Miami Depart MSC Seashore review

[ashank1m]

Just got off the MSC Seashore on 4/9, here is what I have observed.

 

- MSC is still departing from the Terminal F, next to Carnival (same place as before), entrance is to the far East of the terminal F.  Long line to X-ray bag then go up to check in.  Then you are ready to go on board.

- I did Fantastica/Bell balcony but realized the YC tent is out there but no lounge for embarkation due to the construction, but was a snack corner at the far end of the terminal. (Construction is ongoing to accommodate the new Carnival ship and MSC to move far end of other side next to RCL to new MSC terminal AA).

- I had check in time of 10am - 11am but didn't arrived until 2pm, but no one was taking note of check in time.

- As for checking, YOU WILL NEED THE PASSPORT, VACCINE CARD AND PROOF OF COVID TEST (NEGATIVE RESULT)

- Compare to Seaside, this ship doesn't have zipline, due to messy turning buffet to sit in restaurant couple years back, there is no buffet on lower level but regular Main dining for assigned dinning: Tribeca,  5th Ave, and Manhattan (for Aurea only)

- Staff was very friendly, especially at Casino there were too happy to take you money!  But everyone seem happy to get cruise going again.  My waiter at Tribeca, Manesh was super!

- Food: it really seem took a huge dive.  One day all food was bland, then next day too salty.  Dried meat was very common.  Food presentation at restaurant was good but as I have wondered for years if these chefs actually taste outside food to know the common taste?  

+ My biggest wonder, for Italian ship how can the pasta taste so bad.  It gave a new meaning to al dante as pastas were literally crunch yet outside mush for sitting out in sauce for long.  Sauce? Marinara was normal, but every other sauce taste like not a jar of Ragu but canned Hunt sauce.  I highly recommend you to try Meatball and lasagna, you will know what I am talking about, also the Penne pasta on Classic menu on for everyday.  For a guy lives off pasta and pizza and loves cooking Italian dish, I had none after the 2nd day.

+ First night food was too bland yet French onion soup was great.  Then next day, I had another that sat so long, I had to use knife to cut the cheese+crouton to get to the soup and the soup was an onion sludgy. No more after that.

+ Pizza - it used to be the best pizza on the sea, but now in the bottom as sauce is salty tomato sauce with hint of cheese.  only had white pizza, pep pizza and pizza with sauce only on buffet.  Room service order can have different toppings.

+ Only the half of the buffet is opened with front right (starboard side) has one carving station, one hotdog/bugger (dried in warmer with warm lettuce) & fries and toco bar. One station of typical pasta (again hard to my liking), soup and couple hot food items; 3 sandwich stations, 3 salad stations scattered. One Chinese (2 times) in the back (aft)/This is where omelet and egg sections (2 in the morning).

+ 2 drink station where you can get coffee, tea, water, juice/lemonade in the afternoon served by staff and one in the back.

+ From before food variety was bit lacking, again meats dried out.  Always have some sort of curry item.

+ several section had fruits but often only one section had bananas, third day I saw bucket of bananas in all sections with all yummy brown color.

+ In main dining, NY strip is $9.95 addition, but on Elegant/dress i[ night (3rd night) it was on the menu as regular item.  THIS was by far best steak I had in last 10 cruises from the main dining. Temp was done nearly on spot and not dried out from sitting out or hanging out in food warmer.  There was no diff in free steak vs paid. Of course you will always have better steak at Butcher's!

- Theatre: made reservation on MSC for Me, didn't seem to be checking when entering but need to scan.  Lots of seat were empty.  Production was decent, gone are the MJ imitation.

- Since ship seem to be about half full, pool was not as crowded and able to find chairs.

- With free drink promo, drink quality was bit down, I paid for my drinks and wasn't good as before or maybe YC serve better drinks.

- Since I stayed in YC for Seaside, I couldn't really compare the room size, but compare to Divina the room was about 30% smaller, so was the bathroom.  My room had couch (pull up to make 2 bunk beds) next to the closet.  With bed up, I could barely get to the closet since it had about 10 inch between.(well it wouldn't let me upload pic, space with of my wife's show size 5 1/2).  Good thing I had two cabins (1 with 4 and 1 with 2), I had 4th person change to other room other wise, I wouldn't have access to closet as room service is done once a day and the room steward was not putting bed away to make a sitting area.  It had half size sink with about 5 inch width served as sink top for your stuff.  Shower was slightly smaller, I am 5'8" 175LB medium built (size 40), I could barely move around.  I wonder how the plus size folks take shower as shower door is about 24 inch wide.

