re: YC priority on elevators. It works! One might have to wait a bit (I suspect people calling for elevators then getting bored and taking the stairs slows the process), but everything I've used my wristband, I've ended up alone on the elevator and immediately conducted to my denied floor. 

[mica178]

Oh, also, bonus! As we arrived late to OC, no restaurants will be open.  Just food trucks. So I will be at to eat the OH menu at the YC restaurant. Woo hoo! No soggy, un-air conditioned seats at Ocean House for me! 

 

I was advised that if YC guests prefer to eat on the island today, the butlers will retrieve food from the food trucks for them.

[chrisgp999]

7 hours ago, mica178 said:

Greetings! 

 

It was a rough night, lots of rocking and shaking from the stormy weather. 

 

I woke up early and waited for someone to wake up to join me for breakfast. My son and I ate at the YC restaurant, which was quite civilized. They do poach the eggs properly,  but there could have been a bit more hollandaise. 

 

Because of ongoing rain, the arrival at Ocean Cay has been delayed. Which is fine with me, as the thought of a soggy beach doesn't appeal. 

Agree with you on the sparsity of the hollandaise sauce.  We've learned to request extra when placing our order.  The extra sauce usually came out in a couple of the pitchers normally used for coffee creamer.

[DaKahuna]

9 hours ago, mica178 said:

We stopped by the casino to do our muster check in, then we were escorted into the Top Sail Lounge. At that point, I was feeling hangry, and as I knew the lunch buffet was nearly closed, I decided to skip the formalities, drop off the bags in our room, and get some lunch. 

 

 Was the YC restaurant not open on embarkation day? 

 

[mica178]

41 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Was the YC restaurant not open on embarkation day? 

 

It was, but because we didn't board until after 2, they had already wrapped up the lunch service.

[mica178]

We had a good afternoon winning MSC swag. My son won the Beatles: name that tune. And I placed in the Sudoku competition. So we both have MSC ship stress relievers. The kids enjoyed bouncing between the kids club and various activities with us. My daughter briefly walked on Ocean Cay with us, but it was hot, and she wasn't interested in the OC gift shops. 

[Cruisergal1208]

Enjoying your pictures and reviews.  I think I’ll have Jesse as butler on the 18th.  On deck 19. 

[mica178]

Good morning! It is raining again at Ocean Cay. The tentative schedule when I woke was that we would leave at 3, which was a change from the original schedule, but now, who knows?

 

Last night, the kids opted to stay at the kids club through dinner, so my husband and I had a date night. However, that meant that we were seated in a different area. Kaya was our server. He was funny. He insisted that we order extra food to share at each course. So I had the steak tartar and shared the egg rolls. And I had the short ribs (excellent as long as you love Bleu cheese, which I do) but shared the risotto. I drank Oberon for the whole meal. It was lovely. 

 

After dinner, we went to a salsa lesson on the 8th floor, then wandered around the ship and had a drink at TSL before picking up the kiddos. At that point, we discovered that my daughter had eaten dinner, but my son had not. It appears that communicating plans about one kid doesn't transfer to the other kid, and no one contacted me to ask if my son should go to dinner. Ugh. So I had the joy of braving the gen pop buffet at 10pm to get pizza and a sandwich for my kid.

[mica178]

This is our cruise morning schedule:

Wake up around six, check email in bed until my son wakes up. Go to breakfast in the YC restaurant. Return, gather up my daughter and go to TSL for a cappuccino while she noshes from the morning snacks. Then get kids to kids club, and wait for my husband to wake to have lunch with me. 

 

One needs to be very specific when ordering. There's a language barrier too. My son asked for an onion and cheese omelet and received a ham and cheese omelet. I ordered the grilled smoked herring. Last year on the Seaside, it was brought with toast and eggs. This time, I got a single, sad herring, cut in two. Oh well, I h

got my omega 3s, and I noshed with my daughter in the lounge later. 

Edited August 6 by mica178
Typo

[DaKahuna]

15 hours ago, mica178 said:

It was, but because we didn't board until after 2, they had already wrapped up the lunch service.

 

 Thank you.  Did not realize you boarded that late. 

 

[pirate4me2]

Following along! We sail Seashore in YC on Sept. 1, and I am eagerly gobbling up all the info I can! Thanks for taking time from your vacation to do this. 🙂

[Georgia_Peaches]

On 8/5/2024 at 7:34 AM, mica178 said:

space and light (good), but the offerings were poorer than I recalled. Tropicana juice for the kids, only some cookies for snacks. It was fine but not very luxe feeling. 

