Carnival cruisers who have recently tried MSC

No comedy club, no piano bar, swimming pools that are over 6 feet deep, no umbrellas in their exclusive club area to protect you from the shade and overcooked meats and lobster tails.

 

For more details, click on the link in my earlier post in this thread, which is a little more balanced than what tallnthensome would have you believe. You need to take any mention of the word everything when comparing cruises with a grain of salt since nothing in life is black and white, it's all shades of Gray. Obviously some darker than others.

I don't need to give a full review of the Seaside on a Carnival board to simply tell you that the Seaside is better. You were foolish enough to sail so early (under 60 days) on brand new ship .... you should have known better. Our food was wonderful from all the buffets and the MDR. We, even with kids, would never want pools less than 6 feet deep. We could care less about a piano bar ... The ship was nicer than the Vista or any other ship, food was way better, passengers were better. The pools including the jungle pool, park, and slideboarding are better than the Vista or any other. Way more bars and better drink service .... MSC's deluxe drink package is better than Cheers. Gelato ... Venchi .... SorrySNJ .... it is what it is ...... I don't have to sugar coat the truth. MSC Seaside is better all around than any product Carnival has as well as better prices. I'm not a Carnival hater because if I was I wouldn't have an extended aft balcony on the Panorama booked right now ..... If anyone here on the Carnival forum can get their two children on a 15 day cruise for less than the $43 each per kid ..... yes, $43 per kid for 15 days minus grats, let me know ..... Not going to happen, not even close. Nothing touches the deals on Seaside right now.

No comedy club, no piano bar, swimming pools that are over 6 feet deep, no umbrellas in their exclusive club area to protect you from the shade and overcooked meats and lobster tails.

 

For more details, click on the link in my earlier post in this thread, which is a little more balanced than what tallnthensome would have you believe. You need to take any mention of the word everything when comparing cruises with a grain of salt since nothing in life is black and white, it's all shades of Gray. Obviously some darker than others.

 

We are actually looking at MSC Seaside for my 50th. We were stationed in Europe and our children were born in the U.K. We miss a European experience! Not into comedy clubs or piano bars, not our thing. Absolutely love the idea of 6 foot pools so I can actually swim/exercise. Definitely do not understand the whole stand in the pool like sardines thing I see on cruise videos.

This triggered some details in my memory.

 

I cruised MSC last year in Europe. (I'm sure US trips would be different than my experience)

It was an enjoyable cruise but very different than Carnival.

1- Announcements were made in at least 8 languages (mostly by the cruise director, it was quite impressive)

Watching the cruise director repeat the same thing in 5 different languages in rapid succession was really impressive. We got accustomed to the announcements in multiple languages on day 1 and it never bothered us.

2- The crowd onboard was older & very rude

We had the opposite experience. Everyone on board was really friendly, even if you couldn't speak the same language. There are some cultural differences that you have to get used to. It's little thing like everyone just rushes onto an elevator. If you take an extra few seconds to give people space to get off the elevator, you might not get onto the elevator because everyone else will just walk around you. You would do well to forget that waiting in line is a thing that exists. You can either get annoyed by it or adopt the local customs. In fact, the only people we did meet that were downright rude were fellow Americans.

3- Portion sizes were smaller but food was varied. I had some squid ink pasta that was divine! Pizza was horrible.

We mostly ate at the buffet because it worked better for us time-wise. The food was fine at the buffet. The were a few things that were really good. They were a few things we didn't like at all. For the most part it was adequate buffet food. I liked the pizza.

4- No late night entertainment. Everything shut down around 11pm or so. Unfortunate for us, since jet lag kept us wide awake.

5- No comedians & shows were mostly non-speaking, I'm assuming, due to the variety of passengers onboard

6- Staff was incredibly kind & friendly. I've actually added some as FB friends.

7- Purchased drink package for 100 Euro. Totally worth it for an entire week of drinks, gelatos, milkshakes, etc.

We purchased a package as well. They gave us vouchers for drinks, etc. We decided not to do that again. We did that math and it didn't save us that much money. Plus, we had to have the vouchers on us. It wasn't worth the hassle to save such a small amount.

 

That's mostly what I can think of off the top of my head. I would probably give MSC another shot.

Sprath, when you have people shoving you out of the way (not only on the ship but also excursions) it's not a point of local customs but entitled people thinking their experience somehow is more important than others.

 

For example, we were visiting The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen on an MSC excursion. If you've visited, the area is surrounded by rocks that have been set in concrete & not even at all & a bit difficult to navigate.

He was pushing us out of the way to get ahead while repeating please. please, please, please.

