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I tried a ship-within-a-ship cruise experience and it was worth it for the endless perks—here’s why

The MSC Yacht Club affords travelers a totally different cruising experience, but you’ll have to splurge.

I heard tales of luxury from people about the ritzy MSC Yacht Club , the ship-within-a-ship concept where discerning passengers enjoy their own area of the cruise ship that includes a dedicated restaurant, private lounge, separate pool and sundeck as well as private butlers and concierges to take of any whim while cruising. The elevated Yacht Club boasts priority everything while sailing MSC.

I sailed on a four-night cruise on the new MSC Seashore, a glitzy ship with Italian flair intermingled with references to New York City at every turn. Although the ship was well-appointed and had amazing dining, drinking and entertainment venues, and a bountiful Top Sail main buffet, thousands of passengers made the ship feel crowded at times, elevators were slow, and as I strolled through the general pools, they were boisterous and crowded.

RECOMMENDED: 10 things about cruising on an adults-only ship that might surprise you

Switch gears to MSC Seashore’s Yacht Club, passkey-protected for lucky guests, and is a 180 from the ship’s general spaces. Once you scan your handy Yacht Club wrist badge, or your room key, you’re instantly given entrance to a breathtaking retreat of 131 staterooms and suites. All this luxury does come at a price. Cruise fares will vary based on destination, time of year, and cabin category, but generally speaking you can expect to pay double for the Yacht Club. And from my experience, it’s worth it. Read more about why you should splurge.

You’re fast-tracked through everything

The Yacht Club’s exclusivity and impeccable service standard started from the moment I got dropped off at the Port Canaveral cruise terminal. There were hundreds of people waiting to board at 1pm on embarkation day. I saw in the distance a canopy that said MSC Yacht Club. My husband and I wheeled our carry-on luggage to the representative under the canopy. I gave her my name and within two seconds, she gave me a sticker to wear and up we ascended on the escalator to check in. Just five minutes later, I was directed to the dedicated check-in area for Yacht Club guests. To my right, I saw about 1,000 people serpentine through ropes to do general check-in. I felt a sense of relief; who wants to wait in that line? Five minutes later, a butler from the Yacht Club insisted on wheeling my luggage to board the ship and I was in my room in a total on 12 minutes from the time I stepped foot out of the car to my stateroom in the Yacht Club.

Relaxing and streamlined

In addition, Yacht Club guests have the freedom to get off the ship first for excursions. Your butler will happily escort you off the ship with a smile. Guests also can disembark on the last morning first, which is a big convenience. Your butler walks you right to the place you disembark, bypassing crowds and hassles. Port Canaveral is about an hour away from Orlando International Airport, and we took a 10 am flight home. We didn’t have to linger around until the afternoon for our flight home.

Another perk is that there’s a special seating area in the theater for shows. All the shows were excellent during my voyage. All other ship passengers have to make reservations in advance for shows but that’s not the case for the privileged Yacht Club passengers. As long as you arrive about 10 minutes before any show you choose, a crew member from the Club will allow you entry into a special roped-off section. Again, no rushing through dinner—you have the flexibility to plan your evenings your way.

Your Yacht Club package is packed with remarkable value

The price tag may sound daunting, but there’s lots of value there. All Yacht Club cabins and suites include a premium drink package that covers beverages up to $15. You can use this perk both in the Yacht Club and throughout the ship. In addition, your package includes a two-device Wi-Fi package, which worked well during my sailing. Finally, you get access to the thermal spa suite, which is a place to indulge after a day in port or a sea day. Commonly, there’s a taboo regarding mini-bars, but not in the Yacht Club. It’s stocked each day with the beverages you want; just tell your butler and consider it done.

You get perks ashore too

If your sailing includes a call to Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, Yacht Club guests get an elevated experience there too. Yacht Club guests enjoy a private area, and a dedicated restaurant called the Ocean House. While other ship guests were hosted to a buffet of predictable fare, I enjoyed a lobster roll, and my husband chose carne asada. In my opinion, one thing that could be improved was the tram service to the Yacht Club’s private area. We were told the last tram back was 3:30pm if we didn’t want to trek a 15-minute walk in the heat. Since we were docked in Ocean Cay for the evening and weren’t sailing, I was a bit dismayed by this logistical quirk. I felt like I was keeping an eye on my phone to make sure I didn’t miss the last tram.

You have private areas with curated food and drink and outdoor spaces

Within the Yacht Club complex, there’s the Yacht Club Restaurant, Top Sail Lounge and the One Pool Buffet, which are all exclusive to Yacht Club guests. Obviously, the food and service are steps above other dining venues of the ship, I can vouch for that. Although the food is delicious, if you don’t want to pay extra to dine at the specialty restaurants or fuss in the main buffet, eating three meals a day in the Yacht Club restaurant can get a bit monotonous. The breakfast is the same daily, and lunch and dinner offer a menu with daily specials plus a few standby selections like a hamburger or pasta each day. Although the Yacht Club Restaurant concept is desirable, I would strongly suggest dining in other venues on board, especially for dinner. I thoroughly enjoyed specialty dining in Ocean Cay Restaurant, Butcher’s Cut, and Kaito Teppanyaki. I also want to mention that late afternoon high tea is offered daily at the Yacht Club Restaurant. It was one of the nicest I have experienced at sea.

Also available exclusively to Yacht Club passengers is the Top Sail Lounge, which offers panoramic water views and has chef-curated selections from morning through late night. We enjoyed popping into the lounge at all hours to try finger foods and sweets. The One Pool Buffet offers a more casual option for breakfast and lunch by the pool. The buffet has grilled fish, sandwiches and lots of delicious options if you want to dine outside.

There’s also an exclusive area with a private pool and two whirlpools for Yacht Club guests only. The sun deck loungers are very comfortable and I never had to worry about finding a lounger, there are ample. One issue I had was that there was almost no shade on the sun deck; there were shaded day beds for Royal Suite and Owners Suite guests, but beyond those, I couldn’t find any shade, which was disappointing.

You can justify the price at the end of your cruise

Overall, the best way to explain my enthusiasm for my MSC Yacht Club experience is this: it’s better to book an interior stateroom in the Yacht Club than a luxe cabin outside the Yacht Club. It’s worth the splurge and you return home feeling truly pampered and it’s money well-spent. And I make this prediction: Once you try a ship-within-a-ship concept like the MSC Yacht Club, you won’t want cruise any other way. Bon Voyage!

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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Setting Sail on the MSC Seashore: An honest critique of a 7-day journey

Msc cruises gets a lot of negative feedback from cruisers.

However – some people really enjoy the experience MSC Provides. Based on my recent Seashore experience, I can understand why.

But let’s be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of MSC. That’s why I’m quite happy about the experience on the Seashore. Having sailed on the Meraviglia and Lirica (and soon the World Europa), my expectations were low.

A Look at the MSC Seashore

Having recently concluded a surprisingly delightful seven-day voyage aboard the MSC Seashore, I’m eager to share my insights and experiences. This perspective, while grounded in my personal encounters, also reflects conversations with fellow passengers, offering a well-rounded view of what to expect on this beautiful cruise ship.

MSC Seashore Quick Stats:

• Gross Tonnage: 169,400 GT
• Length: 339 meters
• Decks: 20 total, 15 guest decks
• Passenger capacity: 5,877
• Number of cabins: 2,270
• Crew members: 1,648 
• Launched 2021

The cabins on the MSC Seashore

The MSC Seashore, a testament to modern cruise ship design, offers an array of amenities and experiences. Its accommodations are a standout feature, meriting a solid 10/10. The rooms are not only spacious but also feature contemporary furnishings and all necessary conveniences. Housekeeping services, offered twice daily, ensure a consistently clean and comfortable environment. Storage space is ample, with a sizable closet, a safe, and multiple drawers. The mini-fridge, while it comes with an additional charge for drinks, is convenient. The balcony is equipped with expected basic chairs and a table and provides a nice private outdoor retreat. In-room amenities like a hairdryer, and eco-friendly shampoo and shower gel refills, are basic but suitable. ** Note: there is no conditioner provided! The shower gels aren’t the best – so if you’re a shampoo and conditioner snob, bring your own!

TIP: The stewards are a bit stealthy and aren’t always visible like on other cruise lines – so if you need something like extra hangers, don’t wait too long! The cabin stewards are usually around more on embarkation day.

Like all other modern MSC Ships, there is a selection of Suites available.

Suites on this ship are categorized into MSC Yacht Club suites and Aurea suites.

Aurea suites offer special amenities like welcome gifts, round-the-clock room service, and exclusive access to the Aurea sun deck. Select Aurea suites feature whirlpool baths on their balconies and ample storage space, with some including a bathtub in addition to a standing shower.

The more compact Junior Aurea suites resemble an Aurea balcony cabin, distinguished by their significantly larger balconies. Meanwhile, the MSC Yacht Club represents the epitome of luxury suite options on the MSC Seashore. These suites surpass all others in opulence and come with an array of extensive benefits.

The suites are spacious, and contemporary, and vary from interior suites with additional living space to the extravagant owner’s suite, which boasts a spacious terrace with a balcony and an outdoor dining area.

MSC Yacht Club privileges encompass complimentary WiFi, 24-hour concierge service, priority spa access, round-the-clock butler service, and exclusive access to certain areas not available to regular passengers.

This includes a private panoramic lounge that blends indoor and outdoor spaces, two exclusive restaurants, and two private swimming pools, all reserved solely for MSC Yacht Club guests.

Entertainment options onboard

The shows and entertainment are diverse and cater to a wide range of preferences, rightly deserving a 10/10 rating. The ship has multiple bars and lounges, each with its unique ambiance. Live music is a regular feature in at least three venues every night, offering everything from jazz at the Brooklyn Cafe to piano duels at Times Square. Dance enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of classes, while the nightly dance parties keep the energy high. The 35-minute shows at the theater showcase exceptional talent. The ship also fosters community through various meet-ups, catering to different interests and backgrounds. Morning yoga sessions and an array of day-long activities led by the animation team ensure that there’s never a dull moment.