- I usually haul my own bags since I don't over pack. So getting off the ship was quick.  Heard the disembark announcement around 7am and we were headed out at 7:30am, after getting off the ship, we walked long way to far East side of the terminal when down stairs where porter and bag pick up area in one side and customs on next.  We were able to clear after 3 min wait then 1 min to scan our faces to the camera for check and off the terminal.  The exit was literally front of the Garage G, where I parked so only took 1 min to garage. (Parking rate $22 a day/full 24 hours), outside parking were charging 8 days for parking as Port only charged 7 so difference was not very big so parking at Port made sense.

-Those not in Aurea or YC wanting a spa/Therma area.  7 day pass is about $210 and couple for $400.  I couldn't find the daily pass rate anywhere but after 2-3 days into cruising, they were offering buy one get one from day pass for $80 + 20% tip.  But I was charged only $79.

- GYM had limited machines, other than cardio, Techno GYM had machine for chest, shoulder, lat pull, leg press, crunch, leg extension, leg lateral.  One set of free weight from 1 kg to 40kg(?), 2 racks for free weight bar. 1 multi pull machine.

- Some how entrance to 8th floor walkway outside in midship was closed most of the time.

- MSC trying to be technical (wonder why the web site and reservation seem like amateur) MSC for me works most of the time and chat function to talk to others with out the internet package.  Elevator has a touch screen out where you touch the floor your want to go and it will tell you which elevator to take, make sure put correct floor because once in the elevator, you cannot make a change as there is no floor button inside.  With RFID, your cruise card will transmit signal so instead of scanning you will just touch the reader for your purchases. ***If you have a fun pass for your kids, make sure to let them know don't get too close to the machine with card other wise it will read the card and activate the game thus you will be charged.  Games are less arcade type but more of amusement type.  If you purchase pre-cruise $80 package will get $140 but onboard, you will be charged $100 for $140 worth games.

- Infinity pool on deck 8 is for adults only located aft (back), it has a bar and gelato shop.  Smoking located in Port (right) side by the bar.  Another smoking is on deck 18 by the pool bar also Port side.

- There is still, white night, dress up and flower night, pool party is there but not as lively as before.  Some lounges have dance but it seemed limited in numbers.  Also gone but not is the Italian night, on our cruise Italian night but meshed with White night, so I wore White not Italian color.  Italian food was the theme but not to be desired. Braised Short rib used to be good but this time it was very tough while it seemed to be lived in the sauce way too long and every fiber of meat was salty. 

- Maybe I am missing some but before you had one bill, so everyone in the room had different account but linked to one primary.  But this time you can link the credit card but accounts were all separate.  You have to go down to Service Desk to link the account to one main.  If you don't if there is balance to OBC for one account don't assume it will be deducted from overall account unless you link the account together, not just credit card you link on kiosk when you get onboard. (Deck 5, 6, mid ship)

 

Couple gripes: 1) I had booked this back in 2019 before the pandemic.  It was a family cabin (3room) for Meraviglia for 8 then pandemic made the change and ship change to Seashore, which also changed itinerary from US VI to Nassau and each room got $200 OBC. I had few changes along the way and some how one room changed from Bella to Fantastica when I had to cancel one member due to health reason and OBC went away.  I tried to get this but gave up.

2) As mentioned above why are they separating accounts in the same cabin? 3) MSC execs have you ever eaten on your ship?  Please have your chefs and cooks eat out to know the taste.  When you waste good quality material and serve crappy food it is a sin.  After all, most cruisers are well to do folks yet why are the food quality less than Golden Coral?  Heck hire me, I can do better than what is there and I am only a amateur cook.

4) Those of you looking to take advantage of Status Matching, do it before you book so you can get a member discount (5%) and make sure use the highest category of your memberships.  When I did mine in 2016, I did it after the booking, so no discount.  Not understanding the program, instead of using Hilton Diamond or IHG Spire Elite, I used NCL Silver, but what I got was a Classic with 1 point, then I made a mistake of pooling onboard expenses and accidently made my daughter take credit for that, I have tried to get that credit back but no avail.  

 

Edited April 11, 2022 by ashank1m
word correction

[relaxatsea]

Thanks so much for your very informative and detailed review!

[Oxo]

Great detailed review! Food sounds just like what we have experienced on MSC. Been on Lirica, Davina, Sinfonia, Seaside and Seashore. Food is subjective but MSC knows that is one of their biggest shortcomings. We are on the Seashore B2B in July. 

