Questions Regarding MSC Seaside

Questions and Any Answers so far:

1. Do you board on deck 5 where it says "Seaside Reception" by the Atrium bar?

Answer: Boarding so far has been reported to be on Deck 4

2. I've read a lot about musical offerings on the ship including Latin, Opera, and such. Are these all being held in the Metropolitan Theater? If not what other locations should we be watching out for on our cruise?

Answer from a variety of sources including videos and Ashley at CC fresh off the ship: Many of the bars offer music at various times per numerous posts and videos. Dance lessons are in the Haven and there is also a Garage Disco which stays open as late as 4 am if there are people still interested. The Atrium and Grand bar areas also offer interesting musical performances.

3. How were the lines for the zip line and water slides?

Answer: Again, Ashley@CC has kindly offered up the following: The water slides weren't open during the first week when I was on because it was too cold, and I suspect they were still testing things out. Only one of the ship's two ziplines was open, and only for two of the seven days I was there (also due to weather). There were four or five people ahead of me in line. I might have waited 10-15 minutes. I'm guessing the lines might be a little longer when the ship reaches warmer weather.

4. What was the first thing you did when you got on the ship?

Answers so far:

Only Ashley@ CC has answered so far:

The first thing I did was go to my cabin to drop my bags.

5. How about some pictures of the menus from the MDR?

Ashley from CC has kindly posted this and other images above just scroll back to Post 62

6. Confirmation the bar food in the Sports Bar is included at no extra charge? Additionally could we get a picture of the food menu?

Answer: This thread has bar menus including Sports Bar which reportedly only offers simple nachos which is probably just chips and queso included in cruise fee.

7. What are the height or age requirements for the slides?

8. Could we see the non-alcoholic and coffee beverage menus, please? Also could we get confirmation as to where the ice cream and coffee drinks included on the drink plans are available?

Answer: So far all I have definite is some of the menus on this thread have non-alocholic and coffee drinks. Also a report on that thread is the Venchi venues on the ship are all franchised and thus don't honor the all inclusive plans. I have also read a news report which said Venchi chocolate was picking up venues on MSC Seaside back when the two companies first decided to colaborate. More in posts #66 and #67 of this thread.

9. Please post links to some pictures of the themed events and / or a list of themed events currently being held on the Seaside. Some of us like to bring costumes.

10. Is there a cigar bar? If not where is smoking allowed?

Courtesy of Ashley at CC : Smoking is allowed only on the starboard side of the South Beach Pool area.

11. Are there any drink coupons available on board such as the 18 for $89?

Answer:

Spidybabe reports calling and asking an MSC CS and being told no.

12. What restaurants are included for the Black card dinners?

Answer:

gkbiiiii reported all but the Italian Steakhouse but has since reported this was the case on the Divinia but may not be so on the Seaside. I called a while back and was told all specialty restaurants on the Seaside by an MSC CS but I have seen many other things said by a CS updated now the ship is sailing so YMMV on this. If any have direct reporting from on board please let us know.

Also found this: Update to the black card restaurants found here. Reportedly a call to CS yielded the following:

was assured you could got to ANY specialty restaurant & order what you want providing there is available space. He said that you have no priority if booked up ahead of time by paying guests no matter if in Yacht Club.

13. How about menus for the specialty restaurants?

Answer: Found this thread. Ashley@CC reports she has added the Bistrot La Boheme and she has also been kind enough to answer other questions as well.

Butcher's Cut

Ocean Cay

Chef Roy's Teppanyaki and Sushi

Bistrot La Boheme and drinks menu Courtesy of Ashley@CC

Dining section of Ashley's review

14. How much are the YC cabanas topside?

Answer:

This thread reports $149 on sea days and $99 on port days.

15. Is the Specialty Restaurant Trio available on board and how much?

Answer: jmele999 had this to report:

They told me about the $69 pp trio special which uses the set menu shown in links above reportedly.

Ocean cay is $40 pp which includes a 25% discount. There is a $75 pp Chef’s table at Butcher’s cut.

16. Can we get details regarding under-3s baby care on Seaside? Is there evening care available?

Answer:

Link provided by Mycykfamilytime

You can scroll back to see it in Mycykfamilytime's post but I have just provided a link here in the interest of space.