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The Fitness Facilities, pools and chill out areas of the MSC Seashore are exemplary

The fitness and relaxation facilities are a big surprise. The gym is spacious and well-equipped, and the complimentary sauna is a nice touch. For anyone inspired to workout while on a cruise vacation, my hat is off to you. But those who are looking for top-notch treadmills, weight machines, and exercise space will be very happy with what the Seashore has to offer.

Expert tip!

Many people don’t realize there is a free sauna on the MSC Seashore . There is a completely separate access from the back of the gym where the cables workout is. There you will find locker rooms and a free sauna. (no steam room – that is in the Aurea Spa)

The ship has multiple pools, including the striking Infinity Pool on Deck 8 and the Jungle Pool on Deck 16, surrounded by whirlpools and ample lounging space. The Hall of Games and the sports arena offer active entertainment, while the Aurea spa provides a range of services, including a barber shop.

The Dining on the MSC Seashore

The dining experience onboard MSC Seashore presents a mixed bag. While specialty restaurants like the Sushi Bar and the Butchers Cut Steak House have garnered positive feedback, the main dining options have a lot of room for improvement, particularly in terms of consistency and quality. Food is subjective of course, but it was universally underwhelming in the main dining room. In all fairness, some fellow passengers were commenting that they were just happy to not be at home doing dishes and cooking. So if that is the measure of how good the experience is, you’ll be fine. Just don’t expect anything special and you’ll likely not be disappointed.

The Marketplace Buffet is a more reliable choice for many but it’s always extremely busy and sometimes downright frantic – like a full panic where you’d think it was the end of the world and there was no more food left. Puzzling really. You can’t beat the pizza served, even though it was a bit repetitive.

Included restaurants on the Seashore:

• 5th Avenue Restaurant, one of the three main dining rooms, serving sit-down, classic cruise fare
• Tribeca Restaurant, another main dining room
• Central Park Restaurant, the third and final main dining room
• Manhattan Restaurant, the main dining room only for Aurea guests
• The Yacht Club Restaurant, only open to Yacht Club guests
• The One Pool Grill & Bar, also only open to Yacht Club guests 
• Marketplace Buffet, a classic cruise ship buffet

Room service is available and depending on your cabin type, there may be a fee involved.

Additional cost & specialty restaurants on the Seashore:

• Kaito Teppanaki
• Ocean Cay, seafood focused (menu)
• Butchers Cut, steakhouse experience (menu)
• Kaito Sushi (menu)
• Hola Tacos & Cantina, Mexican Food (menu)
• Venchi 1878 Gelato, for sweets
• Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar

Drinks & Drink Packages

We’ve spent a lot of time trying to explain the MSC Drink Packages. They can be confusing.

• Read : MSC Cruises Drinks Packages Explained

The Easy drinks package, including coffee, bottled water, and a selection of cocktails, offers good value but keep in mind if you plan on making use of the specialty dining restaurants, the Easy package does not work in those. You’ll need to upgrade to the Easy Plus package , which in the end is also a great value given the much larger selection of beverages available.

Bars included on the Seashore:

• Brooklyn Cafe
• The Champagne & Wine Bar
• The Cocktail Bar (basically the lobby bar)
• Jungle Pool Beach Bar
• Le Cabaret Rouge
• MSC Signature Casino Bar
• Seashore Bar
• Shine Bar (dining room-adjacent)
• The Wine Cellar
• Uptown Lounge
• Infinity Bar, one of two poolside bars
• Long Island Pool Bar, poolside outdoor bar
• MSC Aurea Bar, the Aurea-specific sun deck bar

The Service on the Seashore

Service aboard the MSC Seashore, unfortunately, falls short of expectations in some areas. The attentiveness and responsiveness of the bartenders and servers could be enhanced, possibly through additional staffing or improved training. But these guys and girls work hard, it’s obvious. It makes me think they really just need to add staff for a better guest service experience.

It’s worth noting that people who cruise from America often feel that throwing tips at a bartender will get better service, and it often does…. on other cruise lines. However, the culture is slightly different on MSC. While the bartenders appreciate the tips, it doesn’t seem to motivate them like you’d see on other major lines. So it might be best to keep that cash to yourself and reward someone at the end if they provide excellent service. Bottom line: bribing doesn’t work like it used to! 🙂

In summary, the MSC Seashore scores a 7/10 overall in my opinion. It’s an ideal choice for large groups, seasoned travelers, and those who appreciate a multicultural atmosphere. The ship’s design and facilities exude luxury, though there’s potential for improvement in culinary offerings and service. For families, the MSC Seashore represents great value and is recommended for clients who value a blend of relaxation, entertainment, and a touch of luxury at sea.

Do you have a comment?

Did we miss something? Have you had a different experience? Did we get it wrong?

Additional Details about the MSC Seashore

Design and Ambiance

• Innovative Design : MSC Seashore, the flagship of MSC Cruises, stands out with its elegant, modern design. The ship is part of the Seaside EVO class, showcasing an enhanced architectural style that blends indoor and outdoor areas seamlessly, allowing guests to enjoy the sea environment to its fullest.
• Spacious Public Areas : The ship features one of the highest ratios of outdoor space per passenger of any cruise ship, providing ample room for relaxation and activities.

Accommodations

• Variety of Cabins : The ship offers a wide range of cabin categories, including interior, ocean view, balcony, and luxurious suites. The MSC Yacht Club suites provide an exclusive, upscale experience with private facilities and personalized services.
• Family-Friendly Options : Families can benefit from modular cabins that can be interconnected to accommodate larger groups.

Dining and Cuisine

• Culinary Choices : MSC Seashore hosts over 10 dining venues, each offering distinct culinary experiences. This includes international buffets, fine dining restaurants, and casual eateries.
• Specialty Restaurants : Enjoy culinary excellence in specialty restaurants such as Butcher’s Cut (American steakhouse), Ocean Cay (seafood), and HOLA! Tacos & Cantina (Mexican cuisine) and Kaito Sushi/Teppanyaki .

Entertainment and Activities

• Broadway-Style Shows : The state-of-the-art theater presents Broadway-style performances, featuring international talents.
• Family Entertainment : With partnerships like LEGO and Chicco, children’s play areas and activities are designed to entertain and engage the younger guests.
• Water Parks and Pools : The ship boasts one of the largest and most interactive water parks at sea, complete with multiple slides, attractions, and pools.

Amenities and Services

• Wellness and Relaxation : The MSC Aurea Spa offers a wide range of treatments, a thermal area, and a beauty salon.
• Shopping and Leisure : Guests can indulge in a variety of shopping options, from high-end boutiques to souvenir shops.

Technology and Sustainability

• Advanced Environmental Technology : MSC Seashore incorporates the latest environmental technology and energy-efficient systems, emphasizing MSC Cruises’ commitment to sustainability.
• The MSC for Me App : This app enhances the guest experience through personalized services, information, and the ability to book activities. It’s a little buggy, but works better than many other cruise line apps.

Itineraries and Destinations

• Diverse Routes : MSC Seashore typically sails in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and to the MSC private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas.
• Shore Excursions : The ship offers a vast array of shore excursions, catering to various interests and activity levels. Compared to other major cruise lines, the excursions are relatively inexpensive.

Cruise Gear Editor

I'm a global nomad at heart, and the dedicated editor behind CruiseGear. For the past two decades, I've experienced exciting voyages across the world, discovering countless ports from the decks of dozens of ships, visiting 40+ countries (and living in some of them for years). It's been an exhilarating journey to say the least! I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

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MSC Seashore Review: A Gorgeous Ship for Families, Groups, and Couples [Photos Included]

This article may contain references to some of our advertising partners. Should you click on these links, we may be compensated. For more about our advertising policies, read our  full disclosure statement  here.

If you follow us on Facebook or are a regular reader of this website, you already know that we love MSC Cruises. We’ve sailed with MSC nearly a dozen times – including itineraries in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and even the Norwegian fjords . So, when we heard that one of MSC’s newest ships – the MSC Seashore – was sailing the Caribbean out of Miami, we were super stoked to check it out!

As usual, MSC Cruises did not disappoint.

The MSC Seashore is the sixth MSC ship we’ve sailed. (Psst…you can find links to several of our reviews at the end of this piece!) It is an absolutely beautiful ship which delivers the same quality service and European feel you expect from MSC, all while bringing guests closer to the sea than ever before. We’re super excited to share the ship with you, so let’s check it out!

MSC Seashore Review: Cruise Cabins

The MSC Seashore offers several types of staterooms, complete with different amenities and “experiences.” We’ve had the opportunity to tour several of the cabins and have stayed in two of them – the Deluxe Balcony Stateroom and the Yacht Club Deluxe Grand Suite.

Both room types are clean, comfortable, and accommodate up to four guests. Additionally, they both come with a King bed (available as two twins upon request) and a separate sofa area with a desk and television. The sofa also converts into a bunkbed, allowing four people to sleep comfortably in the room while saving floor space.

Deluxe Balcony Stateroom

Here’s a look at our Deluxe Balcony cabin:

Yacht Club Deluxe Grand Suite

Here is a look at our Yacht Club Deluxe Grand Suite:

Comparing the Staterooms

The main differences between the two rooms are size and perks.

Our Deluxe Balcony cabin on Deck 14 measures at roughly 180 square feet with a balcony measuring about 55-65 square feet. Compare that to the 269-463 square foot YC Deluxe Grand Suite (balcony of 86-129 square feet), and you can see that the Yacht Club suite offers a lot more room to move about. For me, this is mainly felt in the floor space, extra closet space, and the bathroom space.

