What I Loved and Hated on the MSC Seaside 2019

[@matthewhoffman9788]

Sounds like MSC not only heard the complaints from the early cruise passengers, but actually addressed and took positive steps to make sure things now run more enjoyably. Hopefully, they'll address the preregistration process as well as the staff shortages at their two busiest bars, which really shouldn't be that difficult to address. Again, another educational and entertaining video from the master of online cruise presentations. Continued good health and safe travels

[@mariusmybird]

Thanks for all the great information, Don! We are all so blessed to have you share your fun and important info.

[@olivermizzon901]

I was on Seaside 2 weeks in January and I didn't have to sign for any drink. And registering the credit card was quick and without waiting.

[@xaddox7524]

i was also there the same time

[@vamonoslupita668]

Love this channel. Very sincere and honest critiques. They have really helped me when booking cruises. Thank you!!

[@HAL_NINER_TRIPLE_ZERO]

They ask you to sign so you can add a tip. I actually had the reverse problem with this on Allure last year. I spend quite a bit of time in the Casino - and on this last cruise, the pit bosses tagged me as a Casino VIP which got me free drinks (and making my purchased drink package not such a great deal) while in the Casino itself. The waiters all knew me and knowing that I was a VIP, often at the beginning did not even bother to bring the drink chit with the drink. I actually had to tell them the do it so I could sign off a tip. Tipping $2 for a cocktail or glass of wine when it's free is the least I can do and trust me, it gets you noticed and EXCELLENT customer service. I never had to wait or flag down a server while at the tables.

[@roycolella8219]

MSC are doing a great job breaking into a tough industry. These all can be fixed. They are minor issues. The ship is beautiful and would like to cruise with MSC. Thanks to videos like yours I can assess the pros and cons.

[@Acreyman]

MSC is the 4th largest cruise line in the world. They will figure out the US market. I bailed last year after all the bad reviews on the Seaside.

[@RMR_IRL]

Thank you for pointing this out. Was on the Seaside Nov 2018. Some other things were some of the staff was not friendly as well as a lot of the passengers. I felt the ship mainly focused on the Europeans. Some days parts of the water slides were closed. And we rarely saw the room stewards. Otherwise it is a Gorgeous Ship..

[@johnclark1469]

Thanks Don - glad you can be an objective passenger for us Diplomatic but not pandering to what the Cruise line would like you to say -or not say. That’s one reason we all love your Vlogs and respect your opinions and observations... not to mention broad experience. 86 cruises now? These pros and cons are very helpful.

[@greggg2301]

was on sister ship Seaview in May 2019, two mildly irritating things...1. your cabin is powerless unless youre there with your seapass card in slot on wall. (so i couldnt leave my phone to charge up when not there) 2. At banks of elevators (depending upon wich deck you want), it'll direct you to elevator number 4 or 2 or some number. you got to wait and wait until it arrives without knowing what deck its currently on... like ohh god, its way up on deck 14, ill just take the stairs situation...

[@brianscrivener4670]

One thing I love about cruising is trying the different dishes in the buffet. If they always have the same thing then I doubt this ship would be good for me. Thanks for the review Don.

[@bilshup]

On our cruise it was the evening buffet that was really short on options. The day time buffet was fine.

[@rogermaillet3495]

Thanks for the update. Four more weeks we will be on the Seaside. Sailed twice before with MSC, and yes I know what you mean for the credit card registration, and signing bills. Mind you both other times, you had a paper receipt. Have yourself a great day.

[@oldwolf3538]

Thanks Don, we look forward to our September 2021 Seaside trip

[@auntjosie756]

Don you are such an Honest Sweet Soul...... Thank you for sharing your adventures

[@MrRichardyc]

thanks, seriously looking to book a cruise on this ship for August 2020, the yacht club deluxe suite is half the price of a Sky class suite room on RCL.

[@marksamuel585]

Thanks Don for the info. We are heading on the Seaside April 25-2020. This helps us a lot. We usually sail Royal Caribian but want to try other cruise lines. Fingers crossed.

[@HFSDRRadiotonynyc46]

All valid points Don. I sailed on her twice last year. Once in March and Again in October. I didn’t experience any of the troubles other vloggers were reporting. I was in the Yacht Club both times, but I found all the complaints over blown. A few of the larger Vloggers seemed paid to bash the ship which was new to the scene. Thanks for the honest review.

[@sherryedwards695]

Thanks Don. Great information. Hubby and I will be celebrating our 30th Anniversary this Sept and this is the cruise we will be taking. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@EdwardTravels]

Thanks for posting this video. That’s odd that you can’t preregistration your credit cards. Sounds like they need to upgrade their IT department

[@odkbull]

You can preregister with the latest updates with the MSC for Me App, already fixed.

