Just off Seaside/MSC Not Ready To Compete In North American Market

[BellaWave]

Ok, my experience was similar.  We just got off Seaside on 11-24-18.  I traveled with my Dh, 18 year old son and 13 year old daughter.  We were part of group of 26.  All have cruised numerous times in past on different cruise lines.

Ship is beautiful, not too difficult to navigate.  No, none of the elevators had air condition and was very warm due to not utilizing LED lights lights.

We had a fantastica cabin 14193, which was right next to elevator. Location was great.  But for a balcony room it was small, especially for 4 people.  The bunk beds were set up when we arrived and never were changed into couch.  Bed was comfortable.  Bathroom small (a large person would have difficulty in shower).  Never had a lot of interaction with room steward, but he was always friendly.

Did not see any of the shows,  except for the adult comedy and family comedy show.  Dont waste your time !!!

Kids enjoyed water park.  lines for zip line always long.   Nice nightly pool dance parties.

Buffet closes at odd hours (afternoon when returning from excursions and at night after dance party)

Casino is small.  No craps tables,  small number of slot machines (I estimate about 100)  mostly $0.01.  Black jack, 3 card poker, two roulette all $10. large bar in casino, not a lot of table service.

Nice scenery for photos, BUT, most photographers seemed angry and took bad photos (showing sides outside backdrops - people with closed eyes - looking away)

Cozumel and Costa Maya nice ports (end of docks).  Be prepared to be hustled in Ocho Rios.  Fury Catamaran in Cozumel great excursion - fun water park.

Dining room - Biggest negative.  Very small food portions - food  bland.  Wait staff not friendly.  We were supposed to have two large tables for group  were were all separated, when requested different set up we were told it could not be done.  But two different groups was accommodated.  

Sports bar nice place to hang.  Bunch of tvs playing ESPN and ESPN2.    Several small private viewing pods and a couple big private viewing area.

 

 

 

[Zuki]

JDGGG

 

My husband read your review and said "this guy had the same experience we did".  You get flamed on here for not liking a cruise, it seems.  We found the food horrible and boring.  The ship a mish mash although very beautiful.  No quiet place for adults to use the pool.  the Jungle pool filled with kids and the rear adult pool filled with smokers.  the pool guards and their incessant whistles was ridiculous.    

We found the Piazza, which is usually the heart of the ship, dull and boring.  Nothing seemed to ever be going on here.  The one night they had a guitar player who put everyone to sleep.  

Bar service non existent.  

 

But coffee and chocolate to die for.  I wish the NCL, Princess and Celebrity had such great coffee. Not that fake stuff.

 

MSC is definitely not the product for us.

 

[JDGGG]

12 hours ago, Zuki said:

JDGGG

 

My husband read your review and said "this guy had the same experience we did".  You get flamed on here for not liking a cruise, it seems.  We found the food horrible and boring.  The ship a mish mash although very beautiful.  No quiet place for adults to use the pool.  the Jungle pool filled with kids and the rear adult pool filled with smokers.  the pool guards and their incessant whistles was ridiculous.    

We found the Piazza, which is usually the heart of the ship, dull and boring.  Nothing seemed to ever be going on here.  The one night they had a guitar player who put everyone to sleep.  

Bar service non existent.  

 

But coffee and chocolate to die for.  I wish the NCL, Princess and Celebrity had such great coffee. Not that fake stuff.

 

MSC is definitely not the product for us.

 

Zuki, I was beginning to feel bad for posting my honest and fair review. Glad you agree with me. MSC has some beautiful ships to work with. They can fix the service issues with proper training and fix the food quality issues by hiring better chefs and spending a bit more $$$ on the food itself. Mr. Sasso, the CEO of MSC should look back and see how Celebrity was providing much better food under his leadership...

[sidari]

JDGGG ... Not having a go at you but why does MSC have to adapt to your way of thinking ? people need to be able to adapt and adjust to something that is different and not just think everyone should be the same. Everyone has their idea of what they like with regards to food. If you want or need better quality food then you will have to pay higher prices, you cannot pay for beer and then expect Champagne.

I have been on many occasions openly critical of MSC on these boards and I also support them when I believe it requires it.

