We sailed on MSC Cruises’ latest ship, MSC Seascape, when she debuted in late 2022. We had excessive hopes for this mega-ship, however sadly, it fell quick on a number of fronts. However, we determined to provide MSC Cruises one other shot, this time in MSC Yacht Membership. Now, we’re again and share the place MSC Cruises shines and the place it falls quick with our MSC Seashore cruise ship assessment.
Our MSC Seashore Cruise Ship Overview
Complimentary Eating
One space the place MSC Cruises has made some minor enhancements is its complimentary eating.
The solely informal restaurant on MSC Seashore is the Market Buffet. The venue served breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, dinner, and late-night snacks throughout our crusing. Thus, cruisers might normally discover one thing to eat most occasions of the day.
Whereas the structure nonetheless leaves a lot to be desired, the meals high quality and preparation have been noticeably improved throughout this crusing. Whereas nonetheless not the very best buffet at sea, the meals was on par with another modern cruise strains and positively extra American-ized than our final crusing.
Nonetheless, with two completely different sections usually that includes completely different alternatives, navigation will be chaotic, particularly throughout peak occasions. Having sailed on her sister ship, on embarkation day, I headed straight to the pizza station which is aft on this eatery. Like our earlier journey, the pizza is among the many finest at sea.
We have been completely happy to see the cruise line made some enhancements, reminiscent of having indicators to label all meals objects.
Our breakfast on the Market Buffet was additionally on par with rival cruise strains. It supplied a wide range of alternatives, together with a {custom} omelet station.
Total, we nonetheless really feel like a ship of this dimension wants extra informal, complimentary eating choices.
Provided that we stayed in MSC Yacht Membership, we had entry to the One Pool Buffet and Grill through the day. This smaller buffet supplied upscale alternatives together with grilled and fried seafood, steaks, and extra. The meals was noticeably higher ready and extra flavorful throughout our a number of meals. Likewise, within the morning, the Buffet and Grill supplied a breakfast buffet, with typical choices and a {custom} omelet station.
Equally, we didn’t dine in one of many predominant eating rooms as we ate most dinners within the MSC Yacht Membership Restaurant. Nonetheless, we sampled a number of of the dinner objects additionally on the primary eating room menus. Once more, we’d say these meals and starters have been extra flavorful and higher offered than the meals we had within the MDR over a 12 months in the past. So, this was definitely one other step in the fitting route for MSC Cruises.
The large distinction is that the Yacht Membership Restaurant menus characteristic most of the similar MDR dishes along with some upscale alternatives.
These unique menu objects from the MSC Yacht Membership Restaurant have been what you’ll count on from a premium cruise line. Dishes just like the lobster ravioli and the included filet have been flavorful and well-plated. For dessert, you gained’t need to go on the tiramisu or New York cheesecake.
Likewise, service within the MSC Yacht Membership Restaurant was extra personable and higher timed. This restaurant had open seating, and we by no means needed to watch for a desk for 2. Most dinners took between 75 to 90 minutes for our typical three-course meals.
Whereas we are able to’t touch upon the MDR eating expertise on MSC Seashore, this degree of service was significantly missing throughout our conventional eating on MSC Seascape.
Specialty Eating
Whereas the complimentary eating on MSC Seashore nonetheless wants some work, its specialty eating is among the many finest at sea. The cruise ship provides 5 upcharge venues. Throughout our weeklong cruise, we dined at three of those specialty eating places for this MSC Seashore cruise ship assessment.
All of those eating places are positioned on Deck 8 within the aptly named Chef’s Court docket.
One sea day, we pulled up a desk at Hola! Tacos and Cantina. This Deck 8 eatery provides lunch and dinner choices most days of the cruise. The menu serves up completely sized bites impressed by Mexican avenue meals and Latin American favorites. Amongst our favorites have been the nachos and the al pastor and carne asada tacos. Whereas right here, you don’t need to go up one of many custom-made margaritas.
At Hola! Tacos, company can both pay a la carte or $17.99 for an all-you-can-eat possibility, which we expect is a good deal.
On night time 3, we dined on the Butcher’s Reduce, top-of-the-line steakhouses at sea. My filet mignon was expertly seared to medium uncommon. Equally spectacular have been the aspect dishes and decadent desserts. You nearly can’t go fallacious with something on the menu at this restaurant.
Nevertheless, if you’re eating with a specialty restaurant bundle, you’re restricted to just one starter, entree, aspect, and dessert. And in contrast to most different cruise strains that solely cost for additional entrees, you WILL get charged even for an additional aspect or starter on MSC Cruises.