More extensive information on kids activities and care provided by Ashley@CC in Post # 68 of this thread

17. Do they offer a package deal on the Seaside for the Bowling , simulator , and 4 D movies, where you pay a fee (it was $85 on the Divina ) per cabin for unlimited use of these attractions ?

Answer: Reports now say there is a package deal in MSC's app but have not heard how it is offered. This thread has posted pictures of prices starting with spend $25 and get $30 worth of the 5 D interactive theater. Billiards starts at $10 and bowling at $25. Pictures are a bit small or my monitor is because I couldn't quite read what you get for those rates.

FUN PASS FOUND HERE and sorry I didn't understand the post in the thread above. $25 buys $30, $50 buys $65 and so forth worth of credit for F1, 5D cinema, bowling, and the video arcade.

18. What are the height or age requirements for the ziplines?

Answer:

Seaside Ziplines per MSC:

Height Restriction: Minimum 52in/130cm

Weight Minimum: 75lbs/35kg

Weight Maximum: 290lbs/130kg

19. What about the comedy club? Tells us something about the acts and if you enjoyed them.

Answer: It's improv style and I've heard there are several shows a night. ~ Proseccoandsun

20. Do we need to book our seats for the shows in the Metropolitan Theater or can we just show up provided we don't mind where we sit? I've read the shows are amazing and won awards so we're really hopeful we'll get to see all of them.

Answer: On another site a person currently on the Seaside mentions to book time at which we want to see the show. ~ Saphir

Ashley@CC has kindly replied stating they just ask that you book a time but don't reserve specific seats in order to make sure to have enough seats for everyone. They scan your card for the reservation up until 5 minutes before show time when they open any seats not yet claimed to those waiting.

Some other bits and bobs from Seaside's published review:

" Note that the ship has neither an internet cafe nor a printer for passenger use.There are also no self-service laundry facilities, but washing and pressing services are available for a per-item fee"

And some special information to note: Cabin lights must be turned on with a keycard. Be warned: You can't cheat the system on this one; it won't recognize business cards, credit cards or any of the other workarounds cruisers often like to use. Outlets include both 110-volt American and 220-volt European ones. There's also at least one USB outlet near the beds in each stateroom. Buttons near the door tell your room steward if you'd like your room made up or if you'd rather not be disturbed.

Special thanks goes out to Ashley for posting dailies, MDR menus, and other tid bits to our thread! Thank you!

Please post your questions and any answers you have!

If posting an answer please cite your source. Are you on the ship or found it on a post from someone who was? Did you get it from a phone call to MSC CS line months ago?

Thanks!

Can anyone describe how seating works in the dining room? When you come to the dining room, do they just ask how many wish to be seated? Or is it more formal than that? (E.g. what if we met new friends one the ship and wanted to eat dinner with them at the same table one night?)

Here's what I've been reading:

Yacht Club guests have their own dining areas and their butler can arrange their times to suite. I don't know if you can bring guests in who aren't staying in Yacht Club.

Even if staying in Yacht Club it is possible to eat elsewhere on the ship if you prefer. Don't know how that works with the MDR but your butler would arrange specialty dining so probably through the butler.

Everyone else either gets assigned dining meaning you are booked in one of the dining rooms at a set time and table every night to start with or has flexible dining which allows them to walk up during set hours and eat in the MDR. Usually flexible dining is a special group of tables and you can ask to be seated with new friends or even for them to seat you with others who've said they'd like to enjoy dinner with potential new friends.

Edit to add: Specifically on one of the videos it was reported the 4 and 2 tops were all the flexible dining plan at least on the TA.

You can opt to eat in the buffet but if you have a scheduled dinner time please notify the reservations so they won't wait your table's start of service thinking you are just late for dinner.

It has also been reported in one of the videos you can ask to eat during flexible dining with or without others of your choosing even if you have a scheduled dinner time and they will allow you to do so if space is available.

Also if you are set dining time and want other dinner companions after the first dinner you can ask to be switched. Space available I'm sure. :)

Just found this video showing light up seating outside by the Top Sail Lounge.

Just found this video showing light up seating outside by the Top Sail Lounge.

Link not working.

