Has the Seaside Dinner Buffet Improved?

[Beamafar]

Morphing Market place into a MDR in the evening effects many more passengers than just those booked bella.

 

That's a very valid point, BB, and one that tends to get overlooked in this discussion. Those of us who choose the MDR over the buffet for dinner are prone to forget that there are a lot of people who prefer to eat in the buffet in the evening.

[Eaches]

You're suggestion doesn't solve the issue for me :(. Most nights I avoid MDR's because I'm not interested in spending 2+ hours in a dining room. This is particularly important to me for my yearly solo trip (not so much when I sail with DH).

 

 

 

So even if I booked Fantastica , Aurua ,or YC, the elimination of the larger buffet on deck 8 does impact my decision whether or not to choose MSC for this year's solo trip. It appears the only buffet available for dinner on deck 16 has very limited choices. Based on one video, the dinner 'salad bar' on 16 is a joke.

 

 

 

Morphing Market place into a MDR in the evening effects many more passengers than just those booked bella.

 

 

 

First of all 16 decks are too many people and then to feed them is just too much ! That’s not cruising, that’s a cattle ship ! Sorry that’s the way I feel ! Thank You

 

 

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[leos037]

We just got off the ship - I suggest that every one who is going book the 2 trios deals at specialty restaurants. Comes out to about $20 per dinner per person totally worth it Food there was great. We only did 3 because of kids

[riclop]

I hear you. MSC is just so flipping cheap lol. Especially when sailing solo and paying 200%.

 

I can book a fantastica balcony (or an interior YC) for the same price as an ocean view on the mainstream line. And Bella balconies are down to $649 pp.

 

Having sailed on MSc davina twice, I feel well informed of MSc shortcomings, but lack of a proper diner buffet is a new twist to the plot.

 

That’s why I’m personally so Interested in this topic :).

 

 

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You are not paying 200% on MSC. All other lines you pay 200%.

[LMaxwell]

The thing is, she isn't a mega ship by the standard of gross tonnage, I personally have a theory that MSC added possibly 2 more accomodation decks after construction started. Not just the lack of dining capacity, but also the problems with the sewage plumbing lead me to believe this.

 

153K Gross Tons and 5K guests isn't a mega ship?

[LMaxwell]

If people are that upset over being seated in the buffet for dinner (and I would be!) then just don't book the Bella experience.

 

When I booked the Bella experience we were told we'd be in a dining room and my statement says 5:30PM confirmed. At the time MSC still offered the 18 drink voucher tickets to be purchased separately. Fantastica experience did not include any additional OBC, Mealtime Drinks, or Internet. Fantastica was mainly some smaller benefits like no charge room service and "better" location room. Having sailed Divina twice; fantastica and bella, there wasn't any perceptible difference, so I opted for Bella on Seaside. Now with the bundled amenities if I want to upgrade from Bella to Fantastica it will cost me $500 and I can no longer order the 18 drink vouchers. But the perks included with Fantastica aren't worth $500.

 

Anyways, long and short, I resent being told I got a good enough deal that I should make do with less than MSC communicated and promised to me. I expect to be treated like a human on the ship, just like on Divina. But the impression I am getting now is distinctly Bella = Steerage. Fantastica/Aurea = Second class, YC = First class.

[steamboats]

LMaxwell,

 

The 12 drinks vouchers never was and still not is an amenity of Fantastica here in Germany (and I don´t think it is in any other country than the US).

 

steamboats

[LMaxwell]

LMaxwell,

 

The 12 drinks vouchers never was and still not is an amenity of Fantastica here in Germany (and I don´t think it is in any other country than the US).

 

steamboats

 

In the US Fantastica has alternated between 12 drink voucher per person and meal time drink (wine and beer) for lunch and dinner.

 

Basically when I booked Bella the option to Fantastica would have gotten me different location and 12 drink vouchers. The location is a wash to me, and 24 vouchers (12 per adult) would have cost me like $200 more for that experience. Was not necessary when at the time they still offered 18 vouchers by themselves for $89. I wanted to buy the vouchers at time of booking but since I had OBC the rep told me to wait until I was onboard and buy them then; well, MSC has discontinued the vouchers so can't do that. And now due to price changes and kids no longer sailing free (on all sailings) it would cost me $500 to get Fantastica and that's too much of a jump.

 

I've been pricing out other cruise lines "just in case" and my deal on MSC Seaside is still very competitive, but I don't approach things with the mindset of "They are giving me less than I paid for, but it's still a relative bargain, so I'll just pay more..." That's for "doormat" people (people that get walked on and say/do nothing).

