REFRESHING OBSERVATIONS FROM THE SEASHORE

[JAGR]

Nice that they are giving you two papers.  We had trouble just getting one delivered on some days.

[morpheusofthesea]

23 minutes ago, JAGR said:

Nice that they are giving you two papers.  We had trouble just getting one delivered on some days.

Funny you mention this. We each got a choice to fill out  what newspaper before we left home on some email. Also on same email came pillow selection, and what bottle of spirits to select. Our room came with the pillows as we selected, the spirits still have not arrived (only care because all the booze is for our TA back home while she is on-line dealing with MSC). So far we have been introduced to our room steward (he prefers the title assistant butler) yet when we sneak back to our cabin we have 3 stewards cleaning it every time. Will have to be more equitable come tip time.

[JAGR]

6 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Funny you mention this. We each got a choice to fill out  what newspaper before we left home on some email. Also on same email came pillow selection, and what bottle of spirits to select. Our room came with the pillows as we selected, the spirits still have not arrived (only care because all the booze is for our TA back home while she is on-line dealing with MSC). So far we have been introduced to our room steward (he prefers the title assistant butler) yet when we sneak back to our cabin we have 3 stewards cleaning it every time. Will have to be more equitable come tip time.

Thanks for that update, James!  Nice to see that MSC is trying to be more proactive on filling in requests before sailing!  That should really help clear up confusion and mistakes on the first day and night.  Hope they do that when we sail on Meraviglia. I think we got our liquor on Tuesday both weeks.

[morpheusofthesea]

Here is another observation gleaned from Equinox, Edge and Seashore these past months of the 'restart'. One ought always be gracious for the effort put worth by the staff even though they cannot fulfill many of our wishes. 

P.S. We have found that it is not a case for love nor money.

Edited May 16, 2022 by morpheusofthesea
P.S.

[morpheusofthesea]

"put worth" should read 'put forth'.  

 

Tonight we are docked in San Juan. The weather is beautiful with a full moon over the city. Out on deck we have a deck party buffet on the One Pool Deck with a duo that performs generally in other venues on the ship.Butlers are running all around taking drink orders and carrying dishes and bussing tables. We were escorted to a table and were approached several times by different butlers asking if they could get us anything. What we mean is that there is no lack of service in the Yacht Club. One can wait and wait and have to seek out service in venues outside the YC, but one will receive service within 10 seconds in the YC.

[frank808]

Keep her running smoothly, we will be on for 2 weeks on June 18th.

 

Last time we were sailing we had the legendary Arthur as our waiter. Any waiters outstanding we should ask for? How are the butlers? Seaside had a very nice crew of butlers.

 

Last 2 questions if you have time to answer. Drinks from venchi included with YC drink package? What about crepes and gelato outside of yacht club included or charged?  Thanks in advance and enjoy your cruise!

[morpheusofthesea]

8 hours ago, frank808 said:

Keep her running smoothly, we will be on for 2 weeks on June 18th.

 

Last time we were sailing we had the legendary Arthur as our waiter. Any waiters outstanding we should ask for? How are the butlers? Seaside had a very nice crew of butlers.

 

Last 2 questions if you have time to answer. Drinks from venchi included with YC drink package? What about crepes and gelato outside of yacht club included or charged?  Thanks in advance and enjoy your cruise!

#1- Likewise our cruises will overlap in June. One just cannot get enough of a 'good thing'. Look forward to your posts, like dueling pianos..

#2- Unfortunately very few waiters hanging on and renewing contracts. Just get a waiter with a 'gold' tie.

#3 No more freebies at Venchi. I can't even get my $10 for $50 spent applied when I have an email that says I should at the Venchi Bar. But do not let a few bucks stand in your way of enjoying the best life has to offer.

[Morgsmom]

20 hours ago, JAGR said:

Nice to see that MSC is trying to be more proactive on filling in requests before sailing!  That should really help clear up confusion and mistakes on the first day and night.  Hope they do that when we sail on Meraviglia.

