thistimeplease

Many pictures of the food on the new menus have been posted on John Heald's facebook page.

My dh and I often order a second entree, especially if there is a fish and beef we like.  We then split the 2nd entree and have a "surf & turf".  We also like to have a pasta entree to split with our dinner.  It really isn't that unusual to order 2 entrees.

On 7/25/2023 at 2:44 PM, JamieLogical said:

Here is some stuff I typed up for someone in my Meraviglia roll call who has only sailed NCL previously. From your OP, I do think you might miss out on the comedy club. A couple of nights there was a comedy act in the main theater, but no designated comedy club.

 

 

For the buffet, I think MSC has the edge. Their pizza is much better than NCLs and they often have fresh mozzarella made onboard available, which is phenomenal. The breakfast buffet is open straight through until lunch (sounds like NCL doesn't do that anymore?) and they even keep one station in the back of the buffet stocked with breakfast items during lunch hours in case brunch is more your speed. I never ate in the buffet for dinner, so I am not much help there. Initially, I was disappointed with MSC's late night snack offerings, because they didn't have quite as many options as NCL used to for late night snack, but I have learned that NCL has eliminated late night snack altogether, so that's no longer a fair comparison. As Ted said, at breakfast and lunch, the buffet can be packed, so go all the way to the back to avoid some of the crowds. Also, if you like "kid" food like mac & cheese, chicken tenders, and french fries, there is an area near the front of the buffet set up with that stuff.

 

For the MDR, I much prefer the quality and selection of MSC. I especially like that they have real seafood available, including a lobster night. One downside of MSC is that it can be hard to get any alcohol aside from wine in the MDR. I would often just bring my own drink. Another downside is the assigned dining time/table. It's a far cry from the Freestyle dining on NCL and can make sitting with large groups or strangers you meet onboard a real challenge.

 

For specialty restaurants, I would give NCL the edge, just because of the bigger variety of options and the accessibility of specialty dining through the Free at Sea deal and the Platinum vouchers. On my first MSC sailing, my husband and I paid $71/person for the 3-meal package. We used our meal plans at Butcher's Cut, Teppanyaki, and Ocean Cay. When you use a meal plan at any of those restaurants, you have a limited selection to choose from, not the full, normal, a la carte menu. I found the "tasting" menu options to be more than enough for me, but I can see how some people might be disappointed not getting some of the normal menu items. You *can* use your meal package to get a 50% discount on a la carte items off the normal menu.

 

Butcher's Cut was better than Cagney's, but I have never been a fan of Cagney's, so that's no surprise. I had heard bad things about Ocean Cay, but I really enjoyed it and their crab cake is delicious! The only disappointment for me was Teppanyaki. The menu options are way more limited than on NCL and I found the whole thing to be a step below the NCL experience. Definitely would  not bother with that one again.

 

By far my favorite specialty restaurant on MSC was Hola! I love that place sooooo much. If you get a meal package, don't waste it there, as the food is incredibly cheap. You can pay $17 for all you can eat, but that ends up being pretty absurd. If you pay a la carte, you will be VERY full for less than $10, as their prices are so reasonable. The food is delicious and I went there several times for both lunch and dinner.

 

I think, food-wise, one disadvantage that MSC has is there is nothing like The Local/O'sheehan's serving included food 24/7.

 

As for the drink package, if you have the Easy Plus package, it is way better than the package included with Free at Sea on NCL. It includes bottled water, espresso and cappuccino drinks from any of the bars, and a wider selection of spirits. I am not sure how well it works for wine drinkers, but if you are a drinker of cocktails and mixed drinks, you will be quite happy. Also, back in March, MSC switched to only charging the difference on drinks outside of your package, similar to what NCL does.

 I have to agree with this review.  We just sailed on the Seascape in May and compared everything to NCL as it has been our preferred cruise line.  I have to say they are more similar than different.  Haven't been on NCL in a while but we love our coffee and danish on the balcony in the morning.  From what I've read you now have to pay for this with NCL.  We were Fantistica on MSC and this is included.  The only thing we would change on our next MSC cruise would be that we'd do the Aurea experience as we didn't enjoy eating with others and at a set time.  Also, the spa and a separate bar/lounge is available with Aurea experience.  We would definitely sail with MSC again.

14 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Deleted 

 

what was the reason for the delayed boarding?

A boat hit a ferry and someone died and the passenger was seriously injured.  

45 minutes ago, njkruzer said:

Btw many hotels are now only do service every other day.  That I don't like. I can live with once a day and I know I can still get something I need if I call.

Not any of the hotels I've recently stayed in.  We travel quite a bit and have yet to experience this.

