Random thoughts on second trip on Seaside

[1kaper]

I won't bother doing a whole trip review but did want to mention some of the things I noticed this time round on Seaside.  It was a whole different trip this time. 

I sailed a 4 night in May and just got off a 7 day this month. I had heard we were a full sailing but I don't quite believe it.  I do believe we were full in May so that may affect some of these things. 

 

In May my #1 complaint was the elevators.  I was with my mother who can't walk far and I'm also having health issues.  Normally I'd have just taken the stairs.  I found the elevator was always full.  You select the floor you are going to and it told you which elevator to get on.  Frequently the doors would open to a full elevator and you'd have to pick again.  Only now there were others standing in front of the new assigned elevator and often would just get on despite you being there first. I noticed that it didn't matter what floor you were going to, if you were going up, you got the same elevator assigned as everyone else going up. 
This time round I noticed that you didn't always get the same one assigned.  I also had almost no issues with the elevator, even at peak times.  Maybe less people.  Maybe the fixed that issue.  Maybe both. But bonus it wasn't an issue. 

 

Coincidentally I also had almost no issues with rude people on this cruise. In May it was unreal.  

 

In May getting a spot with a chair and umbrella stand at the lagoon beach on Ocean Cay was almost impossible.  The bar was a zoo and it took forever to get a drink. Maybe the ship wasn't as full this time, maybe it was the fact we were there two days this time, but it wasn't an issue at all.  They had a line at the bar instead of everyone sitting around the bar trying to get the bartender's attention to order. 
Back on board on the second day wasn't until 4 or 4:30 but they closed the bars down at 1 pm.  All of them.  They also cleared the beach at 2:30.  I am not sure if it was weather - it looked like rain coming  but I didn't see lightning or anything- or if they just do that normally.  I met a lot of people on their way to the beach on our way back to the boat. 

Overall it felt way less crowded at the pools and pool bars.  It wasn't nearly the nightmare of trying to get a drink.  So I suspect we were less full.  Or maybe less people on  a longer trip were drinking.  I really wish I knew the numbers.  Second seaday was really hard to find a lounger anywhere at all, not just in prime spots.  It was frustrating because there were stacks of them and open areas, but I couldn't find anyone to ask (I would do it myself but they were tethered down and I have limited mobility in my arm at the moment). 

 

(continued)

[1kaper]

So so far it was going better.  So now the less favourable.  I have sailed MSC twice prior to this.  I loved the food.  Thought the buffet was fantastic.  This time round I did not.  It was my husband's first time on MSC and he felt that they had the same food for lunch and supper at the buffet every day.  I agree.  And what they had was generally not good.  I had a ham and cheese sandwich and fries or potato wedges (depending what they had) or a slice of pizza.  I regularly tried the other offerings and ended up wasting it. I was always so confused how people didn't like the food.  Now I know. 

 

The ship itself was clean.  A lot of sinks were missing hand soap the whole trip.  No, I did not report it.  On all my trips I find dealing with someone frustrating.  Either they don't understand what I am telling them, or I get sent off to 4 different people.  I had two issues this trip and that was my experience again.  I also had the joy of dealing with customer service to move this trip and that was an exercise in frustration in itself.  

 

We played Bingo this trip.  My first time.  We were not happy they had a filled room where people bought multiple cards at $10 a pop for ONE game.  Winner got $1000.  

 

Debarkation was a mess again.  Last time we lined up all through the ship to get off.  This time there was a huge line in the terminal. Getting on was a breeze both times. 

 

I sailed without my kid last time. This time he came.  He loved the water park and the kids club.  He did Master Chef Junior at Sea.  

 

[1kaper]

Overall out thoughts -

 

Ship - my husband liked the ship.  Ship is fine to me. I prefer smaller, especially now that I have some issues.   My kid loved it. 

Food - dining room was fine. The steaks were tasted by razor thing.  Buffet was terrible.  We all agreed. 

 

Drinks - hit and miss as always.  They are fine.  I do like the different drinks on carnival better.  

Room - room was fine.  I didn't pick the balcony and we were overlooking other balconies.  Not my favourite but it's what we got.  I hate the beds on MSC.  Husband agreed.  The pop up cot in the couch my kid has was super comfy.  He was happy.  We took turns sleeping on it. 

Customer service - no. 

 

Embarkation - great.  Debarkation - nightmare. 

[1kaper]

Will we sail MSC again?  Maybe, if the price is right.  We are willing to deal with certain things for the right price (by we I mean my family.  I have a friend who I sail with who likes MSC so I'll go with her).  Right now prices seem to be up so it's a no. 

[Oceans 818]

On 11/23/2023 at 11:10 AM, 1kaper said:

Will we sail MSC again?  Maybe, if the price is right.  We are willing to deal with certain things for the right price (by we I mean my family.  I have a friend who I sail with who likes MSC so I'll go with her).  Right now prices seem to be up so it's a no. 

Hi, thanks for the review.

Prices are definitely up. I've been able to find a couple great deals but they are hidden in with all the other bookings.

Not sure if you've looked at booking through a US travel agent. After factoring in a 40% currency conversion rate (hopefully it's less at final payment!) we're saving over $800 per couple CAD on our upcoming bookings. I've only booked through a Canadian TA site once and it wasn't fun to deal with. It's worth checking out the $ differences in bookings. Our Dec/23 sailing we saved a couple thousand (yes thousand) by booking in US. That's been our experience so far.

We sailed the Seaside in May/23 as well and honestly, weren't fans of the experience. Husband wanted to kill the elevators! Glad to hear they may have figured out the issues with them as I've just booked the Seaside for Dec/24, 7 nights! Like you said the price was right

We try to avoid the 3/4 nighters as it seems the people are trying to pack a week into a couple days and it isn't pretty!