fraffin

 

I am going to quote several of your comments....

Now I ask....How did MSC introduce the Seaside and their upcoming new ships?? Did they not talk about the Miami vibe on the Seaside?? Did they not talk about being a "player" in the North American market and adapting their build of ships and service to better meet the North American market??

 

As you stated...your perfectly comfortable with some of the above....Thats great. Problem is that the US clientel they are trying to convert IS NOT. They need to deliver on what they have been talking about. They are no way near that yet!

And 'Now I ask' you...who made you the spokesman for all Americans. You've made a lot generalizations about the US clientele and the spokesmen for MSC. You speak for none of us. Yes you have your opinion, but it is just your opinion. There's been a lot said by people that have actually sailed on the Seaside. You haven't, but you talk as if you're an expert. You know exactly what MSC means when they say their expanding their presence in the North American market.

So fine, you made your decision to cancel your cruise. That's your choice, and I have no problem with it. So why are you still hanging around on these threads? This ship is not for you. It's seems to me you just want to argue. That's says more to me about you than anything else.

Hmm, I actually think that doesn't make sense. Why would a company wanting to break into the American market do their cruises just like the established players? If anything, they see an opportunity to offer an approach that is distinct from (not identical to) the offerings of the cruise lines you cite. I can think of a particular mobile phone maker that broke into an already crowded field in 2007 and revolutionized the industry. So no, I don't think there's anything inconsistent with MSC wanting to compete in the US market while simultaneously doing things differently than the competition.

Dilly Dilly

(for all you foreigners you'll have to google that to see how easily us Americans are amused and influenced by mass marketing)

Total cop out. Deck 8 is closed because it is used as an MDR not just overflow. Deck 16 buffet small w poor selection. Why should those that want a casual dining buffet get less choice than Carnival, Royal, NCL? If it is only a few people as you claim (without any data or statistics) why not use the smaller buffet for the overflow?

This is really the crux of the entire negative/positive review issue. My take on most (not all) negative reviews is that the experience is negative as compared to RCI, NCL and Carnival. (I've sailed them all multiple times.) Most seem to want the same cruise experience on MSC. MSC has chosen to be different. It appears they want to promote an MDR experience. I'm not sure they can accomplish that in a buffet setting, but that's their decision. That's not to everyone's liking. Like you, a lot of cruisers want a full buffet for dinner. That's why you have a choice to spend your hard earned money with a choice of 'mainstream' cruise lines. You don't like what MSC is offering then don't sail with them.

What I don't understand is so many complaints especially from people that haven't even tried the ship or cruise line. By now everyone in CC already knows the issues concerning Seaside dining options. For those that fail to do their research ahead of time and end up with a miserable cruise, well caveat emptor!

Here's my research that will hopefully separate fact from fiction and opinion with a link to an article for you.http://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/MSC-Continues-Focus-On-North-America-With-Meraviglia-Deployment

And here is another story.https://skift.com/2017/12/22/msc-cruises-takes-next-step-in-major-global-expansion

Thank you for these links. I had not seen these before.

I found this quote interesting from the CEO in the second article.

A company with MSC's size and history of success doesn't make a move like this without doing their research. They obviously have made a conscientious decision on how to compete in this market. They've gambled, and now they wait to see if it will payoff.

I'm scheduled to sail on the Seaside in an inside Fantastica next month, and I have an Aurea Whirlpool booked in advance for next December. I can't say that I'm happy with everything I've been reading on CC of far, but I've chosen to give the Seaside a try. If I don't like it I'll cancel my future cruise and then decide whether MSC is for me.

I'm also going into this next cruise with an open mind. I will not let others tell me what I should and shouldn't expect in a cruise. There's way too much of what I should and shouldn't think in America right now...period. If anything I'm looking forward to a less than American experience for those 7 days in February.

There was nothing in my statement above that was incorrect. The larger buffet on deck 8 is changed into a makeshift dining room in the evening because the architects that designed the Seaside did not make it large enough. I will grant them that it was a good idea to have two buffets in order to disperse the masses during breakfast and dinner, but by doing so, they did it to the detriment of two different groups. One, those Bella experience people that were expecting a true MDR with the proper atmosphere and two, the percentage of passengers that like to eat in the buffet each evening for dinner.