 

That is one of many incidents throughout.

With 35 Carnival cruises sailed, I was intrigued enough by the Seaside to book my 1st MSC cruise for this October. My convincers were the low fare, perks with the fantastico balcony, loyalty status match, and new ship design. Now I understand MSC offers include free drinks, which may sway those (not I) who enjoy alcohol.

 

I'll sail with an open mind, aware that differences will be apparent, but to me that is generally a plus. I'm glad the foul smell on its initial sailings seems to be resolved, and I am not a fan of long winded CD announcements. I have also enjoyed sailing on other lines like Celebrity, Disney and NCL, and realize every cruise company and ship has its plusess and minuses. For example, I'm sailing the Miracle, an older ship I would normally avoid, out of Tampa because I got a casino fare and now can drive to the port.

 

Open minds make for happier experiences. Closed minds and iron expectations usually lead to disappointments. Disdain prior to investigation is usually toxic. JMO, YMMV.

I don't need to give a full review of the Seaside on a Carnival board to simply tell you that the Seaside is better. You were foolish enough to sail so early (under 60 days) on brand new ship .... you should have known better. Our food was wonderful from all the buffets and the MDR. We, even with kids, would never want pools less than 6 feet deep. We could care less about a piano bar ... The ship was nicer than the Vista or any other ship, food was way better, passengers were better. The pools including the jungle pool, park, and slideboarding are better than the Vista or any other. Way more bars and better drink service .... MSC's deluxe drink package is better than Cheers. Gelato ... Venchi .... SorrySNJ .... it is what it is ...... I don't have to sugar coat the truth. MSC Seaside is better all around than any product Carnival has as well as better prices. I'm not a Carnival hater because if I was I wouldn't have an extended aft balcony on the Panorama booked right now ..... If anyone here on the Carnival forum can get their two children on a 15 day cruise for less than the $43 each per kid ..... yes, $43 per kid for 15 days minus grats, let me know ..... Not going to happen, not even close. Nothing touches the deals on Seaside right now.

 

Then why in the world are you 'booked on the CCL Panorama'? That is mind boggling - cost more for a much lesser product?? Seems senseless!!

does MSC have any time dining?

 

 

Bill

does MSC have any time dining?

 

 

Bill

Yes, if you book first class accommodations, otherwise known as Yacht Club or second class, otherwise known as Aurea, anytime is an option. It is not an option if you book third class, or Fantastica or fourth class known as Bella.

Yes, if you book first class accommodations, otherwise known as Yacht Club or second class, otherwise known as Aurea, anytime is an option. It is not an option if you book third class, or Fantastica or fourth class known as Bella.

Ok thanks.

 

Bill

 

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Yes, if you book first class accommodations, otherwise known as Yacht Club or second class, otherwise known as Aurea, anytime is an option. It is not an option if you book third class, or Fantastica or fourth class known as Bella.

 

Thats not really true. There is now anytime dining in one of the MDRs on the Seaside. You don't have to be YC or Aurea to take advantage.

We sailed on the MSC Divina out of Miami. I’d place that experience one notch above Carnival and one notch below Royal Caribbean. Absolutely beautiful and tasteful ship but the overall experience feels a bit on the budget side.

 

Loved that MSC matched my Carnival Platinum status to their equivalent. Lots of little perks like free access to the Aurea Spa Thermal suite, free photos, free drinks, and a logo gift.

 

We liked MSC enough to book a cruise on them again, this time on the Meraviglia in the Mediterranean.

 

Even though we thoroughly enjoyed MSC, it’s not for people who don’t do well in a multi cultural environments. We shared a van in St Maarten with a group of people who were hating everything about MSC. They hated that “not everything is in English, even though the ship sailed from the USA”, they missed Carnival’s burgers, the comedy show, and the piano bar, so they were vowing to go back to Carnival.

 

 

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My husband and I cruise a lot since I have retired. We have mostly cruised on Carnival but are spreading our wings. Last October we cruised the Divination and this past February we cruised Seaside. We are both in our early 60's and very active. We loved both ships and have already booked an 18 day cruise in 2020 on the Divination again. Staff on both ships were very helpful and friendly. Pizza was awesome. Food was pretty good and always found plenty to eat. Loved the coffee shops on the Divina.

Shows were the best on the sea.

Go with an open mind and enjoy the cruise.

Sprath, when you have people shoving you out of the way (not only on the ship but also excursions) it's not a point of local customs but entitled people thinking their experience somehow is more important than others.

 

For example, we were visiting The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen on an MSC excursion. If you've visited, the area is surrounded by rocks that have been set in concrete & not even at all & a bit difficult to navigate.

