MY First MSC Experience aboard the Seashore

[BobaLouFTL]

We were aboard the Seashore for the May 28th sailing. The seahore is a large ship, roughly the same size as the RCL Oasis class ships. With a stated capacity of 5,800+, there were less than 2,000 passengers on our sailing. Obviously, we never felt crowded or had difficulty getting into venues or events. It is a beautiful ship, and the designers have succeeded in providing something for everyone.

 

The forward-facing crew was exceptionally friendly and accommodating. But it did seem that many of them were new to the vessel and had difficulty answering basic questions or understanding basic requests. We witnessed a lot of dining room staff “shadowing” other employees. Unfortunately, the food in the main dining room was a huge disappointment. Selections were very limited and, on two occasions I ordered fish that was uneatable. The first entrée (grouper) was overcooked to the point of being bone dry and the second entrée (swordfish on another night) was undercooked to the point I questioned the safety of eating it.

 

Having been on more than two dozen sailings on four different lines, this is the first time I can say that the buffet food exceeded both the selection and quality of the food offered in the main dining room. In sharing my thoughts with one of the dining room managers, he admitted to me that “the biggest complaint that they (the ship staff) receive is about the food. So, they are obviously aware that an issue exists; hopefully they will find a way to address it.

 

We did eat at three of the specialty restaurants (Ocean Cay, Butchers Cut, and Hola!) Unfortunately, the package that we purchased (the Trio) provided significantly limited options in Butchers Cut and Ocean Cay. But each of them provided great food and excellent service for the options available to us without paying an “add on” charge

.

Bottom line, despite the beautiful ship and the friendly staff, I won’t be rushing back to an MSC ship anytime soon. While the ship and staff are an important part of the overall cruise experience, the food is a major component as well and this part of the experience was unacceptable.

[Essiesmom]

Roughly the same size as Oasis class???

Seashore:  169400 tons, 2270 cabins, 4500 double occupancy

Oasis:  225000 tons, 2800 cabins, 5600 double occ.  

EM

[uCruiser]

28 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Roughly the same size as Oasis class???

Seashore:  169400 tons, 2270 cabins, 4500 double occupancy

Oasis:  225000 tons, 2800 cabins, 5600 double occ.  

EM

yeah, that's roughly

[deliver42]

After 3 cruises on MSC, the YC is the way to go, or don't go. I wonder  whose Oasis Class the OP is thinking of. Definitely not Royal's, though I don't know of any other. How roughly can you get?

[chicail16]

Thanks for the review. Good to know that you enjoyed the buffet food!

[Nunagoras]

9 hours ago, BobaLouFTL said:

We were aboard the Seashore for the May 28th sailing. The seahore is a large ship, roughly the same size as the RCL Oasis class ships. With a stated capacity of 5,800+, there were less than 2,000 passengers on our sailing. Obviously, we never felt crowded or had difficulty getting into venues or events. It is a beautiful ship, and the designers have succeeded in providing something for everyone.

 

The forward-facing crew was exceptionally friendly and accommodating. But it did seem that many of them were new to the vessel and had difficulty answering basic questions or understanding basic requests. We witnessed a lot of dining room staff “shadowing” other employees. Unfortunately, the food in the main dining room was a huge disappointment. Selections were very limited and, on two occasions I ordered fish that was uneatable. The first entrée (grouper) was overcooked to the point of being bone dry and the second entrée (swordfish on another night) was undercooked to the point I questioned the safety of eating it.

 

Having been on more than two dozen sailings on four different lines, this is the first time I can say that the buffet food exceeded both the selection and quality of the food offered in the main dining room. In sharing my thoughts with one of the dining room managers, he admitted to me that “the biggest complaint that they (the ship staff) receive is about the food. So, they are obviously aware that an issue exists; hopefully they will find a way to address it.

 

We did eat at three of the specialty restaurants (Ocean Cay, Butchers Cut, and Hola!) Unfortunately, the package that we purchased (the Trio) provided significantly limited options in Butchers Cut and Ocean Cay. But each of them provided great food and excellent service for the options available to us without paying an “add on” charge

.

Bottom line, despite the beautiful ship and the friendly staff, I won’t be rushing back to an MSC ship anytime soon. While the ship and staff are an important part of the overall cruise experience, the food is a major component as well and this part of the experience was unacceptable.

Many thanks to the comprehensive review! But the seashore roughly the same size of an Oasis class??? In what world do you live, sir?... MSC will have a roughly the same size of an Oasis class ship, but that is the MSC World Europa and it is being built in France right now, due to enter service by the end of the year!...

[BobaLouFTL]

From the MSC website:

 

Seashore has a capacity of 5632 guests. It's a shame that was all you could find to comment on.

[deliver42]

The Seashore is roughly the size of Royal's Quantum class, not the Oasis.