I have read reviews where people complain that they have to add salt or pepper to their meal, is that such a big deal ? I do agree with you about the quiet areas or lack of them, the Piazza on the Musica and Fantasia class is far better than what they have provided on Seaside and only having one side where people can pass is not a good design feature somewhat like having the only access to the speciality restaurants at the front of the ship.

Hopefully they will rectify these things with the New Evo class MSC Seashore where the speciality restaurants will be on Deck 8.

[floridian1]

Sad to hear about these poor reviews..and most of the negative reviews all have 2 things in common. Poor service and poor food. Clearly msc doesn't read their cruise critic reviews. Please be sure to find a good (executive office?)email to send all of your reviews too.

Edited November 26, 2018 by floridian1

[sidari]

Poor service ? well 7 cruises in with MSC and never had an issue with this, sailed RCI, Princess, Cunard, NCL and Costa and can count on one hand issues with poor service.

The trouble is many people appear to think MSC should be like the rest and when the waiter, bar person or server is not their best friend they complain of poor service.

There is an answer to this of course and that is if MSC is not for you then there are others that will be.

[Hlitner]

So we detect an issue with the OP that is not new.  The OP is comparing MSC to USA oriented cruise lines which follow procedures and mores primarily aimed at the North American market (Canadians might still whine for their poutine).   But with MSC we are dealing with an Italian Euro-centric cruise line.  Those of us who have spent a lot of time in Europe (especially Italy) understand that there are many differences in culture.  For example,  Europeans tend to be slow to smile and bond with strangers....but once they warm-up to a person you may well have a friend for life.  The OP talked about smaller food portions and this is also common throughout Europe.  In fact, several of our European friends have expressed shock at the size of portions in the USA which helps us become overweight.  You will not generally find a 2 pound steak in Europe :).  In Italy you might go to a restaurant and have 5 or 6 courses, but each would be smaller then here in the USA.  Consider that Italians might start with their Antipasta, and then move on to their Pasta dish.  After their pasta it would be time to bring out the main course.  And of course there is dessert.  And one might tuck an intermezzo somewhere in that process.  And many first time Americans who visit Italy are surprised to find that the Italians do not "drown" their pasta in sauce like we do in the USA.  

 

As to the OP's comment about nobody wishing them a Happy Thanksgiving....this particular holiday is only celebrated in the USA (Canada has their own Thanksgiving on a different date).  Most Europeans (and European crew) do not even know about Thanksgiving anymore then Americans know about "Liberation Day" when they are in Italy in April.

 

So we think some of the OP's post goes to the "Ugly American" syndrome which is when Americans get upset because things are different in other countries/cultures.  Pity the OP if they are traveling in parts of Spain and decide to go to a good restaurant for dinner at 6PM....only to find that the restaurant does not even open for dinner until 8!

 

Hank

[puschi1906]

Hank, this is not only a matter of Americans. You will find it everywhere that people travel to another country and complain. I've read many reviews about US-American cruiselines which depart from Germany (like NCL does) and Germans complain that "the breakfast is too American, it is not a German standard!" oder "The entertainment is very American!" and other things. Of course not... it is not a German cruise line... I can only shake my head and wonder about my fellow citicens.

[JDGGG]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

So we detect an issue with the OP that is not new.  The OP is comparing MSC to USA oriented cruise lines which follow procedures and mores primarily aimed at the North American market (Canadians might still whine for their poutine).   But with MSC we are dealing with an Italian Euro-centric cruise line.  Those of us who have spent a lot of time in Europe (especially Italy) understand that there are many differences in culture.  For example,  Europeans tend to be slow to smile and bond with strangers....but once they warm-up to a person you may well have a friend for life.  The OP talked about smaller food portions and this is also common throughout Europe.  In fact, several of our European friends have expressed shock at the size of portions in the USA which helps us become overweight.  You will not generally find a 2 pound steak in Europe :).  In Italy you might go to a restaurant and have 5 or 6 courses, but each would be smaller then here in the USA.  Consider that Italians might start with their Antipasta, and then move on to their Pasta dish.  After their pasta it would be time to bring out the main course.  And of course there is dessert.  And one might tuck an intermezzo somewhere in that process.  And many first time Americans who visit Italy are surprised to find that the Italians do not "drown" their pasta in sauce like we do in the USA.  