Thanks TravelinGert for that detailed post. Regarding the sports bar, Ashley posted the food menu in one of the threads and they had wings but there was a charge for them ($9.75 for 10 or 12 if I recall correctly, I'm not on my PC at the moment so it will be difficult for me to find the post).

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Ashley, there has been a lot of concern about smoking in the casino. Some people have said it is no smoking, and others have said it is smoking (but only in half of the room, which makes no sense at all). Can you confirm the policy of smoking or not smoking in the casino? Thanks so much.

Actually I'm hoping for the opposite! We purposefully unlinked our reservations so we can have flexibility with whom we eat. I'm hoping we can just arrive at our scheduled time and say "Table for 4 please" or "Table for 6 please" but it sounds like that isn't the case.

 

My only cruising experience has been (1) old fashioned completely rigid eat at this time with only these people and (2) NCL freestyle which was wonderful and had no restrictions. I prefer the latter!

There will be a table number, time and dining room printed on your keycard. You can't just walk in each night and decide to dine with different people, unless you have flexible dining, which is only reserved for certain cabin types.

These posts are excellent Ashley. Thanks so much!!!

 

Going by your highlighting, it appears that you attended quite a bit of trivia. Can I ask how you found it?

 

I love trivia and am excited to see so much of it on the planners, but I am wondering if MSC have systems for presenting the questions to multiple nationalities? I did a Costa cruise many years back and was sadly disappointed by the trivia. Asking each question in about 6 different languages, meant it took about an hour to ask no more than 10 questions. Plus, by the time each english question came around, we’d often tuned out . Sadly, we went to a couple of sessions and gave up.

 

Also, I’m guessing this has already been asked elsewhere, but how long are the theatre shows? I’m already looking at your planners and putting together an idea of how my evenings might look. :')

Hi oskarNZ. I highlighted all the trivia with the best of intentions, but sadly I was so busy I only went once. I tried multilingual trivia in the Sports Bar. I had the same experience you did -- it took forever for them to read questions in several languages. Plus they were all about the same topic (The Oscars, which I found odd), and it was so noisy in the bar that it was difficult to hear the questions. I left halfway through. I'm not positive, but I would guess that trivia is given only in English unless it's specifically noted that it's multilingual.

As for the shows, they're phenomenal, which is something I've always loved about MSC. Because they've had to adapt to language barriers with so many nationalities onboard, they've had to step it up with things like acrobats and magicians -- more visual stuff. Even though this ship was created for North Americans, I was happy to see they've retained a lot of that great visual entertainment. I believe all shows I saw ranged from 30-45 minutes. On my sailing, they offered one show per night with three different time slots. When the ship reaches the Caribbean, I'm told by MSC's PRs that there will be up to two different shows offered each night, with up to two time slots for each, so if you aren't able to catch a show one night, you still have a chance to see it.

Ashley, there has been a lot of concern about smoking in the casino. Some people have said it is no smoking, and others have said it is smoking (but only in half of the room, which makes no sense at all). Can you confirm the policy of smoking or not smoking in the casino? Thanks so much.

Hi relaxatsea. I've got a note out to MSC to confirm this. During the ship tour they gave on my first day onboard, they said smoking isn't allowed in the casino at all. During the sailing, I was walking through, and there were people smoking. I stopped at the cashier's desk to ask, and he said there's a designated smoking section. However, I will say that I'm EXTREMELY sensitive to smoke, and I didn't catch even so much as a whiff when I walked by. If smoking is allowed, it seems they have a great filtration system. Will get back to you with a concrete answer on this.

Questions and Any Answers so far:

1. Do you board on deck 5 where it says "Seaside Reception" by the Atrium bar?

 

Answer: Boarding so far has been reported to be on Deck 4

 

2. I've read a lot about musical offerings on the ship including Latin, Opera, and such. Are these all being held in the Metropolitan Theater? If not what other locations should we be watching out for on our cruise?

 

Answer from a variety of sources including videos and Ashley at CC fresh off the ship: Many of the bars offer music at various times per numerous posts and videos. Dance lessons are in the Haven and there is also a Garage Disco which stays open as late as 4 am if there are people still interested. The Atrium and Grand bar areas also offer interesting musical performances.

