CampNCruise74

3 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Don't quite know what year that was, but in October of 2018 we stayed in this cabin on the Divina. They must have 'stuck' the Diva's photos in our cabin.

Looks super nice with those great pictures!

4 hours ago, McHaggis69 said:

We are first time Seashore cruisers with a couple of days to go. Currently on way to MSC private island before returning to Miami on 30th April.

 

Thoughts and observations -

 

The ship itself is amazing - shiny and new and very much a different layout to our former RC cruises.

We are booked Aurea class with the premium extra drinks package.

Embarkation was a mixed event. We arrived by taxi to the dock and were stopped and asked for our cv19 tests on multiple occasions, but not to show the actual test - just to ask that we had it - the Answer the first and 4th time was ‘yes’!

We were NOT tested at the port. We joined a priority queue (but we had to ask where it was after being directed to the normal queue) and were quickly processed with photo and checks of all cv19 documents - the test results and vax docs

We got on board and were a bit scunnered to find no state rooms were ready so we had an hour or two to kill (we boarded at about noon) carrying hand luggage around.

We had an issue activating our cruise cards at the terminals but a quick visit to guest services sorted it out.

 

Aurea class we thought included free minibar and free breakfast in room. We’ve been charged to refill the minibar (so I guess by ‘free’ they mean ‘until you drink it all’). We also got charged for our second breakfast in room on day two. No idea why. I guess what they mean by free breakfast in room is ‘free breakfast one time in your room’?

 

The main dining room for us is Central Park. The food in our opinion is just okay. Nothing to write home about but generally well done. We were surprised at dinner to find you are limited to a choice of 2 red wines. Happily our waiter brought me a bottle of what I actually wanted and we were not charged. If you are used to eating higher end food, then the restaurant falls a little bit short. Service is great and the staff universally friendly.

 

The spa (including free massage for both if us) has been great - a really nice experience.

 

I’ve already opened another thread about our neighbours smoking on their balcony. Its taken 3 visits from customer services to get them to stop, but to be fair to MSC we got a call this afternoon to ask if it had been resolved so good follow up there.

 

Excursions have all been well organised, but it is a real shame so many people just dont listen to what they are being told and all those small delays while they try and understand what is going on adds delays for everyone who is already in line/tickets out/knows where to go etc.

 

The premium extra drinks package has generally been amazing - just about anything I want on the menus I can have. Menus - we are still using scanned barcodes to bring the menu up on your mobile device and its a bit of a pain. CV19 restrictions on that point still in place, but nothing beats having an actual drinks menu to look at physically.

 

On CV19 - staff all wearing masks but very few passengers are. We did for about 4 or 5 days but have stopped now.

 

The biggest bugbear is the buffet. We are all using shared serving utensils. Surely we should all be given disposable gloves?? Serving utensils at a buffet are the no1 cause of spread of any contagion - not just cv19 - you just dont know if the person serving their eggs has been picking their arse before doing so and you then have to use the same utensil. Further, because perspex screens remain in place, its very difficult to reach underneath and serve yourself - you have to pretty much duck down and angle your arm to get what you want. We have our own hand sanitiser we use after serving our food from the buffet. The buffet food is really quite basic and often cold. Eggs benedict with cold congealed sauce is not appetising. Having said that the choice is reasonably varied so we’ve found something to eat every time we have visited.

 

What has been really quite annoying is the hard upsell on the ‘pay’ restaurants. It has been *incessant*. Constantly pestered by staff from the Butchers Cut no matter where you are on the ship to sign up to a signature restaurant package. As it happens we did sign (after 3 days being pestered) and are at Butchers Cut tonight, but come on MSC - 4 days of pressure selling is embarrassing.

 

The elevators… what is everyones problem? We have found them 19 times of 20 to be fast, efficient and more often than not empty. Twice we have had to wait what I might call an unreasonable period of time for a car to arrive but as far as I can tell thats been because someone has been ‘holding’ the lift doors open on another floor - while late arriving family members get on board. The lifts are easy to operate - touch a screen to tell it what floor - the system tells you what car - and you then get on board. Simple and does away with my own personal hate of people who dont know how traditional elevator call buttons work and they press the up arrow even when they want to go down and vice versa - doesn’t happen with this system.

 

MSC for me APP is a monster - particularly where the spa is concerned. Whatever you book at the spa should show up on your personal itinerary on the app, but our experience is its almost always wrong. Same with billing. Was shouting at the wife for spending $500 in the spa which somehow reduced to $300 later in the day with no rational explanation. The app is simply not reliable enough.

 

Overall it has been thoroughly enjoyable. Happy to try and answer any questions if I can in next few days. Although like all ‘reviews’ it might seem I have noted all the issues/problems - we really can’t fault MSC and would happily cruise again with them.