Lastly, on night time 6, we pulled up a stool at Kaito Teppanyaki. I used to be extra a fan of this multi-course dinner and a present than Heidi, significantly as a result of the menu is extra seafood-centric. In comparison with different cruise strains, MSC Seashore provides extra upscale hibachi objects, with a number of programs that includes beef and seafood. This interactive eating expertise is at all times a enjoyable time.
The ship additionally incorporates a devoted seafood restaurant, Ocean Cay; nonetheless, there’s actually nothing on the menu for these in your celebration who don’t like seafood. Lastly, Katio Sushi is a novel idea on MSC Cruises. This conveyor belt setup provides company an a la carte expertise with varied sushi alternatives. Or, at choose occasions, company will pay a flat price for an all-you-can-eat 45-minute feast.
Total, we really feel the meals on the specialty eating places is leaps and bounds higher than the complimentary eating places on the MSC Seashore cruise ship.
Nevertheless, the cruise line’s eating packages are a little bit complicated. The cruise line has varied packages however all of them embody particular eating places fairly than letting company resolve at which eating places they’d wish to dine. Additional, company with a eating bundle have a extra restricted eating expertise menu, or they’ll pay additional for different objects on the menu.
Pool Deck
On our cruise, MSC Seashore sailed at about 95% of double occupancy. Even nonetheless, not one of the outside areas ever felt crowded. MSC Cruises boasts that this ship has over 3 acres of out of doors area, and we are able to attest on this MSC Seashore cruise ship assessment that there was ample area to name our personal.
The principle outside pool is the Lengthy Island Pool on deck 18 aft. With a central pool, two whirlpools, and loads of deck chairs, this area provides a relaxed seaside vibe through the day. It is usually residence to outside events and nighttime occasions if the climate permits.
Inside is the aptly named and themed Jungle Pool. This pool is close to the Doremiland youth space and incorporates a retractable roof. It additionally housed some complimentary tabletop video games, so it was a preferred spot for households and children to take pleasure in, whatever the climate outdoors.
Deck 8 is residence to an out of doors promenade that wraps ¾ across the ship. Aft is the Infinity Pool and is probably our favourite space on the ship. That is the adults-only area, though we didn’t see workers implementing the age restriction for these two wake-view swimming pools.
Apart from adjoining to the swimming pools, there are a number of seating areas on Deck 8 and extra loungers can be found on Deck 19 overlooking the Lengthy Island pool. Sizzling tubs and the Horizon Bar are inside strolling distance from this Deck 19 area.
Moreover, company with the Aurea Expertise have the unique High 19 Solarium, together with upgraded loungers and cabanas. The cabanas can be found on a first-come, first-served foundation.
To not point out, company who’re fortunate sufficient to be staying in MSC Yacht Membership have the One Pool all the way in which ahead on Deck 20. This personal outside area boasts a pool, two whirlpools, and a close-by bar open many of the day.
Whereas there didn’t appear to be any points with crowding within the different public areas, having this reserved solar deck as company of MSC Yacht Membership was fantastic.
Onboard Actions
This seven-day cruise included 4 ports of name. Together with stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, we additionally spent two full days at the cruise line’s personal island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Nonetheless, with solely two sea days, the cruise director and his workforce hosted varied included actions day and night time. Like every cruise ship, there have been every day trivia periods like title that tune or film trivia. These periods have been sometimes held in Instances Sq. or the Uptown Lounge.
One other widespread occasion have been the a number of dance courses, seemingly every single day of the cruise, together with some arts and crafts periods.
Moreover, MSC Cruises companions with the Guinness E-book of World Data to host onboard occasions. Throughout these trials, company compete to try to break world information, just like the quickest time to construct a Mr. Potato Head. Whereas we didn’t take part, it was enjoyable to look at.
There are additionally different recreation reveals and cruiser challenges. Video games like This or That or Grasp Chef at Sea pit company towards each other for pleasant competitions and prizes. There was additionally the very well-attended company vs. crew recreation present.
Together with dwell music all through the ship, Bingo periods, and extra, company might at all times discover one thing to do in any respect hours of the day. Simply you’ll want to seize a print copy of the every day schedule or use the MSC for Me app to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the enjoyable.
Leisure and Nightlife
Whereas there are fairly a number of daytime actions occurring all through the ship, there was by no means a boring second within the evenings.
MSC Seashore hosted signature manufacturing reveals within the Madison Theater 5 out of seven nights. There was an early and late displaying to accommodate the completely different eating occasions. Whereas we discovered these reveals to be barely higher than Carnival’s Playlist Productions, they didn’t measure as much as the leisure choices discovered on Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line.
However, these reveals have been an enchancment from the productions we sat via throughout our earlier cruise on MSC Seascape. Among the many higher productions was the formal night time’s Broadway revue present Encore and the ultimate night time’s Rock Royalty. The latter included a playlist of 1980’s rock music that had us singing alongside in our seats.