 

3. How were the lines for the zip line and water slides?

 

Answer: Again, Ashley@CC has kindly offered up the following: The water slides weren't open during the first week when I was on because it was too cold, and I suspect they were still testing things out. Only one of the ship's two ziplines was open, and only for two of the seven days I was there (also due to weather). There were four or five people ahead of me in line. I might have waited 10-15 minutes. I'm guessing the lines might be a little longer when the ship reaches warmer weather.

 

4. What was the first thing you did when you got on the ship?

 

Answers so far:

 

Only Ashley@ CC has answered so far:

 

The first thing I did was go to my cabin to drop my bags.

 

5. How about some pictures of the menus from the MDR?

 

Ashley from CC has kindly posted this and other images above just scroll back to Post 62

 

6. Confirmation the bar food in the Sports Bar is included at no extra charge? Additionally could we get a picture of the food menu?

 

Answer: This thread has bar menus including Sports Bar which reportedly only offers simple nachos which is probably just chips and queso included in cruise fee.

 

7. What are the height or age requirements for the slides?

 

8. Could we see the non-alcoholic and coffee beverage menus, please? Also could we get confirmation as to where the ice cream and coffee drinks included on the drink plans are available?

 

Answer: So far all I have definite is some of the menus on this thread have non-alocholic and coffee drinks. Also a report on that thread is the Venchi venues on the ship are all franchised and thus don't honor the all inclusive plans. I have also read a news report which said Venchi chocolate was picking up venues on MSC Seaside back when the two companies first decided to colaborate. More in posts #66 and #67 of this thread.

 

9. Please post links to some pictures of the themed events and / or a list of themed events currently being held on the Seaside. Some of us like to bring costumes.

 

10. Is there a cigar bar? If not where is smoking allowed?

 

Courtesy of Ashley at CC : Smoking is allowed only on the starboard side of the South Beach Pool area.

 

11. Are there any drink coupons available on board such as the 18 for $89?

 

Answer:

Spidybabe reports calling and asking an MSC CS and being told no.

12. What restaurants are included for the Black card dinners?

Answer:

gkbiiiii reported all but the Italian Steakhouse but has since reported this was the case on the Divinia but may not be so on the Seaside. I called a while back and was told all specialty restaurants on the Seaside by an MSC CS but I have seen many other things said by a CS updated now the ship is sailing so YMMV on this. If any have direct reporting from on board please let us know.

 

Also found this: Update to the black card restaurants found here. Reportedly a call to CS yielded the following:

 

was assured you could got to ANY specialty restaurant & order what you want providing there is available space. He said that you have no priority if booked up ahead of time by paying guests no matter if in Yacht Club.

 

13. How about menus for the specialty restaurants?

Answer: Found this thread. Ashley@CC reports she has added the Bistrot La Boheme and she has also been kind enough to answer other questions as well.

 

Butcher's Cut

 

Ocean Cay

 

Chef Roy's Teppanyaki and Sushi

 

Bistrot La Boheme and drinks menu Courtesy of Ashley@CC

 

Dining section of Ashley's review

 

14. How much are the YC cabanas topside?

Answer:

 

This thread reports $149 on sea days and $99 on port days.

15. Is the Specialty Restaurant Trio available on board and how much?

 

Answer: jmele999 had this to report:

 

They told me about the $69 pp trio special which uses the set menu shown in links above reportedly.

 

Ocean cay is $40 pp which includes a 25% discount. There is a $75 pp Chef’s table at Butcher’s cut.

 

16. Can we get details regarding under-3s baby care on Seaside? Is there evening care available?

 

Answer:

 

Link provided by Mycykfamilytime

 

You can scroll back to see it in Mycykfamilytime's post but I have just provided a link here in the interest of space.

 

More extensive information on kids activities and care provided by Ashley@CC in Post # 68 of this thread

 

17. Do they offer a package deal on the Seaside for the Bowling , simulator , and 4 D movies, where you pay a fee (it was $85 on the Divina ) per cabin for unlimited use of these attractions ?

 

Answer: Reports now say there is a package deal in MSC's app but have not heard how it is offered. This thread has posted pictures of prices starting with spend $25 and get $30 worth of the 5 D interactive theater. Billiards starts at $10 and bowling at $25. Pictures are a bit small or my monitor is because I couldn't quite read what you get for those rates.