Thanks for your write-up.  Our experience with the elevators on starboard side mids was very different. How did the dinner at Butcher's Cut go?

I wonder what incentives they will be offering when booking on board then since they are giving OBC and double points out now with Voyagers status?  More OBC?

2 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

So, it wasn't a terrible cruise.  I've never had a terrible time in the 20 years and 40+ sailings.  But it was far from a great cruise.

 

It was about what I expected.  Too much ship (but beautiful).  Decent service most of the time.  Nice casino.  Not great MDR or buffet food.  I enjoyed having the drink package (probably enjoyed that a bit more than I needed to).  I don't hate kids; but I don't like it when they run and shout and treat all spaces as their own personal playground and the parents ignore it.

 

The only way I'd consider sailing this class ship again would be if my DD wanted to sail.  I imagine her husband would love it, and they have a daughter who will be 2 in August.  I'll consider booking using my 30% casino discount for next January (since I have a late-Jan cruise booked, I could do another side-to-side) if they want to sail.  As for going solo again?  Probably not.

 

I've moved away from Carnival (>30 cruises on them and a B2B2B med/med/TA coming up in October and the Jan 2023 booking).  My preferred line now is Holland America.  It's just more my speed.  I'd like a more diverse demographic on HAL but I love their ships, service, food, and itineraries.  Really liked X but unless I start getting good offers from them, if the price is comparable to HAL, I'll stick with them.  I like MSC and as long as their fares are in my budget, I'll consider them, but they won't be at the top of my list.

I'm sorry your cruise wasn't super, but I guess it could have been worse.  The Seashore does have two omelet stations at the stern of the buffet, which can be far from where people normally enter. The omelet station is slow so if someone's interested you better get there early.  When we got off a few weeks ago there was a large number of service employees that had just arrived on new contact and probably not had too much training.  I do understand about having to be super assertive sometimes.  Surprisingly on Ocean Kay I said at the bar for a while with no one asking me if I needed anything.  I finally asked him who do I need to speak to to order.   MSC definitely has the kids, but they do market themselves as a family oriented line with extensive kids club experiences.

Chedda's bedda!

2 hours ago, QueenofEverything said:

We have it on our August Mereviglia cruise.  It wasn't on there when we booked, but was added later.  I called and they added it to our booking.

What was date that you called if you don't mind please?

5 hours ago, sm9690 said:

When I was on seaside the cruise consultant said they're planning a big pricing change on the 28th

My cruise consultant on Seashore said similar saying try back at the end of this month to get the voyagers club discount applied.  

14 minutes ago, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said:

Awesome; thank you so much! We sail this Saturday.

No problem, bon voyage! 

17 minutes ago, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said:

So Le Cabaret Rouge is a seated venue? I pictured it like a dance club where everyone is standing around. I guess not. What time do their shows usually begin? Thanks!

Yes, but what is strange is sitting straight in front of the show is near impossible because of configuration of the place.  This is not theater seating.  It's cocktail tables and cushy charis.  There are floor tables which will get you super close to the action, but not good access to cocktail waitresses and bar so get your drinks ahead.  Near the upper bar there is an overlook counter that provides a good view.  Get there early!  Shows started 8:30 and 10 on my screen shot above. 

27 minutes ago, NMsunset said:

The things people spend time with during the cruise and post cruise just amazes me.

 

TBH, the complainers/critics actual amuse me and many others...like road rage...it's just a traffic jam...chill

 

Buy the drink package; if able bodied...take the "gasp" stairs, or use a different bank or side of elevators...geez

 

Or keep on and I will be the person laughing on my way to the spa, bar, pool, trivia, shore, bar, MDR, cabin for a nap (or nooner), bar, speciality restaurant,  theater, game room, lounge, did I mention bar!?!? 

 

I get this site is for amateur "critics" of cruises...but I witness tons more complaining/whining when on cruises...in the past I tried to help/assist/advise/calm, etc... but realized they just want to complain...so now I just laugh and move on.

 

Please keep it up on the cruises and on this forum...I need the chuckles

 

Cheers!

Ha ha ha very funny Doctor Jones!  

56 minutes ago, RoePost said:

THANK YOU....

 

P.S. the Cabaret Rouge has some nice shows too, but you have to get in there early to get a good seat because the sight angles are weird. 

On 4/17/2022 at 11:28 AM, mlbdude said:

You mean the “Elevator D” lying group? 😁. They are pretty bad .  Imagine a full ship.

 

These are the middle, atrium elevators.  The others were not as bad.  Something wrong with the algorithm on those.

Haha that's funny we nicknamed letter "d" as in doesn't make it to your floor... Something is very wrong with them.  Sometimes when I would get up at 6:00 a.m. it would take time for elevators to get to me,. So I started looking at the cracks in the door and trying to spot when the movement actually started to my floor.

