MSC Seaside - Activities Director - PLEASE READ!

[#1TravelMom]

I feel as if I've become a huge advocate for MSC.  We were on the Thanksgiving sailing and LOVED the cruise.   I'm encouraging our entire "Cruising Family"(100+ families) to try Seaside this summer and next summer.  PROBLEM:  With many teens and active adults - MSC is seriously lacking on sea days.  The other cruise lines will have dodgeball and a few hours later, pool volleyball, a few hours later soccer or basketball.  Many in our group will join all of these activities and enjoy getting together every cruise for these "competitions".  MSC - PLEASE add these activities - at least on summer sailings.  My group will not consider a cruise that has no active options like these on sea days.  We have been on more than 60 cruises.  On all other ships, these activities are all well attended, so I'm sure MSC would be the same.   Many in our group would also like more trivia.  We really liked almost everything about our first cruise on the Seaside, but felt there were not enough activities on sea days.  Please, please, please consider adding additional options.  

[Nymich]

2 hours ago, #1TravelMom said:

I feel as if I've become a huge advocate for MSC.  We were on the Thanksgiving sailing and LOVED the cruise.   I'm encouraging our entire "Cruising Family"(100+ families) to try Seaside this summer and next summer.  PROBLEM:  With many teens and active adults - MSC is seriously lacking on sea days.  The other cruise lines will have dodgeball and a few hours later, pool volleyball, a few hours later soccer or basketball.  Many in our group will join all of these activities and enjoy getting together every cruise for these "competitions".  MSC - PLEASE add these activities - at least on summer sailings.  My group will not consider a cruise that has no active options like these on sea days.  We have been on more than 60 cruises.  On all other ships, these activities are all well attended, so I'm sure MSC would be the same.   Many in our group would also like more trivia.  We really liked almost everything about our first cruise on the Seaside, but felt there were not enough activities on sea days.  Please, please, please consider adding additional options.  

You should try Disney it is good for kids

[Satelliteforall]

What will happen to those wanting a more quiet  and relaxed space, the pool available all time and not blocked for certain events all over the day and therefor booked MSC? Shall they now go to another cruise line and request to have all the animation stopped?

[Hobby3333]

My wife and I sailed Seaside last July and will sail again this July with our two kids ages 17 and 20.   Kids will have  their own YC inside and we will be across the hall in a balcony.   One of the things(among many) that we really enjoyed about Seaside is that is is not like Carnival, RCCL and the other American Lines.  I don’t want a CD yelling all the time and some of the other activities.  Don’t change MSC.  

[DMH15]

2 hours ago, Hobby3333 said:

My wife and I sailed Seaside last July and will sail again this July with our two kids ages 17 and 20.   Kids will have  their own YC inside and we will be across the hall in a balcony.   One of the things(among many) that we really enjoyed about Seaside is that is is not like Carnival, RCCL and the other American Lines.  I don’t want a CD yelling all the time and some of the other activities.  Don’t change MSC.  

I agree 100%.  I am scheduled May 2019 in YC on Seaside.  The dailies show 2 trivia a day.  That is enough for me.   I find MSC appealing for the same reasons you do. 

[deliver42]

I think the OP should stick to Carnival. Even Royal might seem a little tame for him.

[Preziosa]

Don t change MSC. There is a lot of Fun to do. Just Read the Daily Program.

[Essiesmom]

We cruise different cruise lines because they are not all the same.  Don't change.  EM

 

I haven't seen those activities on Carnival, although I think there is an officer vs. guest pool volleyball game on Celebrity.  Not dodgeball or soccer, although there is usually a basketball court.  

Edited January 20, 2019 by Essiesmom

[Linda the Book Lover]

Please do not change MSC. My DGD was happy on NCL and she could decide if and when she wanted to go to the kids club. There are enough cruise lines that cater to children of all ages and offer plenty of activities. 

[CruisingFox27]

13 hours ago, Satelliteforall said:

What will happen to those wanting a more quiet  and relaxed space, the pool available all time and not blocked for certain events all over the day and therefor booked MSC? Shall they now go to another cruise line and request to have all the animation stopped?

 

Absolutely, one of the things we love is the space to relax and enjoy our downtime, we certainly wouldn't appreciate MSC turning into Carnival. The daily planner is full of activities if you want to join in with them and lots of areas to relax in the quiet if you don't. 

 

DH and I have been watching the UK programme The Cruise, set on a Princess cruise. We very quickly agreed that wouldn't be for us and are so grateful we cruise with MSC. Please don't change this MSC, we don't all want activities and animation teams entertaining us, that's why we chose to all with you. 

[mexico8]

And the survey said ......................  Don't change.