[@cecilialeitet2794]

I Went with husband and two kids on the Seaside in june 2019. I had zero line registering my credit card (I did it first ting after boarding at a machine very close to guest services at around 14:00). Maybe it was early enough that people didn't bother yet, but it took literally 2 min. And the only time I had to sign for anything included was in the dining room, otherwise they only asked me to sign when ordering outside of my drink package. I agree that they use european style service (i.e. don't bother the passengers unless they ask you too. As a european that was a pleasant surprise since I often find american style service too intrusive). I also LOVED the bunk bed sofa our cabin had instead of a pull out, it saved so much space and gave our boys a feeling of privacy. It was genious! I loved the Seaside, and my kids are already begging to go on the Seaview to compare :)

[@marthawalters1]

There is two buffet;s on this ship. on deck 8 and 16, I believe. Did you ever go to the second one?

[@dwalker6868]

Thanks Don. This is a good list. I hope they listen to your take aways.

[@daleniehaus4309]

Thanks for your review! Enjoyed it! We sailed the MSC Divina in the fall of 2014, amid lots of bad reviews. However, we loved it. It is a slightly different product, and we went into it with that mindset. We may have to try the Seaside sometime.

[@MzAngelicious79]

Can't wait Im going May 2019...I'm not going to lie I was nervous about this ship but feel much better with your update on their changes

[@llchapman1234]

I love the button on the table idea. You can get service, but you can also just relax and be left to yourselves if you want. It's good to have choices.

[@ILC-eo6vk]

How would you compare this to RC, Oasis class? We've been on Allure twice, Harmony and will be going on Symphony, in January. We're so addicted to Oasis class because they utilized the space to perfection.

[@OverlandingArmyVeteran]

Thanks Don our Family sets sail Saturday the 30th!

[@richarddeason1845]

I enjoy your view point....my view point is I love this cruiseline !!!!!! I just booked 2 more trips with msc for 2020...I have trip in October with them...i replace them for my cruiseline...

[@brevvr4431]

I cruised on the seaside in September for 2 weeks. Loved very minute of it. Didnt have to sign for drinks anywhere, surprised you did. Had no problems with credit card registration.

[@katerh3198]

I've never heard participation pronounced participaction?? before - cute!! Thanks for the video,

[@Ahuntsicspotter]

Don thanks for the info and yes I will be on board of the MSC Seaside to celebrate the new year 2020.

[@NorthSidesaBrick]

Thanks for the information Don. I enjoyed watching your vacation. I'm booked for a 14 cruise in July 2020.

[@LYBASHA]

I would love to have opera on a cruise. Can't find it in the US.

[@ruthtodd4264]

Is this a different camera? A much sharper image! Very nice. Thanks for all you do Don!

[@Travelwith_Adrienne]

Thanks, for the review. I want to go on MSC Seaside but I have two NCL cruises booked. Maybe 2020. Nothing booked for that year. I am not sure about all those glass stairs.

[@elayneburtonart]

Try the Yacht Club experience. It is truly amazing.

[@nathanc5789]

Have a YC Deluxe room booked for the fall. Fingers crossed it sails.

[@geoffm1972]

Thanks for the video. I cruised on the MSC Davina and have a cruise booked on the Seaside in June. Heard all those horror stories when she first sailed but everything seems to be great now. Thanks again for the helpful video.

[@melvinjacobs2328]

I've been on 2 MSC cruises, and never had a line at a kiosk to register my card.

[@scottwolfinger1061]

Another great vid Don! I sincerely appreciate your honesty in your comments, if it’s good it’s good and if it’s bad it’s bad and you tell us why and I really appreciate that. I’m a rather new subscriber and so I apologize on this question if you have already taped a video on it. With that said I must admit I’m also rather new to cruising as I have only ever been on one cruise in my life (Alaska aboard the Celebrity Millennium with my wife). 10 yrs later things have changed as I am now divorced. Is there a cruise or cruise line that you would recommend for singles? Again sir thank you so much for awesome videos!

[@likesowls52]

I am surprised you do not get a "professional" discount. I would also think they have to be somewhat concerned about what you would say as well.

[@vittoriovuocolo2438]

Those complaints do not effect me except for the buffet.your right it's the same everyday and they are stingy with the carved meats.the improv is supposed to be Canadian .we didn't really care for it .shows were good I don't know why people complain.we are booked for seaside again next summer. You do know there are 2 buffets.one big one and a smaller one.there was close to 5500 on board when we went.I think it beats carnival any day of the week.

