Just off Seashore (2/25/24, 4 nighter) - Review

[Morgsmom]

MSC Seashore – 2/25 – 2/29/24

Well I’m freshly off the Seashore, a 4 nighter from Pt Canaveral.  Happy to share my experiences.

For background, it was DH and Myself in a yacht club interior cabin (booked into, not upgraded).  We are Diamond level and have sailed in all experience levels.  We booked this one ages ago.  I try to find weeks that I think are not going to be crowded – nope!  The ship was 100% full and boy could you feel it.

 

Embarkation – can you say HOT mess express.  So when I was on the ship in December the line into the parking lot at 10:15am was an hour long and people were getting heated.  We decided to go early and were at the lot by 9am – oopsie, doopsie.  The powers that be decided that the lot was going to stay locked until 11am.  You heard that right, 11am.   Hubby dropped me off at YC tent with our suitcases and I got to chatting with a porter – she had that I smoke a pack of unfiltered cigs every day kind of voice and walked around with $10 bills sticking out of her fingers as a “suggestion.” Clearly a colorful character but one with the inside scoop.  She said that MSC has been bringing in the shoreside employees an hour later to save on labor… hum… interesting. 

 

Fast forward to the terminal.  Previous YC cruisers at Port Canaveral know of the little waiting area for YC which had friendly attendants, a desk to check in, snacks, etc.  Nope.  Gone.  Now there is a large area – due to the fact that larger ships are coming in, however it’s a free for all.  The check in folks walk around yelling your cabin number in a bingo like fashion and then come to you to check you in while seated.  It was wholly inefficient and odd (I mean I don’t publicly announce what cabin I am, especially if I was traveling solo as I often do.)  On the snack – nope, no more (insert frown).

After that mess getting on the ship was easy and we were in Topsail by 11:45.  Our room was ready so we quickly unpacked. 

 

Yes, believe everything you read about not having enough storage space in a YC inside cabin. It’s half a closet and half as many shelves.  Very poorly designed.  (And, no, we didn’t overpack)  Unfortunately and much to my chagrin there were no Pringles, nor Toblerone, nor mixed nuts, nor anything in the cabin.  Ok, I think, it’s the first day, maybe they have not gotten their allotment yet….

 

Lunch in the dining room was efficient, but dear goodness can they please change up the menus.   Same ole, same ole.  I almost wonder if they make it boring and repetitive so that people don’t order multiple courses. 

 

Topsail lounge is always nice, however, we encountered the same issues as in the past.  First, the new cocktail menu is extensive and 99% of the time they don’t have the ingredients needed to make the cocktail.  Examples include elderflower tonic water, dehydrated papaya, etc.  All well and good until you want the drink.  MSC, please don’t let some mixologist come up with something the bars cannot reasonably make.  Everyone (or maybe just us?) in Topsail is already semi-high maintenance and probably “calls” their top shelf drinks already. 

 

Issue number two is the mysterious running out of the better bottles of wine on the wine by the glass list.  This one makes me smack my head.  No, I’m not drinking your $5 bottles of bottles of wine when you have other ones listed.  There are 1000’s of bottles around this ship; please find some.  (Rant over)

 

The ship itself – GORGEOUS, very clean.  I’m not a fan of the layout preferring the Meraviglia class and the promenade, but the ship is well maintained.

 

I used the thermal spa once but for some reason when I was there there were only men in at the time and I didn’t feel comfortable.  Not sure why but just didn’t.  There were also fully clothed people walking through on a self guided tour (?) opening saunas and rooms and just sticking their heads in.  Very odd.  It is a nice thermal area, though.

 

Entertainment – ok, I’ll say that they have upped their game for the American audience.  Previously MSC had more, shall we say, eclectic entertainment that was not language based to appeal to a multi-cultural crowd.  For this they had production shows which were almost Broadway level performances.  Hubby even noticed the upgrade.

 

The downside, however, is the “let’s not correct guests even when they are not following the rules” shenanigans.  People coming in to the theater after the show has started and walking right in front of you doing that “excuse me, excuse me” thing, people bringing drinks in (not allowed on MSC), people videotaping live performances.   The worst was one excuser who scooted by in a wet pool towel.  The cruise line needs to stop such behavior at the door. If the show has started, come back later for the next performance.  If you are wet and straight from the pool, no admittance.  (Rant over, thank you). 