You're an experienced cruiser and you have 8 cruises on Royal under your belt, you can't sit there and tell me that people do not eat dinner in the buffet on Royal. Even if it's only 15-20% of the passengers on board, it's a disservice to them. And to relegate them to the kid friendly smaller buffet on deck 16 with a much smaller selection is also a slap in the face.

I'm not sure I agree with you on this. I've never sailed MSC before, but I've been reading many MSC threads that indicate this policy is not unique to Seaside. Apparently MSC has done this on other ships with a buffet being an adjunct MDR in the evening. Given this is consistent policy I don't see how it can be blamed on architects. This just seems to be something that MSC has chosen to do with their ships. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with this design decision, but it is something that differentiates MSC from other cruise lines...at least those that cater to the US market.

MSC is not a newcomer to the cruise market place. They've been doing this a long time, and from what I've heard very successfully. Everyone on CC has constantly stated that MSC wants to establish itself in the US market. I'm not sure where this supposed 'fact' comes from since they've been cruising in the Caribbean for years. Seaside is replacing the Davina for now. They've also sailed seasonal cruises from other Caribbean islands as well for years.

Maybe they do want to expand their presence, but I have yet to see actual statements from MSC themselves as to what this entails. So far the only statements I've seen is from CC members, and they're all basically assumptions. Actually I have seen one statement, but it basically pertains to the Seaside specifically, that it was designed for the Caribbean. It almost seems that this is where all the assumptions derive from. Makes you wonder what they built the Seaview for.

I've alway been amazed how much crap get's thrown around the internet as fact. It's very easy to see why things get labeled as Fake News so often. It's not that it's truly fake, but that people just fail to do their own research and separate fact from fiction and opinion.

Have there been any reviews of these cabins concerning the wind on the balcony while using the whirlpool? Has there been any comparison of the cabins at the front of the ship vs. the rear? There were also concerns about the size of the whirlpool. I've seen general reviews of the cabin (love the walk-in closet), but nothing mentions the actual use of the whirlpool. If I've missed this in another thread, please provide the link. We have one of these cabins booked for next December. Even if the whirlpool isn't useable we'll keep the cabin as it was actually cheaper than a regular Aurea Balcony.

Hob nob elsewhere on the ship?

Surely you don't mean with the people in steerage?[emoji32]

 

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Oh my! It just dawned on me. MSC, please find some umbrellas for the Yacht Club pool. I just realized the occupants might want to come out to other parts of the ship!

Understood. It’s not okay to judge a ship we haven’t experienced, but it is okay to judge others we haven’t met.

 

 

By the way, I am looking forward to hearing about shaded areas in other parts of the ship. From the videos I’ve seen, there currently don’t appear to be many - particularly if you want a lounger near an outdoor pool. I’m hoping I’m wrong.

Touché.

I agree that there doesn't appear to be enough shaded areas either. I find that a problem on a lot of ships regardless of the cruise line. I am a shade person as well, but I don't expect to find it in abundance supply around any pool.

Which Carnival and Norwegian ships have what you consider a waterfront promenade that looks like Seaside? Just curious.

I've been on the Carnival Breeze, and it definitely has an outdoor promenade feel.

Well I don't even see it on the schedule for Bimini, freeport or Nassau for today.

Possible cruise-by of Ocean Cay?

My wife an I were originally sailing on the 11/10/18 cruise with an aft Aurea Suite. We had to change our cruise plans, and book another date. For those of you considering the whirlpool SJ3 suites there appears to be a real deal on them now where you can get them for less than the S3 Aurea suites on multiple sailings. We jumped all over that if not for the whirlpool but for the extra cabin space and especially the walk-in closet.

Well stated!! Thank you very much! It is just asking for another health wise option Everyone should be able to sit outside and enjoy the sea breezes and sounds of the waves without getting fried by UV waves. If you were to ask a Dermatologist their preference is NO ONE would sit in the sun...even with sunscreen on.

