Loyal Ncl but looking into MCS Seaside Thanksgiving 2018

I've only sailed with NCL (Breakaway & Escape), so I'm used to the big ships and the Dining and Alcohol package. I priced the NCL Bliss out of Miami 3 people mid ship balcony with the dining and alcohol included for 11.17.18 sailing its $3750. I have been checking out the MCS Seaside sailing those dates. I priced out balcony with just the Bella option which is the basic option at $2385. This doesn't include drinks. My question is can I add the alcohol package later. I priced out the same cabin with the Aurea option with includes drinks, internet, OBC, massage @ $3485. I don't think I need all those options just the drink package. How is the drink package compared to NCL. Is there a limit of price or the amount of drinks per day. Sorry many questions as I don't know anything about MCS. I'm willing to pay more for NCL cause I'm used to them but really want someone to convince me to try the Seaside. Anyone who has sailed both cruise lines can you help me.

I've only sailed with NCL (Breakaway & Escape), so I'm used to the big ships and the Dining and Alcohol package. I priced the NCL Bliss out of Miami 3 people mid ship balcony with the dining and alcohol included for 11.17.18 sailing its $3750. I have been checking out the MCS Seaside sailing those dates. I priced out balcony with just the Bella option which is the basic option at $2385. This doesn't include drinks. My question is can I add the alcohol package later. I priced out the same cabin with the Aurea option with includes drinks, internet, OBC, massage @ $3485. I don't think I need all those options just the drink package. How is the drink package compared to NCL. Is there a limit of price or the amount of drinks per day. Sorry many questions as I don't know anything about MCS. I'm willing to pay more for NCL cause I'm used to them but really want someone to convince me to try the Seaside. Anyone who has sailed both cruise lines can you help me.

I don't know how much of help I can be ,but I will not cruise NCL even for free . to pay more for something just because you used to it's not in my book. I love to try new lines and new ships. and yes, you can add drinking package any time.

I just know NCL so just wanted to compare. I would love to try other cruise lines. What dining is included and what is not included? And have they rolled out there alcohol package yet, just wanted to compare.

Here's a link to MSC drinks packages. While it's not the most up-to-date info as MSC is tweaking the packages at the moment, it's a good guide to what's on offer:

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Manage-Your-Booking/All-Inclusive-Packages.aspx

There is no limit to the number of drinks you can have on the package. The basic (Classic) package covers all items on the menu without an asterisk. The Deluxe (Premium) package covers all items with one asterisk on the menu. There are photos of menus on some of the Divina threads - there will be similar offerings on Seaside. Everyone in the cabin must have the same package. You can order more than one drink at a time on one card, too, because the crew know that your travelling companions are also covered. We often travel with my parents and the crew get to know that we all have the same package so one card does for a round of drinks for the 4 of us.

You could do what we did, and that is reserve both the Bliss and the Seaside for the 11/17/18 sail date (both have cheap deposits right now). That way, you can see the reviews and feedback on both ships well before final payment, and cancel the one that is the least appealing after seeing the initial feedback. Either ship should be a fantastic experience, it's going to be a very difficult decision!

After 20 NCL we are jumping ship and trying MSC. Thru URComped we received a casino offer on the Divina. So we jumped onboard that offer. Including buying drink vouchers, and airfare to Florida, it is still cheaper than our casino offers from NCL. Will report back after our sailing in 2 weeks.

Biggest difference we have found out so far is the set meal times (although the new ship may have "flexi" dining). We will have drink cards for in the casino, but we purchased the 18 drink vouchers - because we are spoiled from the UBP on NCL. We are very excited to try a new line

Safe sailing

You could do what we did' date=' and that is reserve both the Bliss and the Seaside for the 11/17/18 sail date (both have cheap deposits right now). That way, you can see the reviews and feedback on both ships well before final payment, and cancel the one that is the least appealing after seeing the initial feedback. Either ship should be a fantastic experience, it's going to be a very difficult decision![/quote']

 

That is a good idea

After 20 NCL we are jumping ship and trying MSC. Thru URComped we received a casino offer on the Divina. So we jumped onboard that offer. Including buying drink vouchers, and airfare to Florida, it is still cheaper than our casino offers from NCL. Will report back after our sailing in 2 weeks.