Alas, in the YC on the MERA in March we received the email asking for our preferences.  This did NOT transfer onboard so we had to go through it again 🙂 Go figure, the IT dept didn't speak to the ship...

[morpheusofthesea]

Beautiful, breezy day today docked at some Caribbean port. Always scope out the offerings 3 to 4 times per day in the Top Sail Lounge to see if I am missing something. I missed the delicious cream filled berliners on the March sailing and, lo and behold, they are back. Now have a standing order with a white glazed donut with my breakfast every morning.

  Went up to the One Pool Deck to scope out which cabana would be the shadiest this morning and found they all were sunny. Approached a pool attendant to set up the most isolated in a corner and he suggested if he could towel the roof of the cabana for me. Fantastic idea ! He commandeered a cohort.(tipped each $10). Now he is going to 'set me up' every morning.

Edited May 17, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

Here's another example of the difference with service inside and that outside the Yacht Club. In our walk-about the inside of the ship after a fantastic lunch, swordfish loin, MSC sundae and chocolate tarte (which is really a rounded brownie with no nuts). DW poured a bowl of plain penne pasta over her bed of lettuce with dressing on the side. We encountered the balloon/gondola with a different scene but this time with no movement on the ceiling to floor screen behind it. It prompted us to go to the information/internet station near the photo stands. The young lady had no answer to when or how the scenes change. So we headed to guest services and a purser told me it was an illusion and that it is not really moving. I walked away and remembered I took that 54 second video that took a hour to upload on CC. I walked back to the same purser with my 'moving video'. Answer now that it is a continuous loop with no rhyme or reason to it. So if anyone knows how it operates, it is worthwhile to stand and watch the movement. There are 4 or 5 different scenes, maybe more ? Service reminded my DW of a phone call she made directly to MSC when the representative answered "What's your problem today ?".

[Oxo]

4 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Beautiful, breezy day today docked at some Caribbean port. Always scope out the offerings 3 to 4 times per day in the Top Sail Lounge to see if I am missing something. I missed the delicious cream filled berliners on the March sailing and, lo and behold, they are back. Now have a standing order with a white glazed donut with my breakfast every morning.

  Went up to the One Pool Deck to scope out which cabana would be the shadiest this morning and found they all were sunny. Approached a pool attendant to set up the most isolated in a corner and he suggested if he could towel the roof of the cabana for me. Fantastic idea ! He commandeered a cohort.(tipped each $10). Now he is going to 'set me up' every morning.

Apparently, from the above, there is little shaded areas on the One Pool Deck. What about Top Sail Lounge? We cannot be in the sun for any length due to Skin Cancer.

TIA

[morpheusofthesea]

20 minutes ago, Oxo said:

Apparently, from the above, there is little shaded areas on the One Pool Deck. What about Top Sail Lounge? We cannot be in the sun for any length due to Skin Cancer.

TIA

Perhaps this morning was an anomaly. We were docked with the forward section (YC) directly east so the sun hit both port and starboard cabanas. The deck lounges up by the pool hug the wall and were in the shade for several hours before the sun gets there too. DW felt it would be too much back and forth guest traffic with many coughers walking around with no masks. Outside the Top Sail Lounge has the same problem.

Edited May 17, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

Made a point of going to 'teatime' in the Top Sail Lounge. Not many guests. No special tea service or trolley, etc. Went up to the One Pool Deck and the 'spread' was better, bread pudding and fruit crumble and other finger food. Just wanted to check things out.

[morpheusofthesea]

This morning the entire ship was reportedly amassed on deck 4 for getting off in port. Our butler reported to us the scene, that there was no way "a dropped piece of paper could reach the floor". So much for social distancing, waiting for the ship to clear. It was nice having the entire ship to ourselves. Noticed also that the ship gets really cold when passengers leave for port calls. Prompted us to purchase MSC logo jackets in the logo store. Not a bad price compared to other cruise lines, buy 2 get 20% off 2/ $40  total.

