Below the Salt on Seashore again. Essiesmom sails 6/23-6/30, 2024

[DaKahuna]

 Just checked the closest Buc-ee's to us is six and a half hour drive.   I'll pass. 

 

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

36 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 Just checked the closest Buc-ee's to us is six and a half hour drive.   I'll pass. 

 

 

I see you're in NoVa...so that will be changing!

 

I should probably assume some sort of anonymity on the internet but my company is doing some contract work for a new Buc-ee's down here in the Shenandoah Valley right off I-81 near JMU that will only be 2 hours or so from you (or 6 hours depending on DC traffic!).

 

It's due to open in April 2025 so I'm sure you'll be able to stop by and check out the greatness that is Buc-ee's sometime when you're passing through the area. 

[noshoobie]

Looking forward to your review and will miss the pics of Essie looking out the window. We were on Seashore in February and for those who like paper dailies (like me) you can ask your room steward for them. 

[ebeluga]

@Essiesmom Just curious, your mini fridge comes stocked? Is it because you have a drink package and wifi package?

[squigglydownunder]

18 minutes ago, ebeluga said:

@Essiesmom Just curious, your mini fridge comes stocked? Is it because you have a drink package and wifi package?

 

I think the minifridge comes stocked regardless. We asked if we could have ours emptied so that we could use the fridge and they just told us to take everything out and leave them on the top shelf.

[squigglydownunder]

14 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

One more different thing is that there are no more paper daily programs. You have to use the app. Don’t know if the front desk will have copies for Luddites. Personally I like the app, but I am having trouble getting it to work for me this time.

 

One thing I found annoying about the digital only program is that they still lay them out in 8.5x11 format for printing. So you are having to zoom and scroll all over the place to read on a smartphone.

 

Also, I never could find the program in the app. I had to scan a QR code for a printed sheet they left in the room every day.

Where were you able to find the nightly menus? We never found them in the app, only by scanning the QR code at the table once we sat down to eat.

[squigglydownunder]

15 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

I wandered around and smelled smoking in the main casino.  It seems there is a posted small section on the rear corner for smoking. You can particularly smell it when you are heading for the slots corner.

 

I was surprised that they didn't glass off the smoking section because it permeates the area.

 

We could smell it directly above the casino on deck 8 near the Brooklyn Cafe too.

[dsain]

If you take a screenshot of the QR code then go into your photos and hold a finger on the QR code in your photos it will come up with the link.

 

A kid had to teach me that 😂

[squigglydownunder]

17 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

The elevators.  They would come full.  

 

We got off Seashore just as you got on.

 

Before our cruise, we had watched a ship tour video about these smart elevators you were supposed to request the floor once for each member of your party. Of course, it was annoying: press "8", press "back", press "8", press "back", press "8", press "back", press "8", press "back" but it would register it by playing the tone for each person at the associated elevator.

 

We definitely got lots of strange looks until we explained and everyone was annoyed that there were no such instructions on the panel. Then we asked at Guest Services and they said "we don't do that anymore."

 

I would say we probably had to skip as many elevators as we took because of them being full because they don't tell anyone about the smart technology that the elevators are supposed to have.

[umpisoccer]

Excellent review.  We are on this June 23rd sailing as well. We are staying in a YC interior room.  So far for us we have been very impressed with all aspects of the Yacht Club.   It was so amazing to have a relaxing buffet lunch at the YC pool deck on embarkation day.  No crowds and we also received snacks and drinks at the topsail lounge before lunch started.  We had an excellent dinner in the restaurant at 540 pm and we're done by 7 pm to attend the variety show in the thearter.  This morning we had breakfast at the YC pool buffet which was also outstanding (including fresh squeezed oj - Yum) The YC beach was perfect - cool refreshing water with bar service brought right to our chairs.  We had a nice breeze blowing to keep us cool at lunch which was good but not as good as last summer (not as much lobster in the roll and it didn't include the bacon like it did last year) I am looking forward to the filet mignon tonight for dinner and an evening walk around the island to watch the sunset. MSC is definitely continuing to impress us.

[CruisnDeb]

4 hours ago, squigglydownunder said:

 

I was surprised that they didn't glass off the smoking section because it permeates the area.

 

We could smell it directly above the casino on deck 8 near the Brooklyn Cafe too.

Main casino used to be non-smoking up until a couple of weeks ago.  They had a smoking section located right off the sports bar--it was an enclosed area with slot machines in it.  Seascape used to be the same way.  I'm really disappointed they both went back to allowing smoking in the main casino.  I have Seashore booked in October, but it may be my last MSC cruise.  I'll either book Celebrity or the newer NCL ships that have the enclosed area for smokers.

