Seashore Dec 3rd, 4 night, YC Review (onboard)

[Morgsmom]

Good morning from the Bahamas - going to be a lovely day.  Unfortunately, this sailing has not been so lovely, or up to expectations.  I can't get my photos to come over as internet has been a bit spotty, so I'll paint a picture.  I'll start with the fact that we boarded on Sunday and it's Tuesday morning and I still *have not met my butler.* 

 

Embarkation: a hot mess!  This size of ship is too large for Terminal 10 and it's parking facilities, especially with half of the parking lot being ripped up.  Cars were in line for hours waiting to park and tempers were high (in the online chat group).  I arrived at 11:00am after having a tire blow out on the way (thank you Florida Highway Patrol!) and the YC waiting area was already packed. Check in was easy but we didn't board until shortly after 12'ish so it got a bit cramped. (The YC waiting area has not expanded even though the size of the YC in the Seashore holds considerably more guests - something MSC should account for).  Fortunately I wisely grabbed a can of Pringles because there was none in my cabin 😞

 

So we are herded off to Top Sail.  First observation - there is literally no fruit for garnishes. Margaritas without limes; Hugo Spritz without mint, etc.  Ok, they are getting started I say (but surely there was some from, um, yesterday.  They couldn't have worked it down to the last lemon...?)  Anyhow, brush that off and make my way up to the pool deck for lunch.  Here we find two bowls of the palest Iceburg lettuce you have ever seen marked "mixed greens" or something like that.  Ok, again, first world issues.  To note, I'm in the restaurant industry and DH is an exec chef so we really "notice" food. (Which is a kind way of saying that we are picky).

 

Get to cabin - port side, balcony.  I prefer starboard but didn't want to tempt the MSC IT gods and call and try to have it moved less they say "oh, that'll be treated like a new booking so you owe us another million billion dollars"...  Cabin is nice enough, but no snacks (boo), no butler to ask about any preferences, no pen to leave a note (YC guests are now provided with a fancy #2 lead pencil).  No welcome (Diamond) Prosecco (was told that's been done away with), no fruit, no nothing.  

 

Using said pencil I left a note for mystery butler asking for Tissues/Kleenex as there was none in bathroom nor a slot in the bathroom design where they normally insert them.  Was provided with - drumroll please - a fresh roll of wrapped toilet paper by my bed, which had been opened and the first sheets pulled up to create short of paper candle effect.  I KID YOU NOT.  (Darn, I wish these pictures would come over!!!!)  I nearly peed my middle aged pants laughing, which would have been given the extra toilet paper 🙂

 

Anyhooo, so I also sent two pairs of trousers for pressing on day 1.. unfortunately they not back until late last night well after dinner on day 2 so I had to juggle my dinner wardrobe plans.  (Warning to anyone who thinks they might get their pressing back)

On cocktails- there are these lovely menus here and there, at Ocean House and in Topsail.  Unfortunately they are consistently lacking most of the ingredients and/or the recipes....lol... the Mule LePoire was made with regular grey goose (not the pear one) and without limes so they added a splash of sour mix 😞  The fancy Gin & Tonic drinks listed on the Topsail menu. For example, the Elderflower which is supposed to have Fever-Tree tonic, dehydrated orange peel, cinnamon stick and clove was made with the correct spirit, but regular tonic, and absolutely none of the other things...Some high fallutin' mixologist created these drinks that absolutely cannot be managed amongst a fleet of ships that can hardly keep up with all of the drinks they are making. Don't offer something if you can't make it.

 

So much more to comment on but if this were my first YC I'd run for the hills and never return.  I do have 2 more booked on this size ship (another Seashore, and then Euribia) but I personally prefer the Meraviglia size ships.  The YC here is just too big and you roll the dice on getting what is listed as being available to you.

 

Your mileage, of course, may vary.  

 

 

 

[Best Cat Mom]

Wow -- just wow. If we had the types of issues you mention and it was our first YC, we'd also be running away from MSC. Glad that you have history to know what is possible vs. what you're getting. I hope some of it works out before your cruise is over.

 

We did a B2B recently that was a 7-night plus a 4-night out of Canaveral on Seaside. There was one other YC cabin that did the B2B. We felt a distinctly different vibe coming from many of the people who were only on the 4-night. It made me wonder if the crew doesn't invest as much time and attention when the itinerary is shorter. Or maybe the party atmosphere that we hear about on the shorter cruises is what leads to that. Who knows which causes which?