[@bilshup]

when we went it was the evening buffet that had limited options. daytime was fine.

[@Dave-cv8yb]

Thanks for the great info. Our first ever cruise will be this September on the Seaside.

[@christyvasser6947]

We are booked for June. What was the cost for the bowling, 4D, formula thing? Thank you😀

[@frankpitaro8069]

Participations.. that's so Canadian..lol.. you're still the best.. cheers

[@penelopepitstop762]

I like how he says “about” lol. 😊

[@xboy64]

Vantastic!

[@patrickdunphy5864]

So, yeah ...

[@horsewithnoname12345]

Participactions!

[@billzinkhan6403]

What were your thoughts in the MDR..food and service..

[@awells70]

So glad to hear this since I have been booking cruises for clients.

[@jaymolina4452]

Just came back from a cruise on the MSC Seaside before cruise lines suspended cruises. On this cruise there seemed to be a lot of Europeans and they all love the ship. However, most Americans we met felt the same way, It does not compare favorably with Royal Caribbean or even Carnival. We are used to RC's open spaces with high ceilings in their dining rooms and promenades or no ceiling in their Central Park. Other than the area midship with the 3 Crystal staircases the whole ship feels claustrophobic with low ceilings even in the shopping areas. Having to hunt for a store over 3 decks was a real pain. There is no comfortable way to get around the ship. The library is not an enclosed room but an open area next to an exit going to the pool and was very noisy with people constantly coming in and out. The rooms have very little storage. The entertainment is great if you are a fan of musicals as every night it was the same troop performing different musicals to canned music, no orchestra pits here. Each night fewer and fewer people went to the shows and for each performance there were 500-600 seats available. Although I must say the Europeans on board absolutely loved the show. No professional entertainers coming on board for shows either. I love the Bolero's Lounge on RC where there is a latin band playing and room to dance. Here their idea of latin music was a guy with a guitar and a girl playing maracas to canned tracks. Went to a Beatles tribute show only to find a single pianist doing jazzy versions of Beatles tunes. There is no walking track or jogging track around the ship on any deck. The food in the restaurant had a different country theme every night. I found the menu very limiting and for the first time ever my wife and I sent back an entree because it was so bad. In the past I've gotten to know my waiters and they have waited on me hand and foot. Here they just gave you the menu, took the order and served the food. No conversation or anything. Not once on the whole cruise did they come back to ask how things were or to refill our iced tea. Also, we were charged an exchanged fee the two times we used their ATM to swipe our card which is required within 48 hrs of boarding. I am used to being sent an envelope to give a gratuity at the end of the cruise which gives you an opportunity to comment on staff that have gone out of their way to serve you. Our card was charged the gratuity the third day of the cruise and we had no way of commenting on good service which our cabin steward did provide. All the Americans that I spoke to said they will never cruise with MSC again.

[@NLMusique]

When I was on the MSC Meraviglia in Europe, the thing I dislike are food (lack of variety) and customer service. Those are the 2 big things for me. Ship looks gorgeous and shows are amazing!

[@harveythepooka]

IMO the bowling etc should be free, but they should allow people to sign up for them before they even board. So you can schedule a time and that will be that.

[@thatoneguy5903]

Just got off the Seaside yesterday and I loved 99% of the entire experience. The 1% is the fact that the mobile app doesn't have features like dress code for tonight's dinner and a messaging option. Apparently they are working on a messaging feature, so keep your eyes peeled.

[@guymoulton207]

Carnival also gives you the can

[@monkeyb1820]

it's interesting to hear an update. I recall Jimzim saying how they made him wait in a long line before disembarking so he could get his credit back (instead of just putting it on his credit card). But that was a while ago, so maybe they've improved. We cruise once or sometimes twice per year, and at this point we're probably inclined to pay a few hundred more dollars to be on a 'known' cruise like Carnival or NCL. We just did NCL Breakaway and the food was awesome, buffet awesome, and we love o'sheehans. But maybe for a family of 4, for a comparable cruise it might be an extra 400-800 bucks for a week. If that's a huge deal, a family should definitely try msc.

[@savagecucumber8593]

I had to sign on carnival for the soda package

[@songbird372p7]

Question🤔is there a captain's dinner and or elegant dinner!? And white nite on every seaside?

[@karenmueller8885]

songbird372 P I have been on the seaside twice. First October 2018 and again may 2019. Both cruises had a white night and at least one suggest elegant night. I believe in May they actually had two suggested elegant nights.