23 hours ago, HUNKY said:

YIKES!!!

 

Did not know this about our upcoming Royal Wonder cruise.

 

Can I ask my attendant for twice-a-day service?

 

Their answer will certainly affect their extra tip!

I agree with you.  I'm certainly not leaving extra gratuity for less service.  Fortunately my last cruise on MSC our attendant was awesome.  

1 hour ago, Scottdalfonso said:

I love once a day- less people in and out of my room, less of me feeling like I have to rush out so they can get in and less wasting of resources. We just stayed at Holiday Inn and they had a sign saying we had to let the front desk know if we wanted any service in the room, otherwise it would be every 2nd night. So I don't know why people think a cruise line would be any different. Clean towels are great- MAYBE once a day, certainly not needed twice a day (and every other day is JUST fine for most people) You want to be served and pampered, pay for a suite. Otherwise, deal with the same cutback that EVERY cruise line and hotel chain are currently doing. 

Not every cruise line, I just sailed with MSC and they still have twice a day service. To each their own but my family does like the twice a day service.  We also take showers twice a day and like fresh towels each time.  

1 hour ago, Twolittleboys said:

 

So does anyone know which cruise lines still have twice a day service? I know NCL and Royal have cut back and Aida has had only once daily service as long as I can remember...

MSC has twice a day and we really like it.

On 7/4/2023 at 12:01 PM, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

See my responses in red above. The 'degree of horrible' was considerably higher on MSC than either of the competition ships. I'm not a CCL cheerleader, but their ability to pivot with this event was impressive. Even if they didn't offer any of the compensation, the communication from CCL was spot on. MSC failed basic communication which is alarming. 

 

 

Seems like you found your new cruiseline, lol. 

11 minutes ago, schooner_Drinker said:

See

I believe  the two people who were actually ON the ship

Rather than someone who was on the ship months before.

 

Regardless of the boarding day fiasco, how it was handled, both took it in their stride and actually did get past the boarding day fun, I know from personally speaking to them 

 

One of those review writers actually had a valid complaint with noise onboard which was not dealt with by YC staff 

Other than that, they pretty much raved about how good the cruise was and promoted MSC to a BIG group of Royal cruisers on social media and posted pictures of how great a time they were having.

On a Previous group cruise with over 50 Cc members, yes 50 cc members 

One of those reviewers whose wife is a TA wouldn’t say a bad word about MSC and sailing in the YC

and recommended all to give MSC a go
 

Why would they promote a brand a ship a company, with photos and positive comments, then after 3 nights of noise complain and lie about not being able to sleep 

I’m confused how you think they didn’t get over boarding day 

But you were not even on the ship, so how would you actually have

any evidence how bad it was.

 

See you have not done your homework and all you keep saying is in May all was great and nothing could ever go wrong on MSC 

Fast forward and all those PAX and customers that they had recommended MSC to give a try..   No more 

 

The TA is happy to lose her commission and lively hood on advising her customers to sail on MSC than lose her reputation as a caring TA

She will lose quite a hefty commission on 8 cruises that have now been canceled on MSC

 

See I believe someone who has a horse in the race, 

and that’s why I don’t believe you understand how bad that cruise and experience was 

You were not there 

 

Royal everyday of the week 

 

Enjoy Royal there are different cruiselines for different people.  Personally, I think they are more alike than different.

On 7/3/2023 at 8:20 AM, schooner_Drinker said:

You might want to read a couple of posts and reviews from two long time experienced Royal cruisers who WERE also MSC cheerleaders before their last MSC seascape cruise out of MIAMI

 

You mighty want to go with Royal 

 

 

 

These reviews were written after the Port of Miami accident and it has become obvious that they couldn't get past the bad start in the port.  We have cruised with both RCL and MSC and definitely would put MSC above the Anthem.  Although we loved our Anthem cruise the ship was somewhat claustrophobic.  We sailed MSC Seacape in May and found the service was the best we've had on any cruise.  We loved the ship, shows and everything about this cruise.  Although we consider NCL our favorite MSC is right behind it.  

3 minutes ago, schooner_Drinker said:

I’d actually not compare May to June

school in session - schools out for summer

Different countries not on vacation - Now on vacation 

 

Time of year can make a big difference with the demographic and sailing out of Miami is a different crowd than Port Canaveral 

 

Some people never seem to have bad experiences, or they do and just brush them off, Seascape in Summer is from many seasoned cruisers 

Bad, really Bad with a little drizzle of good

 

I don’t doubt your cruise had no issues, but some just walk around with blinders on, just sayin 

Lol, our ship was completely full and maybe we just don't let things get to us.  We are on vacation and don't look to criticize everything.  If something is bothering us, like bluetooth speakers, we head to do something else.  We found the Jungle pool was great, never had a problem getting seats and was never really crowded.  I also researched the Seascape and found a lot of helpful info that. If people are looking for issues they will find them.  