Booking a Yacht Club stateroom means you also get access to the Yacht Club privileges and amenities. This includes things like the Top Sail Lounge, Yacht Club Dining Room, and the Yacht Club pool – which are all exclusive to Yacht Club members.

Additionally, you’ll have a butler who will help you with anything you need – from making dinner reservations, to setting up your excursions, to stocking your mini fridge with the right drinks. Yacht Club members also get priority embarkation and disembarkation which can save you oodles of time waiting in line.

Of course, the Yacht Club experience costs significantly more than the booking a regular stateroom. We love the extra service, amenities, and perks (like free drinks) that YC provides. However, most of our sailings with MSC have been in regular rooms, and we have two future cruises booked in them.

In our opinion, the experience is great either way – although we really do love the larger room, top-notch service, and even better sailing experience in Yacht Club.

Save Big on MSC Cruises – Looking for a great cruise deal? MSC Cruises regularly offers free balcony upgrades, free drink packages, and more! Plus, kids under 18 sail free on many itineraries! Get help finding the best current deals with MSC Cruises here .

MSC Seashore Bars and Common Areas

The MSC Seashore is an absolutely gorgeous ship, and this is especially obvious while enjoying the common areas and bars on board. There are tons of common areas and 19 different bars on the ship, so I’ll just cover a few of our favorites.

Atrium & Seashore Bar

Like its sister ship, the MSC Seaside , the main gathering area is the Atrium in the middle of the ship. The Atrium is a semi-open area spanning four decks (Decks 5-8).

The main feature is the entertainment stage which is backed by several stories of stages and video screens. You’ll also find a variety of bars, gathering areas, and several sets of stunning crystal staircases. It’s a perfect spot to snap some selfies or grab a drink and listen to music after dinner.

(Side Note: I thought the live music on this particular cruise was a notch above other MSC sailings I’ve been on. Bravo!)

Times Square

Just forward of the Atrium, you’ll find the Times Square area of the ship. You’ll know you’ve found it when you see the images of the famous Times Square towers.

This semi-open area of the ship runs from Deck 6 to Deck 8. On Deck 6, you can enjoy drinks while listening to dueling pianos. You’ll also find some shopping and the Venchi Chocolate Bar.

The casino is found on Deck 7 (Times Square area). It boasts a variety of slots and table games where MSC is hapy to take more of your money! The bar is also topped with a pretty cool replica of the Statue of Liberty.

Cheer on your favorite sports teams inside the Sports Bar, located on Deck 8 in the Times Square area. They have some really great screens as well as semi-private tables/screens for sports fans. Deck 8 also features some more shopping.

Top Sail Lounge (Yacht Club)

The Top Sail Lounge is only available to Yacht Club members. This is a quiet spot to chill, grab a snack, and sip on a drink any time of the day.

If you’re lucky, Bartender Alex will whip up some delicious drinks while performing a few magic tricks for you. There is also live easy-listening music during the evening and dinner hours. We love this place!

MSC Seashore Bridge of Sighs

The “Bridge of Sighs” is a unique glass bridge which offers incredible views from the aft portion of the ship. Walk across it for a fun thrill and soak up a bird’s eye view of the Infinity Pool below. Then, soar down the glass elevators behind the bridge for even more fun!

Pools on the MSC Seashore

Speaking of pools, the MSC Seashore features four pools and a waterpark. The Long Island Pool is the ship’s main pool. It features an entertainment stage and a massive video board.

The indoor/outdoor Jungle Pool spans two decks and features several hottubs. The retractable roof makes it a great spot to swim, no matter the weather outside.

Located all the way forward on Deck 20 is the Yacht Club Pool. Again, this area is for Yacht Club members only.

The Infinity Pool is all the way aft. These two whirlpools provide some stunning views of the ship’s wake.

Finally, the waterpark is located on Deck 18 just forward of the Long Island Pool. Here you’ll find a rocking splash pad and some pretty fast waterslides that made this 40-something feel like a kid again!

Book Your Next Vacation with MSC Cruises – Ready to sail the with MSC? We can help. Follow the link to our travel agency for help finding the best deals and booking the perfect itinerary! Get started here.

Onboard Dining

Let’s face it: When it comes to food, everybody’s tastes are different.

Over the years, my palate has become a bit more discerning. With that said, I’ve always found the food on MSC Cruises to land somewhere between mediocre and good. That hasn’t changed on the MSC Seashore.

Keep in mind that, on any given sailing, the clientele is typically at least 50% Europeans. Because of this, food options tend to skew more toward a Mediterranean menu than typical American tastes. Personally, I like that because I can find plenty of healthy food options.

Don’t worry though – no matter your tastes you won’t go hungry. There is plenty of food on board – including pizza, burgers, and more – so you are sure to find something you’ll like.

Marketplace Buffet is the ship’s main buffet and is located midship on Deck 16. Here you’ll find options like pasta, burgers, salads, and much more. You can also grab a delicious slice of MSC pizza almost any time of day!

(Hot tip: Don’t wait around to grab your food at the buffet. Generally speaking, European guests don’t naturally fall into a queue. So, find what you want, step in, and grab it. If not, you’ll be standing “politely” in line while waiting to eat all day!)

The ship’s two main dining rooms serve plated a la carte dinners every evening. These are typically pretty yummy, although some meals don’t always hit the mark. You can also visit one of the restaurants for a nice breakfast and lunch if you like.

Dining in the Yacht Club Restaurant is similar to the main dining rooms – except the food is a bit better. They also have special nights, like lobster night. Yacht Club also comes with “Anytime Dining” which we think is a plus.

Finally, don’t miss out on the Seashore’s five specialty restaurants – four of which are located in Chef’s Court. In my opinion, this is where you’ll find the best food on the ship. If it is in your budget, I highly recommend getting a package and trying at least three of these restaurants.

Ocean Cay caters to seafood lovers while Butcher’s Cut is great for meat and seafood lovers alike. Dinner and a “show” at Kato Teppanyaki makes for a deliciously fun night out while HOLA! Tacos and Cantina will fill your cravings for Mexican food.

If you like sushi, you have to try the Kato Sushi Bar. Here, you’ll get to choose which dishes you want by grabbing them off of a conveyor belt in front of you. It is super fun and the food is simply delicious.

Kids Club and Teen Areas

One of my favorite thing about MSC Cruises is how family-friendly they are. Honestly, they really do make every effort cater to families – especially those with young children and teens. In fact, kids age 17 and younger sail free on many itineraries!

On board the ship, you’ll also find the MSC Kids Club and Teens Club. These facilities are available to all guests, free of charge.

The Kids Club is supervised, making it especially great for families and parents who need a break. Our kids have outgrown the kids club now, but they used to absolutely love it when they were younger. Although we haven’t used the club on this ship, on our past sailings, we’ve given it a massive two thumbs up!

The Teens Club area is a fun spot for older kids to meet, gather, and hang out. They have plenty of places to chill, play video games, and more.

Additionally, the Seashore has a very solid arcade area. This is also where you’ll find the F1 simulator, XD Cinema, and more.

MSC Seashore Review: Final Thoughts

The MSC Seashore is a magnificent ship that is perfect for your next cruising vacation. Whether you’re a couple, family, or group, we think you’ll love this ship!

Like with all MSC Cruises, the staff members on board are simply wonderful. I’ve yet to meet a staff member who won’t bend over backwards to help you.

MSC’s European vibe might feel a bit foreign to some American cruisers, however, we find that it adds to the experience. Once you relax into it, we believe you’ll think so too.

If you’re considering a trip on the MSC Seashore, don’t hesitate. This ship is amazing and we highly recommend that you check it out for yourself.

Feel free to ask any questions or drop any comments below. Until next time, happy traveling!

Book Your Trip on the MSC Seashore – Find great deals, explore itineraries, and book your next vacation on the MSC Seashore! We can help you get started here.

Want to know more? Check out these other MSC Cruise reviews:

• MSC Meraviglia Review
• MSC Seaside Review
• MSC Bellissima Review
• MSC Divina Review

Greg Johnson is the co-founder of Club Thrifty and an expert in personal finance, family travel, and credit card rewards. His work and commentary have been featured in publications like Newsweek , Kiplinger’s Personal Finance , Dough Roller , CreditCardReviews.com , and more. He also works as a freelance personal finance editor at Bankrate.com.

Greg travels the world for about 20 weeks each year and has visited over 40 countries. He holds two bachelor's degrees, is the co-author of the book Zero Down Your Debt , and owns his own independent travel agency. Learn more about Greg here.

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The Traveling Steve's

Our traveling adventure blog.

The Steve’s Review of MSC Seaside’s Yacht Club

Steve (DOS) and I sailed MSC’s Seaside cruise ship for the first time this past week; October 15 – 22, 2023 for a 7 night cruise to MSC’s Ocean Cay (MSC’s private island in the Bahamas), Costa Maya, and Cozumel Mexico. As this was a new cruise line for us, I’ll detail my/our experiences here in a bit more detail, similar to what I did when we first sailed Virgin Voyages this past July. Warning: this is a long post with lots of photos! (Sorry in advance for any typos!)😀

First some quick ship stats: for the MSC Seaside (per Wikipedia)

• 153,516 Gross Tons
• Length: 1,059 Feet
• Beam: 141 Feet
• Total Cabins: 2,067
• Passenger capacity: Max 4,961
• Entered Service: December 2017
• Cost when built in 2014: €700 million Euros
• Country of Registry: Valletta, Malta
• Current number of cruise ships in MSC fleet: 23

DRIVE TO THE PORT: As we live in the Orlando, FL suburbs, the Port of Cape Canaveral (where the Seaside is currently sailing from) is only an hour drive from our house, which make it super convenient. Not only that, but Cape Canaveral, in my humble opinion is one of the easiest embarkation/debarkation points we have sailed out of. It is not the closest port, however, to the airport as it’s an hour’s drive via car or shuttle bus, unlike Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) which is a short distance from the FLL airport terminal.