[morpheusofthesea]

Entertainment shows are in 'flux' at the moment. Instead of a 'production' in the 1000 seat Madison Theatre this evening we had a magician. Where the distance from the stage to the reserved  YC seats helps not "spoil the illusion", this was one time we wished to have had opera glasses or a front row seat. Couldn't see a thing. So we left early to catch the Cabaret Rouge "Picasso" production. Something was amiss the moment we sat down. The stage was cluttered with the bands instruments, with Picasso motif still being advertised on the stage. The band played 5 pieces and that was the show.No singing nor dancing tonight. Bumped into the beautifully costumed dancers at the entrance and asked if they would be preforming later this evening. No. It appears that new replacements are coming this week and they have to "break them in" which will take a couple of weeks.Went to the Uptown Lounge to listen to Los Blondies and their female vocalist was "resting her voice" this evening. They finished their set before 'Name that Tune', popular with guests. So we went to catch a quartet in the Brooklyn Cafe. The quartet includes a very good male vocalist (a cross between Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble). Always something interesting going on, onboard MSC Seashore.

[morpheusofthesea]

Have been studying these past couple of years cruise lines and reviews of the the 'ship within a ship' concept. Started with RCCL Allure and Oasis Coastal Kitchen, gravitated to NCL Breakaway The Haven, followed by Celebrity's Equinox and Edge Retreats and landed 'feet first' on MSC's Divina, Seaside and now Seashore Yacht Club. Though all have their attributes we find MSC's YC caters more to its clientele though Celebrity's Retreat is a close second. The reason is due to the attitude of the department heads that cater to the leisure class. To these rare few on MSC ships it is not just a job, but a career. We are impressed with their ability to 'run a tight ship'. For example, we noticed (over the course of several cruises) the rather relaxed attitude of staff when YC director Mr. Robert B is absent or on vacation. Under his tutelage, former Head butler Kunal was candid when he bluntly asked us how we were being looked after by our assigned butler. Our answer was "Fine", Kunal's reply to us "Don't lie to me ! " ( we guess he knows his staff better than they know themselves). We see this same astuteness in our new Head Butler Eliza. These are 'seasoned' professionals, looking for excellence and demanding excellence of their staff. Highest of those deserving of praise is Executive Chef of the Yacht Club, Ms. Lisa. We dine, exclusively, every meal in the YC restaurant. We find no need to dine anywhere else. The cuisine is varied, always cooked as requested and fast (so we can get to the early show). No one ought ask for anything more.

  Do not know how MSC can improve on its Yacht Club.

[mnpurple]

Your review is making me look forward to our cruise that leave on Monday. We have been in NCL Haven twice now and did appreciate some of the things that the Butler would do, but in March I think he was over-worked with too many cabins and didn't seemed thrilled about much and we didn't see him a lot. Don't get me wrong, treats were delivered to our room and a few things we asked for were done.  I just don't want to feel guilty about asking for something. I'm anxious to see the difference in experiences. The Haven lounge and restaurant were also quite busy, so just the lounge in YC will be nice with expansive windows, snacks, entertainment, etc.

 

I have no clue what kind of shows to expect, but we haven't gone to many in the past.

 

Thanks for your updates!