The issue isn't that the Seaside doesn't have shade. It's that there doesn't seem to be enough shade at the exclusive, private Yacht Club pool (unless you're willing to ante up a few more bucks). I don't begrudge anyone wanting shade. I personally do not sit out in the sun, and when it can't be avoided I slather on lotion with a minimum SPF 35. My complaint is with all these pretentious Yacht Club cruisers that feel they are entitle to every luxury you would get on a Regent or Crystal cruise. I understand your paying for an enhanced cruise experience. Congratulations. But if you want first class service on a cruise ship book a five star cruise line. Quit being a pretender in the Yacht Club or Haven. If shade is that important you just may need to hob nob with the lower class passengers in another part of the ship.

Everyone has stated that the MSC Yacht Club is an incredible value. Well there's a price for that value. If you don't feel like you're getting the appropriate value for your money choose a cruise line that meets your expectations. But stop complaining especially when you haven't even experienced the ship yet.

I would have thought by now that folks would have figured out why the Yacht Club is so much cheaper than the Haven. It's so obvious. The price difference is the cost of shade.

I have been an active follower of CC forums for years, and have always appreciated the opportunity learn and hear about other cruisers experiences especially on ships where my wife and I have upcoming cruises. We will be sailing on the Seaside in February and are really looking forward to sailing on a new ship with a cruise line we've never sailed before.

I am not a very active contributor to CC forums, and I never criticize other contributors...until now. I have never witnessed as many whiny, negative people as I've seen in countless threads concerning the Seaside. The negative comments towards a cruise experience by folks that haven't even been on the ship utterly confounds me. And these comments are coming from veteran cruisers some with dozens of cruises to their names that should really know better by now concerning new ships.

So what if MSC doesn't provide the same up front press and information as RCL or NCL or any other cruise line. That's their business decision. The cruiser has the ultimate decision to choose the ship they want to sail on. To listen to people on all these threads you would thing that MSC was building the ship personally for them.

People, it's a cruise ship sailing in the Caribbean. It's a pool and 'SUN'deck. It's not a shade deck. If you want shade MSC provides you the opportunity to purchase shade on a 'SUN'deck. Or, you can go elsewhere on the ship to find shade in an outdoor area.

I'm truly sorry if I'm offending anyone or hurting their feelings, but the whining concerning this ship has become absolutely ludicrous. If you're that concerned book another cruise ship where you're absolutely guaranteed the experience you demand.

Also those are B3 staterooms, the S3 are on the back of the ship with the HUGE balconies

 

 

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My mistake. You're correct. That's the front of the ship. I had forgotten the B3's upfront also had longer balconies.

TC ... Those photos you asked for finally, been a busy day ... :) Photos from Edgar.

 

 

It appears they changed the design of the S3 balconies on deck 9. This picture shows full partitions all the way to the rail instead of the glass half partitions show in earlier renderings.

Last I've heard is the Feb 17 sailing is completely sold out. It is winter break for many in the US. That may explain why.

I have a total of 5 inside cabins booked on this cruise for that very reason, kids out of school. Unfortunately it looks like they'll be back in school that week to make up for lost days due to Irma. It's very likely I'll be cancelling 3 of those cabins in the not to distant future. I'm guessing they're will be other families in the southern states facing a similar situation.

I was looking to book Seaside for next year. My TA provides insurance as a perk.

However, I was just told that pre-existing won't be covered unless I pay the full amount.

I really don't want to pay the full amount a year in advance.

 

Let me admit, that for 25+ cruises we did not purchase insurance at all.

Since dh had an illness a few years ago, I figured I shouldn't push my luck.

But as far as cruise insurance goes, I am stupid.

 

For those who have booked so far in advance, what did you do about getting insurance with pre-existing condition coverage.?

I hope this doesn't violate the rules, but I use insuremytrip.com. It offers dozens of different insurance options that you can compare from multiple underwrites. You can decide on the coverages you want as well as the pre-existing waivers. I have found the prices to be much cheaper than the equivalent coverages offered by the cruise lines especially MSC.