He was pushing us out of the way to get ahead while repeating please. please, please, please.

 

That is one of many incidents throughout.

 

That definitely sounds more aggressive than anything we encountered. I was more thinking about things like people walking up and getting whatever they want from the buffet without waiting in line.

That definitely sounds more aggressive than anything we encountered. I was more thinking about things like people walking up and getting whatever they want from the buffet without waiting in line.

 

 

Waiting in line at the buffet is definitely a Carnival thing. Other lines like Celebrity and NCL have numerous smaller stations along the buffet to avoid having the majority channelled into one line that always seems to move slow.. I know that Carnival has a few stations in the buffet aisles to try to offset the main lines, but there is no buffet congestion like on a Carnival ship.

 

Disney even told us that we should feel free not to wait on any line and just move along, skipping anything we weren't interested in - this was on the Disney Dream. Can't try that on Carnival without inciting a riot.

Can't try that on Carnival without inciting a riot.

 

 

I think that what aggravates people is not when someone politely cuts in from them and grabs one item, but when someone rudely shoves themselves in line and then proceeds to slowly pile as much food as they possibly can on their plate while others watch and wait, somewhat in disgust. It’s moments like that when I understand why there’s a health crisis concerning obesity in this country.

 

 

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Thats not really true. There is now anytime dining in one of the MDRs on the Seaside. You don't have to be YC or Aurea to take advantage.

Then things must have changed since I cruised on her in January because only those who had booked Aurea class were able to do anytime, those who had Fantastica were early/late in MDR and Bella had early/late in MDR or makeshift MDR in buffet.

Then things must have changed since I cruised on her in January because only those who had booked Aurea class were able to do anytime, those who had Fantastica were early/late in MDR and Bella had early/late in MDR or makeshift MDR in buffet.

 

Whatever the case is, no any time dining would be a deal breaker for me.

 

 

Bill

Whatever the case is, no any time dining would be a deal breaker for me.

 

 

 

 

 

Bill

 

 

 

We’ve been opting for any time dining since it was introduced. On our last cruise, aboard the Disney Fantasy, this option wasn’t available so we had a fixed time, and the only time available was late. I didn’t realize how much of a negative impact this would have on our nightly activities.

 

Traveling with two small children, the late dinner meant that, most nights, our dinners would end with one or both kid’s faces plopped on the table asleep, or dinner would be cut short because one or both kids would have a meltdown after a long, exhausting day of activities. Disney may be known for its kid friendly format, but the lack of flexibility with dinner proved to be a deal breaker and will be a big factor that will keep us away from sailing on them again in the near future unless we can secure early dining.

 

 

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We’ve been opting for any time dining since it was introduced. On our last cruise, aboard the Disney Fantasy, this option wasn’t available so we had a fixed time, and the only time available was late. I didn’t realize how much of a negative impact this would have on our nightly activities.

 

Traveling with two small children, the late dinner meant that, most nights, our dinners would end with one or both kid’s faces plopped on the table asleep, or dinner would be cut short because one or both kids would have a meltdown after a long, exhausting day of activities. Disney may be known for its kid friendly format, but the lack of flexibility with dinner proved to be a deal breaker and will be a big factor that will keep us away from sailing on them again in the near future unless we can secure early dining.

 

 

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I have ATD for my next cruise on the Breeze, my first time experiencing this, as I have not cruised with Carnival since 2007. I chose it after experiencing Freestyle Cruising with NCL for my last 2 cruises, and fell in love with the freedom of it. If you are unable to get ATD, I’d take a look at NCL cruises. They have a lot to offer for kids, and no other cruise line can beat their complimentary and specialty food choices. There is one full service Pub that offers complimentary full menu/sit down (not grab and go) food open 24 hours! And we found their buffet was the best at sea! Huge! And never experienced the lines I keep reading that plagues Carnival. So, why did I return to Carnival? Well, I’ve heard some good reviews about some ships, liked the itinerary and port choices, and I had reward points on my credit card ($1200 worth off my cruise fare) that I wanted to cash in. My Carnival Mastercard offers great incentives to keep booking with them, like anything from $100-200 off the bill when booking, double points with booking and any Carnival purchases, 10% off any booked excursions. So, for our retirement budget, it was a no brainer.

That definitely sounds more aggressive than anything we encountered. I was more thinking about things like people walking up and getting whatever they want from the buffet without waiting in line.

 

The buffet was decently laid out on the Fantasia. It's broken out by sections & is then repeated on the other side of the ship. Never encountered a problem.