Observations on the Seaside

[stoneman56]

On the seaside at the moment, day 4 of 14. Today Cozumel as usual is raining. 

A few observations compared to last December when we did the same cruise. 

Smoking in areas that you are not allowed has reached epidemic proportions especially at the south beach pool. I have had to ask the staff on 6 occasions to get people to stop it when sat on the sunbeds. 

Don’t get me wrong, I smoke on average 2 cigs a day but observe the rules. 

The area in the casino that you are allowed to smoke has been reduced even further, it used to be the whole one side now it’s a small section about 1/3rd of that. All the seats in that area are taken up with people not playing but just smoking. 
 

My wife has just been told off for bringing a biscuit into the seaview lounge, wish they were so keen with the smokers at the pools.

 

The food in the buffet is not acceptable, we had the same issue last year and it hasn’t changed. 

Same stuff everyday, no imagination put into it, and the same exact food as 1 year ago. Maybe I’ve been spoiled with the buffets on NCL, even on the small ships there was a huge selection that changed or was added to daily. Sure you will find something to eat, but it’s just lacking in variation. 

They could go a long way to remedy this by simply putting on a fresh pasta station. Choose  a pasta, have it boiled for 1 minute, choose a sauce, plate, enjoy.

 

The food in the MDR to this point has been delicious, perfect portion sizes and hot. We are in Ipanema, 7:15 seating. Food and wine order taken  and on the table by 7:30. 

We’re on KETO diet and have had no problem finding meals that suit us, and having the carbs replaced with more suitable sides. 

 

CS is still an issue, had the service charge added to the room even though it’s supposed to be included in the price. 

Even though I showed them the paperwork to show this 3 people descended into the conversation and insisted that although it said INCLUDED it didn’t really mean that. So I just firmly asked them to remove it anyway. Seemed to be the only way of getting what I had paid for. 

 

Had to chase up Voyagers club for all of the Diamond card stuff we’re  supposed to get. Didn’t receive our bubbly till yesterday. The most annoying thing about them is that the 2 people manning the VC desk are also the future cruise consultants, but they won’t answer any VC issues outside of the hours of 5-9pm I think. So you have the ludicrous, almost farcical situation of speaking to a person that you are going to talk to about a VC issue at 3pm who tells you to come back at 5 when they put their other cap on. 

[G.M.T.]

A question.

 

Did you type your message wearing binoculars?

[sidari]

 

When did you book this cruise by the way ? Thinking back the SC was only included from June 23rd this year for UK and Southern Ireland guests.

Edited December 11, 2019 by sidari

[stoneman56]

55 minutes ago, G.M.T. said:

A question.

 

Did you type your message wearing binoculars?

Sorry it’s the way it came out from a paste, I’ll try and fix it.

 No joy been posted too long to edit.

 

Edited December 11, 2019 by stoneman56

[stoneman56]

14 minutes ago, sidari said:

 

When did you book this cruise by the way ? Thinking back the SC was only included from June 23rd this year for UK and Southern Ireland guests.

July

[G.M.T.]

9 hours ago, stoneman56 said:

Sorry it’s the way it came out from a paste, I’ll try and fix it.

 No joy been posted too long to edit.

 

It was readable and well written. The only problem I has was I had to read it from 10 feet away then run the 10 feet to scroll down.🍻

[sidari]

Stoneman ... Not sure if this will help but this shows the DSC is included on a Seaside cruise in January.

Edited December 12, 2019 by sidari

[stoneman56]

2 hours ago, sidari said:

Stoneman ... Not sure if this will help but this shows the DSC is included on a Seaside cruise in January.

 I showed them my printed paperwork that said “All gratuities and service charges included” but for some reason they said it didn’t mean that. So I had to ask them to take them off anyway. 
I thought it strange that MSC also charge the full amount in one go at day 2, so instead of just stopping the fee they will have to refund it back to my card 

[sidari]

My understanding of the DSC being included within the cruise fare is that it cannot be removed! seems the staff on the ship are not aware of that either.