[squigglydownunder]

24 minutes ago, CruisnDeb said:

Main casino used to be non-smoking up until a couple of weeks ago.  They had a smoking section located right off the sports bar--it was an enclosed area with slot machines in it.  Seascape used to be the same way.  I'm really disappointed they both went back to allowing smoking in the main casino.  I have Seashore booked in October, but it may be my last MSC cruise.  I'll either book Celebrity or the newer NCL ships that have the enclosed area for smokers.

 

That seems like such an odd decision, especially because I can tell you it wasn't busy. There would be just one or two people smoking. It was just that that was enough for the whole area to smell.

[DaKahuna]

3 hours ago, CruisnDeb said:

Seascape used to be the same way.  I'm really disappointed they both went back to allowing smoking in the main casino. 

 

 I will definitely let them know how I feel about this in our post cruise feedback as well as any opportunity I get on board.  It was the largest write up section in my post cruise feedback about our Divina cruise.  

 

 If they are going to permit it fine but at least upgrade the air conditioning /air scrubbing system(s) to minimize the spread of smoke/smell to the non-smoking area.  

[Essiesmom]

I stayed onboard all morning.  When I got back from breakfast and whatever else I did, the cabin attendant had his tools outside the door.  I turned on the service cabin light and went out on the balcony to work on this.  I’m on the port side, so have a splendid view of the resident tugboat.  There are a number of other small islets in view and a small boat made trips out to one…I wonder if they snorkel there.

   We started with partial sunshine but by noon you could see dark clouds heading our way.  I think it was around 2pm when I went out, and I sure was swimming against the current.  I guess everyone thought it was going to rain and were coming back into the ship.  
  I walked past the residential area and ended up at the new Seakers Cove family area.  Then I walked to the buffet and sneaked inside, avoiding the lines.  Some people decided not to go back to the ship…. I had no intention of eating, just seeing what they had, and taking pictures.  Then I ended up walking all the way down to the spa and wedding pavilion.  There are cabanas along that trail, most of which were not being used.  One area had kayaks and life jackets.  They really need to do,something with this area to make it more attractive and thin crowd from the other areas.  I guess one problem is that there are. NO food venues there, although there are periodic bars.

  It had been windy the entire time, but by the time I started back it had started to sprinkle.  
  I went to world map trivia at 4pm at the Long Island pool on deck 18.  By this time it was really raining slightly.  I didn’t do as well as I hoped, but the winner got 11 of 12, and he was only 16.

  From there I went directly to dinner.  Only one of my two dinner partners showed, and I think she was only there because she had t been able to schedule her specialty dinners online.  I had the spinach salad, Thai chicken curry, and apple strudel.  After that I came back to the cabin and watched some HGTV.  And took a short nap.  I went down to the Uptown Lounge for 10:30 karaoke, which never happened.  There was an all women band playing, quite adequate.  When I left, I asked the staff member what happened, and she said a technical difficulty.

  I searched out the machine to register my credit card.  I realized today that I hadn’t done it yet.  The initial hold is $250.  I then went to Venchi and had one scoop of chocolate gelato.  They do not have my favorite flavor.  Tomorrow I need to visit the Venchi satellite by the pool to see if they have any different flavors.  
   Speaking of satellites…I spent some time in the Sports Bar today and there were a number of disappointed guests who were hoping to see Tennessee in the college World Series.  But the tvs were on ESPN Caribbean, and they wouldn’t change it to satellite.  One channel was continuous cricket.  The other was like sports center.

  The women seem to be enjoying dressing up a bit.  I think there was a bridal shower this evening…the bride was wearing a small veil on the back of her head, and a couple of friends were in hot pink.  Don’t think it was a wedding as she was carrying sparkly pink bags.

   The chairs at our table in the Manhattan MDR are extremely uncomfortable.  All other chairs are green fabric, but in our section there are 11 wooden chairs.  The only part of the back that touches you is a rounded piece at the top.  You can’t lean back.  As I left after dinner a person outside the door asked how my meal was, and I told him about the chairs.  He promised I would have a green one tomorrow.  
  Time to close for the night, and add a bunch of pictures.

  There is someone very unhappy in a neighboring cabin.  I hear crying, I think she is on balcony now.

  Looking at my pictures, I realized I forgot that between trivia and dinner, I spent some time in le Cabaret, where a crew member was teaching a group,of 25 officers some dances, including YMCA.  I wonder where they are going to perform…

 

 

[Essiesmom]

[Essiesmom]

Pictures from Ocean Cay.  These are from my phone and aren’t in my iPad mini

[CruisnDeb]

11 hours ago, squigglydownunder said:

 

That seems like such an odd decision, especially because I can tell you it wasn't busy. There would be just one or two people smoking. It was just that that was enough for the whole area to smell.