Company do must make reservations for these reveals. As soon as onboard, they’ll use the MSC for Me app or contact screens across the ship to guide particular person reveals. Nevertheless, since we have been staying in MSC Yacht Membership, we might bypass the strains and attend any reveals within the reserved seating part.
On the opposite two nights, headliner acts included a magician and a comic. Each have been common cruise reveals.
All through the remainder of the ship, dwell music was out there in most of the venues. The musical acts diverse from a jazz duo to an all-female rock band to a solo guitarist.
The opposite predominant leisure area on the MSC Seashore cruise ship is aft on Deck 7. Le Cabaret Rouge is a comfy lounge with wealthy colours and luxurious furnishings. This multi-story area is residence to selection acts all through the week. Our crusing featured tango dancers, a violinist, and a rock band.
Later within the night, Le Cabaret Rouge sometimes turned the ship’s night time membership open till 3 AM or later. However…Heidi and I by no means made it previous midnight.
Maybe the very best attended nighttime occasions, although, have been the events! MSC cruisers like to have a superb time. And the cruise line ensures everybody can dance the night time away with its signature events, that are normally held both in Le Cabaret Rouge, the Atrium, or on the pool deck.
The Glow celebration was widespread with cruisers donning their finest neon gear.
The White Occasion and Silent Disco, held inside due to the climate, have been very well-attended too. Fellow cruisers packed the Atrium and Seashore Bar of their most interesting apparel to take pleasure in these occasions. In reality, I don’t assume we’ve ever seen so many cruisers get into the steered themed apparel.
Sports activities Deck
Together with a number of family-friendly onboard actions and occasions, you’ll look forward to finding a number of onboard points of interest and public areas on a mega-ship geared in the direction of households. And MSC Seashore had simply that! Among the many better-themed onboard points of interest is the Pirates Cove Aquapark.
This elaborately designed waterpark options waterslides, a splash space for youthful kids, and several other water options. It provides twin racing physique slides, a raft slide, and a family-friendly physique slide.
Above the park is an “Adventure Trail”. However don’t be fooled; this isn’t an elaborate ropes course like discovered on another cruise strains and ships. As an alternative, it provides three completely different “challenges” specified by a straight line.
Like every giant cruise ship, the park was busier on sea days. However throughout our cease in Costa Maya, I had the waterpark to myself when it opened within the morning.
The sports activities courtroom is aft of the waterpark on Deck 20. Whereas it looks like an afterthought, company can problem each other to a number of video games, like basketball or soccer. In fact, most of the periods right here included pickleball video games as properly.
Inside on Deck 18 is the Corridor of Video games. This arcade additionally boasts digital actuality experiences.
Signature to MSC Cruises is the F1 simulator. Company climb into an F1 racecar for this immersive digital expertise. It’s truly tougher than you assume. Different digital video games embody an XD cinema, a VR raft experience, and different extra typical arcade video games. These points of interest are an up-charge, however company can lower your expenses by buying a Enjoyable Cross.
As beforehand talked about, company can head to the highest degree of the Jungle Pool space for included tabletop video games like foosball and ping pong as properly.
Lastly, ahead on Deck 8 is the health heart. This fitness center accommodates a wide range of state-of-the-art exercise gear from Technogym, free weights, and a biking room. Surprisingly, MSC Seashore doesn’t have a jogging monitor although. Nevertheless, we did discover many cruisers utilizing the Deck 8 waterfront promenade for morning walks.
Bars and Lounges
One other space the place MSC Cruises doesn’t actually stack as much as different mega-ships is its bars and drinks program. Whereas the ship boasts 20 bars and lounges, many are indistinguishable from each other. Bars just like the Shine Bar, the Champagne Bar, or the MSC Seashore Bar all have an analogous design and look. There’s plenty of silver and reflective surfaces, with little colour or theming.
Relating to theming, the one bars with a novel idea are the Sports activities Bar, its official title, and the Brooklyn Café. The previous contains sports activities artifacts and gear that appears prefer it was bought at an area House Items retailer.
The Brooklyn Café is the resident espresso store through the day and options dwell jazz music within the evenings. With a yellow and brown colour palette, it’s a enjoyable spot that resembles a author’s nook.
Additional, most bars serve the model’s generic menu. The cruise line provides a pre-cruise “Easy Drink Package” and two further alcohol packages, so the menu focuses primarily on drinks included in that baseline bundle. Of couse, commonplace alternatives like our go-to Cosmopolitan or Previous Usual have been on the menu.
One of many issues we take pleasure in doing on cruises is testing out distinctive drinks from the varied signature bar menus across the ship. But, the one bar on MSC Seashore that did have a signature menu was the Cocktail Bar on Deck 8. Nestled subsequent to the specialty eating places, this bar serves globally impressed libations. Among the many distinctive choices are the Rickshaw and the Maui Magic Cooler.
