Meraviglia or Seaside (Med, April '21)

[JP82]

So with all going on, I have been working on a contingency plan for my upcoming August Northern Europe cruise on Meraviglia. I have two cabins booked as it will be family holiday, with my sister, her husband and their 5 kids... 16 year old twin girls, 10 year old twin boy and girl, and a 6 year old girl.

 

I got my sister to give me the upcoming school holiday dates, and have actually found some similarly priced itineraries for what will be their Easter Holidays in early April, so it's a bit less of a wait for the kids. 

 

There are itineraries on Seaview and Grandiosa (and I think I saw Virtuosa listed too?). What would peoples suggestions be for the best ship for a group like this? Especially given the time of year, I wonder if possibly the weather might not work for a Seaside class? And it would be better to chance it with a Meraviglia class? Not sure which os more family friendly? Unless they're both equal on that count?

 

Also it YC is not an option for this group, so no need for the usual harping on about that.

[neptuno]

We have sailed both Seaside and Meraviglia in the Caribbean, and found them to be two entirely different ships.  While Seaside was designed with an abundance of tropical outdoor spaces to sit, read, and dine Meraviglia would be a better choice for cold weather.  The Galleria on Meraviglia was an outstanding design of genius and quite an enjoyable place to stroll indoors any time of the day or night.  However, our personal taste for live dance music was not fulfilled aboard Meraviglia, perhaps just a passing problem, but something to consider.  As for dining, both were similar out of Miami, three short Americanized seatings;  rushed to end by elevated lighting, and for us quite disappointing.  BTW, the seven course dinner menu has disappeared from North America.  Both ships have a much smaller main theater than of traditional ships.  While the shows were short, we were not inclined to schedule into them.

[CruisingFox27]

We sailed Meraviglia in North America/Canada last year and found the layout to be good for the climate. Our sailing on Seaside was in the Caribean and it works really well for a sunny climate. We didn't spend very much time inside but having just left Meraviglia we did note it felt like there was less open inside space.

We didn't travel with a family so I couldn't advise from that point.

 

Incidentally, all sailings have removed the 7 course menu layout but you're able to order as many courses as you wish.

[cruiser man 60]

You see many cruisers ordering multiple courses e.g. Pasta and salad courses for starter, extra veg with main and desert followed by cheese selection.

[cellfree]

We have sailed on both Mera and Seaside, Interior Cabins, in Caribbean. We would choose Mera over Seaside in any climate, on any sailing. Simply enjoyed all the ship had to offer better.