ARRIVAL AT PORT CANAVERAL: MSC currently leaves from terminal 10, which is the former Royal Caribbean (RCL) Cruise terminal. We saw RCL’s Wonder of the Seas docked further down the terminal channel, so I guess they needed bigger space for their mega series of ships.

We arrived at Port Canaveral Terminal 10 around 10:45am, and the luggage drop off and parking were a breeze, thanks to the good signage and uniformed port staff providing directions. There was very little car traffic at this hour, and the tour buses coming from the airport had a drop off point just for them, so they weren’t interfering with the flow of traffic. We parked on the ground level of the garage (shaded area), took a photo of where we parked, and walked the short distance to the terminal with our carry-on luggage, taking a selfie along the way of us with the giant ship behind us. One huge thing that at least the Port Canaveral Terminal Garage 10 does, is collect the parking fee upon entry via credit card. This really expedites the traffic flow upon debarkation, something other port garages such as Miami do not do, which caused lengthy exit delays when we sailed out of there in late July on Virgin’s Scarlet Lady. Ideally Miami’s garage should at least have an EPAS exit, as their garages handle multiple cruise lines out of the same garage, with various lengths of cruises, so pre-paying is perhaps not an option there.

Once at the terminal, we quickly found the Yacht Club (YC) tent area where we were verified for YC, and then sent thru a quick security check line. From there we were directed to a dedicated large conference-type room in the terminal, where we would then check-in for our cruise. We had already completed the paperwork and had downloaded the MSC app, but we still printed out our travel documents per MSC’s website guidelines, which makes it easier should the phone need re-charging or an update when you’re trying to check-in. (I’m old fashioned I guess, but I always print my boarding pass for the airport for the same reason; don’t always trust the phone and/or app when I need it most.)

The check-in process was very quick and we were given a glass of champagne as we entered the room. We then received our room card key which indicated YC access. They did not have the blue wrist bands available at check-in, (which will also allow you to open your stateroom door), but we picked up our complimentary bands two days later onboard at the photo gallery. While we waited a few minutes for our boarding to commence, we sipped our glass of pre-boarding champagne together with the other YC guests, and toasted to an awesome cruise ahead!

After a short wait in the pre-boarding area, we were escorted in small groups aboard the ship where we were led directly thru the main lobby atrium. Here we met our personal shipboard Butler Agus, who assisted us from there. Agus helped us with our carry-on luggage and escorted us from deck five thru a few public areas, until we reached the forward elevators which took us to our “ship within a ship”, the Yacht Club section. The Yacht Club occupies the forward third of the 16th, 18th, and 19th decks aboard the Seaside. (There is not a deck 17 on this ship as it is an Italian ship, and 17 (like 13 in the US) is considered an unlucky number.)

Once in the Yacht Club, we had a seat in the Top Sail Lounge, which is the huge main cocktail lounge exclusive to the 200 Yacht Club passengers. We had yet another glass of the complimentary Champagne in the Lounge (actually Prosecco to be technically correct), and met some of our fellow passengers, while we again sipped our Bubbly. (And it’s not even 11:30am yet!). There was a nice assortment of snacks, nuts and pastries as well, but we skipped over those for now as lunch was in the near future for us. In a few minutes, we were gathered with a few other guests for a quick orientation of the Yacht Club’s services, amenities, meal hours etc, which was lead by the lead Concierge staff person, Raj. After the 10 minute or so orientation, we went to our cabin, which was just down the hall, also on deck 16. We knew from the moment we boarded that the Yacht Club was truly special, and this would be an awesome cruise!

STATEROOM : After the orientation in the Top Sail Lounge, DOS and I headed to our stateroom which was just down the hall. Our room was 16014, with 16 being the deck number, and 014 the room number. The room was quite comfortable, and categorized by MSC as a “Superior Yacht Club Suite”. While our room was not what I would consider a full suite, it was a nice sized Jr. Suite in size, similar to those on other cruise lines and quite spacious enough for us. We had a King sized bed, half open-sided wall adjacent to the bedroom, dividing off the living room sofa, a large bathroom (no tub) with decent sized shower and a large single sink vanity. Robes were provided for use onboard, and the large towels and bed linens were of very good quality.

The outlets for electronic devices were a bit lacking as they weren’t located on either side of the bed, but on the long table with pull out drawers. We brought a cruise-allowed power adapter (not a surge protector which are banned on all cruise ships) we bought on Amazon which is cruise-safe, and handled our other devices, such as our iPhones, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac Book. The is also a European power outlet under the TV, as well a couple USB outlets.

FIRST MEAL ABOARD: LUNCH! After briefly settling into our cabin and unpacking our carry-on items, we headed up to Deck 18 (only one level up due the “skipping” of the 17th floor per Italian superstition) to the Yacht Club (YC) Dining Room. I’ll talk at length about the Yacht Club further down in this post, but for now the relaxing lunch with wine made for quite a friendly welcome aboard and literally a taste of what was to come over the next 7 days. We met our waiter and assistant waiters, who would expertly serve us throughout the cruise.

EXPLORING THE SHIP: After lunch in the Yacht Club, it was time to venture out of the YC exclusive area, and explore a bit of the rest of this mammoth ship. I say “a bit” as even by the end of the cruise we felt like we had only seen some of the major ship venues, and never quite learned our way around the ship, even with the lighted ship maps located near the elevators and elsewhere.

The layout in some places could be a bit strange, such as on Deck 16 towards the mid/aft of the ship, where you needed to go down or up a deck to cross all the way to the back of the ship (due to a galley blocking part of the passageway) or the plethora of mirrors aboard in some corridors that had us saying hi to the “other people” coming towards us, only to realize we were saying hi to ourselves! LOL! 😂

Part of the fun of going on a new ship, however, is getting lost finding your way around; it really is a beautiful ship with so many sectional venues that it will take some time to explore even the main parts of the ship by day and night.

MAIN LOBBY : At the centerpiece of the ship are the beautiful Swarovski decorated crystal staircases located in the ship’s main atrium. These staircases lead to several levels, and flank either side of the multi-level stage areas that are used for various musicians throughout the day and evening, as well as on the main open air bottom level of the lobby. The backdrop of the atrium is an ever changing myriad of colors and scenes, depending on the occasion.

There is a huge semi-circular bar which is visible from the staircases and overlooks surrounding them, and serves as a focal point entertainment venue for the numerous onboard events and parties. We even saw Elvis, and Michael Jackson one night!

ELEVATORS: The ship has two primary banks of elevators; one towards the forward of the ship; and one a bit past the middle of the ship. The main elevators are “smart” elevators, although I would say the “smart part” needs a bit of tweaking to them. The idea in theory is great, provide more efficient elevator access by matching groups of passengers going to the same floors, although at peak times that doesn’t work the best. Basically by each elevator there is a mini iPad type device where you select your floor, which is also indicated by the deck’s name; i.e, Miami Beach deck.

The elevator then calculates which elevator will be the quickest, and tell you the elevator (via letter and number, i.e. G5) and the approximate wait time. During slow periods, these worked fine, but when several hundred people got out of a show at the same time or returned from a busy port of call, things got a bit more hectic. Ideally each person in their group, say four people, should enter the floor number, not just one person from the group, so the elevator can calculate the capacity as 4 riders instead of 1. Unfortunately this is not obvious, and I don’t recall seeing signage to tell people to do this which at busy times can be quite crowded and confusing with multiple groups of people trying to ride as a single passenger, instead of their actual group size.

Busy periods aside, though, I really love this concept, as busy elevators on these mega ships in general (most other lines included) face the problem of over-crowded elevators, and people riding up to go down, and not getting off at the correct top or bottom floor; instead just getting on to secure their space in the crowded elevators. These “smart” elevators do not have any floor buttons once you are on board so you can’t change your mind or better yet, don’t have kids pushing every floor button of the elevator!

There is also one small bank of two elevators in the aft area of the ship by the aft pool, which are not the “smart elevator” type. There is also an elevator inside the Yacht Club for exclusive use of the YC passengers, but it only operates on the YC floors 16 – 19.

LOUNGES/BARS: According to the MSC website there are some 19 bars and lounges onboard! And, no we didn’t try all of them out on our seven day cruise! While we primarily used the Top Sail Lounge in the Yacht Club, as well as the YC’s pool bar, we did go to several of the other bars and lounges in the main part of the ship as well. We were concerned the main bars/lounges outside the YC would be jam packed all the time, but that really was not the case most of the time. While many were busy, with the exception of the large main atrium bar, and main and aft pool bars, we didn’t have trouble finding seats or barstools at some of the other bars and lounges. We tried the Sports Bar, which had a large selection of drafts (but oddly no IPAs such as Lagunitis here or elsewhere on the ship I could find), the Seaview Lounge, and the Haven Lounge, both of the latter offered live entertainment, as well as the main atrium lounge.

We didn’t try out the Champagne Lounge on the upper level of the main atrium, but walked by it several times as well as the Chocolate Bar; both of which looked nice but not overflowing with crowds.

There is also a small bar (more of a to-go bar) in the buffet area on deck 8 which is open late while the late night buffet is being served until 1am, which is fine for grabbing a brewski or drink to your table while munching on the midnight food and snacks.

GAME ROOM: We didn’t utilize the game room, but did pass thru the Game Room Arcade a few times when walking towards the back of the ship. There was a Formula One Race Car simulator, complete with an actual size car that can be “driven” around the large virtual screen track directly in front of it. It looked pretty realistic, and we watched a man probably in his early 40s having a ball with his racing skills!

There is also a two lane bowling alley in the arcade room, but we never saw anyone bowling, although we weren’t there very much other than just passing thru. I was hoping to video someone bowling as it must be quite tricky on a moving ship; I’m sure there’s lots of curve and gutter balls even from experienced bowlers!