 

As to the OP's comment about nobody wishing them a Happy Thanksgiving....this particular holiday is only celebrated in the USA (Canada has their own Thanksgiving on a different date).  Most Europeans (and European crew) do not even know about Thanksgiving anymore then Americans know about "Liberation Day" when they are in Italy in April.

 

So we think some of the OP's post goes to the "Ugly American" syndrome which is when Americans get upset because things are different in other countries/cultures.  Pity the OP if they are traveling in parts of Spain and decide to go to a good restaurant for dinner at 6PM....only to find that the restaurant does not even open for dinner until 8!

 

Hank

Hank, you hit the nail on the head. Per my title of this thread, I do not feel that MSC should be investing so heavily in trying to gain the American business if they will not adapt to what we want in a cruise vacation. If MSC wants to remain a Eurocentric cruise line aiming directly at the European business then they should continue to business as they are now. Every other commercial on cable TV is for MSC cruises so maybe they should figure out where they want their business from and adjust accordingly.

[asctony]

16 minutes ago, JDGGG said:

Hank, you hit the nail on the head. Per my title of this thread, I do not feel that MSC should be investing so heavily in trying to gain the American business if they will not adapt to what we want in a cruise vacation. If MSC wants to remain a Eurocentric cruise line aiming directly at the European business then they should continue to business as they are now. Every other commercial on cable TV is for MSC cruises so maybe they should figure out where they want their business from and adjust accordingly.

What do you think MSC should do to satisfy the American market? 

[JDGGG]

8 minutes ago, asctony said:

What do you think MSC should do to satisfy the American market? 

Simple fixes really... Better food, better service. I prefer to be acknowledged when I walk up to a bar. Too much to ask for???

[asctony]

35 minutes ago, JDGGG said:

Simple fixes really... Better food, better service. I prefer to be acknowledged when I walk up to a bar. Too much to ask for???

I agree with you on the food and service. As for acknowledgement at the bars? They are very busy. I normally got - what can i get you? I accept that. Really they need more staff. They like all cruise lines have cut back in staff. 

[GOLDENBONNY]

20 hours ago, mnocket said:

OP's impressions are pretty similar to those of other US cruisers trying MSC for the first time.  From reading reviews of MSC, I've come away with the impression that - if you don't like Carnival, you won't like MSC.  That said, I have read great things about Yacht Club and have decided to see for myself.  I'm booked on Seaside YC next Sept.

what is MSC has to do with Carnival? They are absolutely different lines . I don't love Carnival and I do love MSC.

[JDGGG]

8 minutes ago, asctony said:

I agree with you on the food and service. As for acknowledgement at the bars? They are very busy. I normally got - what can i get you? I accept that. Really they need more staff. They like all cruise lines have cut back in staff. 

Asctony, great point as well. As the cruise lines continue to cut back on staff, and service suffers, I feel that the cruise industry will suffer. Perhaps its time for all cruise lines to get back to the basics.

[Scot born]

57 minutes ago, JDGGG said:

Hank, you hit the nail on the head. Per my title of this thread, I do not feel that MSC should be investing so heavily in trying to gain the American business if they will not adapt to what we want in a cruise vacation. If MSC wants to remain a Eurocentric cruise line aiming directly at the European business then they should continue to business as they are now. Every other commercial on cable TV is for MSC cruises so maybe they should figure out where they want their business from and adjust accordingly.

Ok I have heard enough of this American way, sorry to be so blunt, the way I see it is MSC want to give a different experience IN America MSC is not trying to be the same as the American cruise culture this is why I will not go on an American cruise line.  (false bartenders, waiters, ect line my pockets and I will be your best buddy for the time you are here 😀😀👺) so what, you have to pick up salt and pepper, is this to heavy, I am from Scotland and have been to USA a few times and I have met Americans on cruises in the Med and boy can you all be demanding and loud. Saying this it would not stop me from visiting your wonderful country again, but come on the world does not revolve around America. You have to open your mind and treat every holiday, (vacation) cruise as if it is your first and enjoy the simple thinks in life. 

