MSC Seaside -Part 3, the Final Chapter

MSC Seaside has a great kids area, amusement area and outdoor facilities.     

In the Amusement area there is full size bowling lane (2 sides), a 5D simulator ride that seats 8 at a time with 3 interactive games and a Formula 1 race car simulator on Deck 7.  There is also a claw machine, air hockey etc.  Make sure you check out their package deals to save $$

    

The kid's area is phenomenal....There is an adventure trail, treetop sort of thing over the Aqua Park with a rope bridge, water cannons, and more.  Check out the 4 waterslides, especially the two racing ones that hang over the side of the ship with clear tubes.  A special area for the little ones too.  

   

 LEGO sponsors the Kid Club areas on Deck 18 for the 3-6 year olds and the 7-11 year olds.  Also on Deck 18 is the 12-14 Young Teen club with games and a disco.  The 15-17 year olds can enjoy an exclusive Teen Club that even has digital messaging!

 Great Productions!

 Heli-Pad, waterfall and deck pool

 Gelato and Bars outside on AFT 

    Beautiful Adult and Children's Pools

KONINGSDAM - I have to admit........(part 1, the comparison)

Comparing Holland's Awesome Koningsdam

Okay, okay....I am getting a little older!  I still hold on to "there is no such thing as a bad cruise" but I am ready to admit..."there could be a better cruise for YOU" in certain circumstances.

Recently, a group of 10 went on the Koningsdam....have to say...it is my favorite ship so far!  It is beautiful, classic and still fun! I kept adding notes in my phone every time I experienced something that I loved. There is so much to say but I want to highlight some right away:

• The level of service is wonderful
• No long lines getting back on the ship in ports and they have drinks and warm wash clothes waiting for you
• We were not bombarded with photographers
• We were not constantly bothered by waitstaff to order drinks and they didn't shove receipts 
• in front of us constantly to sign and/or add tips
• Happy Hours!!! several lounges, multiple times! second drink  only $2
• Bar Snacks
• They didn't police the pool towels!  You could have as many as you wanted and they didn't check them out to you!
• only 13 kids on board
• Guest Services is spacious, plenty of help and hardly ever saw a line
• Real LIVE plants and flowers
• Waitstaff in diningroom were all from the same country and understood each other.  This may not seem important to you...but I can say, I never had my order messed up!
• Best SALAD BAR ever
• Lido deck was cleaned immediately and you could always find a seat
• Lido deck food was great, served to you, great choices and sanitary
• My husband and I fit in our glass shower together
• Room Service is delivered on a cart and they ask you to call for pick up when you're done...no dishes in hallway or cabin!
• Dueling Pianos were the best
• BB Kings was also the best
• Nobody cheated at trivia and no one cared if they didn't win
• No arguing, drunk passengers or noisy people around you
• You are treated with respect, valued and made happy  

 and to be fair...things were we not used to:Getting dirty looks from a passenger or two, who thought we were too young to be onboard...lol...and maybe seeing more scooters and walkers than normal!
There are floor mats in the elevators telling you what day of the week it is!
 
BB Kings was really cool:

 

MSC Seaside - part 2 of preview party

Part two......

I was entitled to preview the Seaside because I made a little video at a Travel Agent conference remarking how MSC allows cruisers to experience the cruise line for their first time while matching their loyalty level with another cruise line. In other words...if you are 'diamond' with Carnival you get too cruise at MSC's highest loyalty level for your first MSC cruise too. It was just a one night preview cruise so I did not get to experience all that I would have liked too this trip. I can say that what I did experience was modern, beautiful and exciting! Everyone should look into taking MSC up on their challenge and use that "loyalty level match" to experience this ship.  When you look at the ship itself, it literally looks like someone set a condo building on top of a flatbed ship.

On the back of the ship are glass elevators that can lead you up to Deck 16 for the "Bridge of Sighs" which is like the infinity bridge at the Westside of the Grand Canyon. This unique catwalk has a glass floor and you can look down 131 feet underneath to the aft ship pool. The view of the sea is breathtaking from up there! 

Another great feature are the waterfront boardwalks and the extra wide decks. As a matter of fact, everywhere you walk is "open" and I never felt closed in or crowded any time on this ship...or anywhere on this ship. I even remarked that some areas seemed to have "wasted space" if you can believe that...lol.

Even the buffet areas were spacious and I loved the design. There are two on this ship....deck 8 and deck 16 and I have to admit, they had the best food of any other ship buffets I have encountered.  Everything was organized, the staff was professional and I was not worried about "germs".  The food stations were in a square, in the center. As you walked around to view the offerings there came a place where it started to repeat for passengers on the other side. I found homemade pizza, grill foods, salad and fruit corners, bakery items and in the morning there were even breakfast pizzas!  And of course, there was a bar...with espresso, lattes, etc. too!