There are also other video games as well, all of which required payment or a game pass of sorts via the ATM like kiosk or pre-pay on the cruise card.

SPA Area: We’re not spa kind of people (i.e. don’t get massages, use the treatment rooms etc) so we can’t speak for the Spa, other than it was quite large, and people we spoke to really enjoyed their massage and even the “mud treatment”. (I’ve always wanted to try that seaweed wrap treatment but DOS says “that’s phooy”, you’ll gain your weight back as soon as you drink water or alcohol! Possibly, but it does sound like fun!)

Any passenger on the ship can book the “The Thermal Suite Pass” (which is complimentary for Yacht Club Members), and provides access to the Thermal Suite area and and spa deck area; a private section of deck 16, just prior to entering the YC section. We did not use the Thermal Suite on this trip as we seemed to be too busy on this cruise (not sure what we were doing other than relaxing, but we seemed busy all the time!) We did walk thru the spa outdoor deck area on our daily walks around the ship for exercise, which is shown in the next couple of photos, which never seemed to be busy, and was a nice wide area of the deck as well.

We did like the cold towels the Spa staff handed to all guests when they came back from port, on the dock area near the entrance to the ship. The white washcloths were chilled (like Celebrity Cruises and Princess does), but also sprayed with an exotic Eucalyptus mixture that smelled divine. Of course they sell the bottled mixture in the Spa if you like it!

POOL FUN : The main (non Yacht Club) portion of the ship has several pools, divided into different sections. There is an adventure pool area that has a kiddie pool and other water activities, while there are 2 racing water slides that go out over the starboard side of the ship, while on the port side there is a similar, but larger twisting water slide that uses a raft to ride the slide down to the bottom. Scrunched in-between, in the center of the Adventure Club area, is another twisting slide that finishes on the bottom deck of the Adventure Club pool area. None of the slides were overly busy and were complimentary, although you had to sign a waiver and get a wrist band prior to riding them. Adults as well as kids seemed to be enjoying themselves! I’m sure in peak summer or holiday periods there would be hundreds more kids using these facilities, though on our mid-October sailing it was not overwhelming.

SAIL-AWAY PARTY: Sure enough, as quiet and empty as the ship was when we first got on and started exploring the ship, it quickly filled up by sail-away time. There was a big sail-away party at the aft pool deck area, but it was a bit too busy to see the entertainment staff, and a bit too noisy for us to enjoy, so we retreated back to the quite calm of The Yacht Club. I told Steve (DOS) at times leaving some of the crowded main areas of the ship was like being in a busy airport terminal, and then suddenly entering the calm of an airline’s international First Class Lounge! Not really an exaggeration either, as a couple of fellow Yacht Club passengers said something similar.

SHOPPING GALLERY : As expected for a ship of this size, there are several shopping areas aboard the ship, ranging from logo items, to duty free liquors and other items, to Swarovski crystals, jewelry, cosmetics, to men’s face creams to make you look ten years younger. Maybe I should have bought two of the face cremes to shave 20 years off my age!🤣

We’re not big shoppers except for souvenir type items, but we did purchase the ship’s Seascape model (which I try to collect of ships we have taken), which was priced at $56, and was a nice quality metal model on a wood base. I wanted an MSC cap, but oddly enough they were out of them, and I didn’t see any nice logo T-shirts that I cared for, so we settled for just purchasing the ship’s model.

We had the same issue on Virgin Voyages recently where they were out of their logo caps, and like on MSC, this was only on the second night. Don’t know if ships are having supply-chain issues or people are gobbling them up right away (I think the former as you they would want to advertise their product), so if you see something you want in the gift logo shop, I would buy it early on in the cruise.

CASINO: While we’re not gamblers, we did stroll thru the casino after the theater shows let out, as it was a passageway towards the mid to the aft of the ship, and you really couldn’t avoid it. Although MSC allows smoking in the casino, it really was very well filtered, and this comes from someone who is very sensitive to second-hand smoke. There were definitely plenty of slots for every type play you like, as well as many table games as well.

The huge bar served as a functional and aesthetically pleasing circular sports bar as there were TV monitors mounted from the ceiling pointed down to the bar below.

YACHT CLUB EXPERIENCE: Wow oh Wow! What can I say about this? The Yacht Club (YC) is an exclusive area for 200 or fewer passengers, which makes up only 5% of the ship’s capacity, yet offers the best service, food, and amenities aboard. The YC occupies the forward 1/3 of decks 16, 18, and 19, with YC cabins on decks 16 and 18 (there is no deck 17 on these Italian ships due to superstition of the number 17). The YC offers mostly similar “Superior Suite Balcony” cabins, although there are 2 Royal Suites, and a few inside cabins as well, all which receive the same Yacht Club service, although the Royal Suites do get a reserved onboard pool-side cabana and much larger suite. (There are other cabanas in the YC available complimentary to YC passengers, on a first-come basis, and can be reserved onboard.)

Note there are actually several categories of larger suites aboard the Seaside that are not in the Yacht Club area, and these do NOT include the 5 star Yacht Club admittance and perks; they are basically larger cabins located throughout the ship among the masses of other passengers. Even though we’ve had very large suites on other lines, the room on MSC was almost secondary as the service and amenities in the public Yacht Club areas were far superior than being in a large suite in a non-Yacht Club area, although the larger space would be good for families needing extra space. All of the rooms in the Yacht Club are in the same key-only accessible area, and it was like being at a Country Club as it was such a small group of passengers with such a high staff to passenger ratio. It was easy to meet most of the fellow YC passengers over the course of the cruise, and it really was like a family between the staff and passengers by the end of the cruise.

The Yacht Club is entered via a key-carded entry door, where the 24 hour Concierge desk and staff are located, and glad to answer any questions, assist with shore excursions, specialty dining, and any type special request you may have.

The long hallway internal to the YC is mirrored on both sides, a common design theme used throughout the ship; lots of mirrors everywhere! On the starboard side where our cabin was located, there is also another keyed entrance door which bypasses the Concierge, and lead down a couple hallways to our room.

At the end of the hall on deck 16, is the Top Sail Lounge, a large and elegant cocktail lounge exclusive to the YC passengers. It faces the front of the ship and has plenty of seating on chairs, sofas, and at the bar area as well. It is here where (well actually anywhere in the YC) you can truly relax away from the mass market crowds of passengers in the main parts of the ship. No loud music and shouting, although there is a piano player/singer who entertains in the evening and special events such as the Captains cocktail party, High Tea, etc, and one night there was a saxophone player entertaining as well.

During other times of the day and night there is light and soft jazz or supper-club type music piped in thru the speakers, which makes a subtle background effect, without being overwhelming, even in the pool lavatory! There are always plenty of staff serving the YC, and there is never a wait for a drink, be it bottled water or your favorite cocktail, wine, or beer, and all but the most premium wines and liquors are included both here and throughout the ship (with two exceptions, the chocolate bar and the gelato bar in the main areas of the ship.)

Meals Aboard: Unlike the main part of the ship which has 3 seatings in a couple of dining rooms, which require a reservation time, the YC is open seating, and offers 3 waiter-serviced meals a day, in addition to the YC buffet which is available until 7 -10 am for breakfast and normally 12 – 3pm for lunch. We usually ate at the outdoor buffet for breakfast and lunch as the service hours were later and longer than the restaurant, and it was quite an extensive buffet you could enjoy around the pool, or outdoor seating area.

We did have lunch in the Yacht Club Dining Room the first day, and breakfast in the Dining Room on Debarkation Day; both of which were leisurely and wonderful, but we preferred the casual poolside buffet most days for breakfast and lunch. (The YC buffet is not open for dinner, although they have hors d’oeuvres in the Top Sail Lounge for a pre or post dinner snack.)

We always had dinner in the YC Dining room, which was truly a treat! Dinner is served nightly from 6pm to 9pm, and is open seating with no reservation required for whatever time you like to dine between the posted hours. We requested the same section each night so we had the same wait staff, and normally dined around 7:30pm. The menu selections changed each night with the evening’s theming, but they always had a few classics you could order from if nothing was to your liking, which including a Filet Mignon, Salmon, Cesar Salad etc.

Unlike other mainstream US cruise lines, there are 3 courses offered instead of the usual four on RCL, Celebrity, Princess and others. The portion sizes are also a bit small than other lines, but we thought this was actually a positive thing as many times cruise lines oversize their portions, although that too has changed since COVID in serving size portions. MSC offers a choice of several starters, entrees, and desserts (including selections from the cheese cart which I loved.). If you wanted another entree or like Steve (DOS) another or different starter, the wait staff was only too happy to oblige. As drinks were included, we tried several different wines with different food pairings over the week cruise, and one night the sommelier surprised us with a Beaujolais to try with our starter. We never would have guessed what it was (he didn’t tell us initially) as it was quite complex; like a more full-bodied Pinot, than a Beaujolais which is usually a young and more simple wine. Our wine of choice however, was the French Medoc they freely poured, or the Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon.

The food, presentation, and service were truly outstanding in the YC, and the Chef visited us table-side a couple evenings, while the Maitre D’ always stopped by to check on us. Our waiter and assistant waiter were absolutely some of MSC’s best!

Outdoor YC Pool Area/Bar/Buffet: On deck 19 was the YC Sun Deck, pool, and bar/buffet and outdoor seating area and cabanas. This was a large area, although most of the lounge chairs were not shaded unfortunately. As the YC’s sundeck was in the very front of the ship, umbrellas would probably not work due to the wind, although the area was quite protected by full length window panels, which mostly blocked the wind. On the downside, the large window panels created a bit of an obstacle for taking photos, although for sunset photos or in-port photos such as MSC’s private island, we could get good and unobstructed photos from our room’s balcony, as the window panels did not block the view as they did on the sundeck.