Biggest difference we have found out so far is the set meal times (although the new ship may have "flexi" dining). We will have drink cards for in the casino, but we purchased the 18 drink vouchers - because we are spoiled from the UBP on NCL. We are very excited to try a new line

Safe sailing

Yes I want to try a new cruise line and the Seaside looks beautiful. We also normally drive and go out of NYC so to fly to Miami would new for us too. We are going on NCL Escape to Bermuda in June 2018. But for sure if I choose the Seaside I would get their all inclusive alcohol package. Just wondering can you prepay gratuities before sailing. I like everything paid for before I go.

I have sailed both Escape and Divina (Yacht Club). At the time we cruised, looking at NCL's add-on gratuities, the YC cost us about $800 more after status match. For us, it was a hands-down win for a couple of reasons - the absolute lack of crowds in the lounge and pool deck (both never more than 50% occupied, if that); gourmet dining and wine pairings; access to the spa. Those are the main reasons, fringe benefits included the mini bar stocked to our specifications, priority embarkation, and just being made to feel special. Want it, ask for it.

I don't have a good feel for what staying in a non-YC cabin would be like but I will compare:

Escape wins - bars are more fun, anytime dining with multiple options, comedy shows and piano bar - Seaside MAY address some of these

Divina wins - better pool deck, no raunchy poolside contests (mainly object to the barking over the loudspeaker), buffet food much better, kids area (from what I could see), there's a pool at the adults-only area, no smoking in main areas

I think you will be happy with either. If not looking at YC which is a much better value than Haven, I would choose based on price and itinerary. We loved the Escape and I mentioned above why we chose Divina.

I have sailed both Escape and Divina (Yacht Club). At the time we cruised, looking at NCL's add-on gratuities, the YC cost us about $800 more after status match. For us, it was a hands-down win for a couple of reasons - the absolute lack of crowds in the lounge and pool deck (both never more than 50% occupied, if that); gourmet dining and wine pairings; access to the spa. Those are the main reasons, fringe benefits included the mini bar stocked to our specifications, priority embarkation, and just being made to feel special. Want it, ask for it.

 

I don't have a good feel for what staying in a non-YC cabin would be like but I will compare:

Escape wins - bars are more fun, anytime dining with multiple options, comedy shows and piano bar - Seaside MAY address some of these

Divina wins - better pool deck, no raunchy poolside contests (mainly object to the barking over the loudspeaker), buffet food much better, kids area (from what I could see), there's a pool at the adults-only area, no smoking in main areas

 

I think you will be happy with either. If not looking at YC which is a much better value than Haven, I would choose based on price and itinerary. We loved the Escape and I mentioned above why we chose Divina.

Yes we loved the Breakaway and our DD loved the kids club. This next time on the Escape in June she will be in the teen club. And that's another thing the teen club on the MSC looks fun for her. I will have to keep checking out my options for the Seaside. To get a balcony for 3 people for $2300 on a holiday is a pretty good price. Do you or anyone know if you pay the gratuity when you pay for the drink package upfront or would you pay for gratuity for each drink?

If you buy the drinks package pre cruise it will include 15% gratuity. If you buy the drinks package onboard they add on 15% to the price. If you don't have a drinks package and pay individually they will add on 15%. This is for Europe. I'm assuming it works the same in the US.

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You could do what we did' date=' and that is reserve both the Bliss and the Seaside for the 11/17/18 sail date (both have cheap deposits right now). That way, you can see the reviews and feedback on both ships well before final payment, and cancel the one that is the least appealing after seeing the initial feedback. Either ship should be a fantastic experience, it's going to be a very difficult decision![/quote']

 

 

 

I have done the same thing. By the time I have to cancel there should be enough reviews for us to make our decision.

 

 

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