[shipgeeks]

On 6/11/2022 at 12:01 PM, deliver42 said:

After 3 cruises on MSC, the YC is the way to go, or don't go. 

Or go.  We sailed twice in Bella (the lowest category), and loved it.  No complaints.  And we are used to small ships.

[Georgia_Peaches]

We are looking at booking a Seashore cruise for October.  As this will be our first cruise on MSC and since the 2020 cruising shut down, I am wondering about the masking policy.  We've waited for extra long to jump back in hoping that in doing so, it will feel as close to pre-covid cruising as possible.  MSC website says masking is optional on the ship unless in a port of call that requires it.  We can accept this but many of the videos I've watched lately show everyone in a mask...albeit they were from several months ago.  Insights and experiences on this is appreciated.  Thanks, OP for the review.

[deliver42]

We were on the Seashore in May and maybe 10% of the passengers were masked.

[morpheusofthesea]

On 6/11/2022 at 8:28 AM, BobaLouFTL said:

In sharing my thoughts with one of the dining room managers, he admitted to me that “the biggest complaint that they (the ship staff) receive is about the food.

Food is a personal, deep-seated idiosyncrasy peculiar to each individual. Would it be farfetched to imagine that the same chef is rotating from one kitchen to another, in a confined space as a cruise ship, in response to more anticipated bookings in one venue from another; cooking on similar hardware the same seafood, chicken, meats only presented differently? Perception is reality. The buffet appears to be a free for all, but take the same entrees and put them on a dressed plate with colorful garnish, served in moments by an attentive waiter grinding pepper, grading cheese, and topping up your glass of wine….viola … an upcharge!

[morpheusofthesea]

On 6/11/2022 at 8:28 AM, BobaLouFTL said:

 

Having been on more than two dozen sailings on four different lines,

Most of us can say the same thing. My 'beef' with the buffets have never been the food, just the self-service. Stopped going to self-service buffets having witnessed the antics of fellow passengers. Did not appreciate the guy in front of me picking out all the shrimp from the pot. Had it been served we all would have gotten a 'fair share'.

[morpheusofthesea]

7 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

.  Insights and experiences on this is appreciated

Been on several Seashore cruises, Feb, March, May, June 2022. Love coming home again in the YC. We wore masks every time in the Madison Theatre in the YC section. Sometimes in the Cabaret Rouge if crowded. As the months progressed less and less guests wore masks. We were strictly in the minority. Staff are tested weekly and removed from the ship to Miami until tested negative. All B2Bs were tested onboard for the second week. Perhaps by October there will no longer be any testing, before or during any cruise? There will always be those of us who will continue to mask up in the venues with no social distancing, for a long time to come.

 

 

Edited July 3, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[Georgia_Peaches]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

There will always be those of us who will continue to mask up in the venues with no social distancing, for a long time to come.

 

Yeah, I get that completely.  We will likely avoid confined spaces altogether but the Seashore looks to be quite large and pretty wide open from the pictures.  Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[morpheusofthesea]

3 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

We will likely avoid confined spaces altogether

Sort of impossible with the elevators. Still unbelievable that the posted maximum is 21 persons. One might want to wear a mask for the short ride. If one is young enough, take the stairs. One will find this hard to avoid at 4 pm embarkation day for muster station card scan YC either deck 7 in the casino or Madison Theatre and getting back to the YC deck 16,18, 0r 19.

[Georgia_Peaches]

10 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Sort of impossible with the elevators. Still unbelievable that the posted maximum is 21 persons. One might want to wear a mask for the short ride. If one is young enough, take the stairs. One will find this hard to avoid at 4 pm embarkation day for muster station card scan YC either deck 7 in the casino or Madison Theatre and getting back to the YC deck 16,18, 0r 19.

YIKES!  Good to know.  Thank you.  I guess I just assumed that with Muster on video in the cabin, card scanning might be more staggered.  I suppose this is due to muster completion requirement before sail away...something to think about.  I've booked a cabin on deck 16.  Though prone to taking the stairs as much as possible, elevator rides are unavoidable.  21 person capacity?!  

[shipgeeks]

Can the muster drill requirement not be done shortly after boarding, to avoid any crowding?  Must it be done only at a certain time and place?  Our experience, elsewhere, has been to just do it right away, and it's done.

[morpheusofthesea]

5 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

Can the muster drill requirement not be done shortly after boarding, to avoid any crowding?  Must it be done only at a certain time and place?  Our experience, elsewhere, has been to just do it right away, and it's done.

My guess...that the scanner personnel are not available until 4pm doing other duties during embarkation day.  Video is playing all the time, but only at 4pm are the code # and request to have key card scanned at muster station advertised. Scanner personnel wear a pink ball cap. Pre covid one could even do muster drill the following day. B2Bs do not need to do it a second time (at least not in YC).