 

FUN PASS FOUND HERE and sorry I didn't understand the post in the thread above. $25 buys $30, $50 buys $65 and so forth worth of credit for F1, 5D cinema, bowling, and the video arcade.

 

 

18. What are the height or age requirements for the ziplines?

 

Answer:

Seaside Ziplines per MSC:

Height Restriction: Minimum 52in/130cm

Weight Minimum: 75lbs/35kg

Weight Maximum: 290lbs/130kg

 

 

19. What about the comedy club? Tells us something about the acts and if you enjoyed them.

 

Answer: It's improv style and I've heard there are several shows a night. ~ Proseccoandsun

 

20. Do we need to book our seats for the shows in the Metropolitan Theater or can we just show up provided we don't mind where we sit? I've read the shows are amazing and won awards so we're really hopeful we'll get to see all of them.

 

Answer: On another site a person currently on the Seaside mentions to book time at which we want to see the show. ~ Saphir

Ashley@CC has kindly replied stating they just ask that you book a time but don't reserve specific seats in order to make sure to have enough seats for everyone. They scan your card for the reservation up until 5 minutes before show time when they open any seats not yet claimed to those waiting.

Some other bits and bobs from Seaside's published review:

" Note that the ship has neither an internet cafe nor a printer for passenger use.There are also no self-service laundry facilities, but washing and pressing services are available for a per-item fee"

And some special information to note: Cabin lights must be turned on with a keycard. Be warned: You can't cheat the system on this one; it won't recognize business cards, credit cards or any of the other workarounds cruisers often like to use. Outlets include both 110-volt American and 220-volt European ones. There's also at least one USB outlet near the beds in each stateroom. Buttons near the door tell your room steward if you'd like your room made up or if you'd rather not be disturbed.

Special thanks goes out to Ashley for posting dailies, MDR menus, and other tid bits to our thread! Thank you!

Please post your questions and any answers you have!

 

If posting an answer please cite your source. Are you on the ship or found it on a post from someone who was? Did you get it from a phone call to MSC CS line months ago?

 

Thanks!

You are an absolute saint for consolidating all of this! Just a couple of things to add.

#8 - Please see posts 66 and 67 in this thread.

#9 - I don't have photos, but there were Gatsby- and 60s/70s-themed parties while I was onboard.

#10 - There's no cigar bar. Just to clarify, smoking is allowed on the starboard side only when in the South Beach Pool area, but there are other designated outdoor smoking areas onboard. Smoking isn't allowed in cabins/on balconies or in public areas (unless designated). There's some back-and-forth on whether it's allowed in the casino. I'll get back to you on that.

Also, I don't have height requirements for the water slides, but for the Adventure Trail, it's 32 inches/80 cm.

Thanks again for rounding everything up!

Upon our online check-in we discovered that some of us were given early dining, some late. We're all the same booking number sharing a superfamily plus cabin. That'll be one to sort out on the ship.

 

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[emoji12]GoOd GriEf[emoji44]

Hoping this gets cleared up quickly. What a pain.

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Hi oskarNZ. I highlighted all the trivia with the best of intentions, but sadly I was so busy I only went once. I tried multilingual trivia in the Sports Bar. I had the same experience you did -- it took forever for them to read questions in several languages. Plus they were all about the same topic (The Oscars, which I found odd), and it was so noisy in the bar that it was difficult to hear the questions. I left halfway through. I'm not positive, but I would guess that trivia is given only in English unless it's specifically noted that it's multilingual.

 

 

As for the shows, they're phenomenal, which is something I've always loved about MSC. Because they've had to adapt to language barriers with so many nationalities onboard, they've had to step it up with things like acrobats and magicians -- more visual stuff. Even though this ship was created for North Americans, I was happy to see they've retained a lot of that great visual entertainment. I believe all shows I saw ranged from 30-45 minutes. On my sailing, they offered one show per night with three different time slots. When the ship reaches the Caribbean, I'm told by MSC's PRs that there will be up to two different shows offered each night, with up to two time slots for each, so if you aren't able to catch a show one night, you still have a chance to see it.

