Seaside April 13-20 Review

[Gameck]

The wife and I just got off the Seaside from an April 13-20 cruise to the eastern Caribbean so I decided I would give a brief review. Reading the negative reviews has me a little skeptical about the Seaside. This was our second MSC cruise with the first on the Divina. Embarkation was easy and quick - arrived at port around 11 and on ship by 11:30. Beautiful ship - huge. Staff was friendly - has some problems registering a credit card at first but problem solved later in the day. We had a bella balcony room (10006) and got in the room by 2. We had he old deluxe drink package - one they discontinued - we loved it and the staff never had a problem differentiating between the new packages and old one - ours included mini-bar (which was awesome - refilled every day - even our room steward reminded us that it was included in our package. The chocolate shop (Venchi?) was also included which was great - espressos, chocolate martinis, mudslides all included in package. Understand that the new premier does not include it. 

Room was typical balcony - bathroom as noted by all was small - being on front of ship - wind from movement was bad - could not go on balcony while ship was moving - get blown over - know why it is a Bella Balcony. Room Steward was great - no problems all week - nice, clean, did anything we ask.

Bars were crowded - tips help, they will find you if you tip early in week. Masters weekend - sports bar was packed. All bar tenders very friendly - kudos to Alvin in the casino bar. No problems with drink package - they scan card with tablet and get you drinks - no signing.

Food - dining rooms were beautiful - had three dining times - 5:30-7:30-9:30 - the waiters are really under stress to get all three done on time - small portions but food good - comparable to RCI and NCL. I like ordering desert when you order meal - saves some time. Buffet was good - did not vary much from day to day - did notice a lot of crew eating at night from Buffet - much more than other ships. Cutting in line and language barrier caused a lot of problems that could be solved with ropes and exit and entrance signs.

Shows were good and short (maybe 30-35 minutes) - had to make reservations for each night and they scanned your card for each show - each show was packed. The app on phone came in handy - booked entire week the first day. Beerprov comedy was good and Michael Jackson show was good - another was the Peter Pan show - all used similar acts, just different costumes. Did not do slides or ziplines but looked like both were open regularly when at sea. 

Pools were crowded early for sea days - all chairs reserved by 9 - with 5000 on the boat, you better get up early to get a chair. Adult pool only on deck 7 was nice - no kids in pool - strictly enforced. Hot tubs are placed around the boat on different decks - they are usually crowded after 10 am. Dance lessons, yoga, games on 16 pool deck - staff did a good job with these.

Casino was good - slots paid better than tables - no craps - smokey but great dealers and bar tenders.

Ports - not a very good itinerary - the times were off just enough to ruin plans - San Juan (5:00 pm-1:00 am) - got off and ate some local food. St. Thomas - was there the entire day - enjoyed Sapphire Beach - best day. St. Maarten - only there from 7-1:30 (not enough time to enjoy the beaches. Nassau (12-6) again - short time - I would cut Nassau out all together and enjoy full days at San Juan and St. Maarten. 

I would say Americans made up about 30% of people on board - many people from Europe - all announcements done in five lanuages. Europeans were nice for most part - language barrier/ understanding instructions was an issue.  Debarkation was the only debacle - we did self serve embarkation - they wrapped the line to where the entrance to the exit line was near back of line - cutting to leave was a problem - many people that were in line were arguing with those that were cutting - no help from MSC crew. Could have gotten ugly.

Overall - would go again. As I see it - crew was friendly and worked hard - they just don't have enough help for that big a ship or that many people.. Many more foreigners than the other USA cruise lines but friendly for most part. Overall would grade the cruise a B+.

 

[nycfa]

Thanks for the review!   We go in July.  🙂

[PTC DAWG]

Fair enough...sailing this Saturday....14 the floor, Fantastica toward the back...maybe that will help with the wind.  

 

Did you taxi to the beach in St Thomas or take an excursion?  We are on the same itinerary. 

Edited April 22, 2019 by PTC DAWG

[floridian1]

What did u do in st maarten and nassau.

 

 We are planning to taxi to one of the numerous beaches for a few hours..imo there is enough time for a 3-4 hour beach day. Especially if u get off the ship before 9am.