 

We also noticed that hardly anyone had breakfast or lunch in the Top Sail Restaurant so the closer relationship with server and assistant had less time to develop. People would wake up early and then sleep in the loungers on the One Deck, hampering developing a relationship with their butlers/junior butlers.

 

Since you're a YC veteran, I hope that things get better for you and live up to your past experiences. 🙂

 

PS: Let the concierge desk know that you want to meet your butler. We did that last week after we did not meet ours the first day. We found out that he had just boarded with us to start a new contract and was dealing with jet lag -- just like us. But now, he's the kind of doting butler that we've had in the past. Matter of fact, he just stopped by our table on the One Pool Deck. He came looking for us to ask about a reservation that we needed to change.

[Sundiego]

13 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

We did a B2B recently that was a 7-night plus a 4-night out of Canaveral on Seaside. There was one other YC cabin that did the B2B. We felt a distinctly different vibe coming from many of the people who were only on the 4-night. It made me wonder if the crew doesn't invest as much time and attention when the itinerary is shorter. Or maybe the party atmosphere that we hear about on the shorter cruises is what leads to that. Who knows which causes which?

 

Interesting! We are doing a 10 day B2B on the Seashore (3 plus 7) starting Dec 7th. It will be our 4th time in the YC. Hoping for the best but prepared for "the worst" after reading some of these reviews.

 

Denise

[Mark_T]

24 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

We felt a distinctly different vibe coming from many of the people who were only on the 4-night. It made me wonder if the crew doesn't invest as much time and attention when the itinerary is shorter.

Our YC cruise in June this year was only 4 days, but it was in Europe and our butler was Elvin, so you know the kind of experience we enjoyed 🙂

 

... but I do think you may be right about the short runs out to Ocean Cay where the ship serves more as a ferry service than as a destination in itself.

Edited December 5, 2023 by Mark_T

[Best Cat Mom]

Just now, Sundiego said:

We are doing a 10 day B2B on the Seashore (3 plus 7) starting Dec 7th. It will be our 4th time in the YC. Hoping for the best but prepared for "the worst" after reading some of these reviews.

Definitely point out to the crew that you're on for 10 days and not just 3 days. I suspect that will elevate your experience. Fingers crossed for you! 🙂

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, Best Cat Mom said:

It made me wonder if the crew doesn't invest as much time and attention when the itinerary is shorter. Or maybe the party atmosphere that we hear about on the shorter cruises is what leads to that. Who knows which causes which?

 

I agree with your suspicion. I also believe that following a holiday cruise (which will be packed with demanding guests), the crew suffers from a bit of burnout. Supplies will need to be replenished and the shorter cruises probably aren't as high of a priority as the 7 night cruises are. 

[DaKahuna]

 When I booked our February cruise I had a choice of a 10 day (7 + 3) or an 11 day.  Having read about how the shorter cruises tend to be "booze cruises" with more of a party atmosphere I went with the 11-day.  When I read stories like this it just re-affirms that I made the right decision.  

 

 

[DCGuy64]

3 hours ago, Morgsmom said:

To note, I'm in the restaurant industry and DH is an exec chef so we really "notice" food. (Which is a kind way of saying that we are picky).

Thank you for pointing this out, it's helpful to know your background and expectations. Hoping things get better for you as things progress!

[Morgsmom]

1 hour ago, DCGuy64 said:

Thank you for pointing this out, it's helpful to know your background and expectations. Hoping things get better for you as things progress!

Actually it’s diminishing. lol.  Please enjoy photo of iceberg lettuce and drinks listed for which they do not have the listed ingredients.  

[Morgsmom]

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

 When I booked our February cruise I had a choice of a 10 day (7 + 3) or an 11 day.  Having read about how the shorter cruises tend to be "booze cruises" with more of a party atmosphere I went with the 11-day.  When I read stories like this it just re-affirms that I made the right decision.  

 

 

It’s not a party atmosphere in YC by any means (but there was a LOT of “herb” on Ocean Cay yesterday).  There’s just a distinct “you are only here for 4 days as don’t give a …..” vibe. 

[morpheusofthesea]

15 minutes ago, Morgsmom said:

It’s not a party atmosphere in YC by any means (but there was a LOT of “herb” on Ocean Cay yesterday).  There’s just a distinct “you are only here for 4 days as don’t give a …..” vibe. 

Did not find that "vibe" on the 7 day cruises. Will make it a point to never book a longer cruise by adding a 2,3, or 4 day to any cruise.