Stay Safe and Happy Cruising!

[Alvarado Cruiser]

Thanks. Going next week.  You've made me very very concerned on a few items. 😬😪

 

 

[JAGR]

On 4/10/2022 at 9:08 PM, ashank1m said:

Just got off the MSC Seashore on 4/9, here is what I have observed.

 

- MSC is still departing from the Terminal F, next to Carnival (same place as before), entrance is to the far East of the terminal F.  Long line to X-ray bag then go up to check in.  Then you are ready to go on board.

- I did Fantastica/Bell balcony but realized the YC tent is out there but no lounge for embarkation due to the construction, but was a snack corner at the far end of the terminal. (Construction is ongoing to accommodate the new Carnival ship and MSC to move far end of other side next to RCL to new MSC terminal AA).

- I had check in time of 10am - 11am but didn't arrived until 2pm, but no one was taking note of check in time.

- As for checking, YOU WILL NEED THE PASSPORT, VACCINE CARD AND PROOF OF COVID TEST (NEGATIVE RESULT)

- Compare to Seaside, this ship doesn't have zipline, due to messy turning buffet to sit in restaurant couple years back, there is no buffet on lower level but regular Main dining for assigned dinning: Tribeca,  5th Ave, and Manhattan (for Aurea only)

- Staff was very friendly, especially at Casino there were too happy to take you money!  But everyone seem happy to get cruise going again.  My waiter at Tribeca, Manesh was super!

- Food: it really seem took a huge dive.  One day all food was bland, then next day too salty.  Dried meat was very common.  Food presentation at restaurant was good but as I have wondered for years if these chefs actually taste outside food to know the common taste?  

+ My biggest wonder, for Italian ship how can the pasta taste so bad.  It gave a new meaning to al dante as pastas were literally crunch yet outside mush for sitting out in sauce for long.  Sauce? Marinara was normal, but every other sauce taste like not a jar of Ragu but canned Hunt sauce.  I highly recommend you to try Meatball and lasagna, you will know what I am talking about, also the Penne pasta on Classic menu on for everyday.  For a guy lives off pasta and pizza and loves cooking Italian dish, I had none after the 2nd day.

+ First night food was too bland yet French onion soup was great.  Then next day, I had another that sat so long, I had to use knife to cut the cheese+crouton to get to the soup and the soup was an onion sludgy. No more after that.

+ Pizza - it used to be the best pizza on the sea, but now in the bottom as sauce is salty tomato sauce with hint of cheese.  only had white pizza, pep pizza and pizza with sauce only on buffet.  Room service order can have different toppings.

+ Only the half of the buffet is opened with front right (starboard side) has one carving station, one hotdog/bugger (dried in warmer with warm lettuce) & fries and toco bar. One station of typical pasta (again hard to my liking), soup and couple hot food items; 3 sandwich stations, 3 salad stations scattered. One Chinese (2 times) in the back (aft)/This is where omelet and egg sections (2 in the morning).

+ 2 drink station where you can get coffee, tea, water, juice/lemonade in the afternoon served by staff and one in the back.

+ From before food variety was bit lacking, again meats dried out.  Always have some sort of curry item.

+ several section had fruits but often only one section had bananas, third day I saw bucket of bananas in all sections with all yummy brown color.

+ In main dining, NY strip is $9.95 addition, but on Elegant/dress i[ night (3rd night) it was on the menu as regular item.  THIS was by far best steak I had in last 10 cruises from the main dining. Temp was done nearly on spot and not dried out from sitting out or hanging out in food warmer.  There was no diff in free steak vs paid. Of course you will always have better steak at Butcher's!

- Theatre: made reservation on MSC for Me, didn't seem to be checking when entering but need to scan.  Lots of seat were empty.  Production was decent, gone are the MJ imitation.

- Since ship seem to be about half full, pool was not as crowded and able to find chairs.

- With free drink promo, drink quality was bit down, I paid for my drinks and wasn't good as before or maybe YC serve better drinks.

- Since I stayed in YC for Seaside, I couldn't really compare the room size, but compare to Divina the room was about 30% smaller, so was the bathroom.  My room had couch (pull up to make 2 bunk beds) next to the closet.  With bed up, I could barely get to the closet since it had about 10 inch between.(well it wouldn't let me upload pic, space with of my wife's show size 5 1/2).  Good thing I had two cabins (1 with 4 and 1 with 2), I had 4th person change to other room other wise, I wouldn't have access to closet as room service is done once a day and the room steward was not putting bed away to make a sitting area.  It had half size sink with about 5 inch width served as sink top for your stuff.  Shower was slightly smaller, I am 5'8" 175LB medium built (size 40), I could barely move around.  I wonder how the plus size folks take shower as shower door is about 24 inch wide.