We had the Premium Further Drink Package deal as a part of MSC Yacht Membership perks. This bundle covers all beers, wine, and cocktails by the glass as much as $16. In our expertise, this bundle primarily lined all signature cocktails and combined drinks across the ship.
Staterooms
We beforehand stayed in a Deluxe Balcony stateroom on MSC Cruises’ sister ship, MSC Seascape. We felt that stateroom was on par with fashionable cruise ships by way of structure, décor, and performance.
For this cruise, we stayed in a Deluxe Suite, the most typical suite in MSC Yacht Membership. We have been assigned suite 18001, which is on the ship’s portside, all the way in which ahead on Deck 18.
This suite measured about 269 sq. ft, with a big balcony that was 86 sq. ft. That is about 40% bigger than the deluxe balcony cabins discovered all through the remainder of the ship.
Upon coming into the stateroom, the lavatory was to our proper. Past the lavatory was the mattress with an outsized desk and vainness space. Persevering with into the suite was the tv above the dry bar and the seating space, which consisted of a settee, espresso desk, and chair.
The design aesthetic was very like our earlier MSC cabin, which had a muted colour palette with impartial tones and silver accents. Although we knew the room was larger, we have been shocked about how spacious it felt. The seating space felt like its personal separate area. Truly, it resembled a mini-suite you’ll discover on a premium cruise line ship.
As a part of MSC Yacht Membership perks, company get a every day refill of the mini-fridge. There’s additionally an in-cabin espresso maker and complimentary room service, together with a few of the finest pizzas at sea!
One other noticeable improve from commonplace staterooms was the lavatory. With elegant marble finishes, the lavatory supplied a full-sized bathe with a waterfall head, premium eco-friendly tub merchandise, and a built-in bench. There was loads of cupboard space and an extra-long vainness space harking back to a resort on land, definitely not the everyday cramped cruise cabin rest room.
There was additionally greater than sufficient cupboard space within the suite, even for over-packers like ourselves, with two separate closet areas. The three separate garments bars and collection of drawers afforded loads of room to unpack and settle in for the week.
Sadly, the climate wasn’t the very best throughout our crusing, because it rained on fairly a number of events. Nonetheless, the balcony did provide the chance to chill out with ocean breezes. With two upright chairs and a desk, this balcony was longer and deeper than the same old deluxe balcony outside area.
With all of the suite enhancements and extra advantages of MSC Yacht Membership, we’re not sure if we are able to ever return to a regular room when crusing with MSC Cruises sooner or later.
Total MSC Seashore Cruise Ship Overview
There’s a lot to MSC Seashore that can enchantment to mega-ship followers.
The cruise ship provides a wide range of outside areas and swimming pools, a number of signature points of interest, and distinct eating venues. With ample bars and lounges, cruiser director-led occasions and actions, dwell music, signature productions, and events nearly each night time, company can do as a lot or as little as they need through the cruise.
Whereas MSC shines in some areas, the meals and beverage program nonetheless wants some enhancements, significantly in terms of complimentary eating. The specialty eating places are nice, however the ship actually suffers in terms of informal eating and quick-service choices.
Sure, the meals high quality is best than our final crusing with the model, however in addition to the pizza nothing actually stands out. In comparison with Carnival Cruise Line with choices like Man’s Burger Joint or venues like Royal Caribbean’s El Loco Contemporary, MSC Cruises nonetheless falls quick.
The principle eating room meals high quality has additionally improved since our final crusing. However since we dined within the Yacht Membership Restaurant, we are able to’t touch upon the service within the MDR.
On an analogous observe, whereas I appreciated the distinctive theater reveals, the manufacturing high quality was underwhelming. Many of the singers, dancers, and signature acts have been proficient, however the performances usually lacked elaboarate technical results, set items, and storytelling like some competitor manufacturers.
Nevertheless, many will more than likely overlook these shortcomings after they see the cruise fares. MSC Cruises provides top-of-the-line values at sea. With weeklong cruises beginning as little as $350 per individual or underneath $550 with Straightforward Plus Drink Packages, these sailings are an almost unbeatable deal.
These seeking to improve to the extra elegant and refined MSC Yacht Membership can nonetheless discover nice offers for entry-level suites, with week-long charges beginning at $2,200 per individual. Thus, company can take pleasure in a small ship really feel with this ship-within-a-ship expertise at a fraction of the price of a luxurious cruise line.
At these costs, MSC Seashore is definitely a fantastic possibility for these searching for a Caribbean getaway that’s trendy and complicated and provides loads of facilities for everybody within the household.
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