Sailfish

Finally, I would not hesitate to go with MSC again...even the Seaside, if the dates and cost met our requirements. Oh, and forgot to mention, we have an inside cabin. Last year, on Divina, we booked a balcony. We go in any stateroom type that presents us with the best deal. Not at all picky.

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Some background on me, so you get a better idea of my comments. Should have included this before. We reside in Thailand part of the year, so we always take transpacific cruises to Asia or the South Pacific when we can. Then when we are ready to return to Florida, we take the latest transatlantic back. We fly on a short flight to Thailand once we get to Asia, and fly to Europe to catch a Transatlantic. We often do this route in reverse in the Spring. I am not particularly loyal to MSC or any other line. But rather cruise out if necessity. We are Elite on Celebrity, Diamond Plus in Royal, and we have equivalent status with Carnival, Princess and even MSC.

We find these repositioning cruises to be less expensive than flying to Asia. It is easier on my body and if we get lucky, it proves to be a nice vacation!

We are used to seeing all kinds of issues after a ship goes through drydock. We never let problems affect our trip. We bring stuff to keep us entertained... books, a guitar, watercolors, computer, etc. Some lines provide a good variety of activities, some don't.

This is not our first MSC cruise. We are very familiar with their service philosophy, the entertainment, activities on these longer voyages (or lack thereof).

Despite everything, we are having a great time. We have been in Asia for 84 days! So, this voyage is a nice change.

My intention was to post some observations. I always appreciate knowing the good, the bad and the ugly. Helps me to prepare.

So take what I say with a grain of salt. Always smart to do some research and to get first hand info.

Will try to answer questions. Just remember, I am not your typical cruiser. BTW, I am in my 50's now, still enjoying scuba diving and retirement most of all!

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I don't understand, MSC has been in the North American market for 15 years or so, yet they don't provide coffee at meals? It looks like the cabins are a notch below Divina and current Carnival offerings in Florida. MSC is such a strange company, I would have thought they would do better, with this special new build..

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So what's open for dinner, the MDR, specialty restaurants and smaller upstairs buffet? Is the main (deck 8) buffet open after dinner?

 

Did they say why they had closed the buffet?

 

PS Thanks for posting, good to hear from someone who's currently on the ship. Is the Internet speed good?

 

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Not much info on why the main buffet is closed for dinner. Till Miami we were told. Lots of speculation...ship not full, so more cost effective to shut it down??? Maintenance issues, though it's open for breakfast and dinner.

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I am on the Seaside right now. Been on many transatlantic voyages out of drydock, but no maiden voyages. Paid very little for this cruise, so my expectations were minimal. That said, things are pretty bad on the ship. Crew telling me this voyage is not the real cruise is simply not right. Been with MSC for a long time on other ships. Totally different, which I expected. High tech and very modern, with lots of issues that will probably soon be addressed. Larger food portions, lower quality. Crew mostly from other MSC ships. Yes, still working out staffing issues, but many don't care or try to address concerns. Because it's not the real cruise! Ha!

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We are having a blast. This was a bargain so my expectations were minimal to begin with. We stay busy with trips to the gym, pool and watching a lot of TV. We are enjoying the Zipline and the few activities they plan. Antigua is coming up in two days, so that will be fun. All in all, not the best cruise, but still enjoying the time on the ocean.

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+++quote+++

Movement is also encumbered by the predominant use of mirrors, glass and chromed metal surfaces throughout the public areas.* I have already witnessed several passenger walk into mirrors and glass panes, and at the risk of sounding lame, I have had had several near misses myself.*

***quote***

 

 

How is that possible!?

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No reason given why they closed the buffet on Deck 8. Lots of rumors and speculation. One is too few passengers to warrent opening it up. Another is maintenance problems. But it is open for breakfast and lunch. This is the main buffet. The one on Deck 16 is open. But menu is limited to pizza and a couple of items.

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The "real voyage" according to staff begins in Miami. Very irritating to hear this sort of comment dismissing some of the problems.

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We are making most of the good weather and trying hard to not let the issues get to us. We have been on many transatlantic voyages out of drydock, where there are issues. So some things not so shocking. But no excuse for lack of cleanliness. Just saying.

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On the ship right now. Not going too well. Posted my impressions at MSC thread.

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Black card is okay in butchers cut too. Mixed reviews on that one. Went also to Asian Restaurant...just okay.