- I usually haul my own bags since I don't over pack. So getting off the ship was quick.  Heard the disembark announcement around 7am and we were headed out at 7:30am, after getting off the ship, we walked long way to far East side of the terminal when down stairs where porter and bag pick up area in one side and customs on next.  We were able to clear after 3 min wait then 1 min to scan our faces to the camera for check and off the terminal.  The exit was literally front of the Garage G, where I parked so only took 1 min to garage. (Parking rate $22 a day/full 24 hours), outside parking were charging 8 days for parking as Port only charged 7 so difference was not very big so parking at Port made sense.

-Those not in Aurea or YC wanting a spa/Therma area.  7 day pass is about $210 and couple for $400.  I couldn't find the daily pass rate anywhere but after 2-3 days into cruising, they were offering buy one get one from day pass for $80 + 20% tip.  But I was charged only $79.

- GYM had limited machines, other than cardio, Techno GYM had machine for chest, shoulder, lat pull, leg press, crunch, leg extension, leg lateral.  One set of free weight from 1 kg to 40kg(?), 2 racks for free weight bar. 1 multi pull machine.

- Some how entrance to 8th floor walkway outside in midship was closed most of the time.

- MSC trying to be technical (wonder why the web site and reservation seem like amateur) MSC for me works most of the time and chat function to talk to others with out the internet package.  Elevator has a touch screen out where you touch the floor your want to go and it will tell you which elevator to take, make sure put correct floor because once in the elevator, you cannot make a change as there is no floor button inside.  With RFID, your cruise card will transmit signal so instead of scanning you will just touch the reader for your purchases. ***If you have a fun pass for your kids, make sure to let them know don't get too close to the machine with card other wise it will read the card and activate the game thus you will be charged.  Games are less arcade type but more of amusement type.  If you purchase pre-cruise $80 package will get $140 but onboard, you will be charged $100 for $140 worth games.

- Infinity pool on deck 8 is for adults only located aft (back), it has a bar and gelato shop.  Smoking located in Port (right) side by the bar.  Another smoking is on deck 18 by the pool bar also Port side.

- There is still, white night, dress up and flower night, pool party is there but not as lively as before.  Some lounges have dance but it seemed limited in numbers.  Also gone but not is the Italian night, on our cruise Italian night but meshed with White night, so I wore White not Italian color.  Italian food was the theme but not to be desired. Braised Short rib used to be good but this time it was very tough while it seemed to be lived in the sauce way too long and every fiber of meat was salty. 

- Maybe I am missing some but before you had one bill, so everyone in the room had different account but linked to one primary.  But this time you can link the credit card but accounts were all separate.  You have to go down to Service Desk to link the account to one main.  If you don't if there is balance to OBC for one account don't assume it will be deducted from overall account unless you link the account together, not just credit card you link on kiosk when you get onboard. (Deck 5, 6, mid ship)

 

Couple gripes: 1) I had booked this back in 2019 before the pandemic.  It was a family cabin (3room) for Meraviglia for 8 then pandemic made the change and ship change to Seashore, which also changed itinerary from US VI to Nassau and each room got $200 OBC. I had few changes along the way and some how one room changed from Bella to Fantastica when I had to cancel one member due to health reason and OBC went away.  I tried to get this but gave up.

2) As mentioned above why are they separating accounts in the same cabin? 3) MSC execs have you ever eaten on your ship?  Please have your chefs and cooks eat out to know the taste.  When you waste good quality material and serve crappy food it is a sin.  After all, most cruisers are well to do folks yet why are the food quality less than Golden Coral?  Heck hire me, I can do better than what is there and I am only a amateur cook.

4) Those of you looking to take advantage of Status Matching, do it before you book so you can get a member discount (5%) and make sure use the highest category of your memberships.  When I did mine in 2016, I did it after the booking, so no discount.  Not understanding the program, instead of using Hilton Diamond or IHG Spire Elite, I used NCL Silver, but what I got was a Classic with 1 point, then I made a mistake of pooling onboard expenses and accidently made my daughter take credit for that, I have tried to get that credit back but no avail.  

 

Good detail, but FYI, Port is left side, not right.☺️

[ashank1m]

shame on me, even with ASA 101 cert, 2 years of not sailing and cruising did my brain a damage.... thanks for the correction.