 

More to come…  Happy to answer any questions

[Morgsmom]

Oh, for the itinerary, our time at Ocean Cay was cut short due to a diesel engine issue.  Not the first time for this vessel.  So we lost the overnight and ½ day portion and made our way directly to Nassau.  For that we were each given $50 in OBC which I cashed out at the casino.  (Thank you cruise critic for the helpful suggestion).

 

What else to say… we went to Butcher’s Cut for our Diamond Club meal. – it was delicious as always.  We were surprised that they removed Teppanyaki as an option.  The first of the “removals” to be encountered, but not the last.

 

Back in YC I asked on day 2 about the room snacks – according to the head Concierge they had received word from “HR” that there would be no more starting this sailing.  I did not inquire as to whether this impacted only certain sailings of so many days or not because I was too busy crying to myself (just kidding) about that precious Toberlone bar.  Now before y’all say “just to to the sundries store and buy some.”  That’s not the point.  The point is they keep removing things.  No more Voyager’s Club trinket.  There was no Diamond “party”, just a general Voyager’s Club.  No Captain’s meeting in Top Sail.  NO welcome prosecco in cabin.

 

I completely understand that there’s an economic impact to each of these and that there is some bean counter rubbing their little fingers together overseas, but at some point they have to stop taking things away especially with loyal guests who know what it used to be like pre-pandemic when MSC was doing everything it could to get into the US market.

 

A happy surprise was the “Cocktail Bar” (yes, that’s the name) on 8 aft near the specialty dining restaurants.  It is open limited hours but boy can they make a drink.  This was about as 100% degrees difference than the craziness in the Uptown Lounge when karaoke was going on.  That had the feel of a frat party with 20 somethings drinking their faces off on the lowest beverage package drinks.   No, thank you, I’ll just mosey on out.    

 

It's just interesting to see the evolution from what was once an unknown line to one that is broadening their reach so much with many people taking their first ever cruise due to really low prices.   

[GPPhilly]

I wonder if these cut backs are for the shorter sailings or for all.  

[Morgsmom]

18 minutes ago, GPPhilly said:

I wonder if these cut backs are for the shorter sailings or for all.  

As far as the "parties" I was told it was due to it being a 4 night sailing, though we had BOTH Diamond and YC "meet the captain and butler team" on the same 4 nighter on the same Seashore 9 weeks ago.

[Cruzan Sparky]

My wife and I were in the yacht club in December when you were there.  We commented to each other about the similarities in our experiences.

 

Very disappointed to see that things have not become better.  Is the same Yacht Club Director there?

 

Still grocery store wine! Yikes.  You think being in yacht club you could get a wine that retails for about $20 a bottle.  

 

Hopefully your butler was better this time.  We did not see ours until the night of Day 2.

[morpheusofthesea]

Might have missed this posting ? 

Just to add to why the diminished perks. From an analytics consultancy " Using Data analytics, financial modeling and consumer surveys to analyze the effectiveness of Loyalty Programs. The relationship between customer behavior and profitability found some distortions in the Loyalty Program. The way customers were using the program meant the highest spending and longest term customers weren't always getting rewarded proportionately for their value at the same time other customers that were earning rewards passively without spending enough to make it profitable for the business."

    This data analysis indicates that loyalty programs are rewarding the least profitable guests..

    MSC has some of the lowest fares in the cruising industry and are probably the last to start cutting back on these 'freebies'. Be interesting to see if these cut backs go as far on 7 day cruises. These 'freebies' are really not a deal breaker for many of us and we do not have them listed as 'must haves' when booking a cruise. Others of us did not make a fuss when we lost the chocolate ships. Rather have the Voyager discount than a candy bar.

[Morgsmom]

1 hour ago, Cruzan Sparky said:

My wife and I were in the yacht club in December when you were there.  We commented to each other about the similarities in our experiences.

 

Very disappointed to see that things have not become better.  Is the same Yacht Club Director there?