[stoneman56]

2 hours ago, sidari said:

My understanding of the DSC being included within the cruise fare is that it cannot be removed! seems the staff on the ship are not aware of that either.

wondering if I’m one of the first to sail with this promotion, if so and CS are unaware of it or refuse to honour then I can see trouble ahead

The 3 members of staff were quite aggressive about the situation but luckily I’m no pushover and stood my ground. I just wore them down. 

[Homosassa]

18 hours ago, stoneman56 said:

They could go a long way to remedy this by simply putting on a fresh pasta station. Choose  a pasta, have it boiled for 1 minute, choose a sauce, plate, enjoy.

 

 

OMG ! - that would be anything but fresh pasta.  Precooked pasta sitting on a steam table to be overcooked (heated ) by boiling an additional minute is not fresh pasta.

 

Do they not have a selection of pasta that is on the buffet line that is a size that it is used quickly and a freshly cooked tray is then brought out? That was the standard on my previous MSC cruises.

[George C]

We loved our msc seaside cruise last week, but I am sure it’s totally different being in yacht club . The only negative was the future cruise staff were totally incompetent, we were lied too a few times , never followed up on our questions etc. on my review that was only negative, we are used to booking on ship but on msc they had no idea how to do there job.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

14 minutes ago, George C said:

We loved our msc seaside cruise last week, but I am sure it’s totally different being in yacht club . The only negative was the future cruise staff were totally incompetent, we were lied too a few times , never followed up on our questions etc. on my review that was only negative, we are used to booking on ship but on msc they had no idea how to do there job.

 

I just book with a travel agent who does a ton of business with MSC and let her deal with the incompetence.  Got almost as much OBC booking with her and a lower price because she has a large group.  My current TA refused to deal with MSC again.  There is really no need for OBC on MSC in YC because everything is included.

[sidari]

1 hour ago, stoneman56 said:

wondering if I’m one of the first to sail with this promotion, if so and CS are unaware of it or refuse to honour then I can see trouble ahead

The 3 members of staff were quite aggressive about the situation but luckily I’m no pushover and stood my ground. I just wore them down. 

Sounds like another drink package disaster.

[jkgourmet]

48 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

I just book with a travel agent who does a ton of business with MSC and let her deal with the incompetence.  Got almost as much OBC booking with her and a lower price because she has a large group.  My current TA refused to deal with MSC again.  There is really no need for OBC on MSC in YC because everything is included.

 

Umm, I'm struggling to find one of those. . .  My regular online TA won't book them. 

Edited December 12, 2019 by jkgourmet

[stoneman56]

3 hours ago, Homosassa said:

OMG ! - that would be anything but fresh pasta.  Precooked pasta sitting on a steam table to be overcooked (heated ) by boiling an additional minute is not fresh pasta.

 

Do they not have a selection of pasta that is on the buffet line that is a size that it is used quickly and a freshly cooked tray is then brought out? That was the standard on my previous MSC cruises.

What the heck are you talking about. Pasta is rolled out from dough, sprinkled with semolina, stored chilled, got out when needed, dunked in hot water for 1 minute, lifted and stirred with your choice of sauce or butter, how much fresher do you want it.

Damn sight fresher than what you’ve just described. The stuff on offer is done in a big pot at the beginning of service, then the bain Marie is replenished from that, sat under the serving lights to go dry.

Edited December 12, 2019 by stoneman56

[George C]

4 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

I just book with a travel agent who does a ton of business with MSC and let her deal with the incompetence.  Got almost as much OBC booking with her and a lower price because she has a large group.  My current TA refused to deal with MSC again.  There is really no need for OBC on MSC in YC because everything is included.

I wanted OBC for a extra meal in specialty restaurant although we loved most  yacht club meals, I know diamond gets one free meal. We also upgraded premium drink package to premium plus to get the really high end cognac and scotch. 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

4 hours ago, jkgourmet said:

 

Umm, I'm struggling to find one of those. . .  My regular online TA won't book them. 

 

Check on that site we can't mention here.  She's very active there.  My TA hit the wall with them and said, "No more!"  It wasn't worth it to her for the amount of time she had to spend on hold waiting to talk with them.

Edited December 12, 2019 by Happy Cruiser 6143

[jkgourmet]

1 minute ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Check on that site we can't mention here.  She's very active there.

 

I'm afraid that I don't get it. . . but I understand it's impossible to 'share'.