[Eaches]

I’m very curious too!seaside is currently the cheapest ship sailing from Florida over spring break/Easter week. It’s tempting as a new ship but This would be a deal breaker for me so someone please report. Pictures of deck 16 buffet at dinner would be extra splendid.:)

 

 

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Why would you book a cruise during spring break other than you are as crazy as some of the kids on the same cruise. Maybe you enjoy craziness! Not me ! I think the kids should have a good time , I just don’t have to be there at the same time !

 

 

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[ssmea03]

In the US Fantastica has alternated between 12 drink voucher per person and meal time drink (wine and beer) for lunch and dinner.

 

Basically when I booked Bella the option to Fantastica would have gotten me different location and 12 drink vouchers. The location is a wash to me, and 24 vouchers (12 per adult) would have cost me like $200 more for that experience. Was not necessary when at the time they still offered 18 vouchers by themselves for $89. I wanted to buy the vouchers at time of booking but since I had OBC the rep told me to wait until I was onboard and buy them then; well, MSC has discontinued the vouchers so can't do that. And now due to price changes and kids no longer sailing free (on all sailings) it would cost me $500 to get Fantastica and that's too much of a jump.

 

I've been pricing out other cruise lines "just in case" and my deal on MSC Seaside is still very competitive, but I don't approach things with the mindset of "They are giving me less than I paid for, but it's still a relative bargain, so I'll just pay more..." That's for "doormat" people (people that get walked on and say/do nothing).

 

Where are you booking from? We have fantastica booked with the 12 drinks vouchers and meal time drinks (a sales promotion) and the upgrade from Bella to fantastica was paid for by our Voyagers club discount. Booking through the NA web site.

We would have got the drinks vouchers if they still did them, but will get more OBC instead of an unlimited package as it's not worth it for the amount we drink.

We also did some price comparisons, only RCI came close but with no perks whatsoever and they wanted 20% deposit.

[BermudaBound2014]

Why would you book a cruise during spring break other than you are as crazy as some of the kids on the same cruise. Maybe you enjoy craziness! Not me ! I think the kids should have a good time , I just don’t have to be there at the same time !

 

 

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I work in education. Right now I can do 2 weeks on seaside for about what one week mainstream lines are offering and seaside prices are dropping like rocks. That is the ONLY reason I’m even still considering her at this moment considering the reviews.

 

Two deal breakers for me are buffet availability- still waiting for confirmation that marketplace is always closed for dinner buffet as I’m hoping that MSc will quickly realize this is a terrible solution. The other is sewer smell :(.

 

I really want to like MSc. The value was there for me on Divina (twice) -but even at half the cost of other lines the seaside has some quirks that will likely point me in another direction. It’s a shame because the ship design does look like a great fit for me.

 

 

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Edited January 21, 2018 by BermudaBound2014

[slei15]

As we just finished our embarkation day lunch on the RCCL Rhapsody of the Seas, we realized that the deck 16 buffet on the Seaside would be considered upscale gourmet compared to this one. It is all about perspective!

 

 

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[mafig]

I took a cruise last year during Easter Week on Celebrity and there were less than 30 kids on board.

 

Sometimes the air fare for Easter Week is very high.

[BermudaBound2014]

I took a cruise last year during Easter Week on Celebrity and there were less than 30 kids on board.

 

 

 

Sometimes the air fare for Easter Week is very high.

 

 

 

Airfare is a killer! I’ve “suffered” through school calendar travel for nearly 30 years. The first thing I’m doing upon retiring is booking a last minute cruise in October :)

 

 

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[BermudaBound2014]

As we just finished our embarkation day lunch on the RCCL Rhapsody of the Seas, we realized that the deck 16 buffet on the Seaside would be considered upscale gourmet compared to this one. It is all about perspective!

 

 

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Interesting- we did rhapsody out of Venice last year and embarkation lunch had prime rib (I was blown away). Unfortunately the rhapsody buffet went downhill for the remaining trip. Hopefully your experience will be in reverse :).

 

 

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[slei15]

Interesting- we did rhapsody out of Venice last year and embarkation lunch had prime rib (I was blown away). Unfortunately the rhapsody buffet went downhill for the remaining trip. Hopefully your experience will be in reverse :).

 

 

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We have the ultimate dining package so we should be good the rest of the week!

 

 

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[tourlink99]

I just wanted to pass this information on.

I was on Seaside yesterday to escort clients around the ship. I also wanted to know about Bella dinner guests dining arrangements. I spoke to Antonio, who is the head Maitre D on board Seaside. He told me the smaller buffet is being used for dinner, not the Marketplace. I was off the ship by the time dinner was served so I didn't see it for myself. Regarding the longstanding misinformation regarding dinner, On American based MSC ships, water and coffee are served, no question in the dining room. Are there going to be service issues on-board? Absolutely, and this happens on just about every new ship of almost every cruise line in existence. Those of you sailing in a few months, or perhaps less, I wouldn't worry too much. They will get it together. For what ever your reason, and of course you are certainly entitled, some folks just dont like or understand the product. Some of you love it, and frankly I'm one of you. But at the least, I think it would helpful not to pass out misinformation, or info that is not vetted for accuracy.