 

Still grocery store wine! Yikes.  You think being in yacht club you could get a wine that retails for about $20 a bottle.  

 

Hopefully your butler was better this time.  We did not see ours until the night of Day 2.

New Director - her name is Melinda, she's from Italy and was very engaged with the crew & guests.

 

Yes, on the grocery store wine 😲- even when we called for a specific name we saw them pour something different.  It was delivered as "here is your red wine" and precious husband would ask if it was what we ordered... Nope.  There's no need for this in YC, in my opinion.

 

Our butler team (butler & asst) was quite lovely.  They did nothing EXTRAORDINARY, but they performed their duties very well and unobtrusively which was good enough!  

[Morgsmom]

57 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Rather have the Voyager discount than a candy bar.

Or the Voyager OBC that used to come with every booking 😜

 

[Selion]

4 hours ago, Morgsmom said:

Previous YC cruisers at Port Canaveral know of the little waiting area for YC which had friendly attendants, a desk to check in, snacks, etc.  Nope.  Gone.  Now there is a large area – due to the fact that larger ships are coming in, however it’s a free for all.  The check in folks walk around yelling your cabin number in a bingo like fashion and then come to you to check you in while seated.  It was wholly inefficient and odd (I mean I don’t publicly announce what cabin I am, especially if I was traveling solo as I often do.)  On the snack – nope, no more (insert frown).

That didn't sound very YC-like.  Cost cutting and higher fares.  I'll stick to small ships before I book YC again.

[dbrown84]

7 hours ago, Morgsmom said:

people bringing drinks in (not allowed on MSC

you're not allowed to drink at the shows on MSC?  Sorry if this is well known.  I'm planning my first MSC cruise

[MsTabbyKats]

16 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

you're not allowed to drink at the shows on MSC?  Sorry if this is well known.  I'm planning my first MSC cruise

No drinks in the theatre.

[dbrown84]

8 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

No drinks in the theatre.

wow.  thanks

[MsTabbyKats]

7 hours ago, Morgsmom said:

 

 

Yes, believe everything you read about not having enough storage space in a YC inside cabin. It’s half a closet and half as many shelves.  Very poorly designed.  (And, no, we didn’t overpack)  Unfortunately and much to my chagrin there were no Pringles, nor Toblerone, nor mixed nuts, nor anything in the cabin.  Ok, I think, it’s the first day, maybe they have not gotten their allotment yet….

 

 

 

It's also half the price!

[Morgsmom]

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

It's also half the price!

Exactly!  👍🏼 

[peder]

The Pringles and the Toblerone are such a small expense. Why wouldn't they just pass the $5 along on the price of the cabin if it's that big of a deal to MSC at scale? Surely customers wouldn't be aware of a price increase that small?

[quattrohead]

After our experience on Seaside and checking pricing for Divina in November, I don't feel the need to cruise again anytime soon.

[dexddd]

1 hour ago, quattrohead said:

After our experience on Seaside and checking pricing for Divina in November, I don't feel the need to cruise again anytime soon.

Agree 100 percent.  NCL prices crazy, service and cutbacks.  Our last MSC we could see decline in YC food.  Now more YC cutbacks?  I really like to cruise but first time in long time nothing booked and not even looking.

[marti2282]

Sad to hear! Love all the small thoughtful things we got in YC.

[GPPhilly]

I really do think that some of what you experience is dependent on the YC director.  I am sure most comes from the higher ups but a good YC director can change the experience.  

[Cruzan Sparky]

4 hours ago, GPPhilly said:

I really do think that some of what you experience is dependent on the YC director.  I am sure most comes from the higher ups but a good YC director can change the experience.  

Not sure about that.  We were on the Seashore in YC in Dec and had same issues with a different yacht club director.  I am starting to see it is not management but corporate.  Always out of stock on liquor.  Under $10 a bottle wine in the YC for dinner.  These are corporate decisions.

[perakcruiser]

On 3/1/2024 at 1:02 AM, Morgsmom said:

I try to find weeks that I think are not going to be crowded – nope!  The ship was 100% full and boy could you feel it.