[#1TravelMom]

Wow - I didn't expect so many objections.  All of the activities except for 1 hour of pool volleyball on 2 sea days would not even be noticed by the average passenger.  Volleyball and dodgeball are held in the basketball court far from the serenity of the pool.  As far as extra trivia contests - if there are too many scheduled, simply do not attend.  I was just trying to make suggestions to make the range and number of activities more appealing to everyone.  I can't imagine that adding any of these activities(other than pool volleyball) would even be noticed.  

 

We have been on 60+ cruises and really enjoyed MSC Seaside, but we felt there needed to be more to do.  Many on the sailing expressed the same opinion.  

[Hobby3333]

Again, what makes MSC attractive is the fact that they are not CARNIVAL or the other Americanize lines.  We love the vibe of MSC and that is what makes it special from the others.  

[ready2cruzagain]

8 hours ago, Hobby3333 said:

Again, what makes MSC attractive is the fact that they are not CARNIVAL or the other Americanize lines.  We love the vibe of MSC and that is what makes it special from the others.  

 

I agree!  Been on some cruise lines where the customer is the entertainment, such as trivia, love and marriage game, hasbro, Quest, etc.  I do not go on a cruise line to be the entertainment, I like to watch the entertainment. Some cruise lines have gotten out of control and that is all there is.

 

I was on the Divina and their entertainment was awesome. Please MSC, do not change!!!

[hummer88]

Travel Mom, 

 

I would not have expected so many to object to your recommendations either.  I do love MSC because it is different than the others.  

 

I'm glad there isn't a drinking competition or bikini competition at the pool (maybe there is, but I didn't see it).  

 

I do agree with the majority of posters that MSC should not change into one of the domestic lines.

 

I ALSO agree with you.  Many of the activities that could be added would not affect the 95% of the cruisers who are not participating.  Having a dodgeball or volleyball game up on the screened in court on deck 18 would not affect ANYONE else.  

 

Adding a trivia in the sports bar during the day when it is empty would not affect anyone else except the

 

What happens in the kids club has no bearing on most other travellers.  The kids club on NCL Escape blew MSC seaside out of the water.  It doesn't mean I want to cruise on the Escape again, but merely pointing out an area where they could improve.  

 

I don't believe the lack of planned activities is something they do intentionally, but something that has been lower on their priority list. 

 

Don't change, but adding a few discrete activities for the ones who want it would get a thumbs up from me.

[Beamafar]

The problem with MSC is that they have their feet in 2 camps - European and US passengers, with very different views of what they want from a cruise.  This is always going to create difficulties as MSC doesn't seem to have made up its mind what to offer - especially for US-based ships.  I've now experienced an MSC US-based ship and seen for myself the difference between it and Med-based cruises.

[Captain-John]

On 1/20/2019 at 11:37 PM, CruisingFox27 said:

 

 

DH and I have been watching the UK programme The Cruise, set on a Princess cruise. We very quickly agreed that wouldn't be for us and are so grateful we cruise with MSC. Please don't change this MSC, we don't all want activities and animation teams entertaining us, that's why we chose to all with you. 

 

That programme is a terrible advert for Princess yet I'd think it's intended to be the opposite. Not a patch on Jane McDonald's series or indeed other programmes made about cruise ships.

 

Must admit I'd think more carefully before choosing Princess.

 

Been on 1 Carnival cruise about 10 years ago and that was enough - never again! I do like the MSC style of service as it stands - not 'in your face' but not unpleasant either.

[Beamafar]

6 minutes ago, Captain-John said:

 

That programme is a terrible advert for Princess yet I'd think it's intended to be the opposite. Not a patch on Jane McDonald's series or indeed other programmes made about cruise ships.

 

Must admit I'd think more carefully before choosing Princess.

 

Been on 1 Carnival cruise about 10 years ago and that was enough - never again! I do like the MSC style of service as it stands - not 'in your face' but not unpleasant either.

 

My first cruise was on Carnival ... I thought I'd never cruise again!  I've now done 23 cruises, with only 1 on Celebrity ... the rest being on MSC!

 

Bytheway ,,, I don't care for Jane McDonald's series - too much about her and the fun she has in the ports and not enough about the ships.

Edited February 3, 2019 by Beamafar

[Captain-John]

5 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

 

My first cruise was on Carnival ... I thought I'd never cruise again!  I've now done 23 cruises, with only 1 on Celebrity ... the rest being on MSC!

 

Bytheway ,,, I don't care for Jane McDonald's series - too much about her.

 

Jane was an adjustment for me at first - but I've grown to like her style.

We did Carnival as it was the most convenient at the time - we were on a land holiday in Barbados and wanted to follow it up with a cruise. Most of them were leaving from Miami so options were limited. It was the Carnival Destiny (now Sunshine). The hideous pink bathroom suite is still burned into my mind....

