Benzbuddy87

Nice to know that a cruise consultant knows what is happening before MSC have even made a decision! I would say it is a guess based on what they have heard.

 

Antigua would be a good substitute for us having been to St Maarten and the fact that it was not on the original itinerary but was replaced instead of St Thomas which I believe is equally as bad damage wise.

Sid & Linda,

On September 16th, MSC posted information about the Antigua / St. Maarten swap on their MSC CRUISES Facebook page. The post specifically references MSC Divina (not the Seaside), and indicates the swap will continue until further notice. There is a link in the Facebook post which takes you to the information as posted on MSC's website.

MSC Divina departed from PortMiami tonight at 7 PM ET to pursue a Western Caribbean cruise calling at Montego Bay (Jamaica), Georgetown (Cayman Islands), Costa Maya (Mexico) and Nassau (Bahamas). Beginning Saturday, September 23, MSC Divina will resume her planned cruises, alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. The only change to the Caribbean itineraries is that the scheduled call to Philipsburg (St. Maarten) will be replaced with Antigua for Eastern Caribbean cruises until the island of St. Maarten recovers from Hurricane Irma’s passage. This change will take place until further notice. Our hearts go out to all the islands affected by the hurricane and we hope for a quick recovery. More information can be found at https://goo.gl/ZJdBPv

Is that really true for all lines? Celebrity Edge cabins aren't smaller than earlier ships. Maybe some lines are doing this for inside cabins but I can't see them skimping on balcony cabins.

Disney Cruise Line's balcony staterooms on the Disney Dream (2011) and Disney Fantasy (2012) were smaller than the Disney Magic (1998) and Disney Wonder (1999). The Dream and Fantasy are approximately 40% larger than the Magic and Wonder. While I can't speak for any cruise line, I can see cruise lines enhancing or increasing public space - where they typically generate most of their revenue.

The following is what's included in the mealtime package:

 

Unlimited wine (a choice of 2 white, 2 red and 1 rosé house brands), mineral water, draft beer, sodas and fruit juices during lunch and dinner.

I will add that the Mealtime Beverage Package changed in April/May 2017 in that it was *previously* only available at the buffet and Main Dining Room (MDR). The five noted wines were not necessarily all available at the same time. Typically, one or two wines were opened and available at a given day and time. Currently, the package is now available at the buffet, MDR, as well as all bars. The availability of wines is still the same at the buffet and MDR, though I am not sure if the bars have more than two of the five wines available at any given time.

All beverages are served during posted lunch and/or dinners times. That means that if lunch is served in the buffet from 12 Noon - 3PM and dinner is server from 6PM - 9PM, you can walk into the buffet for a beverage at those times. Beverages at the MDR would be during your normal dining time. I would imagine that beverages at the bars would be available during the stated buffet and MDR lunch and dinner times.

Sailing MSC Seaside Jan 27, 2018. What are their non premium spirits? I like mudslides on the rocks. Three liquors on ice (Baileys, Kahlua and Vodka) was wondering if mudslides are included with mealtime beverage package?

Check your reservation for availability. I do not see that listed on my April Seaside cruise, but have had this package before. Liquor and liqueur are not included.

Yes, I know I SHOULD be able to, but have not yet been successful doing so! LOL! If you would be so kind to see if you can do it, I would love to see what the price is and if there are any special perks with it. We are looking at the Seaside for 14 nights February 10th-24th. Fantastica Balcony. Black card if that matters. (It was booked as a 14 day, not a B2B) Thanks so much! If you can't post the info here, try: suzyed at aol dot com

For the life of me, I could not get a 15 night cruise to populate for the Seaside during your stated dates (I sense a gremlin in the works). If there is an solice in the matter, MSC's office is supposed to be open on September 14th under *normal* hours. You might trying calling (or, use the CALL ME feature, if possible). Explain what you were trying to do - perhaps there is a glitch in the system. Good luck!

Yes, tried that too. Sometimes it won't even let me choose 8+ or if it allows the 8+ plus choice, they don't allow the Seaside choice. I'm already booked as a 14day but I was curious how the prices were comparing to what I got....and I can't duplicate the booking.

If you click on a link for a special promotion, you do not always have the ability to see all options and selections. If you are not clicking on a link, you should be able to enter the DESTINATION, DATES and DEPARTURE PORT. Once the available cruises are populated, you should then be able to add additional filters (number of nights, cruise ship, deals & promotions).

If you want me to check pricing ... I will check for you.

Well I guess you are better than I.

I just tried it and the only one they show is the 7 day.

BTW, I booked it as a 14 day sailing...not a B2B.

It sounds like you may need to change the search parameters to search for 8+ night cruises. That will alleviate 7 night cruises, and show only the B2B cruises (which are booked as a single cruise).

You can't even get the 15 day cruise on the Seaside to show up on their website! Or any other TA website for that matter! MSC website is one of the worst out there!!

I have no problems finding 14 night Seaside cruises (B2B) on MSCcruisesUSA,com

Crazy! I live in South Florida, where Seaside will be located, and haven't seen a single commercial or mention of it anywhere around here!

