ashley@cruisecritic

As if being called a "guest" wasn't bad enough....

 

...NOW Cunard marketing emails are offering "transatlantic crossings from NY to LONDON" (or vice versa); cruises to/from London TOO !!

 

Unless QM2, QV & QE have secretly begun sailings to/from Tilbury, the Isle of Dogs or The Embankment - I wish that Cunard would stop this silliness. :D

 

Southampton, Southampton, Southampton !!!

Unfortunately, it's not new, and it isn't just a Cunard thing. It's industry wide. There's a whole bunch of itineraries that list:

Warnemunde for Berlin

Civitavecchia for Rome

Le Havre for Paris

Port Said for Cairo

Port Canaveral for Orlando

Cape Liberty/Bayonne for New York

And those are just the ones off the top of my head.

So explain to me. When you fall on the flow rider, doesn’t it hurt?! It looks painful in all of the videos I see, unless the ground is padded under the water? Also I am thinking about kneeling on the board for a safer ride, but is there anyway to quit the surf without falling?? Thanks!

 

 

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I haven't read the other replies, so it's likely someone else mentioned this, but the floor is padded -- a bit like a wrestling mat. But, yes, it hurts! The first time I did it, I fell and smacked my head so hard I had a headache for two days. That's why they make you sign a waiver. I was also so stunned during the fall that I snorted half the pool up my nose. I went back six years later and did it again with much better results. :) (P.S. -- Before I did it the first time, I jokingly asked the guy at the waiver desk what the chances were that I'd lose my bikini top. His stone-faced reply: "50 percent." I wore a T-shirt and shorts over top and was glad I did!)

Do you know what are the options for the massage that's included with an Aurea cabin?

 

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Sorry, I don't. :(

Ashely took the photos onboard the MSC Seaside...

 

steamboats

Correct, these are from Seaside. I'm not sure if maybe there are discounts for booking ahead of time, but that would be my guess. I was also on the first leg of the inaugural, so it's possible the prices were higher because it was a three-week sailing. It makes sense that three weeks of access would cost more than one week's worth.

Sorry - I had to laugh Ashley! :D

 

Mario Rossi is a famous Italian conductor!

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Rossi

 

As they say..."When sailing on an Italian ship..." ;p

Haha! Too funny! That's what it looks like on the card. Maybe that's why they chose his name as a sample. :D

Thank you! Very appreciated

No problem! :)

Hi there. Here's the complete spa menu, along with info on fitness classes, the thermal area and salon services. Sorry some of the shots are blurry. Note that you have to sign a waiver to use the fitness center, which is outfitted with Technogym equipment.

Hi Ashley

Are the hot alcoholic coffee drinks included in the coffee package?

Thanks for posting the menus :)

That's a great question! I'm not sure of the answer, but I would assume you'd need an alcohol package to order anything with alcohol in it and not be charged. Anyone else know?

Just like "calculating the need for the Showroom.........over 5000 on board and the theatre hold less than a 1000. So they have 3 showings a night, still leave 2000 who could not see a show if they all wanted to. I am sure they have a figure of expected # of people who will not eat inthe main dining room, but do the buffet or specialty dining...but i am sure it varies. As they key in on how it usually works and gets some statistics under their belt, instead of SWAG's. Things will get better

I'm told they offer more than one show per night, each with more than one performance. The shows will also appear on more than one night, so those who didn't get to see a particular one the first time will likely have another chance.

Well as it turns out our Seaside cruise on 3/17/18 has become a "Dolphins Fan" cruise. First, I don't particularly care...but thought it was a little weird to change it to a theme cruise AFTER final payment. I'd be pretty upset if the theme was something I didn't like. But the real question is: Does anyone have any info on what this cruise will entail? Did any of you book it BECAUSE it was a fan theme cruise?

My guess is that it was a Dolphins theme cruise from the start, but they just didn't make a big thing of telling people about it. MSC tends to do somewhat "quiet" theme cruises. I sailed on Poesia in 2012 and found myself onboard with a few former MLB players and coaches who did Q&As and autograph sessions. MSC does these baseball cruises at least once a year, and they generally don't publicize them very heavily. (Hardly anyone on my sailing knew about it.) If this is anything like that, it won't be too in-your-face. Then again, it could be different since Seaside is geared toward North Americans instead of Europeans, and the ship is leaving from the port where the team is based, which will obviously make it more popular. Will you report back after your sailing? Curious to know how it goes.

Found this picture which shows the money for the Amusement Area is placed onto a fun pass rather than one person's ship's card. Should make it easier for a group or family to share.

 

 

I could be wrong on this, but that looks like an individual's keycard with a "Fun Pass" sticker at the top. I think there's a name on the card. (Looks like maybe Mario Rossi or something.) When you sign a waiver at the fitness center, they put a sticker on your card to indicate that you're allowed to use the equipment. I think this might be something similar. Can't say from personal experience, though.

I still think your original post was a bit confusing since you said "smart" meant tech in the U.S. AND dress in the U.S. ( perhaps you meant to say dress in the U.K.).

In any case: There is a word to describe a ship looking "smart" as well as being "smart." It is the traditional nautical term "Bristol."

