Jim Zim's MSC Seaside Review With 84 Photos & 8 Videos

[Spaniel Lover]

My guess is that if a gluten-free person was to eat in one of the main dining rooms, rather than in the buffet, they would probably be fine on MSC Seaside. We're just not main dining room people, and Kellyn was not pleased with the buffet.

What she would have liked to see in the buffet would have been an indicator of what foods are gluten free. Up above the sneeze guard, they would have a little sign indicating what each item was. In other words, above the french fries would be a sign that said "French Fries". If I recall correctly, there were foreign language translations underneath the English name of the food, too. What Kellyn would have liked would have been the words "GLUTEN FREE" added to the sign above any foods that were gluten free.

 

The other thing we've seen on a few cruise ships in the buffet is that they would actually have a section of the buffet that had a whole bunch of gluten-free items together in one place... a place that a gluten-free person could just go directly to in order to find many gluten-free items. They definitely did not have this on the MSC Seaside, and neither do most cruise ships, but a few of the best do.

[Spaniel Lover]

I just have to say that this Chicago-style pizza that Fraffin posted looks pretty good to me!

 

 

[DCGuy64]

OK, I'll weigh in on the pizza debate, as well. Two things: 1. I LOVE pizza, it's definitely one of my favorite foods, period. I'm kind of an "all of the above" type of guy. I like pretty much all kinds of pizza. The photos Jim Zim posted both look appetizing to me, and I suspect I would enjoy both. I've had Chicago style deep dish, New York thin crust, Italian style (both in Italy and in the US), as well as offerings from both local and national pizza chains. It's rare that I don't love pizza. But I also love differences. Why would I want or even expect to find on an Italian cruise ship the same pizza I have at a local joint near my home? 2. The photos aren't an "apples to apples" comparison. The one on the bottom isn't even a complete pie, so I think if we're going to be asked which of the two is the more appetizing, the photos should represent the pizza in the same state. Anyway, I know ultimately it's all in fun. I'm just really looking forward to having legit Italian pizza on the Seaside. You haven't lived until you've eaten pizza with guanciale, which is pork cheek. Had it in Rome and fell in love. *swoon* :D

[n8botting]

I've been enjoying reading all the comments that people have been posting. However, there's one thing bothering me about the comments so far...

 

 

 

 

Isn't there anybody out there, anybody at all, that thinks this pizza...

looks hugely more tasty than this pizza?

The only saving grace to the pizza pictured on top is...the toppings are on top of the cheese...but im still with alot of the others...that slice at the 6 o'clock position...that's damn near perfection in my books

[sidari]

On the positive side, notice that reed diffuser in front of the mirror. That's one of the perks of the Jacuzzi suite... it comes with it.

Jim ... A minor blip but the diffuser is part of the Aurea package and not a perk of the actual Suite, i am not sure if you got word blindness along the way during the the time that you were writing about the Aft Suites but I did notice you mention the balcony goes all the way around on a number of occasions in a short space of time. For us those are the best Suites on the ship.

[mafig]

As a matter of fact I always have dibs on the pizza slice with the bubble!! My favorite!

 

 

Me too! A pizza with bubbles has probably been cooked in a hot pizza oven. The secret to a good pizza is a hot oven.

 

If you've ever had pizza from one of those old, stone ovens (the ones where they fire them up early in the morning), you'll see the pizza resembles the one from MSC, not that pepperoni and orange cheese thing.

 

 

Chicago pizza is pretty good too.

[windlicht]

Thank you for the very detailed review.

 

You mentioned at the beginning that Kellyn was disappointed with the gluten free accommodations. I read about her concern at Butcher’s Cut, but didn’t see it mentioned regarding the buffet or MDR (unless I missed a post). How did she make out in other venues? My DH gets sick if he has any gluten and did ok on Divina; I am hoping he will be ok on Seaside.

If you watch the posts by „It’s our Fenwick life“ on YouTube, you‘ll see that they have gluten free menus in the dining rooms. She seems to really like the food, too. She also had no problem eating at Teppanyaki. My guess is that Butchers Cut would have a gluten free menu, too, since it’s a steak house.