Thanks so much Ashley!

Great to hear that you enjoyed the shows.

Also, here’s hoping you’re right about the trivia and that unless it says multilingual, then it’s in English.

Hi relaxatsea. I've got a note out to MSC to confirm this. During the ship tour they gave on my first day onboard, they said smoking isn't allowed in the casino at all. During the sailing, I was walking through, and there were people smoking. I stopped at the cashier's desk to ask, and he said there's a designated smoking section. However, I will say that I'm EXTREMELY sensitive to smoke, and I didn't catch even so much as a whiff when I walked by. If smoking is allowed, it seems they have a great filtration system. Will get back to you with a concrete answer on this.

Thanks so much, Ashley. Like you, I am extremely sensitive to smoke. We were on the Divina two weeks ago and although their casino was non-smoking in January, they have changed it to smoking (in half the room), but it was really smoky everywhere and spread out into other lounges. I'm glad to hear that Seaside at least has a great filtration system.

Thanks TravelinGert for that detailed post. Regarding the sports bar, Ashley posted the food menu in one of the threads and they had wings but there was a charge for them ($9.75 for 10 or 12 if I recall correctly, I'm not on my PC at the moment so it will be difficult for me to find the post).

 

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I saw that. $4.75 for 6 and $9.75 for 12 which has caused quite a stir since it would be cheaper to buy 6 then 6 rather than 12 at once. In the thread where they were talking about that someone also said they did offer nachos at no extra charge. It didn't say so, but I wonder if that isn't only if you buy drinks there.

Lets try that

I saw that. $4.75 for 6 and $9.75 for 12 which has caused quite a stir since it would be cheaper to buy 6 then 6 rather than 12 at once. In the thread where they were talking about that someone also said they did offer nachos at no extra charge. It didn't say so, but I wonder if that isn't only if you buy drinks there.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app

Questions and Any Answers so far:

1. Do you board on deck 5 where it says "Seaside Reception" by the Atrium bar?

Answer: Boarding so far has been reported to be on Deck 4

2. I've read a lot about musical offerings on the ship including Latin, Opera, and such. Are these all being held in the Metropolitan Theater? If not what other locations should we be watching out for on our cruise?

Answer: The theater is slated to hold 1 or 2 different shows each night with at least 2 time slots for each show to give everyone a chance to see them per Ashley@CC's report. On videos from the ship I've seen musical acts in the Haven Lounge, the stage over the Atrium Bar, a DJ in the Garage Disco, and what appears to be trivia type activities in several different bars on various days at various times in the Dailies Ashley posted. Dance Lessons happen in the Haven Lounge and there seemed to be line dancing lessons going on in the Disco in one of the videos.

3. How were the lines for the zip line and water slides?

Answer: Again, Ashley@CC has kindly offered up the following: The water slides weren't open during the first week when I was on because it was too cold, and I suspect they were still testing things out. Only one of the ship's two ziplines was open, and only for two of the seven days I was there (also due to weather). There were four or five people ahead of me in line. I might have waited 10-15 minutes. I'm guessing the lines might be a little longer when the ship reaches warmer weather.

4. What was the first thing you did when you got on the ship?

Answers so far:

Only Ashley@ CC has answered so far:

The first thing I did was go to my cabin to drop my bags.

5. How about some pictures of the menus from the MDR?

Ashley from CC has kindly posted this and other images above just scroll back to Post 62

6. Confirmation the bar food in the Sports Bar is included at no extra charge? Additionally could we get a picture of the food menu?

Answer: This thread has bar menus including Sports Bar which reportedly only offers simple nachos which is probably just chips and queso included in cruise fee.

7. What are the height or age requirements for the slides?

Answer: Ashley@CC says for the Adventure Trail, it's 32 inches/80 cm.

8. Could we see the non-alcoholic and coffee beverage menus, please? Also could we get confirmation as to where the ice cream and coffee drinks included on the drink plans are available?

Answer: So far all I have definite is some of the menus on this thread have non-alocholic and coffee drinks. Also a report on that thread is the Venchi venues on the ship are all franchised and thus don't honor the all inclusive plans. More in posts #66 and #67 of this thread from Ashley@CC. According to Ashley's posted menus some coffee drinks are served in the Atrium bar.