You may be familiar with the term "shipshape," which generally means "tidy, neatly arranged." In the maritime world, "Bristol-fashion" references the English city of Bristol, a large ship-building and repair center, with a reputation for excellence. Basically, "it's Bristol" means "maintained in mint condition."

Finally, this thread reminds me of old Gillette razor ads on B&W TVs: "Look smart, be smart, feel smart - only way to get a decent shave."

 

 

 

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To clarify, I said "smart" means "intelligent" in the U.S. Something that's technologically advanced can be considered intelligent -- as in A.I. When they called it a "smart" ship, they meant it was technologically advanced. I didn't say anything in my original post about "smart" referring to dress in America. What I said is that, instead of "smart" to describe nicer clothes, Americans usually say "dressy" or "business casual."

I hadn't heard the term "Bristol" before, apart from the name of the city. You've taught me something new! :)

Hello! I was wondering if you (or anyone else) can comment as to whether teens are allowed in the thermal area (16+)

 

 

Can anyone comment as to whether the speciality restaraunts are better than MDR, or worth it for the price? Looks like we'll be seated in the buffet with Bella so we are considering getting a dining package. Is it worth it, and if so, should we get the 3 Roy Yamaguchi Restaraunts or one each in Butcher's Cut, Ocean Cay, and Roy Yamaguchi. We dont eat steak so we would eat salmon at butchers cut (and would like ocean cay) but at the same time want to try tepanyaki. I know tepanyaki is excluded when you get 1 of each restaraunt...are we able to go to tepanyaki on black card dinner? Very overwhelmed and don't know if we should just go to buffet MDR or purchase a dining package. Thank you. QUOTE

I ate at all of the specialty eateries and thought they were great. If you go for the dining package, I'd recommend not using them all at the Roy Yamaguchi restaurants. All of the RY spaces are housed in the same area, and there's some crossover between the two non-teppanyaki menus, so you can still try the sushi if you make a reservation for the fusion section. From what I understand, you can use your Black Card meal at any restaurant, so you could try Teppanyaki that way. All of that said, I thoroughly enjoyed the food in the MDR also. It all depends on your personal preferences. Wherever you eat, have a great time on your cruise!

Huh?

The US is far too diverse (in every way) to make an overgeneralized attribution about the meaning of the word "smart." Depending on the context at hand, "smart" can mean technology, attire, injury (Ow! That smarts!), or that little wannabe car that is "the perfect gift for your last birthday."

BTW, SMART is also a mnemonic acronym used in management: Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Time-bound.

 

 

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You're correct. I didn't say it was the only use; I just chose the most common one. In the States, it's a dated word to use when describing attire. I was also thinking it could be confusing for someone to hear a ship called "smart" if, to that person, "smart" means "not dressed like a slob."

This is "Smart".

It's trendy and good looking.

It serves it's purpose.

 

 

 

"Smart" is a heavily overused marketing word to color a product that is actually not smart.

Think of "the first smart ship at sea" (Quantum of the Seas).

"Smart" means something different in the UK than it does in the U.S. Americans most often use "smart" to mean "intelligent," so when they called Quantum a smart ship, they meant it was technologically advanced. The terms for "smart" in the States are generally "dressy" or "business casual."

Is the bowling rate per person or for the lane?

Thanks.

It's per lane for up to six bowlers.

hi

can anyone answer the following questions?

is there apple juice at breakfast? also are there cheerioes?

 

can you bring your own water on board?

Thanks

There is apple juice for breakfast, yes. Not sure about the Cheerios. I didn't see any, but I also wasn't looking for them.

Can you book your excursions on the TV in the room?

Sorry, I'm not sure about that.

I too am interested in the TVs. I noticed in every stateroom picture the TV is across from the sofa. Can it be moved/extended so you can watch it from the bed? Every other cruise we've been on the TV was at the foot of the bed. Hubby is not too happy with the Seaside TV set up. Thanks for any help.

Given the TV is setup further away from the bed, I wonder if someone can post picture or comment on how far the TV can be pulled out and also the swivel angle. So we can figure out if it still provide a good viewing angle from bed? Given also that there is no sofa couch in the inside cabins too, that means will be to sit or lie on bed to view.

I had so little time to watch TV that I only turned it on to see which channels were offered. I didn't check to see if it extends from the wall, but when I did have it on, I was sitting on the bed, and I had no trouble seeing the screen.

Is the Venchi chocolate bar included in the ALLEGRISSIMO PREMIUM CHILD ALL-INCLUSIVE UNLIMITED DRINKS package? The website does not specify and we're unsure what the difference is between the More-for-less vs. the Allegrissimo premium child packages.

Yes, Venchi gelato is included with all drink packages. Venchi coffee/hot chocolate drinks up to $7.50 are included with the classic package, and all are included with the premium package.

Hello, I am wondering if anyone has yet to travel Seaside with a baby that could tell me what Chicco products were available for use. I don't want to assume but it appears that via the website there are pack n plays and other toys in the baby area. I was wondering about a stroller, if I should pack it or not. It would sure be nice not to have to bring all the extras!

 

Thank you in advance!

Hello. I don't know if they have strollers, but here's a photo of the baby play area and some of the Chicco toys.

On MSC Seaside do we have high chair for baby or we need to bring in a portable one?

There are high chairs available onboard, but I don't know how many. Definitely check with the line before sailing to be sure your little one has a seat at dinner. :)