On 4/17/2022 at 11:22 AM, JAGR said:

When you say aft elevators, I am curious.  There are really only two main sets of elevators: one forward, just aft of the YC, and one midship.  Are you referring to the small panoramic lifts that go only from deck 8 to deck 18?  They are small, so I guess they would be slow.

They were very effective actually and as much sq footage as the main ones. It's nice because you can actually see where it is.  Only two vs eight however.

On 4/16/2022 at 11:28 PM, Love2Snorkle said:

Seashore's elevator is the WORST I have ever seen.  What is your opinion? 

So many people hated these elevators so I don't think I am alone on this matter.

It was really bad for us with half capacity.

1 hour ago, RoePost said:

What time is early dining?  Are the shows every night at the same time?

Early dining is at 5:45.  Evening shows are at the same time each night except the last night.   We found iit was  cutting it to close to make the 7:00 show so would mainly go to the later one at 8:30 in the Madison theater.

Bump.  Somebody said they got a telephone agent to apply it. 

5 hours ago, Morgsmom said:

I have found that the "agents" onboard are not terribly knowledgeable and certainly don't offer the "best" rates or deals.  The scant $50 OBC is easily matched by a land based TA.  

I agree, the double Voyagers Club points is seemingly the best benefit.  To all, the agent on board though seemingly is very knowledgeable.  Buse is her name, now on the Seashore has been on all the ships and has moved from the Seaside to Mera to Seashore, and will go to the Seaview.  She works with the Yacht Club guests too. 

19 hours ago, jcathers1 said:

Were the fitness center and thermal spa open?

Yes, both were open. I have gold status and am entitled to a free hour in the spa, so anyone out there that is the same, don't forget your perk!  The thermal area was nice.  Just like the Seaside in layout.  I love the showers, steam rooms, sauna, and ice room!  I work out everyday, cardio and weights, and they had sufficient equipment to hit all you major muscle groups with a little creative thinking because the space is limited. The Techno Gym equipment is first rate and is designed exceptionally well.  Their elliptical version has an interesting design that allows for unique movements through your hips and legs.  

5 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

Is there any sort of library? I don't see one in the deck plans. I'm boarding celebrity summit today, will test on Thursday if the wifi cooperates, and board Seashore after disembarking Summit.  I didn't have room to pack as many novels as I'd like. 

No, I didn't see a library.  They do have a billiards room and conference rooms which I peeked in.  These were the quietest places on the ship, although there was a great expanse of unused buffet space toward the front of the ship.  

FYI if anyone reads this the seashore mid elevators were awful for us   Starboard side seemed especially bad because that's the side where we enter and exit ports from. I think the whole system is just bogus.  We nicknamed the letter d elevator is in "doesn't make it to the floor"

For right or wrong sometimes we would split parties and one person would go to each side.  Also too some people wait too long they start pushing all sorts of numbers just to invoke a response from the elevators.  No bueno.

 Also if there's any yacht club people out there or something I found strange was twice when using the forward elevators we intercepted yacht club patrons with their Butler, whereas I thought the butler was able to commandeer the elevator to make it go to the floor he wanted it to only,

and not respond to any other floor inquiries.  Have yacht club folks experienced this?

6 hours ago, cellfree said:

Yeah! We were tested couple weeks ago at Port Canaveral, glad to hear this news. Boarding in a week, Walgreens Thursday, packing Friday, driving and embarking Saturday. 

Have a great cruise!

11 hours ago, RICHARD@SEA said:

I was wondering if anyone know what is the earliest time for disembark for the SEASHORE in MIami for the last few months.

 

Planning on sailing in late April 2022 & want to make planes reservations...

 

Thank you

Yesterday, 4/9 Seashore debarkation procedures.  Earliest walk off was 7:15 am. Cheers!

7 hours ago, relaxatsea said:

One more question, please.  Did MSC give you an additional Covid test at embarkation?

No problem! No they did not.  They used to in February, but not anymore.

2 minutes ago, Dreamer68 said:

 

Is the name for "Marisol" complete? Am guessing this is a local shore operator in Puerto Plata? Thanks for all the other answers!!

 

Yes, Marysoltours in Puerto Plata.  Sorry for the errors in typing above.  I'm in a dim lit hotel room right now wishing I was still on the Seashore!

Also as a note for anyone that likes to work out, MSC uses something called Techno Gym machines which are excellent.  I have not seen these machines in the US, and they are very sophisticated with excellent movements of cardio and weight equipment.  Very expensive machines.

Also the Forest Park pool that I mentioned was great because I didn't have to worry about my kid getting burnt to a crisp why he played all day!