[JDGGG]

54 minutes ago, Scot born said:

Ok I have heard enough of this American way, sorry to be so blunt, the way I see it is MSC want to give a different experience IN America MSC is not trying to be the same as the American cruise culture this is why I will not go on an American cruise line.  (false bartenders, waiters, ect line my pockets and I will be your best buddy for the time you are here 😀😀👺) so what, you have to pick up salt and pepper, is this to heavy, I am from Scotland and have been to USA a few times and I have met Americans on cruises in the Med and boy can you all be demanding and loud. Saying this it would not stop me from visiting your wonderful country again, but come on the world does not revolve around America. You have to open your mind and treat every holiday, (vacation) cruise as if it is your first and enjoy the simple thinks in life. 

I think you and others that have been critical of my post are missing the point. I don't need to make friends with the bartenders nor do I need my salt and pepper picked up. My point is simple... MSC needs to decide that if they wish to truly attract more North American clientele they need to tighten up their service and food quality. Sorry if I am beating a dead horse but I feel that you and others aren't getting what I am trying to say.

Edited November 26, 2018 by JDGGG
spelling

[asctony]

5 minutes ago, JDGGG said:

I think you and others that have been critical of my post are missing the point. I don't need to make friends with the bartenders nor do I need my salt and pepper picked up. My point is simple... MSC needs to decide that if they wish to truly attract more North American clientele they need to tighten up their service and food quality. Sorry if I am beating a dead horse but I feel that you and others aren't getting what I am trying to say.

Fully understand what you are saying. Food & Service.

Some people single out a nationally as being loud, demanding. I believe it is not a single nationality. It applies to all,  regardless of where you are from. Traveled around the world and lived around the world. People are people. You always find those that are loud,  demeaning,  demanding, never say please,  thank you! Those that don't believe they should take their place in line. Save a chair for hours and never sit in it. 

Those are the ones who need to change their outlook and respect others and the staff. 

Those are the things that cause a cruise to be poor or good. The cruise is blamed instead of the guest who fits this description. If you don't like a certain aspect of a cruise,  try to help resolve the issue. 

[sidari]

MSC will attract those people who are bored to death with the presence of other lines and those who are able to adapt to their surroundings and try change, North Americans are not the only ones who are like this we hear it all the time in the UK that MSC is not like Cunard or P and O etc etc. Of course its not like those other lines it is MSC and they will continue to attract customers who want something different to the rest. Why go on holiday to Greece and eat British food ? service is fine for those with patience which it seems many people do not have and want everything yesterday.

Slow down you are on holiday on a cruise, do you have somewhere to be ?

[Scot born]

12 minutes ago, JDGGG said:

I think you and others that have been critical of my post are missing the point. I don't need to make friends with the bartenders nor do I need my salt and pepper picked up. My point is simple... MSC needs to decide that if they wish to truly attract more North American clientele they need to tighten up their service and food quality. Sorry if I am beating a dead horse but I feel that you and others aren't getting what I am trying to say.

Oh I am getting what you are saying, by the way why only North American? Sorry distracted, did you  go to all the ports that you wanted on this cruise? Did you have a clean and comfortable bed? Did you have a good selection of entertainment? I know the food was not what you expected, I get it but did you go hungry? I don't think so. Point made. 

[TrinaLC]

2 hours ago, JDGGG said:

Hank, you hit the nail on the head. Per my title of this thread, I do not feel that MSC should be investing so heavily in trying to gain the American business if they will not adapt to what we want in a cruise vacation. If MSC wants to remain a Eurocentric cruise line aiming directly at the European business then they should continue to business as they are now. Every other commercial on cable TV is for MSC cruises so maybe they should figure out where they want their business from and adjust accordingly.

You are speaking for yourself and some, but certainly not all or maybe even "most" of that "American Business".  MSC does in fact have what I, an American, want in a cruise vacation.   I don't need a 100% American focus to enjoy a cruise.  I would not expect a "happy thanksgiving" any more than a french passenger should expect a "happy bastille day".