[plantlady104]

Did he mean that the smaller buffet is the open buffet for dinner, or that it is turned into the 3rd dining room? Everyone else has indicated that the MarketPlace buffet on deck8 becomes the 3rd DR, not the smaller buffet on deck 16. Another possible misinfo or miscommunication?

[helen haywood]

I think that was a misunderstanding. People onboard have stated the Bella experience diners are in the larger Buffet at night and the smaller Buffet is open to those not wanting to do the MDR.

 

 

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[trenz]

I am sitting on the seaside right now and it is definitely the larger buffet on deck 8 that is closed for buffet dining and converted to mdr

 

. Also, we had an inside bella comped from resorts Atlantic city and upgraded to ocean view bella. We could have also upgraded to balcony but our bella experience was not upgradable. Was not going to turn down a free cruise just to upgrade the bella

 

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[BermudaBound2014]

I spoke to Antonio, who is the head Maitre D on board Seaside. He told me the smaller buffet is being used for dinner, not the Marketplace. I was off the ship by the time dinner was served so I didn't see it for myself.

 

But at the least, I think it would helpful not to pass out misinformation, or info that is not vetted for accuracy.

 

 

 

This is exactly one of my pet peeves with MSc. Their miscommunication is second to none. :::eye roll::::

 

There have been numerous dailies posted which directly contradict what Antonio the “head maiteD” told you. I’m posting below the actual PRINT that states that the smaller buffet is being used as the dinner buffet and marketplace is being used as a mdr.

 

 

Perhaps the head mAitreD did not understand your question? Language barrier? I also suppose they could have changed the arrangement for this sailing moving forward which would be excellent news, but me. Antonio should have elaborated to avoid this type of confusion.

 

As far as I’m concerned, the vetted information is found in the photo above and the numerous testimonies from those onboard that marketplace is indeed transformed to a mdr at night (which is the subject of this thread).

 

The only people at this point passing along misinformation appears to be the professionals involved (you as an agent and the head mAitreD himself).

 

There are those who love MSc, those who hate MSc, and those like me who appreciate MSc for what it does right (pricing, beautiful ships, etc....) but refuse to turn a blind eye to the shortcomings - accurate communication being top on the list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[caribbeanboy]

I agree with you on this. Deck 8 is supposed to be the focal point of the ship, the wraparound promenade. And then they go and close half of it after 4pm? I don't see why they couldn't use half the buffet for MDR overflow and leave have as a regular buffet for dinner. Not to mention that their website says they have a great buffet open 20 hours a day and only claim that Biscayne Bay is for families.

 

We'll be onboard in 2 weeks and I am hoping for the best. We aren't dinner buffet people, although I have been known to pick up a snack after dinner. I DO intend to have a word (or several) with ship management about this, assuming they show up at the CC or Black Card event.

 

I told the captain at the Black card event on the Divina about the food, and he seemed surprise. However the HD had a whatever attitude. Guess he was used to this kind of complain. I told them if you want to succeed in the North American market you guys will have to step up your game. Food wise AND crew wise! My friends who were with me said never again MSC.

[leos037]

"I spoke to Antonio, who is the head Maitre D on board Seaside. He told me the smaller buffet is being used for dinner " Yes as a buffet! :)

[relaxatsea]

We were on the Jan. 06 sailing of Seaside.

 

I can confirm that the Marketplace Buffet on Deck 8 (the larger buffet) became the "Marketplace Restaurant" in the evening and had assigned seating at 6:30 PM and 9:00 PM and was used as a third MDR. During those times, the buffet was closed to all other passengers.

 

The Biscayne Bay Buffet on Deck 16 was open for dinner from 6:30 PM until 9:30 PM, and although a much smaller room, it did have adequate food for dinner, nothing particularly special except the soft-serve ice cream. We did eat there one night for dinner and we found it to be OK. That is also where they take the kids from the kids' club to eat in the evening, they have their own special section and the crew members with them dress up like fairy tale characters, it was fun to see them.

 

One night we were walking outside of the "Marketplace Restaurant" on Deck 8 during the later seating (it was around 9:30 PM) and we could see the people eating inside. They had nice tablecloths and flowers on the tables with low lighting. It looked much more peaceful than the Ipanema MDR where we ate our dinner most nights. I really don't think it would be a bad option.

 

As for Antonio's remarks, unless something has changed this week, that is how it is. Yes, you can have dinner at both places, but Deck 8 becomes a MDR with assigned seating, and Deck 16 is a buffet.

[Danny61231]

Does the main buffet on deck 8 reopen after the final formal dinner seating?