Check your cable provider for OANN or AWE network ... MSC advertises on those stations (and possibly others via Verizon).

The Biscayne bay buffet and pizzeria on deck 16 in the deck plans is called colonial buffet in the written materials on the website and it says that one is targeted to families with children, while the marketplace buffet on deck 8 is for everyone, is my understanding. How or whether they'll enforce those distinctions, or if it will simply end up being a way to better disperse crowds...i don't know.

I remember a video (maybe it was on MSCcruisesUSA.com) which said or suggested that a buffet was either designed for, or for exclusive use by kids. I'm not sure I remember it exactly. I wonder if saying it is targeted for families with children merely means it is kid friendly? As an example, the buffet on the Divina has a small area for kids only (far aft, port side) ... not sure if they are using the same concept. Looking at the Seaside deck plans, I now realize that Biscayne Bay Buffet and Pizzeria (deck 16) is much smaller than Marketplace Buffet on deck 8. Interesting!

I am seeing two separate buffet areas in two completely different area on the ship (seaside ). Is this correct ? And if so , why two ? Is it to accommodate the overcrowding like on the Divina?

... to provide access for different public areas of the ship. As an example, if you are at the aft pool, you do not have to go topside.

(Divina) I've been on the Divina twice ... once on a full ship, the other was at near capacity. The buffet was not overcrowded, though people did tend to conglomerate near the entrance. Crowding can be alleviated with more space (square footage), not necessarily multiple locations. :)

Steve ... I am going to hazard a guess here that what you have seen is likely a pre build drawing that someone was able to take a photo of that does not now reflect how the ship will look, unless as you say the deck plan has been changed.

As I said in another post there is no logical reason to have a door where you have the Red line unless access to the Fantastica cabin next to the Aurea one is in a different place, now that I could understand because it would then give the Aurea suite a small vestibule. On current deck plans having the door to the Fantastica cabin elsewhere does not look possible.

The image that we have does not appear to be an photograph of plans, but is likely a scanned image. It could indeed be an image which has since been changed - anything is possible. However, I seriously doubt that the basic layout of the rooms have changed, since the veranda, and exterior slider door seem to coincide with the current build. Unless the location of the bathrooms in the staterooms have changed (which would not make sense), there is little else to change.

The image that we have shows a small vestibule for the last two staterooms. The location of the door for the last Fantastica stateroom is not in a location different than other Fantastica staterooms, other than it is a second door behind a vestibule door. I don't believe there is a dramatic difference between what you are saying, and what is shown on the image. My thoughts for the red line was that it would square off the hallway so people do not inadvertently walk into a dead end (past the aft elevators). Personally, I like the concept, as I have had my fair share of walking down a corridor only to realize that I walked myself into a dead-end. Whether the red-line is part of the current build is moot. At this point, my biggest questions are, (1) Why did the MSC Sales rep provide this to our T/A? and, (2) Why did the MSC Sales rep ask that the image not be shared with the public (outside of our cruise group)?

SD ... None of the available deck plans show what you describe, so it could well be that what you have is an early idea that has been shelved prior or during the start of the build of the ship.

 

Having a door where you say would make no sense whatsoever, there is no dead end because you can go from one side to the other past the elevator shaft plus the distance of two cabins would likely not constitute a dead end.

Given that many on this thread have acknowledged conflicting information on multiple MSC websites, I am not sure that anyone knows what information is accurate. I have no stake in this, as I am not booked in those staterooms. As previous posted by another individual on the same cruise as me, the plans for this area were provided to our T/A by an MSC sales rep. As previously stated, we are not permitted to show the image to anyone, until the information is made public.

Sid, the difference between the deck plan and the image received by a few on this thread is a single, short wall on either side of the ship (see the red lines which I added). I also added a curved blue line, which represents the entrance into the stateroom after walking around the bathroom. Is the information we have accurate? I can't say for sure, but compare the images in post #1226 and #1367 to the deckplan and pictures of the ship.

https://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/9/5/8/2/0/8/webimg/960660977_o.jpg

I think the door into the suite will have to face forward and be at the end of the small corridor adjacent to the aft glass elevators. Entering through the door you will probably be in a curved hallway around the bathroom paralleling the curve of the exterior wall. Window in this wall probably smoked glass.

That's what the sketch plans show, though I cannot tell much of anything about the window(s). One interesting point ... the last two staterooms on either side of the ship seem to share a privacy access door (perhaps accessible by keycard), before accessing the door to their own stateroom(s). Though I can't be sure, it may have been added for one or both of the following reasons:

1) security: alleviate dead-end / confined space at the end of the hallway, which yields to the entrance of two staterooms

2) aesthetics: to clean up the lines of the hallway near the aft, panoramic elevators. This would also thwart people from walking to the end of the corridor, before realizing they have to turn around.

I called this morning, and my match was confirmed; however I never received and email telling me. Also you mention booking on the "hump" what do you mean by that? Where the ship curves in on the deck plans?

(status match) Did they provide you with your Voyager Club number, as well as the category of your status match (silver, gold, black)?

