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.....

Never "Over Stated" (pt. 1 of 3, A-H)

Travelling the United States

I have heard many times....."I want to travel all 50 US States" .....or "How can you go on cruises when there is so much to see in the US".  Sometimes even I say that ....and I love to cruise!  That is probably why we take some time off from cruising and 'adventure out here'.  So, for the for each state I have been to, I will write my favorite memories in just a few sentences:

Alabama- The 'HOT NOW' as we drove from landing in Tuscaloosa airport to visit our daughter at Grad School, passing Krispy Kreme.  Beautiful shoreline and great parks!

Alaska- What can I say, been here twice!  Once by land, the second time was by cruise.  There isn't a better place!  Bears, salmon fishing, whales, halibut fishing, the otters...the volcanoes, the beautiful vast scenery, etc.  This really needs to be on everyone's list.    Did you know that Juneau is the only state capital you cannot drive to from another?  You must fly or sail into it!

We actually redid our vows as the ship turned at the Glacier on a cruise!

Arizona- The Grand Canyon of course!  It really surprised me that there wasn't a railing everywhere.  I was scared to death to go near the edge...and they sell a book in every gift shop about the deaths that have happened there!  There is no picture that can make you understand the magnitude of this place.

Arkansas-  Hot Springs:  the history, the bath houses, the quaintness of this city and the fact that everyone is still nice here.  You can even see someone blessing their meal in McDonalds.  Beautiful lakes and simple beauty.

California- Really too big of a state to cover in a brief note.   Traffic is horrible but the movie star appeal in LA, the wine areas, the coastline areas, the bridges, and perfect weather in San Diego make this state one to visit multiple times.  Great food districts too!  

Oh, and I did I mention we went Hot Air Ballooning!???

Colorado- SKIING!  OMG...the mountains are beautiful and if you don't believe God exists, you must take a gondola to the top of a mountain (like Breckenridge) and just look out on the beauty.  If you don't ski there are many options still.  Garden of the Gods, the rivers, etc. and you can still experience the mountains with taking a lift up during the summer!

Connecticut- still need to get here!

Delaware- still need to get here!

Florida- Ha!  What can I say?  I was born here and have lived here all my life.  Beaches, cruise ports, golf courses, and tourist attractions (Disney, etc.)....everything else is flat, hot in the summer and stay away in September. 

As a matter of fact, I would like to be gone during the summer!  Seriously, if you are a summer cruiser (those with school age children) plan the cruise for June or 1st half of July for the safest time.  

Remember, besides the holidays, it the most expensive time to cruise.

Georgia- The history of Savannah,Stone Mountain, etc.  The golfing and beaches of its islands, The Coca-Cola museum and more in Atlanta and the beginning of some beautiful mountains. Try some river rafting or tube down the Chattahoochee!

Hawaii- This awesome group of islands is on most peoples list.  The tough part is the expense of it!  Kauai is gorgeous with it's waterfalls and coastline and has the "wettest place on earth". Of course the big island, Oahu.... with the beaches of Waikiki, Honolulu, and the  Pearl Harbor area is not to be missed.  Go there....once.  (btw...NCL is the only cruise line with a ship registered in the US that let's you do an exclusive inner island only cruise).

While I do mostly help clients get the most out of cruising, I am always available to help with land travel planning.  I am always willing to share ideas.  We work hard and travel can get pricey...make the most of your time and see what you want to see.  There is an adventure any where you choose to wander!