     

        

      

I know in my previous post I talked about the bars and lounges but I must comment further on the dining options.  While I was less impressed with the main dining room....The Specialty Restaurants looked amazing! 

We were only able to sample the Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi. This restaurant is rather large and found on Deck 16, besides the Asian menu items there is also sushi and 4 teppanyaki grills. The decor is very well themed and gorgeous. I loved the place settings, dishes and the aluminum chopsticks!

    

    

Also on Deck 16 is Ocean Cay, a seafood fusion type of restaurant and Butcher’s Cut steakhouse which looked amazing to Kevin.

OMG...I haven't even talked about the bowling alley, racecar simulator or the outside, pools or kids area yet!  Guess there is a Part 3

MSC Seaside, part 1...too much to tell!

MSC's newest ship"Seaside"

Last year I made a video about MSC's policy of "level matching" from other cruise lines and won a preview of their new ship.  So on Dec. 22, 2017, we made the drive down to Miami to experience her for a one night cruise before she started her Miami itineraries.  As soon as you walk onboard into the "lobby area" or atrium, you know she is special.  I fell in love right away with the Swarovski crystal stairway.
  

MSC is new to the US as far as cruising goes but many of us will recognize those initials when we think of shipping containers.  Founded in 1970, MSC is a family owned business started by Gianluigi Aponte in Brussels.  MSC is new to the US as far as cruising goes but many of us will recognize those initials when we think of shipping containers. The ship features world-class entertainment, a large spa, family-friendly facilities, and the private "ship within a ship" MSC Yacht Club with its own dedicated restaurant, lounge and pool area.  MSC Seaside also features six specialty restaurants

MSC Seaside on Dec. 23 began sailing year-round from Miami to the Caribbean offering seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries. With Seaside, MSC Cruises’ fleet now includes 14 ships. MSC Cruises has designed six new ship classes, all prototypes that offer cutting-edge marine architecture and design. The company employs more than 17,000 people worldwide, both ashore and on board its ships.

The large three floor screens behind the lobby bar change and feature three platforms,with the bottom one being large enough for a small performance band.

                  

 But my favorite...right in the center of the ship, Deck 6....Venchi CHOCOLATE bar and other awesomeness like ice cream...watch as the chocolate is being made from the lab!

 

Of course you may be thinking...get to the important part...what are the cabins like!?

We were given a standard balcony cabin on Deck 10 but viewed other cabins in our tour time.  The cabins are beautiful, with clean lines, a lot of mirrors and very modern.  It appears very roomy and long with airyness and not crowded.  You place your keycard in front of the outside sensor and the door unlocks. Then inside the door you place the keycard in another sensor which allows you to turn on the lights, but keeps you from forgetting your keycard when leaving...or forgetting to turn off the lights.  MSC seems to be very energy efficient and your cabins also have a recycling trash can.  

Things that stood out:

➤The bathroom is layed out extremely well with an angled corner sink, glass enclosed shower complete with a "razor bar" (thank you!!!!!) and the garbage is under the sink, enclosed in the cabinet.  

➤ The balcony door is a sliding door allowing you to have it open at any interval.

➤The closet is on the backside of the bathroom, sliding doors, with a few small drawers and the safe inside.  


➤ Blow dryer, mini bar fridge included. 

Another thing I noticed while walking to our cabin...the doors are set-in not flush with the hallway doors.  I feel that this will cut down on noise or people hitting my 

cabin door while going by.

Perks in some of the suite options can include a small jacuzzi outside on the balcony, larger balconies, wellness program, spa amenities, etc.  Of course, the best upgrade is the "Yacht Club".

Handicapped facilities were very accomodating in all cabins.

Now moving on to what my husband feels is the most important...the Lounges, 

MSC Seaside offers 9 amazing eateries on board, 4 themed restaurants, and more importantly.....20 great bars and lounges.

The Sports Bar on Deck 8 is very large, plenty of beer on tap, a lot of bar seating plus large booth areas and bean bag chairs!

of course you should also check out ...and sample.....the Seaside Bar on Deck 5, Shine Bar on Deck 6, Champagne Bar on Deck 7, Seaview Lounge on Deck 8 and the indoor pool Jungle Bar on Deck 18 for the latest tropical drinks

  

The Haven Lounge, some great entertainment here!

  

The Garage Club on Deck 7 is teenage hangout during the day but becomes the ship's nightclub at night where you can dance the night away and enjoy premium cocktails.  The Billiard Room is close by too

stay tuned for more info coming soon.....