9. Please post links to some pictures of the themed events and / or a list of themed events currently being held on the Seaside. Some of us like to bring costumes.

Answer: No photos but Ashley@CC reportsthere were Gatsby- and 60s/70s-themed parties while onboard.

10. Is there a cigar bar? If not where is smoking allowed?

Courtesy of Ashley at CC : Smoking is allowed only on the starboard side of the South Beach Pool area and some other areas onboard. Someone elsewhere reported there's a smoking area up on Deck 19. Possibly also in a section of the Casino or it may be No Smoking Allowed not definite yet. THE CABINS and any public areas not specifically designated as smoking allowed are all very definitely NO SMOKING.

11. Are there any drink coupons available on board such as the 18 for $89?

Answer: Spidybabe reports calling and asking an MSC CS and being told no.

12. What restaurants are included for the Black card dinners?

Answer: gkbiiiii reported all but the Italian Steakhouse but has since reported this was the case on the Divinia but may not be so on the Seaside. I called a while back and was told all specialty restaurants on the Seaside by an MSC CS but I have seen many other things said by a CS updated now the ship is sailing so YMMV on this. If any have direct reporting from on board please let us know.

Also found this: Update to the black card restaurants found here. Reportedly a call to CS yielded the following:

was assured you could got to ANY specialty restaurant & order what you want providing there is available space. He said that you have no priority if booked up ahead of time by paying guests no matter if in Yacht Club.

13. How about menus for the specialty restaurants?

Answer: Found this thread. Ashley@CC reports she has added the Bistrot La Boheme and she has also been kind enough to answer other questions as well.

Butcher's Cut

Ocean Cay

Chef Roy's Teppanyaki and Sushi

Bistrot La Boheme and drinks menu Courtesy of Ashley@CC

Dining section of Ashley's review

14. How much are the YC cabanas topside?

Answer: This thread reports $149 on sea days and $99 on port days.

15. Is the Specialty Restaurant Trio available on board and how much?

Answer: jmele999 had this to report:

They told me about the $69 pp trio special which uses the set menu shown in links above reportedly.

Ocean cay is $40 pp which includes a 25% discount. There is a $75 pp Chef’s table at Butcher’s cut.

16. Can we get details regarding under-3s baby care on Seaside? Is there evening care available?

Answer:

Link provided by Mycykfamilytime

More extensive information on kids activities and care provided by Ashley@CC in Post # 68 of this thread

17. Do they offer a package deal on the Seaside for the Bowling , simulator , and 4 D movies, where you pay a fee (it was $85 on the Divina ) per cabin for unlimited use of these attractions ?

Answer: Reports now say there is a package deal in MSC's app. This thread has posted pictures of prices starting with spend $25 and get $30 worth. Billiards starts at $10 and bowling at $25. Pictures are a bit small or my monitor is because I couldn't quite read what you get for those rates.

18. What are the height or age requirements for the ziplines?

Answer:

Seaside Ziplines per MSC:

Height Restriction: Minimum 52in/130cm

Weight Minimum: 75lbs/35kg

Weight Maximum: 290lbs/130kg

More to be found here. Assuming you can somehow enlarge it enough to read it, anyways. :)

19. What about the comedy club? Tells us something about the acts and if you enjoyed them.

Answer: It's improv style and I've heard there are several shows a night. ~ Proseccoandsun

20. Do we need to book our seats for the shows in the Metropolitan Theater or can we just show up provided we don't mind where we sit? I've read the shows are amazing and won awards so we're really hopeful we'll get to see all of them.

Answer: Ashley@CC has kindly replied stating they just ask that you book a time but don't reserve specific seats in order to make sure to have enough seats for everyone. They scan your card for the reservation up until 5 minutes before show time when they open any seats not yet claimed to those waiting.

Some other bits and bobs from Seaside's published review:

" Note that the ship has neither an internet cafe nor a printer for passenger use.There are also no self-service laundry facilities, but washing and pressing services are available for a per-item fee"

And some special information to note: Cabin lights must be turned on with a keycard. Be warned: You can't cheat the system on this one; it won't recognize business cards, credit cards or any of the other workarounds cruisers often like to use. Outlets include both 110-volt American and 220-volt European ones. There's also at least one USB outlet near the beds in each stateroom. Buttons near the door tell your room steward if you'd like your room made up or if you'd rather not be disturbed.