[@christinex5782]

Ah, Lisbon, one of my favorite cities in the world. Be sure to get yourself some egg tarts and that green local wine. You got me looking into MSC now... Seaside really doesn't sound bad from this video.

[@lmartinez33598]

Great review could you tell me if they close the hot tubs in the adult area at 10pm or do they stay on late like royal Caribbean harmony of the seas

[@ladylyn8449]

Most of the stuff you're saying I haven't experienced . I love that ship, I had a great time. Everything was great on ship. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@timg3504]

We always keep 6 or so cans of coke in the fridge so we don’t have to order every time we want one.

[@lynneroberts9602]

Half a can of soda on some cruise lines ! ? When you have the drinks package ? Not a good thing , makes them look cheap, so bonus for MSC giving you a full can !

[@mercyrodriguez5780]

My brother and wife were on the Meraviglia and they did not like the food or service!

[@Cornelius_Pop]

They make you sign on Carnival also. And the credit card thing is really weird! Why would they make it so much work for people?

[@richarddeason1845]

I love MSC I feel cruiseline does great job Not everyone will love MSC like me You gave a fair review Going again this October Plus next year over ses I changed my view point on the best cruiseline for me Its MSC....was princess and royal Caribbean I

[@fredacuneo5180]

Just went on an MSC cruise is October. They made us register our credit cards at those little terminals too. That was an annoying step to have to work through, especially with a long line and people bugging you to hurry up while your trying to do it.

[@nevilletisch9637]

I had a 1 hour sit diwn with hitel director on splendia in 2013. Told them about all the issues when seaside launched all reports were nothing had changed . Maybe they have taken action now but should have done it 6 years ago

[@burningisis]

I think if MSC figures out the adding a credit card to your file ahead of time, and makes the food situation on the Seaside like the food situation on the Bellissima, I really think MSC is going to have their niche with the American market. Their ships are gorgeous on the interior and I like their use of technology for beverage service. Just it needs to tighten up a little bit and they'll give any of the American big carriers a serious run for their money because they have the potential to be amazing, it's just going to take a little bit more for them to hit that perfect point.

[@timwildey7974]

How much was the soda only package for adults? I just read $29.00 daily or for 7 days? on their website?? Also, how much is WIFI for the entire cruise? Don, I feel you give very down to earth reviews.

[@nancyzahradnik6021]

Thanks for your review Don. Some good things, some bad things, about the ship. To bad all can’t be good!!! Hopefully they keep on improving whatever is not quite right!!!

[@dennisdalessio8238]

Don, thanks posting the credit card issue. This is clearly something they need to change.

[@bilshup]

Someone thought the credit card registration kiosks on the ship were a great idea and they were probably expensive, and they aren’t a good idea. They seem reluctant to acknowledge mistake, but maybe too few complaints to them.

[@shawnmartin95358]

Don't you have to sign for everything on carnival? Most of our last cruise on the splendor in January we did but sometimes, especially with "pop" we didn't have to sign. We did have the drink package

[@timblaker7138]

Don, walking through the casino you experienced a transient sewer smell, then it was gone.Tuesday was my last day of working in a casino, Don, it wasn't misbehaving plumbing, take it from years of experience, it was a fellow passenger with an acute aversion to bathing.Whomever developed the practice of a partial can of soda in a glass probably worked previously for an airline.A small glass and the cabin attendant moves along.Those in charge at MSC would do well to listen to you.Nothing that you reported is an insurmountable negative.Better planning would eliminate the issues you talked about fairly quick.Don, thank you for being a fair and balanced traveler and travel agent.I hope you cruise for many more years in good health.

[@frankcarlone5130]

I would disagree with you on the pre-registration of credit cards issue. In this day and age of identity theft, it's definitely safer to minimize the amount of time that your cc info is stored on their systems, especially given the fact that they already have all of your other personal Identification information (name, address, DOB, etc.) on file. Them keeping your cc info off their system until the last minute is a good thing, not a bad thing. Is it a little inconvenient to have to wait in a line? Sure. But it's much less inconvenient than having your identity stolen...trust me on that.

[@jackmortimer329]

How did you pay for the cruise? For at least some passengers I suspect the same CC was used on board so that info is already "in their system" somewhere.

[@frankcarlone5130]

@@jackmortimer329 The cruise companies destroy your cc info once your cruise is paid, hence the need to re-enter them prior to the cruise. The simple fact is, for your own sake the later you give them this info, the better.

[@kamloopscruiser874]

Don Does the MSC Seaside have any areas exclusively for certain category of cabin?

[@zkore20]

How is the food people said is really bad ..?

