Seaside review: January 13 sailing

[Vacationdreamer<><]

Asking once more because I think we were posting at the same time before:

 

Thank you so much for this information.

 

How much did it cost you for your one time through the 5D?

 

When you got a can of soda was it cold? Or were you given a warm can and a cup with ice?

 

Also - (and anyone can answer this) - I hadn't noticed the Coffee Cuddle in my cruise personalizer. I am going to go look there now. But is Venchi the only place to use it? And are the items on that menu the only items in Venchi? Or the only items you can use your cuddle for? Or neither?

[lucyglucose]

I agree.... I am sitting dead center as to whether confirm my booking for end of March. We are about as easygoing as anyone when it comes to cruising. But poor service is a deal breaker for me...especially if I am unable to get drinks easily or our head waiter does not meet our drink requests. I can do without the Theater and other venues as we keep to ourselves and really only visit Casino and few bars each night. This review should give me the input I'm looking for..... Yes things will change....But changing the culture for customer service starts with management and if they don't hold the staff accountable...you can't expect the staff to easily change ship wide

 

 

Definitely cancel. OP’s experience was on par with mine, except it sounds like no major things were wrong with her room. You may not be so lucky. And trust me, even if you are dealing with a toilet that is full of urine and not flushing, MSC customer service still doesn’t care. I wish I had gone with another company; can’t get those vacation days back!

 

 

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[lcpagejr]

Definitely cancel. OP’s experience was on par with mine, except it sounds like no major things were wrong with her room. You may not be so lucky. And trust me, even if you are dealing with a toilet that is full of urine and not flushing, MSC customer service still doesn’t care. I wish I had gone with another company; can’t get those vacation days back!

 

 

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I'm thinking the same. I'm trying to really hold on...but I'm visualizing things based on feedback and my past 20 cruises experience....thats telling me..."why do you want to deal with this" We cruised Costa in the 90's ....so we've cruised with a European type flair. The passenger makeup is not an issue...other than the non -usa passengers who like to stand 2 inches from you when you get in line (lol). When your spending $3-4000 for the trip and taking a valued week of vacation...you should expect a a consistent and good experience with friendly and attentive service. I have a back up plan....I think we need to let MSC grow into their N American cruise expertise. Afraid its a a bit too soon right now

[lucyglucose]

Exactly- I saw no one watching movies ever. Also we talked to a couple seated directly below on deck 15 who said they could hear everything from the movies. They heard the Beast speak, lol.

 

 

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Deck 15 generally sucked. They moved us there after they didn’t fix our deck 12 toilet for 3 days and we spent the rest of the cruise being woken up just before midnight by something being dragged around above us (chairs? A cleaning hose?)

 

 

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[CTBob]

I was also on 15 and while i didn't have any problems I was under the specialty restaurant and did hear them moving the furniture around 11:30 PM. If I was asleep it didn't wake me and some times I was still out having fun. Choose your cabin carefully. Bob

[Vacationdreamer<><]

Great. We have 15222 & 15226 booked.....

 

 

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[Snorbert]

Great detailed review so far, thank you!

 

Can you please comment on the sewage smell onboard? I'm super sensitive and this will be a deciding factor for me. Several have reported noticing the sewer smell on deck 11 aft. Did you notice it here? Other areas? Was there any pattern?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

We were on the same cruise. 12099 was our room number. Some days the sewer smell was really bad other days hardly noticeable. Everything in this review is spot on from my experience.

[MisterBill99]

I think we need to let MSC grow into their N American cruise expertise. Afraid its a a bit too soon right now

The troubling thing here is that this isn't their first ship in the US. Yeah, it's the first ship built for the American market but Divina's been here for a while. You'd think they'd have figured this stuff out by now.

[lucyglucose]

The troubling thing here is that this isn't their first ship in the US. Yeah, it's the first ship built for the American market but Divina's been here for a while. You'd think they'd have figured this stuff out by now.

