Hello from the Seaside in St. Thomas

[mafig]

I've seen a video and pictures where people placed a hanging shoe holder which is a little different in that it is flatter against the door on the outside of the bathroom door. Both said it was great for all the shoes, undergarmets, and odds and ends. I'm planning on taking one and see how it works out. Some have even said there is a way to hang one by the closet. I"m guessing they mean over the end so that it hangs in the hallway but not sure.

 

 

We used to use one. We put it on the inside of the bathroom door and put deodorant, hair spray, toothpaste, etc. there. Underwear we've always put in zip lock bags and then squeezed the air out of them, same with socks. Takes up very little room in the suite case and cruise drawers.

 

Lately the ships we've been on have had sufficient storage space in the bathroom so we've left it at home.

Edited January 1, 2018 by mafig

[suzyed]

If your concern is the amount of space in the common areas or how crowded things get then I would say absolutely that is not an issue. I’ve been cruising for over 20 years and the Seaside I found to have the best chance of finding a quiet space and of finding a seat in the lounges and buffets. In fact sometimes a little too empty - there were some wonderful performances in the seaview lounge in the evening with saxophone / bass / jazz singer trio, which were attended by less than a handful of people. Even the sports bar which on other ships I’ve found can get busy was much less of an issue on seaside - indeed in both the sports bar and the casino bar you could always get a seat right up at the bar.

Regards the shows we saw the My Life in Music and really enjoyed. Ok the staging not great but they really do have some great voices on board. Also the Beer Prov comedy each night was the funniest thing we’ve seen at sea.

Checkout and customs today couldn’t have been faster. Ten minutes or so from leaving the ship to exiting.

I believe everybody on cruise critic wishes the best for MSC with its new venture on the Seaside. But the voices of those who had issues should not be drowned out in a forum like this otherwise it would be doing a dis service to those who have come here in the search of genuine insights into people’s cruising experience. That’s what I’ve always come here looking for, and yes I always add a pinch of salt to what I read - but I do look out for common repeating themes. Nobody would post something negative just because of one rotten apple experience with a staff member. Indeed I think where bad review are given people are probably under exaggerating to allow for the possibility that they were just unlucky.

Cutting away all of the fluff here let me be clear what my experience was. Approximately 50% of the time that I had any reason to interact with the staff on board (ordering something, asking a question) there was a problem. Over 25% of the time something which I ordered arrived, there would be a problem.

If I was speaking to my friends who are cruisers back home that is what I would warn them to be aware of, and for the same reason I think it has a place being set out here. Please just ignore if you want to form you’re own opinion on board, but if you’ve come on this forum to find out what to expect and potentially therefore enjoy your cruise more, that is my honest account of my experience and that of the other two groups we were travelling with.

To finish on another positive and leave the criticism in the middle of this review, the water park really needs a special mention. What an amazing area for the kids and also adults to enjoy. We visited on a sea day but found the queues more than reasonable in length and the rides exciting (although the ride where you sit on an inflatable has a lot of people getting stuck in the middle of - the guy then just comes down and pushes you along). Add in the zip line and you’ve got an area unique at sea in feeling like a full on water park and adventure area to easily occupy a sea day with a lot of fun.

If MSC would just take notice of the feedback sooner rather than later they could easily turn around the issues on board. As it is I’ll be looking to sail on the Divina next time we go MSC and will await an improvement of genuine reviews from cruisers on here before returning to Seaside.

Safe travels to all.

 

 

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Thank you for your honest opinion! This just what I am looking for when I come to CC.

[skennedy25]

Yes the ship has issues to fix, but it is something that can be fixed. The only drawback of the waterplay area is that there is no place to actually sit and watch the kids. The public areas are great and I never felt like there was 5000 on the ship. There was 1000 kids on the Dec 23 sailing, but you didn't really realize it. My wifes complaint about the steakhouse was that the steaks had to much salt on the outside of the steaks. My only other concern, is how fast and overworked the room stewards were. A good majority of the time, our room was never cleaned by 12--1. Even at night, by the time we came back from dinner between 730-8, room was never turned down. Other than that, I am willing to give the Seaside another chance down the road after they get the kinks worked out.

[Sunshine2U]

Although we know it is obviously different in price and focus, Disney cruise is exactly what my kids will be comparing it to, because it's their only other experience. They are a little older now though...

 

As a couple sailing this time without any kids, we were able to book YC for $800 less than a Disney balcony when we sailed Divina last year. We love Disney for children and I cannot imagine any ship can match the space they allocate to kids clubs. Remember, Disney ships do not have casinos to take space and generate income, which is probably why they cost so much more. All that space is turned over to the kids. I also love the look and feel of Disney ships more than MSC's. If your children are older, then they are able to understand the trade off on choosing the less expensive MSC cruise over Disney - I guess that trade off is different for each family. Not to sound preachy, but it's a pretty good opportunity. Discuss the choices as a family so they know what to expect, let them know you're all trying something new.

[Shidah]

If you go on the ship expecting Bloomingdales service at a Walmart price, you will be disappointed.

 

 

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This sentence describes MSC perfectly.

[NYHartChapp]

I am on the Jan 20, 2018 on Seaside and I will try to answer any questions, staying in Yachtclub.

Thanks, Melanie. We are on Seaside YC just over a month from when you sail. Look forward to your comments.

[jdvmd]

Subscribing!

[mamaneedsavacay]

As a couple sailing this time without any kids, we were able to book YC for $800 less than a Disney balcony when we sailed Divina last year. We love Disney for children and I cannot imagine any ship can match the space they allocate to kids clubs. Remember, Disney ships do not have casinos to take space and generate income, which is probably why they cost so much more. All that space is turned over to the kids. I also love the look and feel of Disney ships more than MSC's. If your children are older, then they are able to understand the trade off on choosing the less expensive MSC cruise over Disney - I guess that trade off is different for each family. Not to sound preachy, but it's a pretty good opportunity. Discuss the choices as a family so they know what to expect, let them know you're all trying something new.

 

Thanks for the answer! I'm glad to know what to expect.

:)

We did a Mexican all inclusive last summer, and the kids club was too babyish for them, so we just did more as a family. This will also be our first time with one in a teens club, so I guess it fits the natural progression of things.

They are excited about the beaches!