[Micheb5]

Can maybe answer a few of the questions, as we just completed a 7day cruise - Western. There are many "sales" in different stores and scattered throughout cruise. Definitely saw watch sales and T-shirt sale, I think they were $10 per shirt, mostly labeled with the different isles visited. Two elegant nights, Sunday and Thursday. Italian was Tuesday night.

 

Sorry to interrupt the great pizza debate. LOL. I am most entertained. Thank you Plantlady for your answers, this is very helpful.

 

I fell like I have to get in on this Pizza debate: Pizza a the worlds perfect food, since there are so many types and varieties and toppings, I just think you can't go wrong with Pizza. I absolutely love love love the Pizza from Pizza Pirate on Carnival. It is in such high demand that it is always hot out of the oven. Since the one on the MSC ships sits in the buffet, I am wondering does it's taste and quality suffer from sitting under heat lamps? I would like to know the opinion on MSC pizza from someone who loves Carnival's pizza. If you have also had Sorrento's aboard a RCCL ship and thought it was "just okay", then I believe in your opinion about MSC pizza ! :D

[GOLDENBONNY]

I have to add some about Pizza LOL Do they have Pizza by meter like on Divina?

[suzyed]

OK, I'll weigh in on the pizza debate, as well. Two things: 1. I LOVE pizza, it's definitely one of my favorite foods, period. I'm kind of an "all of the above" type of guy. I like pretty much all kinds of pizza. The photos Jim Zim posted both look appetizing to me, and I suspect I would enjoy both. I've had Chicago style deep dish, New York thin crust, Italian style (both in Italy and in the US), as well as offerings from both local and national pizza chains. It's rare that I don't love pizza. But I also love differences. Why would I want or even expect to find on an Italian cruise ship the same pizza I have at a local joint near my home? 2. The photos aren't an "apples to apples" comparison. The one on the bottom isn't even a complete pie, so I think if we're going to be asked which of the two is the more appetizing, the photos should represent the pizza in the same state. Anyway, I know ultimately it's all in fun. I'm just really looking forward to having legit Italian pizza on the Seaside. You haven't lived until you've eaten pizza with guanciale, which is pork cheek. Had it in Rome and fell in love. *swoon* :D

I had pizza with cockles in Portugal....yummy!

[SnowManBob]

The pizza on top looks much better to me. Never been a fan of that thin crusty stuff.

[cruisin_bliss]

I too am going to interrupt Pizza-gate to say thanks for the very detailed review. DH and I will be boarding Saturday. Reviews for MSC from “American” (Divina as well as Seaside) do lean toward criticism of mostly service and food. But as Jim pointed out earlier with the tomato soup...what one person finds dodgy another finds delicious.

 

I feel like in order to be fair (although I have heavily invested significant time in reading reviews and videos) I will go onboard with a very open mind. Short of the cruise being cancelled...I believe we can roll with the punches pretty well.

 

Any day on the water far outweighs any day in the office...

[sbsco]

Now this is real pizza, Chicago style.

 

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While Chicago is well renown for its Deep Dish pizza, Chicago thin crust is every bit as unique.

 

You can not cut round pizza into square pieces, that is just wrong. Because the first bite is always the best. And one person gets all the first bites. The top one I would smash the heck out of it! :D:D

[hallsn3961]

I've been enjoying reading all the comments that people have been posting. However, there's one thing bothering me about the comments so far...

 

 

 

Isn't there anybody out there, anybody at all, that thinks this pizza...

looks hugely more tasty than this pizza?

Honestly, I'm a teacher and I can tell the top one has horrible quality cheese and pepperoni. I see stuff like this in our cafeteria. Not really sure what that orange stuff is on it. Cheddar? Nope, not for me. I am sure it is edible but the I'd go for the quality MSC. I'd just add my own peppers or arugala to the top of it. BTW, found your videos on YT last week. My husband and I love them =)

[BestNC Cruiser]

This is is great stuff. People debating the quality of pizza based on pictures. You can't make that up. People guessing the types of cheese, guessing how hot the oven was, guessing how long its been sitting under the heat lamp. Makes me laugh.

[fraffin]

This is is great stuff. People debating the quality of pizza based on pictures. You can't make that up. People guessing the types of cheese, guessing how hot the oven was, guessing how long its been sitting under the heat lamp. Makes me laugh.