[@fadeawayjay887]

So when do you pay

[@maryelizabeth1808]

Thanks for the overview. I agree that they need to add credit card to the preregistration. Sounds like overall a good ship but they still have a few growing pains to work out.

[@spoonerpurple]

if you had the drink package and you ordered a pop/soda and they used half the can ...if you wanted another pop/soda would they mark you up as getting another drink and make you pay gratuities again ? even though now you were just getting the other half ?

[@heatherparsons1310]

Hi Don, thank you for the video and bringing back Participaction, love Joanna and Hal. Did you try both buffets on the seaside. I’ve heard the bigger one on deck 8 had a larger selection.

[@mugzi81]

I think the pre-registration thing with the credit card is inconvenient but I kind of like it because it means that you have to be there with the physical card in hand...ie preventing identity theft/fraud.

[@Lealelan]

Great to see this review and hear that they've taken constructive criticism and made improvements. Interestingly, your first and second negative seems SOOOO easy for them to fix (why havent they? MSC?) . That would have driven me crazy! the last thing you want when you get on your cruise is to have to stand in more lines. And LOVE that they gave the whole can of soda. Our last cruise on RC, I splurged. We had an amazing suite cabin... My kids were always off at the kids' center and I was in heaven on our gorgeous balcony reading. BUT even with drink package, had to get up and go to bar when I wanted another soda or drink. They wouldnt do 2 at once....Thx for this update. Last review I saw was awful. Oh the last one tho mentioned the pools all being 6' deep, which also seems somewhat annoying.. They probably havent been able to change that, but what were they thinking?

[@travelingwithmikeandpam9074]

We were on that ship about the same time. We had the same problems. Yes a beautiful ship!

[@justaperson2687]

I cruised on the seaside last spring and loved it, especially the comedy!

[@kimc3238]

Don, do you have prices for things in the fun zone?

[@OrdinaryDude]

Yeah, I don't mind a smaller buffet if it's high quality, but if it doesn't change day by day I can see how that can get monotonous.

[@lousypick3181]

Just started watching your blogs a few weeks ago. Just love them. So interesting and informative. L

[@stephaniem839]

Great review! Thank you Don!! Very helpful!

[@frankrotondo3771]

Don we ve done about 45 cruise s n several friends just came off MSC told us never again and it’s what we have decided no MSC for us too many good cruise lines to pick from n we ve been on several yes we heard beautiful ship but that’s all thank you. We ve heard over n over pizza pizza n hot dogs n not many choices

[@SuperKenndog]

I was on the ship and let me confirm what you heard. Food is supposed to be the main event of any cruise and the MSC Seaside food was terribly bland and a major disappointment

[@cosmic-fortytwo]

The understaffed bar would really get me. What nonsense, waiting half an hour to get a can of Coke? Does MSC stand for Minimally Staffed Cruise?

[@danielueblacker9118]

I love you call soda "pop".

[@madampolo]

I think the lack of space and lack of food variety on the buffet are very serious. If you have two days to register your credit card isn't too bad.

[@MrRichardyc]

what is the MSC Cruises Tipping/gratuity Policy? Do you still have to pay 15% on each POP even you have the drink package or come free with the yacht club suite?

[@horsewithnoname12345]

Hi Don, it seems their focus is on European guests, who aren’t bothered by smaller spaces and are used to less variety on a buffet (in fact, I believe for them it’s a lot of variety), whereas North Americans expect more variety.

[@NtYourAvgPrncess]

Thank you for the great, honest review. I'm glad there was nothing grossly wrong with the ship (as per reviews from last year), however based on your likes/dislikes, I would say the ship is not for me.

[@thomasdosborneii]

I am glad you like it and had such a great time!

[@misterx8592]

They make you sign only for alcohol inventory and control.

[@KillerNut2]

On Carnival you get the whole can too.

[@kevinhamilton1211]

I've only cruised with RC so far (I'm very new with cruising) and had to sign for every drink I got. I just thought this was the norm. Didn't know not signing was what every other cruise line did.

[@WhitleyFamily1]

I want to go on the Seaside, we loved the Divina just wished it had a few more specialty restaurants.

[@starcitycreations]

Don, I have also had that experience regarding soda at other places, not just on the cruise ship. I have never understood why bartenders give you some soda and not the whole can in a glass. So annoying.

[@chuckcookus]

Participaction?

[@marciaarreola328]

Great video! I am considering the Seaside this year! Thanks for the update!

[@iuptubaman]

Thank you so much for this review! I have read so many mixed reviews, but I think our family will consider the MSC Seaside!

[@jodura3363]

Thanks for the review. Great feedback on the ship. I assume the ships in MSC fleet are basically the same?