[SpareBrew]

We’re also on this cruise.  We were also on the 7 day before that and luckily you missed the film crew who was disrupting venues everywhere in the YC for 4 days to shoot a commercial.  They closed off the pool and hot tubs at various times as well as the top sail lounge several times.  They even were shooting over my head at one point in the lounge to get their shot of the actors!  We did complain as well as many other guests we spoke to.

They ran out supplies about 6 days in including Tito’s, Kahlua, Diet Coke, Pepsi Zero and limes.  Nothing was refurbished until we got back on 12/3.  So far it’s been an uneventful 4 day cruise since everything is back and hopefully it’ll stay that way until we get off on Thursday.

As to the Terminal, I agree it’s totally messed up.  We waited about 40 minutes to board the first time and took close to 1.5 hours to go through the B2B process on Sunday.

[peder]

Sounds like absolutely nothing is showing improvement on the Seashore at Port Canaveral.

[DCGuy64]

2 hours ago, Morgsmom said:

Actually it’s diminishing. lol.  Please enjoy photo of iceberg lettuce and drinks listed for which they do not have the listed ingredients.  

Haha, I hope they can get the Negroni Sbagliato correct. (the word "sbagliato" means "wrong, messed up" in Italian).

[Morgsmom]

57 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Haha, I hope they can get the Negroni Sbagliato correct. (the word "sbagliato" means "wrong, messed up" in Italian).

Well then if it’s supposed to be messed yp

then I’m pretty sure that it will perfectly messed up 😝

[Morgsmom]

Please enjoy actual photo of the requested box of Kleenex/ tissue. 😂

Edited December 5, 2023 by Morgsmom
Typo

[Stem to Stern]

19 minutes ago, Morgsmom said:

Please enjoy actual photo of the requested box of Kleenex

A supplier issue ?!?

Adding this to my packing list.

[Essiesmom]

41 minutes ago, Stem to Stern said:

A supplier issue ?!?

Adding this to my packing list.

It has been reported to be present in YC.  But nor present below the salt where I sail.  But I don’t care for the quality of institutional facial tissue, so I always take a healthy supply of my own.  Since I have experienced sinus problems for years, there is always a tissue in my pocket (which is why I won’t buy skirts or pants without pockets).  In fact, when I am packing my fresh,y washed pants/skirts, I always tuck a fresh tissue in the left front pocket.  EM

[DaKahuna]

4 hours ago, Morgsmom said:

It’s not a party atmosphere in YC by any means (but there was a LOT of “herb” on Ocean Cay yesterday).  There’s just a distinct “you are only here for 4 days as don’t give a …..” vibe. 

 

 This is exactly the kind of attitude we hope to avoid by taking a longer cruise.  

 

 We are not the type to spend the whole cruise in the YC areas exclusively.  We like getting out and seeing the various venue's on the ship, we visit the casino from time to time, and also like to experience the different music venue's.  

 

4 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Did not find that "vibe" on the 7 day cruises. Will make it a point to never book a longer cruise by adding a 2,3, or 4 day to any cruise.

 

 That is a very good philosophy and also an approach that we follow.  All of our B2B's have been 7 + 7 day cruises. 

 

 

 

[Morgsmom]

2 hours ago, Stem to Stern said:

A supplier issue ?!?

Adding this to my packing list.

Not a supplier issue, but the bathrooms were not designed with one of those "behind the door" slots where the small boxes of tissues normally go. There is no built in for them on this ship, thus they are not regularly supplying tissues.  

[morpheusofthesea]

Depends on ship. Been told that the double ply MAY clog the pipes.

Edited December 6, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[jean87510]

wow.  On this ship in June with my daughter in YC for her college graduation.  And it's a 4 day out of PC.  

[DrProfessor]

We have a 4 night YC Seashore cruise coming up in Feb as our first MSC tryout.  If the experience is like this, we probably won't be back - although prices of the other lines may keep us hovering.  Still, I don't want to shell out some money for a vacation and not enjoy it.  We have always enjoyed our cruises and are easy to please, but every time someone review Seashore, it seems pretty bad.

[skivoodoo]

Heading out tomorrow for the 3 night in YC. Hmm. Hope it’s not as bad as it sounds. I’ll report back and see if it’s improving. 
 

[mshaines]

23 minutes ago, skivoodoo said:

Heading out tomorrow for the 3 night in YC. Hmm. Hope it’s not as bad as it sounds. I’ll report back and see if it’s improving. 
 

Same and same!  Crossing my fingers!