"VIP Treatment" sounds nice! :) We booked another cruise in May, and since then, our first Seaside cruise no longer shows up on our account. Having called MSC, I am told it is a known glitch (still in their system, but not showing up online). I wonder who else may be experiencing a similar situation.

I also have 2 cruises booked through MSC, but I can only see one when I login using my username. However, the US MSC website offers 2 login options. I find that I can view either booking by logging in using the booking number, first name, last name option. Unfortunately I still can't see both bookings at the same time.

Coming from Royal Caribbean to Carnival, I have certainly done my homework. I happen to think Carnivals food is much better overall and the service is the same or even better in some cases. Royal has better ships and better entertainment but thats about where it ends for me as far as being "better" and in both my cases so far Carnival has definitely been cheaper. I dont look at MSC because Im simply not driving all the way to Miami to get on ANY cruise ship so they are out for me. I bet by the time I include airfare from ATL to MIA for three, MSC certainly wouldnt be cheaper. I can drive to Port Canaveral, Tampa and several others Carnival sails out of in about 8 hours and 30.00 in gas. If MSC ever decides to bring a ship to PC, I will certainly give them a look. :) I wont hold my breath waiting though.

We also live in Atlanta and drive to many cruises especially Port Canaveral. We have also found it very economical to fly to Fort Lauderdale and Miami as well. You just need to watch for the airfare sales. Miami has been as low as $49 each way on American. Southwest is very cheap to Fort Lauderdale and a shuttle to the Port of Miami is only $15pp. We have the advantage of saving money by staying with family in the area before a cruise, but we have also gotten great deals at Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale 17th Street Convention Center through valuetrip.com. It's a great hotel and very convenient to the port, shopping and dining. You can get a pre-cruise room for $153 (way below their usual rate).

My wife an I have sailed on NCL, RCCL and Carnival. We're in our mid-50s and we seem to enjoy the Carnival cruises the best. I completely agree with your assessment of Carnival compared to RCCL.

When I booked my Seaside cruise through MSC I was warned by my PVC that they were aware of the issue. I should also not be surprised if my final bill reflected the addition port fees and taxes. He said that sometimes MSC added them, but other times he's seen where MSC just waived the error.

My wife and I are frequent cruisers, and we also prefer Carnival for some reason. We decided to give MSC Seaside a try. We were also matched to Silver status. We booked our cruise for 11/10/18 and got the 5% discount. We can also confirm that kids are currently free (except port fees and taxes) on the Seaside, but that could change. The port fees and taxes are also off. They're coming in at approximately $43 dollars. It should be around $100 more. Our MSC Personal Vacation Consultant (PVC) said they may or may not add these back in at a later time. Additional OBC varies depending on the sail date and the offer i.e. Countdown to MSC Seaside. As Silver you're supposed to get $50 OBC in addition to other offers. I recommend 2 PVCs. Ask for Kevin Triplett (our PVC) or Tim Brosnan (seemed a little more knowledgeable). Make sure you mention the 5% for silver status.

If you haven't already been on your cruise with the stop in Costa Maya I do recommend Nick's Western Caribbean Fly Fishing School. I have a trip planned with him next March when we're in port on the Epic. We were actually in Costa Maya this past October on another cruise. We had already planned on a day the the Nohoch Kay Beach Club where Nick operates from. I knew of his fly fishing classes, and I wanted to research the excursion while we were there before returning in March. I had an opportunity to talk with Nick and his client that day. His client was very pleased, and after talking to Nick I knew that I had to do this myself. For me the deal was sealed, but the icing on the cake was watching his client eat the fish that he had caught that morning. BTW the Nohoch Kay Beach Club is also terrific. The food we had was exceptional, and they apparently can cook up the fish that you catch with Nick. I actually found him originally through tripadvisor.com. This is the link I used. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g499450-d1960446-Reviews-The_Western_Caribbean_Fly_Fishing_School-Mahahual_Costa_Maya_Yucatan_Peninsula.html. You can use the email link on that page to contact him.