 

We can go jump on a Carnival thread and debate the merits of Vinegar BBQ sauce vs Mustard BBQ sauce while discussing Guys BBQ if you like.

[BestNC Cruiser]

We can go jump on a Carnival thread and debate the merits of Vinegar BBQ sauce vs Mustard BBQ sauce while discussing Guys BBQ if you like.

 

 

 

Or we could get pics of pizza from all cruise lines and debate which pics look best. We could dedicate a thread. After that we could do omelets.

 

 

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[rocky55]

Thank you so much for your detailed review! I have a question. When you did your cabin crawl did the people in the YC seem to like the cruise or did they feel similar to you? Debating going in the YC?

 

 

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[js]

Thank you very much for taking the time to write your thoughts about your cruise as well as the videos. I always enjoy reading your reviews.

 

I am sailing in the YC in two weeks with my mom (I'm 50 and she is 72), while my family will be home (my dh is using me as a guinea pig to see if our family (kids 19 and 25) would enjoy MSC (although we are not loyal to any line, we do enjoy NCL (just did Escape Haven in July) and RCCL (booked Allure for August).

 

Anyway, we have almost $400 in OBC. Our excursions are booked and we plan to eat at one specialty (Butchers Cut), which I'm using my Black Card meal (we both are Platinum with NCL so status matched to Black). We don't gamble and I am guessing we will have a lot of OBC left if we don't use for the spa (although we have a weekly pass due to YC).

After reading your debacle getting off the ship, I am now going to make sure I cash out at the casino the last one-two nights any remaining OBC. I was going to take more than half out the first sea day but a common thread is long lines at GS and don't want to spend my time adding cash to my account if we end up using it. I appreciate your taking the time to go over that very last part of your cruise.

 

We do appreciate having drinks and a leisurely meal and most/all our meals will be in YC, but I have to say our way we like to cruise, lines up more with you/your wife but thinking (although I am from NY and CANNOT call your pizza "real" :') with what looks to be like Cheeze Wiz on top :rolleyes: ) our being in the YC will help and we both are spa people.

I don't see us in the theatre too often other than perhaps the comic (LOVE to see comedy on cruises but IMO, stand up is so much better than the improve....at least the ships I have been on..I found it awful on Escape in July).

 

Did you happen at all to get any copies of the gym classes/times/charges? I have been hoping to see a schedule since the ship began sailing (I'm in the gym 5-6 times a week) but not having any luck.

 

I am looking forward to the YC area. The amount of space looks so much bigger than the NCL "Away" class ships (Escape is my favorite by far, although cannot wait to sail the Bliss), hoping to relax with some great weather. My dh and I had a cold cruise one year in November on RCCL. We were in Cozumel with sweats and our jackets from home. Figured 60 was better than 20 LOL

 

Thank you again for taking the time to write such a well thought out review.

[BermudaBound2014]

Thank you so much for your detailed review! I have a question. When you did your cabin crawl did the people in the YC seem to like the cruise or did they feel similar to you? Debating going in the YC?

 

 

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I'm obviously not the OP, but I have sailed MSC in both Fantastica and Yacht Club so I think I can provide a reasonable comparison. I can say that some of MSC's shortcomings were rectified in YC (but not all). The issue with smelling smoke everywhere was much better in YC, although I had people smoking on the balcony next to me both times. The YC concierge means you won't have to wait in the exceptionally long Guest Service que, so that's another positive. I personally did not think YC food was significantly better and on Divina, I found the YC buffet quite yucky. The YC buffet photos on seaside look phenomenal though!!! Those photos alone make me consider booking :).

 

Another significant difference is more space. To me that is the number one benefit of YC. Never had to worry about chair hogs at the pool. It look like Seaside has better furniture for YC outside too which was lacking on Divina so that's another positive. Now, if we can get some reports of shade in YC pool we are all set :).

[duderino]

I was on the Seaside 1/20 and the pizza wasn't as good as I had expected.

 

But, they had focaccia next to it that was good, especially dipped in some salty soup.

[Captain-John]

Thank you very much for taking the time to write your thoughts about your cruise as well as the videos. I always enjoy reading your reviews.

 

I am sailing in the YC in two weeks with my mom (I'm 50 and she is 72), while my family will be home (my dh is using me as a guinea pig to see if our family (kids 19 and 25) would enjoy MSC (although we are not loyal to any line, we do enjoy NCL (just did Escape Haven in July) and RCCL (booked Allure for August).