 

Speaking of first cruises - ours was on the converted ferry 'Island Escape' - now that should have put anyone off cruising! Although we followed it up with the (then) new Norwegian Jewel and we've been converts ever since.

 

You may have seen another post I made  - strongly considering Celebrity for a 10 or 11 night Caribbean next year. The pricing is really favourable at the moment and includes a drinks package. MSC are wanting around £1K for a week (Aurea) and X is coming in at about £1200 for a balcony for the 10 nights. YC is £1900 for the week! NCL are about £1500 for a week which is just ridiculous.

Edited February 3, 2019 by Captain-John

[Beamafar]

That price for Celebrity sounds like amazing value - especially with the drinks package included.  What ship is it?  (Sorry ... I missed the post you're referring to).  ETA ... just found it - I even "liked" it LOL!  🙄  It's out of Miami in April ... but still would like to know which ship.

 

I've often thought that we'd give X another go (though I would have to work hard to convince DH to consider it) - but definitely NOT in a suite ... the snobbery was unbelievable, unlike anything you'd experience in YC.  We ended up dining in the MDR despite the fact that Luminae had been introduced for suite guests;  service was poor and atmosphere left a lot to be desired.  Again, I'd never experienced that in the YC restaurants.

 

Mind you, YC prices are getting beyond our comfort zone so we may only be booking it in the future if I manage to achieve the casino discount voucher (or if MSC ever introduce a higher tier in VC and give a nice discount as a benefit like the heretofore 20% that Black used to get LOL.  I reckon I should have enough points to qualify in the event of a new tier appearing).

Edited February 3, 2019 by Beamafar

[sidari]

9 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

That price for Celebrity sounds like amazing value - especially with the drinks package included.  What ship is it?  (Sorry ... I missed the post you're referring to).

 

I've often thought that we'd give X another go (though I would have to work hard to convince DH to consider it) - but definitely NOT in a suite ... the snobbery was unbelievable, unlike anything you'd experience in YC.  We ended up dining in the MDR despite the fact that Luminae had been introduced for suite guests;  service was poor and atmosphere left a lot to be desired.  Again, I'd never experienced that in the YC restaurants.

 

Mind you, YC prices are getting beyond our comfort zone so we may only be booking it in the future if I manage to achieve the casino discount voucher (or if MSC ever introduce a higher tier in VC and give a nice discount as a benefit like the heretofore 20% that Black used to get LOL.  I reckon I should have enough points to qualify in the event of a new tier appearing).

Bea ... I would not hold my breath on the VC levels changing anytime soon!

[Captain-John]

Yes I thought so too Bea - non-refundable deposit though and too far in advance to book flights or accommodation - but still, a good deal for what I've always thought of as an 'upper mid-range' cruise line. It's between Equinox and Reflection - not quite decided - but roughly similar dates, itinerary and prices between the two. Southern Caribbean itineraries.

 

I had thought about upgrading to the Aqua rooms (I know they're not suite class) for the 'Blu' restaurant and spa access - but the Persian Gardens doesn't look too amazing and if there is the snob factor when it comes to non-standard restaurants not sure I'll bother.

 

Keep dreaming about the discount coming back Bea! The master plan is in full swing now and it will just be a case of raising prices to the maximum the market will withstand - but that's with every cruise line. I keep saying that if there is an economic 'shock' the whole industry will be serious overcapacity and that would drive prices back down again.

Edited February 3, 2019 by Captain-John

[Beamafar]

1 minute ago, sidari said:

Bea ... I would not hold my breath on the VC levels changing anytime soon!

 

I've all but given up, Dave!

 

I spoke with a lovely Cruise Consultant at the Black Card event on Armonia (was well worth attending as there were very few in attendance and the Director of Hotel Services sat with us, just like he'd done at the M&M a few days before AND at the Black Card event on the Durban-Durban sailing on Sinfonia - the dishiest officer at sea - ever!) Anyway ... got the same spiel about there being talk of a higher level being introduced at the end of this year that will not be included in the status-match programme.

[Beamafar]

Cap'n ... we tried Blu once (we could dine there, being Suite guests).  It didn't appeal, either.  We did enjoy the MDR ... we could eat anytime and get a table for two - plus the food was very good.

 

I'm going to have a look at the X prices in Euros ... at least with Celebrity they give all markets the same offers and cabin availability unlike MSC (which drives me nuts that I can only choose from the stock that MSC has released to us).  I've been threatening for a long time, now, to move from MSC.  Then we do a cruise where we're treated like VIPs in recognition of our cruising history (as we were last week on Armonia) and it keeps us hooked.

Edited February 3, 2019 by Beamafar

[Captain-John]

26 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

 Then we do a cruise where we're treated like VIPs in recognition of our cruising history (as we were last week on Armonia) and it keeps us hooked.

 

Looking forward to the full report. 😄