[JAGR]

42 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Have been studying these past couple of years cruise lines and reviews of the the 'ship within a ship' concept. Started with RCCL Allure and Oasis Coastal Kitchen, gravitated to NCL Breakaway The Haven, followed by Celebrity's Equinox and Edge Retreats and landed 'feet first' on MSC's Divina, Seaside and now Seashore Yacht Club. Though all have their attributes we find MSC's YC caters more to its clientele though Celebrity's Retreat is a close second. The reason is due to the attitude of the department heads that cater to the leisure class. To these rare few on MSC ships it is not just a job, but a career. We are impressed with their ability to 'run a tight ship'. For example, we noticed (over the course of several cruises) the rather relaxed attitude of staff when YC director Mr. Robert B is absent or on vacation. Under his tutelage, former Head butler Kunal was candid when he bluntly asked us how we were being looked after by our assigned butler. Our answer was "Fine", Kunal's reply to us "Don't lie to me ! " ( we guess he knows his staff better than they know themselves). We see this same astuteness in our new Head Butler Eliza. These are 'seasoned' professionals, looking for excellence and demanding excellence of their staff. Highest of those deserving of praise is Executive Chef of the Yacht Club, Ms. Lisa. We dine, exclusively, every meal in the YC restaurant. We find no need to dine anywhere else. The cuisine is varied, always cooked as requested and fast (so we can get to the early show). No one ought ask for anything more.

  Do not know how MSC can improve on its Yacht Club.

Robert Balla does run a tight ship.  We were on his last week before vacation, and it was a different (not bad) vibe with Robbie subbing for him.  I assumed Balla was back by now since Robbie has gone to Virtuosa.

[morpheusofthesea]

48 minutes ago, mnpurple said:

I just don't want to feel guilty about asking for something.

Heck, we are paying a premium... The the only thing I feel guilty about is paying a premium and not getting what I want.

P.S. If I know they have it to give.

Edited May 18, 2022 by morpheusofthesea
P.S.

[morpheusofthesea]

18 minutes ago, JAGR said:

, and it was a different (not bad) vibe with Robbie subbing for him.

"When the cat's away".....

[morpheusofthesea]

Well I guess i will not be getting my $10 for every $50 spent in the Venchi Chocolate Bar as advertised in the terms and conditions of the Voyagers Club. MSC should update to exclude it as it is embarrassing having to ask for it . 

 Today at lunch we were introduced to our new maitre d',  Ercan from Turkey. Appears some of the staff in the YC restaurant are already familiar with this gentleman having worked for him on the Seaview ? A couple of big events are coming up in the YC, the seafood extravaganza at the One Pool Deck and Ocean House lunch at Ocean Cay, both highlights of any MSC cruise, servicing 200 of us prima donnas is no easy task.

[Zignewt]

22 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

So we went to catch a quartet in the Brooklyn Cafe. The quartet includes a very good male vocalist (a cross between Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble).

We also thought he was very good - unfortunately we were the only ones there to hear him when we were there last week.  It was a shame so many people missed out on hearing him.  

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, Zignewt said:

We also thought he was very good - unfortunately we were the only ones there to hear him when we were there last week.  It was a shame so many people missed out on hearing him.  

Their loss. Besides we appreciate a less crowded venue and ship. I believe all our good reporting is only going to hurt us down the road.  'Shooting ourselves in the foot' ? Maybe we should be more critical and keep scaring more people away from our favorites ?

[morpheusofthesea]

Tonight we left the 7 pm show before the great finale of "Coast to Coast" in the Madison Theatre to get good seats in the Cabaret Rouge for a guest act called "Heartbreaker". This guest actor will probably be taking the the place of a couple of the regular shows performed in the cabaret. She told the audience she will have a different show on Friday. Well, if you like Janis Joplin type music, turned up to the maximum setting you will not be disappointed. We left the Cabaret Rouge to get back our seats for the second show of "Coast to Coast" and the finale did not disappoint.

[morpheusofthesea]

It just occurred to us that we are all having a great time on board the Seashore, the passengers and the staff (at least the staff we come in contact with in the Yacht Club). This is due in large part to not having any public service announcements about covid or if there are any cases at all on board. We, the guests, are oblivious intent on having a great time. While on Celebrity we had the captain on the Equinox and the Edge giving daily counts and up dates via the ship public address system. Every time the 'ding dong' of a PA address was heard a collective groan was heard throughout the ships on Celebrity. Thankfully MSC is keeping us in the blissful dark.