 

 

 

I’ve said this before elsewhere on CC but I want to restate that this whole ‘not bad service, just European’ thing is frankly offensive to Europeans. I am originally from Russia, so things like staff not smiling and greeting me as I passed and smoking being permitted in some areas were not a surprise to me, and I agree that those are European characteristics... HOWEVER, everything else that I and others here have described is simply BAD SERVICE.

 

I speak English, Russian, Spanish and French and can tell you from what I overheard in elevators (and lines for elevators) that all of those nationalities were similarly disgruntled. Can’t speak for the Italians or Germans, but if I had to guess...

 

Also, it is convenient for MSC to have American customers excuse their poor service as a European quirk. Seriously, people need to stop giving them that break and hold them to a higher standard.

 

 

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[lcpagejr]

The troubling thing here is that this isn't their first ship in the US. Yeah, it's the first ship built for the American market but Divina's been here for a while. You'd think they'd have figured this stuff out by now.

 

I think thats the problem...Had they just introduced the Seaside as an additional ship and not with the expectations they are trying to become the leader in N American cruising and making this ship the first of many to cater to US market.... I don't think the complaints or concerns would be so rampant. They set certain expectations....and right now they are quite away off from even being competitive with the other lines (American style). You know the saying..."never judge a book by its cover".... I think that saying is 100%.... Ship is beautiful and breathtaking.... from the outside....Now we are finding out whats on the inside!

Edited January 21, 2018 by lcpagejr

[TravelinGert]

Yeah - at this point I'm wondering if it's the European thing not to drink anything at meal times...

Can't have tap water.

Coffee can't be found.

Drinks are coming in with patrons from nearby bars.

:confused:

 

So I was curious and your comment made me more so' date=' so I googled around a bit. I read numerous blogs. The following is the result.

 

It is typical to have wine in a bottle or carafe plus bottled water in liter bottles on the table when meals are served in Italy whether at home or in restaurants. Fizzy bottled water is preferred.

 

It is not usual to have everyone drinking various drinks and especially not beer or soda. Unless the meal is pizza. Part of this is because they don't feel the flavors compliment most foods, and partly because soda is much more expensive. One can of soda typically costs the same or more than one quarter liter carafe of wine.

 

A cappuccino is only consumed in the morning. Breakfast does not include eggs. Typical breakfast might be a cappuccino and sweet pastry. Occasionally a toasted sandwich with cheese and ham.

 

Espresso is not consumed during dinner. It is sipped after the meal is completed while chatting perhaps and is often referred to as digestivo which means after dinner drink. Cappuccino is not consumed at dinnertime or any time after 10 AM. Some report this is because it is thought the combination of milk and meat is not good for your insides and might make you ill, but apparently cheese or even cheesecake at the end of a meal including meat are considered perfectly fine. hm.

 

Also parmigiano is not for pizzas. Not under any circumstances whatever.

 

Salads are only ever dressed simply with olive oil, vinegar, and a bit of salt and fresh cracked pepper. That's it. They don't do ranch dressing. They also don't eat much in the way of condiments as they feel it just masks the flavors of their excellent cheeses and cured meats.

 

It is not acceptable to stroll and eat or do really anything else while eating. Unless it is gelato. Then stroll away. To go coffee is also not a thing at all in Italy and locals are very vocal about their disdain for such a practice. They apparently also have a cast iron gullet as it is common for them to down an entire espresso in 30 seconds while standing at the counter.

 

Butter, olive oil, and vinegar are never used on bread. Bread on your table is often very plain, sometimes without even salt. You're expected to fare la scarpetta (do the little shoe) with pieces torn from the table bread and use these to mop up the remains of sauce to eat.

 

Oh. And dinner is expected to take a while and it is not permitted for waiters to tell people they 'need your table'. People are expected to talk and savor and service is expected to take a while. At least a couple of hours and three hours for dinner would be considered quite normal.

