supradupafast

I think they're coming around.. We sailed the Seaside last year , and had a few errors and glitches that required me to call the US call center, and the hold times were more than 1 hour, and found the personnel to be quite short and rude. I swore then that I would sail the booked cruise, and never return to MSC because of the Phone customer service I had gotten.

Well, after sailing the Seaside, I decided to come back because we enjoyed the ship and the staff on board so much.

We're sailing on Jan 25th (the sail before yours from what I see 🙂 ), and I called MSC a few weeks ago to do some room upgrades and had a few requests, and both calls were very pleasant and the person was extremely helpful and sounded in a good mood.

Glad to see that you had a good experience, and I'm sure you'll enjoy the MSC Seaside as much as we did 🙂 

Thank you for your reply Bluefish.

Thank you. It's mostly for shade. Some in our group can't be in the full sun all day, and others prefer full sun. So we were thinking one cabana and the others lounge out in the sun near it.

We're also not YC for this cruise.

Hello all,

I know it's still very early to ask this question because OC just opened for visitors this week .

We're a group of 10, and we were wondering if we rented a Cabana (says max 6 ppl), if the rest of the group can settle / hang around the cabana. Maybe rent a couple of umbrellas . 

The other option would be to rent two cabanas, but how do we make sure we have them side by side ? and how far apart are they ?

Thanks in advance.

I can only comment on my experience on the experience from each company , and not specific ships (since I haven't been on Vista or Meraviglia ) .

I have done several Carnival cruises and one with MSC (Seaside).

They are very different in many ways, but enjoyed both very much so and will continue to cruise with both.

MSC , you'll find the decks are extremely quiet during the day. Not much entertainment happening.

Evenings, are a little more entertaining, but nothing like Carnival.  

Evening shows, I would say similar. On the seaside, we had a magic show (amazing), and the usual dance / entertainment .

Food: I found the food on MSC's buffets had a lot more healthy choices, and more variety daily.  Their MDRs are similar.

MSC's ships are also very "bling bling'ed out".. Crystal stairs, a lot of chrome and shinny things....  

The crowds are different. You'll find a lot of different cultures and a great mix of passengers from all over the world, many being from Europe. Expect the announcements to be made in at least 3-4 languages.

It's really difficult to say one over the other.  Personally , we enjoy both.  Can't say one over the other. 

Happy cruising.

We sailed Bella last time, and the locations of rooms from what I was told , Bella and Fantastica are together.

The only noticeable difference from what I remember, is Fantastica includes room service (food), as for Bella, it's a small fee to pay if you want it.

For $600, go Bella for sure !

I think it's a safe bet to say they're both wonderful ships and you'll enjoy your time on which ever you choose.

We made the Jump to MSC and tried the Seaside last year for the very first time, and it was amazing. 

With that said, we chose to go on her again in January, but also try the Meraviglia in March.

I would think they would have more in common than differences.

Happy Cruising. (Sorry, I know I didn't answer the question.. just because I don't think it would be fair to chose on over the other ) 

🙂

I've been dealing with FLL call center in regards to some over charging on a booking sailing next week. I must say,  I give it 0/10 ... If you have to deal with anyone in regards to fixing errors  / over charges... Good luck... I'm going through it and it's a disaster. 

What’s Included: • Bottled beer (Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Corona, non-alcoholic beer) • Draft beer (Heineken) • House wine by the glass (a selection of 2 reds, 2 whites, 1 rosé, 1 Prosecco) • Mixed drinks: selection of house-brand spirits mixed with soda or juice (Rum & Coke, Gin & Tonic, Vodka & Lemon, Whiskey & Coke, Long Island Iced Tea, Cape Cod, Moscow Mule) • House brand spirits (straight, neat) • Canned or fountain soda (Coca-Cola, Ginger Ale, Sprite, etc.) • Bottled or canned juices (OJ, cranberry, pineapple, etc.) • Bottled water (16 oz.) • EXCLUDES your stateroom mini-bar

I believe the package applies only to the first two persons in the cabin. I Could be wrong though.

it isn;t the package.. This is a cruise I had booked pre construction. I got a crazy deal, but now, they are creeping the prices up on me even after final payment. The person I talked to  , got me to send all the copies of the original confirmations and told me it would be fixed within 48 hours. I have her personal email now, and I have it in writing that it will not be an issue but when I log on, it still shows "amount due" ....  anyways.   we'll see but I feel like I should just pay that balance, and fight it after. I'm just scared the booking will get cancelled and then having to fight for a much larger sum of $ ...

I have no doubt the experience on board will be nothing less than amazing..

But the booking part has been a nightmare.

They were arguing their "new" price vs my confirmed price . I had to send them a PDF copy of my original booking.

They have escalated the issue, and should be fixed within 48 hours..  so they say..  but as of now, I am no longer able to print / access luggage tags.. Good thing I have them in my email ..  

My only fear is that I get to the port in 17 days, and I run into issues...

Website is a mess..    Nothing but glitches..  And once you're booked, balance paid in full, you log in a discover that your trip leaving in 18 days has a new price (higher) and there's a surprise balance of $200 due.. (even after I've done the online check in, and printed my luggage tags) ?  
Been on the phone, and keep being put on hold and moved around.. Nobody knows what they're doing there.  Horrible !

I 'm going to start by saying.. I can't be the only one having multiple issues with this website / cruiseline..

I mean, I have never called a cruiseline as much as I have called MSC and haven't even embarked on the ship yet (Seaside)?

40 Mins waiting to get through... and counting.

I logged in this evening, to add the beverage package. To my surprise, It showed a balance due of nearly $200 to my booking (We sail in 18 days).

The cruise was paid in full back in August. I have my receipt / confirmation via email.

I did Online check in a couple of days ago, and even got my luggage tags.

Frustrating.. wasting another hour + waiting for someone to answer the phone.. for their mistake .

Very nice !!

Thank you very much .. for the clarification. This "appointment" check in is new to us.

Thanks.

I'll keep checking to see if the earlier time slot becomes available, if not it's good. Gives them that extra hour to explore the ship.

No FTTF.. sorry failed to mention.

And just a standard Cabin. Same Category as ours.

We are travelling with friends on the Conquest , leaving out of Port Everglades this January.

We have traveled with Carnival before, but it will be their first time.

My question is the following.

Our earliest embarkation from the online check in available was 12:30 ... We checked in a couple days ago.

They just completed their online check in today, and they had 11:30 .

I went back to edit, but earliest is still 12:30.

It isn't a big deal, but it would have been nice to embark together.

Does anyone know if it has to do with room location ? or is embarkation random ?

Thanks, and Happy New Years :D

Carnival Ecstacy sailed out of Miami in 1998.

I was just in the same situation last week.

I have already been on Conquest, but the ports and price won.. Booked Balcony on Conquest again.

We love beach ports.. and Amber Cove, Turks, Half moon ... can't beat those ports.

My Daughter always orders from the adult menu. No worries :)

Enjoy

Great to hear the ship is in good shape !

How's the crowd ? Do you feel crowded at all up on the top Deck ?

Restaurants ? Public areas ?

And to find seating for the shows at night ?

I booked a 7 day in December , can't wait to board her !

Who can pass up a great deal.

I mean, December 8th...

7 Days on a ship for less than $1500 CDN (for 3)...

Happy Dance !

:):):):):):)

I can't find any receipts . Not a big deal, I'll just wait and see once on board . I just wish there was a way to see it online with your room booking

Not to steal the tread but, I booked a cruise a year ago and I don't remember if I pre purchased water bottles from fun shop . And since we can't see fun shop purchases online, how do I know if I did or not ?