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On the ship right now. Black card good in all restaurants. You get the package menu. Best one so far us Ocean Cay. Huge portions of crab!

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I am on the Seaside now. Got on in Barcelona. Understanding this is a cruise work in progress, many things not going well. They closed the main buffet for dinner for the remainder of the cruise. Lots of maintenance issues, dirty hallways, poor service, etc. Quite a few angry passengers, though we are having a nice cruise, despite all the issues.

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We are on the the maiden voyage of the Seaside from Barcelona to Miami.* After ten days on the ship we have decided to share some of our experiences and impressions.*

The ship is large, capacity about 5200 passengers, but because it is compartmentalized and generally has standard height ceilings, it does not have the grand interior appearance of other large ships.* There are some nice features, like the multi-story video screen in the atrium, and the chocolate bar with surrounding shops, but nothing like the interior shopping promenades on RC or Celebrity.

The vertical layout of the ship makes it somewhat difficult to move about.* For example, the buffet on deck sixteen blocks access to the specialty restaurants from the midship (primary) elevators.* Also views from the the bow of the ship are entirely blocked to all passenger except those with Yacht Club Status. This will disappoint those who want to view island approaches, dolphin watch*

or enjoy the wind in your face "Titanic experience".**

Movement is also encumbered by the predominant use of mirrors, glass and chromed metal surfaces throughout the public areas.* I have already witnessed several passenger walk into mirrors and glass panes, and at the risk of sounding lame, I have had had several near misses myself.* The decor is visually confusing, and reminiscent of an airport terminal.* Those who are fans of the classic decor of the MSC Devina, marble floors and sculpted plaster walls, and intimate spaces are likely to be disappointed by the Seaside.

Some good things; the outdoor pools, the spa and fitness areas, and the childrens' areas are*

quite nice, although MSC is still working out some kinks.* The entire walkthrough deck around the waterslides and children's pool is flooded when in use, which reslults in wet and slippery floors in the elevators and interior of the ship. The kids' arcade is also top notch, with a bowling alley and Formula 1 simulator.

The food in the Asian and Seafood specialty restaurants is quite good.* The formal night dinners in the complimentary restaurants have also been good.* The nightly dinner menus and service are spotty.* I believe that MSC has "Americanized" the menu, meaning larger portions and lower quality.* Sigh.**

Speaking of service, I'm certain that our sailing is understaffed.* Breakfast, lunch and dinner service is sometimes good, but often very slow.* Over easy and soft poached eggs are often hard boiled. Veggies are generally overcooked.* Plating is sometimes sloppy.* Waiters and head waiters often respond, "that's perfectly ok!" Ask for a non-standard plate or tell them you are allergic to* something, in my case mushy succotash, and you are likely to get a fresher plate.*

When we boarded* the ship our room was mostly made, but the carpet in the room and the hallway was dirty with debris, as if it had not been vacuumed since the ships construction, including the previous weeks sailing.* On day 2 our room still was not made or cleaned, 27 hours after embarkation.* We sat through a very long line of disgruntled guests to request assistance.* Day 4, we reported again that our hallway and room had never been vacuumed.* Day 5, I borrowed an abandoned vacuum from the hallway and cleaned our cabin carpet, as well a the hall carpet in front of our room.* I reported for a third time to Guest Services. Day 9, I reported to Guest Services that our room was not vacuumed since I had cleaned on day 5, and that our hallway was full of debris and dust bunnies. I suggested that the Hotel Director was not doing his job and that many passengers were equally unhappy.* I also confirmed a rumour that we had heard that the primary dinner buffet would be closed for the remainder of the cruise.* I requested that my automatic gratuities be halted, so that I could tip as warranted.* The Guest Services representative took some offense that I would question the Hotel Director and his staff, and promptly pushed all of the blame back to our room steward...even though the entire ship is* unkempt, including dirty carpets and handrails, and leaking public toilets and plumbing* on almost every floor, often left unattended.*

When we returned to the room the primary steward paid a call.* "What's the problem?" Our reply, "just look."* Evidently passing the buck is a common practice on MSC. Soon after, we received a second visit from an Assistant Housekeeping Manager and our very humble Room Steward.* They were apologetic and had had no explanation for the dirty conditions or lack of response to previous complaints. By evening our room and our immediate hallway was nicely vacuumed.* Rumor has it that each Room Steward has been assigned 20 rooms to keep clean.* The most I have heard on other ships is 14.* I hope MSC will staff appropriately in Miami, or I anticipate passenger riots.