 

Obviously there are some Americans who are only happy if everything is 100% American.  MSC is not the line for those.  But I think MSC is doing a good balance of appealing to many in the North American market, while continuing to serve its many non-US customers which it clearly would not want to abandon.

 

[JDGGG]

7 minutes ago, Scot born said:

Oh I am getting what you are saying, by the way why only North American? Sorry distracted, did you  go to all the ports that you wanted on this cruise? Did you have a clean and comfortable bed? Did you have a good selection of entertainment? I know the food was not what you expected, I get it but did you go hungry? I don't think so. Point made. 

Scot, MSC is clearly trying to attract more North American Cruisers for example:

Status match

Heavy advertising on American TV

Sponsored an NFL game I recently attended (American Football)

Basing ships year round in American ports

 

This was the whole point of my original post.

 

[NCTribeFan]

I'm cruising MSC for the first time in two weeks (>30 cruises total since 2001).

 

One of the reasons I wanted to try them is for a slightly-different experience!

 

I neither need nor want stewards/servers to be overly friendly.  Just do your job and I'll be happy! 😄

 

As for portions, I'll appreciate having smaller portions.  I don't eat enough for 3 people at every meal anyway, but do find that I eat more when I cruise.  So, yes, giving me less opportunity to return home looking like a whale is a good thing!

 

And, I take the stairs.  Always.  Helps offset some of that overeating, so AC in elevators isn't an issue for me, either.

 

So, see, things that bother some folks are unimportant to others.

 

Viva la difference!  I suppose there's a way to say that in Italian? 😉

[Scot born]

13 minutes ago, JDGGG said:

Scot, MSC is clearly trying to attract more North American Cruisers for example:

Status match

Heavy advertising on American TV

Sponsored an NFL game I recently attended (American Football)

Basing ships year round in American ports

 

This was the whole point of my original post.

 

I get it, really I do but I think what you are not getting is that they are not trying to be the same as all the other America cruises and adding a new dimension to the mix, it may not be to everyone's taste and as all new cruise ships they have to find their feet. I just think that the new kid on the block needs a friend and it is not only in North America that you get Status Match it is everywhere, I, me personally think that you treat every new experience on its own merit and not what other people or places think it should be, and not compare. Would you do this with a person. Sorry if this sounds harsh. 

[JDGGG]

28 minutes ago, NCTribeFan said:

I'm cruising MSC for the first time in two weeks (>30 cruises total since 2001).

 

One of the reasons I wanted to try them is for a slightly-different experience!

 

I neither need nor want stewards/servers to be overly friendly.  Just do your job and I'll be happy! 😄

 

As for portions, I'll appreciate having smaller portions.  I don't eat enough for 3 people at every meal anyway, but do find that I eat more when I cruise.  So, yes, giving me less opportunity to return home looking like a whale is a good thing!

 

And, I take the stairs.  Always.  Helps offset some of that overeating, so AC in elevators isn't an issue for me, either.

 

So, see, things that bother some folks are unimportant to others.

 

Viva la difference!  I suppose there's a way to say that in Italian? 😉

Good attitude. Curious to hear how like the MSC experience. In regards to the elevators, I am with you 100%. Its kind of hard not to use them when traveling with a 4 year old.

[mnocket]

Every business has to decide who is their target customer.  Yes MSC has decided to enter the US market, but who is their target customer?  From what I've read (my first MSC cruise is in YC next Sept), it seems that MSC is targeting US cruisers  who are looking for something different, i.e. not the typical US cruise line.  So why all of the arguing here? I'm guessing it's because the OP was overly general when stating that MSC was not ready for the N. American market.  Perhaps a more accurate title would have been - "MSC is not ready for N. American pax expecting a typical N. American experience, but that's not what their trying to offer".

 

All of the arguing here seems to me to be off base.  There's nothing wrong with a US cruiser who is seeking a cruise line that caters to US tastes.  There is something wrong with such a cruiser booking a MSC cruise - it's not that that the cruiser is wrong or MSC is wrong, it's just that it's not a good fit.  I think this is the point the OP was trying to make, but the overly generalized title got in the way.