The YC saltwater pool was deeper than it looked, at around 5 feet deep, although the sign said 4’8″. The pool was a fun place to socialize and cool off, and we used it most days due to the great weather.

There are also two whirlpools located a bit further forward of the sectionally partitioned YC club, which are on the forward part of the YC sundeck.

Little extras mean a lot: The Yacht Club includes so many little extra touches with attention to detail, which makes it so extra-special. Your choice of daily newspaper: Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, and others, which are condescended versions of the papers, and printed daily on site.

Evening chocolates on the pillow, and some type of surprise treat each evening, such as white chocolates in a plexiglass box, a bottle of Prosecco one evening, a box of 4 sampler chocolates in a gift box the last night, replenishment of your mini-bar beers, water, sodas per your request etc.

Butler Service is included along with your room attendant, and the Butler will escort you anywhere on the ship and even to the exit for port days and debarkation. This was a huge benefit, especially being led to the reserved Yacht Club section for the Theater production shows. The High Tea service was especially nice and classy, and served in the Top Sail Lounge.

Production Shows: There were FIVE Production shows on this 7 night cruise! (Most 7 and even 10 night cruises only have a maximum of three, filled in with other acts on the other nights). Each show was different and some were better than others, but were all energetic with 4 main singers and 9 dancers, with additional specialty-act performers on some of the shows, such as the Peter Punk and Michael Jackson show.

The show theater itself while very large with two aisles and a center section (with stadium type seating allowing for great views), seemed a bit under-sized for a ship this large, sailing with 4,300 passengers on our sailing, so a couple of the most popular shows actually had 3 seatings (7:30, 9:30, and 10:30pm) instead of two most nights, due to the capacity requirements.

Unlike most other cruise lines, the Cruise Director did not make an announcement forbidding photography or even video taping at each show, and it seemed like quite a few people discretely videoed some of the performance number highlights, including myself, which I have included a few short segments below of some of the shows.

We enjoyed all of the shows, although we did not go to the two comedy shows on the non-production show nights, with the Circus Spectacular and the final night’s Michael Jackson show really extra well-done.

PORTS OF CALL : MSC OCEAN’s CAY was without a doubt our favorite port stop on this cruise. Like other cruise lines, MSC has their own private island in the Bahamas, however on our itinerary we were docked at Ocean Cay overnight, allowing for two full days on their private island, something other cruise lines do not do.

The island is also reachable via a dock area, so there is no need to tender to the port. As our cabin was on the starboard (right) side of the ship, we had an awesome view of the private island, including the landmark lighthouse, which has a light show at night, overlooking the beach party there.

We absolutely loved MSC’s Ocean Cay, and as DOS and I both agreed, it reminded us of Royal Caribbean’s (RCL’s) Coco Cay, before they turned the quiet island into a “theme park” with gigantic waters slips, a hot air balloon, zip lines etc. Not that there’s anything wrong with that if you want a bit of adventure for the whole family, but we much prefer the more pristine and natural look of a tropical island without all the added frills which we could do onboard or at a waterpark back home if we wanted to.

As there is no tendering required, it’s quite easy to debark the ship, and quickly explore the island. Our ship was the only ship in port both days, so it really did feel like a private island without the crowds. As passengers in the Yacht Club, we were escorted down to the exit, and once on land directed to a golf-cart tram, which transported us to the other side of the island, to the exclusive Yacht Club compound on the private beach.

The Yacht Club section includes the only air-conditioned passenger building on the island for the club house bar. There was really no reason to access the bar most of the time though, as the service was exceptional, both on the beach as well as at the adjacent Yacht Club Ocean Restaurant. We did go in there a couple times for a quick bottled water or drink if we were passing by there for a restroom stop or to cool off a bit.

As lunch the first day was from noon to 2pm, (11:30am – 1:30pm on the second day), we were a bit early for lunch, so headed to the gorgeous private beach just steps aways from the restaurant/bar area. The private beach area was huge, and offered plenty of lounge chairs with umbrellas (complimentary). We had read that the beach itself could be a bit rocky, so we brought some waterproof beach shoes which were great for not only the water, but walking on the hot beach.

In addition to the complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas, beachside cabanas could be pre-reserved as well for a fee. As the service was so good to everyone, we really didn’t see a point in getting a cabana, and were quite comfortable with our beach chairs and umbrellas, as servers were constantly coming by on the beach to provide us beverages. The beach chairs were actually closer to the water as well. The Bahamian water was so crystal blue and clear, it invited most passengers in for a refreshing dip.

Snorkeling was not offered at the Yacht Club beach, possibly as there was no protective netting there (more in a moment – yikes! 😱), but it was offered at the non-Yacht Club main beach areas for a fee.

We went to lunch around 1pm at the Yacht Club outdoor Ocean House Restaurant, which is covered in most areas, along with ceiling fans to cool off. The food has different menus both days, and unlike a Buffet for the non-Yacht Club areas we passed on the way in, the YC section has full waiter service. It is served by the same wait staff on the ship, so it’s nice they know you, and you know them for the service they provide with a smile.

Steve (DOS) had always wanted a lobster roll (served on the second day on the island) but doesn’t like mayonnaise, so he told that to the waiter, who in turn talked to the chef, and DOS got his lobster roll without mayo and loved it! Later on in the cruise, the chef actually came by our table one evening at dinner and asked him how he liked the lobster roll without mayo! Outstanding service, and passenger memory preferences as well!

After a leisurely lunch, we headed back to the beach to relax for a while and enjoyable the beautiful mid-October day in the Bahamas. We actually got more than we expected, with some “wildlife” viewing, swimming around in the water. Yes, we saw a few sharks really close to the shore! 😱 These were sand sharks, and I guess when everyone was at lunch and the water was empty of beach goers, they decided to swim close to the shore and feed on the tiny needle or other fish. I could not believe how close the sharks got to the shore; literally in a foot of water! 🤪😜🤔😱

We, along with most our fellow passengers at the beach took photos and video of the sharks swimming around, although I don’t think anyone else got back in the water that afternoon. There is a lifeguard, and he cautioned people about the sharks, but it didn’t take much caution for us to avoid the water after lunch!

The next day, we didn’t see the sharks though, and it seemed safe to go back into the water. I looked up sand sharks when we got back to the ship and Wikipedia had this article on them. They are normally “docile” to humans and are not aggressive unless provoked. They are usually more active at night, so I guess we “got lucky” by seeing them in the afternoon!

In the evening of our first day at MSC’s Ocean Cay, there were two lighthouse shows, and a huge beach party on the sand. We intended to get off the ship and go to the party, but after a big dinner and a few drinks we felt a bit lazy, so watched the show and party from our 16th floor balcony; actually probably the best view from anywhere.

The beach party was adjacent to the lighthouse, and in full view for us as seen from our balcony, looked lively and fun as well. The beach party, and island “curfew” lasted until 11:30pm, at which point everyone rebounded the ship until the next day, while the “island people” who live there freshened up the island overnight.

There were two different light shows; one at 9 and one at 10pm, and in between the shows were rotating light effects; i.e. MSC logo, different color lights etc, and coordinated with music as well.

The second day on Ocean Cay was basically a repeat of the first day, but without any shark sightings.😀 It was nice to sleep in a bit, have breakfast aboard the ship, and then head back to the Yacht Club Beach Resort; it had a feel of staying at a nice Caribbean land resort. DOS had his lobster roll for lunch, while I had the lunch tournedos of beef, and an ahi tuna salad.

We sailed from Ocean Cay on our second day there, at 5:30pm for our next port, Costa Maya, which we would arrive in two days, after a day at sea on the way there.

COSTA MAYA, MEXICO: This is a newer Mexican port as far as tourism goes, but already it has gotten quite popular, and unfortunately crowded. The day we we docked here, there were a total of 4 mega ships in port, (RCL’s Adventure OTS, Allure OTS, Carnival Pride, and our ship MSC Seaside) and as the ships shared the two long dock areas, it was quite busy just walking down the long perpendicular dock ramps to the Costa Maya cruise entrance.

Once there, it felt perhaps a little less busy than Mardi Gras, with most passengers wandering around aimlessly watching the free show in the town square, going to the many bars there, shopping, some even swimming in the huge pool there, or like us heading down to the “swim with the dolphins” area to have a look.

We skipped on doing Costa Maya’s “Spa Treatment”, which consisted of women (and even some men) soaking their feet in an aquarium filled with tiny fish. Supposedly the fish gently chew on your dead skin, and somehow this “reduces stress” and “makes skin smooth and soft!”. I don’t know, but I got stressed just watching these ladies with their feet getting chewed on by those little fish! To each his own I guess; hey they’re in Mexico enjoying themselves. (At least the lady on the right. The lady on the left kept looking at her watch, like “how much longer do I have to have my feet in this horrible tank!”

We did not do a shore excursion or tour here on our own, as we stopped here last year in March 2022 on a Princess cruise and had gone into town on that trip. While there were mega ships in that day as well, as it was still the trailing part of the COVID pandemic, most of the ships were only sailing half full then, so while the port was busy in places (such as the taxi stand), the port itself was more like a ghost town compared to this trip’s visit to Costa Maya. The one part that was busy then was when we took a taxi into town, and it was a bit of a free-for-all getting a cab. The town itself wasn’t as busy as the hectic cruise port, and offered massages on the beach next to one of the many ocean front beach bars and souvenir shops. The town was worth a look if you hadn’t been, and it had much more of a feel for the “real” Mexico with its rustic sea-side village. You can view our stop in Costa Maya last year on this Princess post if you want to see the village town of Costa Maya.