 

Anyway, we have almost $400 in OBC. Our excursions are booked and we plan to eat at one specialty (Butchers Cut), which I'm using my Black Card meal (we both are Platinum with NCL so status matched to Black). We don't gamble and I am guessing we will have a lot of OBC left if we don't use for the spa (although we have a weekly pass due to YC).

After reading your debacle getting off the ship, I am now going to make sure I cash out at the casino the last one-two nights any remaining OBC. I was going to take more than half out the first sea day but a common thread is long lines at GS and don't want to spend my time adding cash to my account if we end up using it. I appreciate your taking the time to go over that very last part of your cruise.

 

We do appreciate having drinks and a leisurely meal and most/all our meals will be in YC, but I have to say our way we like to cruise, lines up more with you/your wife but thinking (although I am from NY and CANNOT call your pizza "real" :') with what looks to be like Cheeze Wiz on top :rolleyes: ) our being in the YC will help and we both are spa people.

I don't see us in the theatre too often other than perhaps the comic (LOVE to see comedy on cruises but IMO, stand up is so much better than the improve....at least the ships I have been on..I found it awful on Escape in July).

 

Did you happen at all to get any copies of the gym classes/times/charges? I have been hoping to see a schedule since the ship began sailing (I'm in the gym 5-6 times a week) but not having any luck.

 

I am looking forward to the YC area. The amount of space looks so much bigger than the NCL "Away" class ships (Escape is my favorite by far, although cannot wait to sail the Bliss), hoping to relax with some great weather. My dh and I had a cold cruise one year in November on RCCL. We were in Cozumel with sweats and our jackets from home. Figured 60 was better than 20 LOL

 

Thank you again for taking the time to write such a well thought out review.

 

Seems to me the compromise between NCL Haven and MSC YC is there is more 'public' space on the latter and more 'private' (i.e. cabin) space on the former.

 

Would regular cruisers of both agree with that assessment?

[pukekolive]

We have not travelled on MSC yet but are booked in August however we have been to Italy twice. At a restaurant in Venice I was disappointed to be served pizza in Venice that looked like Dominoes and asked the server about it. He said that as they are in the main tourist area of St Marco they make it this way to appeal to US tourists and gave me the address of an authentic pizzeria. In Hamilton New Zealand we used to have a local Italian personality who served pizza at his restaurant - nice medium crust from a wood burning oven and lots of herbs!

 

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[DCGuy64]

We have not travelled on MSC yet but are booked in August however we have been to Italy twice. At a restaurant in Venice I was disappointed to be served pizza in Venice that looked like Dominoes and asked the server about it. He said that as they are in the main tourist area of St Marco they make it this way to appeal to US tourists and gave me the address of an authentic pizzeria. In Hamilton New Zealand we used to have a local Italian personality who served pizza at his restaurant - nice medium crust from a wood burning oven and lots of herbs!

 

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Thank you for making the point I and others have: PLEASE let MSC continue to be distinct from the other lines and retain its Italian heritage. :)

[js]

I'm obviously not the OP, but I have sailed MSC in both Fantastica and Yacht Club so I think I can provide a reasonable comparison. I can say that some of MSC's shortcomings were rectified in YC (but not all). The issue with smelling smoke everywhere was much better in YC, although I had people smoking on the balcony next to me both times. The YC concierge means you won't have to wait in the exceptionally long Guest Service que, so that's another positive. I personally did not think YC food was significantly better and on Divina, I found the YC buffet quite yucky. The YC buffet photos on seaside look phenomenal though!!! Those photos alone make me consider booking :).

 

Another significant difference is more space. To me that is the number one benefit of YC. Never had to worry about chair hogs at the pool. It look like Seaside has better furniture for YC outside too which was lacking on Divina so that's another positive. Now, if we can get some reports of shade in YC pool we are all set :).

 

Thank you very much for this post.

Can I ask you does the concierge in YC accept cash. On DCL the concierge accepts cash so a trip to GS is not needed. On NCL, the concierge does not accept cash and if adding to account, a trip to GS needs to be taken care of yourself, not in Haven.

 

Thanks.