Otherwise, a lot of the technology on the ship is still not working.* The room is smallish, and the closet is an afterthought.* Our closet door has come off the rails and we've heard several guest say that parts are falling off of their closet doors.**

The entertainment on the ship is still quite good, as we remember from the Davina.* Nice lounge acts, and operatic performances.* Nothing "new" so far, but done very well.

It's clear that the Seaside was forced to sail before it was ready, perhaps by a month.* It is understaffed for this voyage.* We hope, for the sake of all those sailing on the maiden Miami cruise over the holidays, that there will be significant improvement in the next seven days. Cross your fingers.

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Because we had quite a bit of ship board credit, I bought a couple of Invicta watches. One had a rose gold metal, which promptly turned brassy. Another stopped working a few months after we got it. It was the kind that needed motion to operate. Never really worked right and I use neither. Though probably overpriced also, I love my Citizen watches that I got on cruises. More expensive, but great eco drive watches. Lesson learned about Invicta.

Millennium - March 25, 2017

 

Changes from last update noted in "bold":

 

Master: Captain Nikolas Christodoulakis

Hotel Director: Mark McSorley

Chief Engineer: Nikolaos Politsis

Staff Captain: Georgios Tsilouchas

F&B: Mihai Olaeriu

Cruise Director: Mark Western

GRM: Jann Ramos

Exec Chef: Karl Dufeil

Michael's Club: Lucy Raynor

CC Host: Graeme Kelleher

Duo: Voodeux Duo

Guitar & Vocals : Dale Ellis

House Band: Front Row

Dance Band: Inner Mood

DJ: RoXtar

Classical Sounds: Duo Allure

Will Graeme be aboard the Millennium during the Pacific Crossing in May?

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We have done this same voyage in the fall for several years. We really liked Raluca and will want to take her a small gift from Florida if she were to be on the ship. She has helped clear up a few issues on other voyages and has always remembered us. So that's why I ask.

Who is the Captains Club Host/Hostess aboard the Millennium? I am sailing to Asia on Sept 2nd and was wondering if Raluca will be there.

Thanks.

Suzi

Is Marlene still the CC Hostess on the Reflection?

Thanks.

Suzi

As Millie starts the Alaska season, may12,2015

 

Master. Konstantinos Nestoroudis

Chief engineer nikolais Kokkalis

Staff Captain Georgios Tslouchas

GRM Touch Ung

HD Daniel Simon

CD Steve Gayda

F & B Simon Coley

Executive Chef Gavin Baxter

Dance Band Soundtrack

House Band Latitude

Guitar Javier Santos

Piano Taylor Kunysz

Classical duo Glamour Duo

Any idea who will be the Captains Club Host?

Going through my cruise folder this morning, I noticed I did not post the name of Constellation's Concierge who is Dee Wright. I have added her to the list that I originally posted yesterday.

 

Master: Captain Tasos Kafetzis

Staff Captain: Christos Trifyllis

Chief Engineer: Nikolaos Politsis

Guest Relations Manager: Alana Abrams

Hotel Director: Marcela Salum

Cruise Director: Alejandro Tortorelli

Food & Beverage Director: Bernard Mazet

Executive chef: Andy Bouchard

Concierge: Dee Wright

Captain's Club Host: Graeme Kelleher (but going home on vacation after 4-night Jan. 29th cruise and will be replaced by Lionel. Graeme is expecting to return to Constellation after vacation)

House Band: The Shenanigans

Dance Band: Deja Vu

 

Kathy

Do you think the captain will be on the Constellation in April to take the ship over to Rome? We met Tasos on the Solstice (when the ship was a under a year old); he was the staff captain. We will be on the April 9th sailing and curious if he will be on the ship then.

Suzi or anybody else still out there, can you help me? After reading all the post, I have narrowed it down to a few but don't know which place would be the best for discover scuba. We are cruising Dec. 7 - 14. Looking at Roatan with West End Divers, Grand Caymen with JJ Divers, or Cozumel Sports?

I think Roatan would have less current in Dec than Cozumel. I also think you will see more. As long as you can go first thing in tbe morning, Grand Cayman could be okay too. The issue with Cozumel in Dec is the ‘Christmas Winds" which can make things difficult. Good luck!

How were the shows? What did you like most about the ship? What did you do during days at sea?