I just came off of the Meraviglia this past Sunday where they had a small section for smokers. The smoke drifted over to the table game side and was very unpleasant for me. What was weird is the nonsmoking slots close to the smoking area was fine.  I spend a lot of time at the tables so if I have the same experience on the Seashore, then that will be the decision maker. YMMV

[CruisnDeb]

8 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

I will definitely let them know how I feel about this in our post cruise feedback as well as any opportunity I get on board.  It was the largest write up section in my post cruise feedback about our Divina cruise.

It was definitely the largest written section of my post cruise survey for the Meraviglia yesterday. 

[Essiesmom]

Sat up working on this last night and heard more crying from next door.  Could hear the woman out on their balcony.  I opened my balcony door to make sure which side…it is 13209.  I am in 13211.  She was talking to a friend on the phone…just venting.  Said she had never seen this side of him before, had texted his mother asking questions.  Nothing like drama you can’t escape.  Don’t even know if they are married.

 

Up to breakfast in the Central Park restaurant.  Seated on the aisle at a table for one.  Next to a young couple.  They were giving everyone paper menus.  A man with a tray of juice walked by but didn’t stop.  I really like a glass of grapefruit and one of orange to mix.  Order taken, got a croissant from the pastries lady.  No butter on the table.  Ordered eggs Benedict, hash browns, grilled tomato.  Food came fast, but the Benedict was a total failure egg yolk solid.  Like free form hard boiled eggs.  I ate one the tomato, and the one hash brown puck.  When food arrived, I still had nothing to drink.  I asked and they came and filled my water glass.  Shortly a juice lady came by so I got orange… no grapefruit, she only had pineapple.  
   When I was finishing my drinks, one of the men in white came by and asked how the meal was, and I unloaded on him.  Eggs Benedict total failure, no drinks, etc.  He said right away he would replace the eggs, but it was 15 minutes too late.  Service wasn’t any better for the people around me.  At least the chair was comfortable.  Tomorrow I think I’ll be back to the buffet.

   Now sitting in Brooklyn Cafe to type this.  Have been up to 18 for the view.  Doesn’t look like the whole ship went back to the beaches.  We leave here at noon.  Gala night tonight, sea day tomorrow then Costa Maya.

 

[Essiesmom]

I just asked in the casino about smoking areas and the only new place is the slots corner. Nothing on the tables side. 
 We have just had a shower so maybe all will be back early.  A few more pics around the ship

 

[DaKahuna]

2 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

Food came fast, but the Benedict was a total failure egg yolk solid.  Like free form hard boiled eggs.  

 

 That is totally unacceptable.  I am glad that you complained.  Only wish you had let them try and make it right, just to see how it worked out. 

 

 Personally, I would be going back one last time to see if the problem had been corrected.  If not, there is still time to get up, leave the food uneaten and go to the buffet. 

 

[ebeluga]

So in the assigned restaurant, I hope the entree tastes better than it looks, however, if that's not the case, would one be able to order a second main entree if the first one is not acceptable at dinner? I know for the most parts, other lines would be no problem, just not sure about MSC...

 

I guess the (+) side is that I would have little concern that I would gain weight on the ship.

[Essiesmom]

10 minutes ago, ebeluga said:

So in the assigned restaurant, I hope the entree tastes better than it looks, however, if that's not the case, would one be able to order a second main entree if the first one is not acceptable at dinner? I know for the most parts, other lines would be no problem, just not sure about MSC...

 

I guess the (+) side is that I would have little concern that I would gain weight on the ship.

Well, printed on the menu is $5 charge for second main.  But I don’t know if the first is not edible.  Like the prime rib the first night.  There is a filet on the menu tonight, but I am trying to avoid beef as it is not healthy, even though I love a good steak.  The thing is, you don’t see the waiters very often…our water glasses stay empty a lot.  EM

[Essiesmom]

I did 1-1/2 times around deck 13 for steps and time on my Fitbit and collected some random pictures.  The lighthouse must be something famous in Italy as there are many views of it. There is a stroller/wheelchair left in the hallway beyond me. Too wide for the cabin doorway. I will get a picture of it but when I intended to the cabin door was open, and next time passing the occupant was in it. A boy who looks healthy and school age but non-verbal. Curious.
Carnival isn’t the only line where the covers fall off the door sensors…EM

[Essiesmom]

Tonight is elegant night and in steerage they were turning away adults in shorts. Kids were okay. Also charging for the second entree   I don’t understand fancy dress with ankle high sneakers. 

Edited Tuesday at 10:59 PM by Essiesmom