No champagne?!

[mica178]

2 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

No champagne?!

Prosecco and mimosas

[mica178]

So rain caused all excursions on Ocean Cay to be canceled, and we had another OH menu at the YC restaurant. I got the burger this time. It was good but not great.

 

In the afternoon, I took the kids swimming, first to the YC pool, then to the kid pool with all the water slides. The kids has a blast, although I shudder to contemplate the urine to chlorine ratio.

 

Today was gala night. We dressed up and went to have drinks before dinner. Then, we went to the TC restaurant to gorge on Conundrum and lobster. The lobster was a good portion, and they offered double tails to my husband. However, I found it chewy. Definitely not Maine lobster. I had the champagne risotto on the side, and it was quite good, although I can make a better risotto. The escargot for appetizer was good.  The crepes Suzette were fine. Amaretto coffee was excellent. Service was the best part of the evening. Our assistant server positively fawned over us all.

 

Tomorrow is a sea day and also the captain party for the YC. 

[morpheusofthesea]

8 hours ago, mica178 said:

although I shudder to contemplate the urine to chlorine ratio.

Great minds think alike.

[mica178]

Today is a sea day. The ship (at least outside of YC) feel too crowded.

 

The kids woke up early, so the three of us went to breakfast in the YC restaurant.  I had the waffles, which disappointingly were not Belgian. They were still good, especially with whipped cream and berry compote. 

 

Afterwards, I dropped the kids at kids club and wandered to trivia. It was much more crowded than on Monday. There was noticeable cheating happening in the back. 

 

The YC captain's party was this morning. We arrived late and ended up in chairs with no table, so I couldn't both clap and hold my glass. Alas. The mimosa wasn't bad. I didn't see any caviar garnish, which I recall from last year. Still, it was nice to shake hands with the captain and acknowledge the upper management and staff of this lovely ship. 

 

We ate lunch at the YC pool deck. There was a leg of lamb on the carvery and some decent curry. 

 

Afterwards, I took the kids to the kid pool. They begged to go to the jungle pool, but it is so muggy and crowded there (and why go there when we have the nicer and less crowded YC pool?). The problem with the kid pool (beyond the presumed urine and babies in swim diapers despite posted rules) is the lack of proper seating for parents who wish to supervise kids without jumping into the miasma. Then we returned to the YC for fruit skewers and ice cream before dropping the kids back at kids club.

 

Now I'm enjoying tea at the TSL. It is a lovely oasis of quiet.

[mica178]

The kids stayed at kids club through dinner. We went down to the Wine Cellar, where the sommelier showed us some of his off the book gems. We'll return to purchase some bottles. 

 

Dinner was okay, the highlight was the chocolate souffle.  The salmon (off the everyday menu) was passable. The pachetti pasta looked more like rigatoni.

 

The Divas show was tonight. I think they cheated by having male singers gor many songs. Still, it was fun going to see it. 

[DaKahuna]

16 hours ago, mica178 said:

The Divas show was tonight. I think they cheated by having male singers gor many songs.

 

  That happened on our Divina cruise earlier this year.  I was not a fan.  A good tenor voice is not substitute for a soprano to my ear.  Just did not sound the same. 

 

 Can I assume the waffles were from breakfast vs dinner? 

 

[mica178]

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

 

  That happened on our Divina cruise earlier this year.  I was not a fan.  A good tenor voice is not substitute for a soprano to my ear.  Just did not sound the same. 

 

 Can I assume the waffles were from breakfast vs dinner? 

 

Yes, the waffles were from breakfast. Whoops!

[mica178]

We are in Costa Maya right now. I had booked an excursion outside of MSC, a fishing trip with a company we have used for the past 12 years. They take us fishing then serve up the catch at their beachside restaurant.  This was the first time both kids fished. I offered up $20 to the person who caught the most. My daughter won by a landslide, but my son caught the biggest fish that was used to make a delectable ceviche. In the end, we all won!

 

After that, we returned to the boat. Security confiscated my husband's fly fishing pole that had been disassembled and removed of all hooks. Supposedly we'll get it back on disembarking. My husband was rather furious as a fly rod is hardly a weapon. 

[Best Cat Mom]

40 minutes ago, mica178 said:

Security confiscated my husband's fly fishing pole that had been disassembled and removed of all hooks.

But they let it on board when you first embarked? Subjective vs. objective as usual. Sometimes it works to one's advantage and sometime not. 😉