 

Also was seaside the only ship in port in st maarten? The day we will be there the port schedule shows we are the only ship. Hoping that means little to no traffic and uncrowded beaches.

Edited April 22, 2019 by floridian1

[Gameck]

We took a taxi in St. Thomas - $10 p/p each way - took a water taxi ($7 r/t) to Great Bay Beach in St. Maarten (would not advise that again - nightmare getting back - four ships docked). In Nassau, again five ships there - went to straw market - can walk and some shopping downtown.

[dolphin1313]

Thanks for your review!

[floridian1]

11 minutes ago, Gameck said:

We took a taxi in St. Thomas - $10 p/p each way - took a water taxi ($7 r/t) to Great Bay Beach in St. Maarten (would not advise that again - nightmare getting back - four ships docked). In Nassau, again five ships there - went to straw market - can walk and some shopping downtown.

How was great bay beach and how long was the drive there and back.

[booklady26]

St. Thomas - Taxi to Magen's Bay for beach day. Shop at Havensight where you dock. Downtown not what it used to be.

St. Maarten - Water taxi ($7 all day) to beach. Walk towards Holland House Hotel. Little way past is Blue ***** Bar and Grill with beach area in front. $15 two chairs and shared umbrella (Brian is the best). Shopping on Front Street, 1/2 block down, is OK but some shops still closed from hurricane. Found liquor and jewelry to be the best buys.

Nassau - Stay on board or taxi to Atlantis on Paradise Island. Bay street is a waste of time. It's safe, so go if you just want to walk around.

 

[Gameck]

Great Bay Beach is a water taxi ride from the pier at St. Maarten - they have many beach clubs that offer deals with chairs, umbrellas and beer for $25-$30 depending on which one - all about the same. Holland House Resort also located there - a little more expensive than some of the others but offers the same things - close to port

[ashank1m]

6 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

Fair enough...sailing this Saturday....14 the floor, Fantastica toward the back...maybe that will help with the wind.  

 

Did you taxi to the beach in St Thomas or take an excursion?  We are on the same itinerary. 

Taxis in St Thomas varies from $7-10.  As you get off the ship, Taxi valet will hawk you.  There is a board with pricing so, all the price will be same.  Just ask tell them you want to go ???? and they will take you to a nearby driver that goes to that location.  Megan Bay $8 per person with $5 entry fee; Coki beach $9 per person.  Coral world at Coki beach was not impressed for $20 entry fee, quick 5 min tour and one under the sea view... hmmmm but did have bathroom that I could use from the beach and Snuba package had entry fee included.  Coki beach was small and packed, with Chair hawks already took all the good spots, you need to get a chair from them if you don't want to lay on the street.  $5 for chair and $10 for umb.  Food there was horrid, some said good so I order $115 worth of jerk chicken, Conch fritter platter, Fried fish, shrimp platter.  Jerk chicken was a jerk soup with chicken swimming (I wonder these are the same chicken roaming on the beach?), Conch fritter burnt, fried fish was only good food.  If you want a nice quiet place with little snorker and away from loitering hawks, Megan bay is good choice (fee park) so it is controlled and large area to use your ship beach towel to lie on, plus bathroom and restaurant.  I didn't rent chair at Megan so ? price.

[abdawson1]

On 4/22/2019 at 12:03 PM, PTC DAWG said:

Fair enough...sailing this Saturday....14 the floor, Fantastica toward the back...maybe that will help with the wind.  

 

Did you taxi to the beach in St Thomas or take an excursion?  We are on the same itinerary. 

 

Last time we were in St. Thomas, we actually rented a car.  We were a family of 4 so it allowed for more flexibility.  We rented a Leaf through Rent a Motion.  I think it was around $100 for the day.  It's right up the hill behind the cable car.  Just remember to drive on the LEFT <-------====.  We went to Emerald Beach which has free parking.

Edited April 23, 2019 by abdawson1

[boontj2003]

I was on the same cruise and totally agree with everything. Why do we still go to Nassau????

[boneatnik]

Thanks for taking the time to write this review. We are headed out this Saturday, same itin.  

Can anyone tell us where to track down the maitre d when we board?

[Preziosa]

Maitre d on deck 6 from 11.30, but he came first at 12 o clock