(hump) Yes! There is a picture in post #1333 of this thread which shows the area where the ship widens. We booked a similar location on the Divina last year.

S3 Fantastica Suite (deck 15, on the first hump)

My mistake ... we are S2 Fantastica Suite. Fantastica Balcony would be a B2

I saw the typo when I received the daily thread of messages.

about the room have you seen any deck plans? I bet I have trouble with my match then, I did it all from my phone.

(deck plans) Yes, the deck plans are on MSCcruisesUSA.com. We booked S3 Fantastica Suite (deck 15, on the first hump) in December 2015. The Suite on the hump provides an extra large veranda.

(loyalty match) You cannot use a PNG file to submit an image of your loyalty match (I am not sure what type of image is generated on a smartphone). If your application is not accepted, they do not necessarily send you a rejection notice. When you resubmit again ... wait three or four days ... if you do not receive an e-mail from MSC, call them to ask if they received your request. They should be able to tell you if it was approved, rejected, or pending.

I have been waiting for my status match for 2 months now. Not sailing until June so I'm trying to be patient.

As others have said, it should only take a few days (a week at most). If you have not heard by now, resubmit your application. *** Remember to attach proper proof of your loyalty status ... which should be in JPG form.

Ship looks great! Msc has some great deals going on for 2018 sailings my only hitch is i don't know what room/where to book a room (will be fantastica balcony) because there is not a whole lot of information out there. Also waiting on our loyalty match (will only be classic but still worth it) to come through.

Do you prefer mid-ship, forward or aft? Also, when booking a stateroom, check the deckplan to avoid public spaces immediately above and below you - to avoid the potential for excessive noise into your stateroom.

Seen at the pics in my minds must be a really big unit, Im not expecting 2 bedrooms but I hope a lot of space because they just have 2 units on the aft and the elevator between them so must be a really nice one....

The layout of the bed and sofa portion of the staterooms are configured almost identically as compared to the aft Fantastica Suites, though the aft Aurea Suites are wider and deeper. There appears to be enough extra width to allow space for an extra chair to be provided in the corner of the stateroom - across from the sofa - with access to the sliding glass door (leading to veranda) located between the sofa and extra chair. The bathroom is larger, and is configured differently. The entrance to the suite appears to be located just past the end of the aft elevators, and curves around the bathroom, leading into the suite - lending to an extra bit of privacy. Nobody will be able to see into your stateroom when someone is entering or leaving the stateroom. I believe these suites will be the envy of the ship.

I can't believe my excitement for seaside and im not even sailing on her im on seaview next july b2b so long

Many of us booked the Seaside in December 2015 (24 to 29 months in advance of sailings). :o

I have $525 in OBC for our sailing ... I'm not sure what else we can spend it on since we won't be using the casino, although maybe a treatment.

Generally speaking, guests can use credits to pay for gratuities, spa services, additional specialty dining, excursions, ship tour, photography (pictures or equipment), bingo, casino, a nice bottle of wine or champagne, onboard shopping (lots of 3rd party vendors, plus MSC logo shop and duty free shop), bowling, 4D simulator, etc.

Additional options currently available on the Divina - which may, or may not be available on the Seaside - include Wine Blending and Wine Tasting (La Cantina di Bacco).

Remember, if you purchase something online - it will be charged to your credit card - so you cannot use your shipboard credit, except for items purchased while onboard the ship.

Ugh, looks like a lot of wasted space with that hallway. I'd have preferred the bath in the corner with the small window. I assume the sofa bed is beside the main bed towards the sliding door as the room is longer than in the mock up.

It looks like they merely copied the same basic floorplan of a smaller balcony stateroom into this larger suite. I am not sure if there were any plumbing concerns or restrictions with which they had to contend. If they were able to move the bathroom, perhaps they could have created a larger, or separate sitting area. No matter, these will be coveted suites for their location, verandas and views. As it is, the hallway reminds me of a penthouse entrance, and lends a bit more privacy.

Add to that, the last three staterooms on the aft end of either side of the ship have their entrance at different locations.

 

 

SD ... Is this refering to the deck plans or the drawing that supposedly exists mentioned by "renysmom" ?

Sid - I am looking at the same sketch-plan referenced by Renysmom (we are in the same cruise group). I am calling it a sketch-plan. It looks like a copy of a blue-print, perhaps drawn (sketched) by an engineer ... not likely something created by marketing or similar department.

FWIW, I am booked in an S2 suite.

You may want to go back to the previous page and read post 1185 and 1187 that talks about those Aurea Aft Suites. There is a believe that they are a one open room unless I read it wrong.

I am part of the group of guests booked on the Seaside through that T/A. After reading your message, I looked at the floorplan again. MEA CULPA :eek: my mistake :halo: ! I initially saw a separate (second) bedroom ... but looking at it again, I realize the second bedroom is the neighboring stateroom. With all of the sketch lines, it's a little hard to decipher, but I realized my mistake when I saw reference to the stateroom numbers. Add to that, the last three staterooms on the aft end of either side of the ship have their entrance at different locations.