Demand is too high, not enough ships. This is especially true for MSC, but also for others. The 20 years old Armonia is full most of the time in the Eastern (!) Med, asking now for prices unseen from MSC before outside summer holidays. Maybe the delivery of World America has ease the situation a little bit, at least for the US market. In Europe it is hopeless, Carnival took away so many ships from Costa and Aida, MSC cannot take all the guests 😄

 

On 3/1/2024 at 2:25 AM, Morgsmom said:

As far as the "parties" I was told it was due to it being a 4 night sailing, though we had BOTH Diamond and YC "meet the captain and butler team" on the same 4 nighter on the same Seashore 9 weeks ago.

Obviously on a 4 nights cruise the chance for the parties is 57.14 percent 🙂 

[JAGR]

On 2/29/2024 at 12:53 PM, Morgsmom said:

Oh, for the itinerary, our time at Ocean Cay was cut short due to a diesel engine issue.  Not the first time for this vessel.  So we lost the overnight and ½ day portion and made our way directly to Nassau.  For that we were each given $50 in OBC which I cashed out at the casino.  (Thank you cruise critic for the helpful suggestion).

 

What else to say… we went to Butcher’s Cut for our Diamond Club meal. – it was delicious as always.  We were surprised that they removed Teppanyaki as an option.  The first of the “removals” to be encountered, but not the last.

 

Back in YC I asked on day 2 about the room snacks – according to the head Concierge they had received word from “HR” that there would be no more starting this sailing.  I did not inquire as to whether this impacted only certain sailings of so many days or not because I was too busy crying to myself (just kidding) about that precious Toberlone bar.  Now before y’all say “just to to the sundries store and buy some.”  That’s not the point.  The point is they keep removing things.  No more Voyager’s Club trinket.  There was no Diamond “party”, just a general Voyager’s Club.  No Captain’s meeting in Top Sail.  NO welcome prosecco in cabin.

 

I completely understand that there’s an economic impact to each of these and that there is some bean counter rubbing their little fingers together overseas, but at some point they have to stop taking things away especially with loyal guests who know what it used to be like pre-pandemic when MSC was doing everything it could to get into the US market.

 

A happy surprise was the “Cocktail Bar” (yes, that’s the name) on 8 aft near the specialty dining restaurants.  It is open limited hours but boy can they make a drink.  This was about as 100% degrees difference than the craziness in the Uptown Lounge when karaoke was going on.  That had the feel of a frat party with 20 somethings drinking their faces off on the lowest beverage package drinks.   No, thank you, I’ll just mosey on out.    

 

It's just interesting to see the evolution from what was once an unknown line to one that is broadening their reach so much with many people taking their first ever cruise due to really low prices.   

Thanks for your review! It's nice (and at the same time unsettling!) to see a newer review from someone with extensive YC experience.  I'm on Mera tomorrow for a seven-day cruise, and I'm hoping the cutbacks aren't like what you saw. With Onil as my butler and Arthur in the YC dining room, I am trusting that I will not have a bad time. Thanks for your candid observation!

[Morgsmom]

1 hour ago, JAGR said:

With Onil as my butler and Arthur in the YC dining room, I am trusting that I will not have a bad time. Thanks for your candid observation!

Now that’s amazing!  Fantastic team in the Mera right now. 

[mnocket]

Sometimes it gets a bit depressing seeing product and service deteriorating virtually everywhere.  I can't recall the last time I called a customer service number and had the call answered quickly and found the representative knowledgeable and eager to help.  It seems it's happening across all kinds of businesses, but it's becoming especially egregious among the cruise lines.  It's almost like business majors are being taught that the proper way to manage a business is to raise prices and reduce product and service quality/costs.  Maybe I'm just an old foggy.  Younger people seem unaffected by this trend. 

[cruisebeachgirl703]

4 hours ago, JAGR said:

Thanks for your review! It's nice (and at the same time unsettling!) to see a newer review from someone with extensive YC experience.  I'm on Mera tomorrow for a seven-day cruise, and I'm hoping the cutbacks aren't like what you saw. With Onil as my butler and Arthur in the YC dining room, I am trusting that I will not have a bad time. Thanks for your candid observation!

Do you know your butler ahead of time? Please let us know how things as the week goes. Also, current YC director.