Special thanks goes out to Ashley for posting dailies, MDR menus, and other tid bits to our thread! Thank you!

Please post your questions and any answers you have!

If posting an answer please cite your source. Are you on the ship or found it on a post from someone who was? Did you get it from a phone call to MSC CS line months ago?

Thanks!

NEW QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERS

1. The all inclusive drink plans list fruit drinks, milkshakes, energy drinks, ice cream, coffee drinks, premium tea, hot chocolate, and non-alcoholic cocktails. Other than the non-alcoholic cocktails which are listed on pretty much all the bar menus I've seen and the coffee drinks, fruit juice, and energy drinks I spied on the Atrium bar menu, where are these items found on Seaside? Especially interested in the ice cream and milkshakes.

2. Can you go to the Bistrot La Boheme and just order say a dessert to share and drinks on your all inclusive plan?

3. Anyone ever taken one of those golf umbrellas or sun shades that clip on your chair or lounger on an MSC cruise ship and used it at one of the pools?

NEW QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERS

1. The all inclusive drink plans list fruit drinks, milkshakes, energy drinks, ice cream, coffee drinks, premium tea, hot chocolate, and non-alcoholic cocktails. Other than the non-alcoholic cocktails which are listed on pretty much all the bar menus I've seen and the coffee drinks, fruit juice, and energy drinks I spied on the Atrium bar menu, where are these items found on Seaside? Especially interested in the ice cream and milkshakes.

2. Can you go to the Bistrot La Boheme and just order say a dessert to share and drinks on your all inclusive plan?

3. Anyone ever taken one of those golf umbrellas or sun shades that clip on your chair or lounger on an MSC cruise ship and used it at one of the pools?

Ice cream and milkshakes can be found at either Venchi location or at the Miami Beach Bar and Miramar Bar. I believe Miramar is reserved for passengers booked in certain types of cabins only. As for coffee, tea and hot chocolate, those can be found at nearly every bar onboard, as well as both Venchi locations. (Please see my next post for more info about Venchi drink package inclusions.)

Yes! Bistrot La Boheme's desserts are amazing. Because it's a la carte, it's possible to just go there for dessert.

I'm afraid I won't be much help with #3. :)

Good morning! I've heard back from MSC on the Venchi gelato/coffee and black card dining.

From the line's PR team:

Venchi gelato is included in the beverage packages. Venchi coffee, up to a value of $7.50, is included in the classic drink package. The premium package includes all Venchi coffee drinks. Retails items are not included in the beverage packages.

Black card members are entitled to a complimentary specialty restaurant “Tasting Menu” dinner for 2 once during the cruise (beverages excluded). Offer is per stateroom. The tasting menus we refer to are the same as the dining experience menus. Guests can choose from any restaurant on board.

Ashley ... Thank you for the Venchi information, however maybe you could throw this back to MSC and point this info out to them from their own website / Voyagers Club info for " Individual " Black card holders.

Complimentary speciality Restaurant Dinner (No Beverages)

This is not per cabin! but each Individual Black Card member.

Black card members are entitled to a complimentary specialty restaurant “Tasting Menu” dinner for 2 once during the cruise (beverages excluded). Offer is per stateroom. The tasting menus we refer to are the same as the dining experience menus. Guests can choose from any restaurant on board.

I've never noticed the "Offer is per stateroom" wording before. Does this mean that if both people in the cabin are Black Card members, you only get one meal (for two) on the cruise, as opposed to one meal (for two) per member and thus two meals (for two) for the cruise?

Thank you for these updates, Ashley!

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I've never noticed the "Offer is per stateroom" wording before. Does this mean that if both people in the cabin are Black Card members, you only get one meal (for two) on the cruise, as opposed to one meal (for two) per member and thus two meals (for two) for the cruise?

In the above statement the wording is for 1 dinner - this is for 2 people in a stateroom and not for each person in stateroom to have 2 dinners.

Not sure if it’s been asked already but will there still be a white night and Italian night?

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