1 hour ago, Fla Mike said:

Thanks for your review.

I'm really starting to rethink our Nov cruise on Seashore.

As much as we are looking forward to the Aft "condo", I may not want to take a chance

on a FUBAR (a nod to the new Arnold Schwarzenegger series series on Netflix) experience.

 

Don't overthink it.  We sailed on the Seascape in May and our cruise was the exact opposite of the OP's.  Our ship was at capacity and we experienced no crowds.  Probably the only thing I can agree with the OP is the buffet.  I think the cruise started poorly due to the accident at the port and a lot of people couldn't get past it.  

We bought alcohol in Cozumel and didn't have it taken away.  It wasn't hidden at all.  This was our 5/21/2023 cruise.

23 hours ago, Homosassa said:

Personally, I can't see spending my time on a ship policing and deciding which passenger belongs where, taking photos and tracking down the ship's officers to show them my documentation.

 

It reminds me of the renters who would rent one of the homes by us in the Keys and then would fuss about the "homeless" person pushing a beat up shopping cart and picking up cans, plastic bags, and other garbage along the highway and other streets.

 

They would fuss until someone would explain that the homeless bum was one of the richest people on the island and he was doing his bit to keep the Key clean.

I agree with you.  I'm on vacation and probably didn't bring my kids so the only people I'm worried about are my dh and myself.  It seems exhausting worrying about who belongs and who doesn't and then chasing people down to take care of it. LOL

1 hour ago, 20165 said:

Thank you.  We are on Sky Princess in December.  Hoping for a better experience...

We loved the Seascape in May and would definitely sail on MSC again.  

Wow, just got off the Seascape on 5/28 and found none of these issues.  The ship never felt crowded and people were very friendly.  I agree with the ship is beautiful and the service was excellent, actually the best service of the 6 cruises we've taken.  No reason to make reservations for shows.  I agree with the buffet being very crowded.  We felt that this cruise was probably one of the best we've been on and ran a close 2nd to NCL. Definitely didn't think music was too loud but we didn't use the main pool. Just goes to show you everyone is different. 

I definitely didn't think the music was too loud.  If anything I thought the acoustics were bad all around the ship and took away from the entertainment.  Just sailed Seascape and I thought the dueling pianos was nice but I felt it should have been in it's own venue.  In the atrium we could never really hear the entertainment.

4 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

So maybe you could tell us how to go about entering the information???

I wasn't able to enter it on the computer website but when I went into the app on my phone it let me enter the info.  

Thank you to the OP for what to do if you should get hurt on an excursion.  I didn't see the reason to read more into the OP's post but apparently others did.  

Breakaway and Getaway are my 2 favorite ships.

15 hours ago, eileeshb said:

I suspect the Bird is trying to wind up everyone who posts negative comments about other ports/countries…

 

but for those who’ve experienced Spring break the closest equivalent in Ireland is Rag week (raising & giving week) which is generally a different date in every college and everyone drinks to oblivion while giving money to charity. Some of the college cities here basically ban the students from the city centre that week. Oh and, in theory, classes are still in session during that week. When I was an undergrad my classmates objected to having to do our electronics lab overlooking the student bar. They decided to blow up every LED and Capacitor we could get our hands on .. stinkbomb wouldn’t come close to it.  For some reason the engineering profs were the most resistant to cancelling classes that week. 

Totally agree.  The OP is a very seasoned cruiser and knows all about cruising so I didn't take this post seriously.

18 hours ago, jean87510 said:

Sorry but if visiting family of crew members that are sailing want to visit the Yacht Club, then they should pay for the Yacht club.  If visiting for the day, tough crap.  

I disagree.  The crew work very hard long days and if one benefit is that a family member is allowed to use the Yacht Club I see nothing wrong with that, especially since it is probably up to the discretion of the Hotel Director.  I do agree that Yacht Club families sneaking others into the Yacht Club is entirely wrong.

We did this tour and I have to say it was one of the best excursions we've done.  This is a definite must do.

3 hours ago, Oakman58 said:

I wonder if that 25% increase in the service charge for balcony cabins and below will have people thinking twice about giving an extra tip to the cabin steward.

It absolutely will for me.  If a steward is doing half the work for me I will be changing the amount I tip them at the end.  I don't see this increase as a good thing for the crew.  I think there are a lot of passengers who will definitely be tipping less.