COZUMEL MEXICO: We’ve been to Cozumel several times over the years, and always enjoy the stop there. While there were three or four ships in port the day we were there, Cozumel has several docks which are spread out by a couple miles, so it’s not nearly as overwhelming with crowds compared to Costa Maya, where the docks are all in the same area. We were docked at the International Cruise Port Terminal, which is the preferred terminal as it’s in town and the port area has some of the fun places to visit; i.e. Margaritaville and Señor Frogs among others. We had no excursions booked here, so basically wondered around the port area and into town for some exercise and bought a souvenir hat, being the big spenders we are!🤣

I first went to Cozumel in 1987 on my very first cruise, Bahama Star Line’s Veracruz, when Cozumel was not a well known port of call, and the ships that did stop there were much smaller than today’s mega-monsters. That first 5 day cruise on the Veracruz, got me hooked on cruising for life, and I have fond memories of the 3 cruises I took on her the first two years alone, eventually expending my cruise repertoire to now over 75 cruises on various cruise lines with different cruise lengths and regions of the world That tiny ship, the Veracruz was only 10,000 tons or so with perhaps 700 passengers, and there were no balconies, specialty dining, internet (Internet! 🤣🤣🤣 It wasn’t even invented yet!🤣🤣🤣), but it brings back great memories to this day, and many former passengers and staff have commented on my Veracruz post from a few years back with their stories down memory lane on her as well.

Anyway, sorry I digress down memory lane. What reminded me of Cozumel and the Veracruz, was the Hotel that you see in port, at the International Terminal where we were docked on the MSC Seaside. That Hotel has been there for years, although has undergone many renovations (even now) due to hurricanes and general upkeep and modernization.

It was formerly called “El Sol”, Spanish for “The Sun”. I never stayed there, or even visited the property, so DOS and I toured the lobby of the hotel and grounds, which although under partial renovation, looked very nice. Even though it was so close and just across the dock area from the cruise ships, it had a secluded feel to it, with a nice pool facing our ship, a nature walk with outdoor spa, whirlpool, bar etc, and was tropically landscaping as well. DOS even went to inquire on room types and rates at the Front Desk before we left, which is now called “El Cid La Ceiba”.

In my younger, “Veracruz” days, (pre-DOS) I would take the old Fiesta party boat as a shore excursion to a private beach, with unlimited rum punch and a piñata party and dancing on the way back to the port.

I’m sure they have something similar to the Fiesta boat now, but we skipped the party scene on this return trip to Cozumel, although did have a look in at Margaritaville and Senior Frogs. I settled for my souvenir cap from Ron Jon’s Surf Shop in Cozumel, and we made our way back to the ship for lunch. It was a beautiful day in Cozumel while we here on the MSC Seaside in mid-October 2023.

MISC/OTHER Onboard Experiences : On MSC Seaside, there were several other optional tours and events, wine tastings, backstage tours, Bingo, Slot Pulls etc you could signup and pay for, although we did not do any of them; not so much out of lack of interest, rather there were so many other activities to do, and hanging out by day at the Yacht Club pool area was one of them! 😀

Behind-the-Scenes Tour: I would have loved to have taken MSC’s Behind the Scenes Tour, but it was quite an extensive tour and required lots of walking up stairs and other areas of the ship (per their description) and as I’m still recovering from my heart surgery last year and I didn’t want to over-exert myself, although I’m doing fine walking on level surfaces. The backstage tour includes off-limits areas to guests including the Engine Room, Galley, Bridge, and Backstage of the Main theater among others. The Backstage Theater tour was always my favorite on Celebrity Cruises, and I’m sure this all inclusive Behind-the-Scenes tour would fail to disappoint as well.

Wine Tasting Events: Another event that sounded promising was one of the wine tastings. We walked by the display table for the wine tasting event that was setup adjacent the Butcher Cut (Specialty steak dining venue), and it looked quite elegant with various size Riedel glassware and fine wines. We’ve done many ship wine tastings on many different ships, and have always enjoyed them, so from the descriptions of the wine tasting it sounded very nice; again it was more of a timing thing for us. We enjoyed one wine tasting event on Celebrity Cruises years ago, that got us hooked on the Riedel glassware and use it to this day (after breaking a few glasses over the years and replenishing them obviously!)😱 A proper wine tasting with Riedel should include a different type glass for each varietal tasted, noting the differences and shapes in the stemware, paired with the appropriate wine for the glass from which you are sampling.

Caviar Tasting : We did not do this, but met a couple of ladies in the Yacht Club who did, and loved it! I believe the cost was $50 for this tasting, which is held at Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse at various times.

Specialty Dining : There are several Specialty Dining venues on board, including the Butcher’s Cut, an Asian Restaurant, and a Seafood Restaurant. The Butcher’s Cut especially looked wonderful for me Steve (UNO) as I’m a steak and potatoes kind of guy, and the cuts of beef (and wines) are on display adjacent to the Specialty Restaurant’s Lounge and worth at least having a look. /

We actually enjoyed the Yacht Club Restaurant so much we didn’t even make it to one of the Specialty Dining’s Restaurants aboard (although I would have chosen The Butcher’s Cut if we had gone) as we had an included complimentary Specialty Restaurant dinner with my (status match) Diamond status on MSC. Passing up on a complimentary meal at Butcher’s Steakhouse tells you how much we enjoyed The Yacht Club’s restaurant. (Actually though, I was getting a bit Filet Mignon’d out by the fourth day!)😀

Optic Eye: This was unique to us, and again we didn’t do this, but it was interesting, at least in concept. According to MSC, “it’s all the rage in Europe”, although we’ve never heard of it there either. Basically they scan your eyes with a device similar to one at an optometrist office, and it creates a colorful artwork design of your eyes, enlarged to make a poster, photo, canvas etc. I don’t know maybe it’s me, but I don’t think I would want my eyes staring at me all the time at home in the living room, but it is a unique conversation piece.🤔

BINGO! Everyone knows Bingo and if you play it, you know it! Onboard every cruise ship.

Zip Lining! This is one activity I definitely wouldn’t do, but was hoping to watch. They only offer it certain times of day, and unfortunately the last sea day was a bit windy so it was closed. I just wanted to video the brave souls that soared high over mid ship’s top deck toward the aft pool area. The zip line, (after you sign your life away waiver) costs $11 a zip. No thank you from the Steve’s, although it’s probably a blast if you’re an adventurer type.

I’m sure there are many other paid events and experiences aboard, but these caught my “eye” so to speak, out of interest even though we didn’t do them. There were plenty of free activities as well such as trivia, karaoke, dance classes, beach parties, pool parties, sail-away parties, etc, etc, etc. Whatever you do, you won’t be bored or run out of things to do, and you certainly won’t go hungry.

Farewell Day at Sea: The last day of the cruise is traditionally sad for us, as you have to pack up and realize the cruise is ending early the next morning. On this cruise, most likely due to the Yacht Club service, accommodations, easy itinerary and mostly casual clothes, we were really able to relax the last day.

Traditionally the first and last night of a cruise are very casual with the idea being passengers just arrived and/or have not unpacked their luggage, or on the last day have already packed up their luggage for the trip home. On MSC in the YC at least, about 50% of the passengers dressed up in semi-formal attire for the farewell Italian dinner on the last night of the cruise. This was the only night I wore shorts to the dining room as we had already packed and were only traveling an hour home to Orlando the next day. I felt a bit uncomfortable although quite a few other Floridians and others were wearing shorts as well. Some of the passengers also wore shorts to dinner on the port days, but mostly it was dress casual aboard except for the one formal night, which was not the last night of the cruise.

We spent a good part of the day by the pool area, having lunch as usual at the outdoor YC buffet. As a nice afternoon treat, the waiters come by and pass out your choice of ice cream too!

For dinner, it was Italian night, and all of the waiters were dressed in tuxes with the Italian flag colors for the tie and vest. Even the tables had alternating colors of red, white, and green of the Italian flag.

Disembarkation: We had our farewell breakfast in the YC Restaurant at 8am on disembarkation day, as the regular pool-side buffet breakfast was not served on the last morning. Having the full breakfast and not being rushed on Debarkation Day was especially nice vs the normal Continental Breakfast you get on some lines as you’re in a hurry to get off the ship and avoid crowds.

After breakfast, we waited for a bit with the other YC guests in the Top Sail lounge as we waited to be called; rather escorted down to the exit one last time. The “walk off” guests were called first; i.e. those passengers aboard the ship (everyone, not just YC) who were carrying their own luggage off the ship (as opposed to checked luggage), which must have been a few hundred passengers. No rush for us though as we were comfortably seated in the lounge area.

We disembarked around 9:10am, and were escorted all the way to the exit, following a roped off line so the passenger mix wouldn’t get in with our flow of YC traffic. Our luggage was waiting for us in the terminal, and we got a porter to assist us (very smart move!), who wheeled our luggage thru Customs and all the way to our parking spot in the parking garage. We were on our way home by 9:30am, and home by 10:35am; quite an easy disembarkation and trip home. Welcome Home!