[Mpls35]

[quote=Vacationdreamer

My husband said the Coke was room temp- but our room steward brought ice twice a day. We tipped him up front.

 

5D was $8 Kids, $10 adults.

 

 

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[ocbaylady]

How long did it take to disembark the ship?

[Mpls35]

Embarkation wasn’t awesome. We chose express walk off but were startled by having to be “off the ship” by 7:30. We called (!) guest services and actually talked to a person who said we indeed had to be OFF the ship by 7:30. My husband, who is less patient than me, said: so, if we show up at the exit with all our bags at 8:00 you won’t let us leave? GS says yes. I get it- it’s a message to the masses- get off. So, we met at breakfast at 7:00 and hustled into line at 7:25. Stood in line for 10 minutes when the announcement about the government shut down and border patrol came up!

 

For me my photos sum up this ship. It was all photos of my family in pretty parts of the ship!

 

 

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[Mpls35]

If we booked this ship again it would be because of ports and price. I was really enamored with how nice everything was. I could see the majority of staff was trying really hard. August from Bali was a super star, as was everyone we saw in the halls. My husband said If all things were equal he would prefer NCL because of the my time dining. I remember posting a similar review of NCL and thinking it was cheesy, but I didn’t care because we were happy doing family time.

 

I don’t want to discourage folks from the kids area- it looked awesome! A kid with ASD is harder to accommodate and I don’t expect the moon. We’re lucky that we like hanging out with him.

 

 

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[Mpls35]

How long did it take to disembark the ship?

 

 

 

About 30 minutes

 

 

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[Vacationdreamer<><]

So I was curious and your comment made me more so, so I googled around a bit. I read numerous blogs. The following is the result.

 

 

 

It is typical to have wine in a bottle or carafe plus bottled water in liter bottles on the table when meals are served in Italy whether at home or in restaurants. Fizzy bottled water is preferred.

 

 

 

It is not usual to have everyone drinking various drinks and especially not beer or soda. Unless the meal is pizza. Part of this is because they don't feel the flavors compliment most foods, and partly because soda is much more expensive. One can of soda typically costs the same or more than one quarter liter carafe of wine.

 

 

 

A cappuccino is only consumed in the morning. Breakfast does not include eggs. Typical breakfast might be a cappuccino and sweet pastry. Occasionally a toasted sandwich with cheese and ham.

 

 

 

Espresso is not consumed during dinner. It is sipped after the meal is completed while chatting perhaps and is often referred to as digestivo which means after dinner drink. Cappuccino is not consumed at dinnertime or any time after 10 AM. Some report this is because it is thought the combination of milk and meat is not good for your insides and might make you ill, but apparently cheese or even cheesecake at the end of a meal including meat are considered perfectly fine. hm.

 

 

 

Also parmigiano is not for pizzas. Not under any circumstances whatever.

 

 

 

Salads are only ever dressed simply with olive oil, vinegar, and a bit of salt and fresh cracked pepper. That's it. They don't do ranch dressing. They also don't eat much in the way of condiments as they feel it just masks the flavors of their excellent cheeses and cured meats.

 

 

 

It is not acceptable to stroll and eat or do really anything else while eating. Unless it is gelato. Then stroll away. To go coffee is also not a thing at all in Italy and locals are very vocal about their disdain for such a practice. They apparently also have a cast iron gullet as it is common for them to down an entire espresso in 30 seconds while standing at the counter.

 

 

 

Butter, olive oil, and vinegar are never used on bread. Bread on your table is often very plain, sometimes without even salt. You're expected to fare la scarpetta (do the little shoe) with pieces torn from the table bread and use these to mop up the remains of sauce to eat.

 

 

 

Oh. And dinner is expected to take a while and it is not permitted for waiters to tell people they 'need your table'. People are expected to talk and savor and service is expected to take a while. At least a couple of hours and three hours for dinner would be considered quite normal.

 

 

 

This is great. Thank you.

I knew about the coffee bit from a book I just read, but the rest is fun cultural stuff I never knew. TBH I don’t drink any beverages with dinner, normally, though it’s common for the other seven members of my family will drink the better part of a gallon of milk with dinner.

 

I can’t wait to hear you trip report. PLEASE come back and tell us!

 

My biggest concern is how they will handle my son’s food allergies. DCL & NCL were both excellent. It sounds like customer service is a problem and dining has bumps. Sadly these are the two imperative pieces with food allergies...

 

 

 

<><

[Vacationdreamer<><]

[quote name=Vacationdreamer

My husband said the Coke was room temp- but our room steward brought ice twice a day. We tipped him up front.

 

5D was $8 Kids, $10 adults.

 

 

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Thank you!

Did you enjoy the 5D or was it meh?

 

 

<><

[Mpls35]

[quote=Vacationdreamer

It was fun! But over too soon! Maybe 10 minutes? So I went to sign up DS for the FI simulator and they said he was too short. I said okay we will do 5D. He does have autism after all so this change in plans was not welcome! In my encouraging him to try something new, the staff heard me say “hey, I’d do it!” And he rang me up for it too. I just went along with it. During the thing it was fun. We were fighting monsters in New York subways. I was wearing a black skirt and gave the crowd a nice Marilyn Monroe moment when the fans hit just right! Yikes! My husband watched in the video screens and laughed.

 

 

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[Mpls35]

I am loving your review so far ! It is a good thing that you remembered to pack your patience ! Yikes !

 

Hopefully things got better as the week went on .

 

Were you plagued with the horrible sewage smell like others have posted ? This freaks me out a little bit .

 

I am looking forward to the rest of your review . Thanks for sharing ! And the baby on the bed is absolutely adorable !

 

 

 

Thank you! I didn’t smell it, my parents did. But it was just a passing thing. We travel for ports and weather and not the ship, tho this sailing taught us we better like the ship a little If weather isn’t great!

 

 

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[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[portofrome]

Thanks for your grear review!

[tallnthensome]

 

 

 

Thank you!

Did you enjoy the 5D or was it meh?

 

 

<><

The new Carnival Vista has a 4D Thrill Theater. We loved it as well as our kids. The experience also lasted about 10-15 minutes on Carnival as well so the duration is on par. We plan on using the 5D theater a lot on Seaside and I'm sure your kids will love it too.

[lexxfield]

Thank you for the review. Could you supply more information about the thermal spa area? Is there a large area with lounge chairs inside the spa for relaxing and reading? Is there a pool inside the spa, or is there only a hot tub? Are there lounge chairs in the outdoor portion of the spa and is there any shade in that area? Many thanks for your help.

I realize I’m painting a less than ideal picture. Many of the big issues happened to other members of my party. My issues felt small in comparison to my admiration of the ship in general, and the fact that I was on vacation and it wasn’t 20 below zero outside!.

 

Here’s a high point- the spa! The $129 service I got was wonderful. I especially liked that I got my facial in the same room as the massage- no need to move. And I thought the Thermal spa was worth the cost- the precruise cost that is. There’s a nice locker room with lots of new white towels. Your card opens and closes the locker. Which means you have to keep your card with you in the spa, kindof annoying.

 

There’s a Finnish sauna and a “soft sauna” (not as hot). There’s a salt room that was really popular. The large jacuzzi was great. Then there was something called a Geyser Kneiff- super weird. Couldn’t figure that one out. There was a bright light sensory steam room and a dark sensory steam room. They were my favorite, along with the snow room. There were several hot and cold rain showers too. Then there was an entrance to the “private” outdoor deck and jacuzzi. I say “private” because it wasn’t blocked off from the public- anyone can enter. In fact, the first morning when I was out wondering around I walked right into the spa thermal area from outside. Whoops.

 

 

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[kerryincork]

Also do you know what other brands of handbags they had on the ship? (To purchase) 😀

 

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