Final Thoughts on the MSC Seascape after our first sailing:

• Certain areas of the MSC Seascape (more so than allowed on most other cruise lines) allow smoking. This seemed to be the main pool on the starboard side, but even the YC allowed smoking on the front portion (away from the pool though) starboard side. I don’t recall anyone smoking in the YC area however, so it wasn’t a problem for us, although on the main pool area starboard side there were quite a few smokers. The casino allows smoking but it is really filtered well, so wasn’t terrible just walking thru it, as we don’t gamble.
• YC is truly a class by itself, and is so worth it if you can afford it. Compared to booking a suite on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Princess, it’s quite a bit cheaper as well, and RCL doesn’t include the drink package with all but the very top suites, nor their Beach Club access on their private island (an extra $200 a person for the one day there!)
• The production shows in the theater do not allow you to bring a drink into them. Not a huge deal though as the shows are typically 30 -35 minutes. There were actually 5 production shows on this 7 night cruise, plus two comedy shows. The shows were shorter, except for the Michael Jackson show which lasted about 45 minutes vs 30 minutes for the others.
• YC service includes Butlers who will escort you anywhere on the ship, and for disembarking in port as well as final debarkation. While we normally only used this service for the theater shows and going off the ship, it really does save lots of time, and makes it much easier to attend the shows, as you don’t need a reservation for the reserved YC seating area. Main passenger guests need to make reservations for the shows and queue up, while YC passengers are escorted by a butler 10-15 minutes prior to show time in a dedicated seating area which always had seats for us and others, even on the full shows.
• YC guests do not need a reservation for dinner as it’s open seating in the YC Dining Room. Other guests must make reservations for dinner, and depending on the fare level you paid, you may not be able to pre-reserve your dining preference at one of the three seatings.
• To us it seemed a bit of an oddity, but there are ATM-like credit card verification kiosks several places aboard the ship, where you needed to verify your credit card to enable charging on your account. We just thought it was a given to charge your credit card on file, but I guess some people put down a cash deposit, and need to have a card cover their excess charges on board. We just provided a credit card and “activated” (that’s what MSC calls it) when we boarded, and we were good to go for any incidentals.
• The YC covers all meals, 2 internet devices per person, virtually all alcoholic and other drinks, Butler and Room Attendant services, complimentary room service (you can even order a whole pizza to your room!), dedicated Concierge service, nightly turn down service (with chocolates!), daily choice of newspapers, pillow menu, etc: so worth it all! Best of all are the dedicated spaces for it’s own restaurant, lounge, private pool and sundeck area, and the YC Beach section at Ocean Cay, as well as complimentary access to the Spa Thermal Suite.
• The YC does NOT include daily staff gratuities, shore excursions, spa, or gift shop items.
• MSC will “status match” their frequent quest program to another cruise line or an elite Frequent Flyer or Hotel Program. I got status matched with Hyatt Globalist which gave me Diamond status with MSC. It’s not a huge benefit, but provides a 5% discount, and one specialty dinner aboard. The YC restaurant itself was so good, however, we didn’t even go to one of the specialty dining venues, even though we had a complimentary meal at the speciality restaurant of our choice.
• At least on the Seaside out of Port Canaveral, the shipboard announcements were not as many in quantity as we expected. It’s possible these (except for emergency or Captain’s announcements) were muted in the YC area, but we didn’t hear any more than you would on a Princess or RCL ship. This would be different in Europe I imagine due to the many nationalities boarding there, as well as the different length of cruises, even within the same 7 or 10 day itinerary (people may disembark in one port, vs taking the whole roundtrip cruise like on the Seaside out of Port Canaveral).

Finally, If you’re still here reading this; thanks for sticking around! I’ll finish this lengthy post with the finale the MSC singers and dancers concluded the Michael Jackson show with on the final night of the cruise. This song was a fitting sendoff to everyone, and in effect the ship itself is a bit of the United Nations itself with the multiple nationalities from both crew and passengers, that make up this floating city. The video is taken from the back of the theater, so it’s not the best quality, but it gives a happy and bittersweet moment for the end of show and cruise. Thanks for reading, and God bless the crew members here and worldwide that work so hard for us, and are away from their families for months at a time, so that we may enjoy our cruises. Take care everyone, and safe and happy travels!

• ← Welcome Aboard the MSC Seaside’s Yacht Club!
• Happy Birthday to Steve DOS from DISNEY SPRINGS! →

10 thoughts on “ The Steve’s Review of MSC Seaside’s Yacht Club ”

Steves, thank you so much for taking the time to write this exhaustive description of your experiences. It is chock full of useful information that I will make good use of.

My pleasure! We enjoy sharing our experiences and tips with others. Thanks for your comments!

Hi both We are booked on MSC SEASHORE which I presume is mostly identical in October. Yacht Club….. I can’t wait for this top notch experience. Your review brought it to life especially the private island. Your writeup of the boarding experience was very informative and will mean hopefully we wont wait in the wrong queue with no fizz! Excellent and thanks

Hi Graham, glad you enjoyed my post on the Yacht Club. While we haven’t taken the Seashore, from what I’ve read (as it’s based in North America) it should be a very similar experience. As the Yacht Club is such an intimate and enhanced experience, you’ll meet many of your fellow YC passengers there, and everyone we met said they would only do the YC on MSC again it was so wonderful! Enjoy your trip on the Seashore!

Thank you so much for this really detailed review. We were suggested Yacht Club by our travel agent but we haven’t yet made a final decision based on so many negative reviews of both MSC and the Yacht Club. Your review makes me much more likely to give it a try this coming October!!

You will love the Yacht Club if you do it. Yes, MSC itself has had some negatives; mainly due to the ‘nickel and diming’, required reservations for shows etc in the basic MSC lower, non YC cabins.. The Yacht Club, however is in a totally different league. There are only about 200 passengers in the YC, and it feels like a “country club” setting. You are free to explore the ship ship anywhere, however it feels so special coming back “home” to the YC. I really think you will like it. We’ve sailed many cruises on many lines, and we were quite impressed with the level of service and attention to details. Enjoy!

We have been dedicated Celebrity cruisers for a few years now. One of our sons got employed by MSC last Fall, and we took advantage of a “Family & Friends” program to cruise on MSC SEASHORE in March for four nights. Balcony cabin was nice, ship was beautiful, staff was great, but certainly not Celebrity level.

We are going back on SEASHORE in June for ten nights in The Yacht Club, then on Seaside in November out of Miami, and SEASHORE again next April. All Yacht Club, which we can do for the price of a regular balcony on Celebrity.

Really enjoyed this great review, and really looking forward to the MSC Yacht Club.

We have enjoyed the upscale Celebrity experience as well over the years, and are going on the Beyond for the first time in August. We were quite impressed with the service level on MSC’s Yacht Club, and felt it was more personal than many ships we’ve sailed. For the price point you’re absolutely right; the YC is less than a balcony on Celebrity, plus for the Caribbean itineraries at least, many offer an overnight at MSC’s private island which is wonderful! Enjoy your upcoming cruises!

Wow love this review. I hear the msc ships are beautiful and prices can be good but not much else positive. You have about convinced me I need the YC for my sept bday cruise now off to research! We always cruised carnival for convenience then tried celebrity and they won us over and our last cruise celebrity didnt work out tried princess and had a wonderful experience similar to celebrity but a few extras. YC seems like the way to go thanks so much for the post. What has been your favorite cruise based on the experience not the ports? Staying overnight sounds nice. Thanks!

Hi Donna, we love the Yacht Club on MSC and are looking forwarding to taking it again, this time on the MSC Seashore in late October. The slightly larger Seashore replaces the Seaside out of Port Canaveral, which we had taken last year. As far as favorite cruise ship (not taking the ports or location into account), that is a tough call to make. The MSC Yacht Club “area” rates as among the best service we’ve had at sea, and makes for a similar experience to even the ultra deluxe lines such as Seabourn.

Some of the other best times aboard ship were on the older Celebrity “Millennium Class” ships, such as the Constellation, Millennium, Infinity, and Summit (all 4 basically twins with slight in decor and the specialty restaurants. I think we liked the smaller size from the mega-liners of today, less crowds, a bit more formal (at least years ago, not now), easier meeting people and seeing them again on the ship, favorite waiters etc. Although you said to not mention ports, these “Panamax” sized ships were (and still are) ideal for a Panama Canal transit, as they can still fit thru the old Panama Canal locks, with only 1 foot or so to spare on either side of the ship. You can literally touch the side of the canal you are so close! The newer and bigger ships must transit the new locks, which while interesting are much bigger and lack the historical context of the original old locks. Other ships: Love Seabourn Encore for its much smaller size and boutique, country club casual like atmosphere and service. Celebrity Beyond – even a mega ship, it has something for everyone, but still a bit to big for us. I’m writing a post on our recent experience, so check back in a couple days. Your question also got me thinking of doing a post on then vs now. I started cruising in 1987 and how it’s changed over the years for better and sometimes not so better, but all good. Thanks for writing Donna!

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Everything you need to know about MSC Cruises cabins and suites

A relative newcomer in the North American market, MSC Cruises is equal parts elegant and kitschy. The line tends to appeal to a wide swath of cruisers, from Europeans who like to party into the wee hours of the morning to American families who book because of affordable fares and "kids sail free" pricing.

To satisfy its diverse passenger base, MSC offers accommodations to fit all types of travelers. Rooms include inexpensive inside cabins that sleep two people, midlevel staterooms with windows and balconies, and high-end suites that offer cruisers with larger budgets a private oasis in the form of the MSC Yacht Club .

A variety of connecting rooms and cabins with extra bunks accommodate larger groups and families who wish to share space.

Because your cruise cabin will be your home away from home for several days, it's important to book one that fits your needs. That's especially true if you're sharing it with several people.

Whether you're looking at an inside cabin for a cruise with friends, balcony accommodations for you and your significant other or a suite for your family, here TPG breaks down what you can expect when you book a room on one of MSC's ships.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

MSC Cruises cabin primer

MSC Cruises has become one of the fastest-growing lines in the cruise industry, with about two dozen ships in its fleet. The vessels fall into six classes : Lirica, Musica, Fantasia, Meraviglia, Seaside and World.

Although cabin offerings can vary from ship to ship and class to class, the standard types remain the same: inside, outside, balcony and suite.

Additionally, you'll find the same basic amenities in each room, unless otherwise noted below. They include two twin beds that can be joined to form a queen- or king-size bed; an in-cabin bathroom with a shower, a sink, a toilet and basic soap, shower gel and shampoo; a couple of nightstands; a chair or sofa; a desk/vanity; a closet; a safe; a hair dryer; a minifridge; a phone; USB outlets and a selection of both North American and European outlets.

On all ships except MSC Lirica, MSC Opera, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Armonia, you'll also find an interactive TV that allows you to view the daily schedule, check your onboard account and choose from a selection of live TV programs and movies.

Twice-daily room tidying is provided by a room steward assigned to each cabin, and room service is available throughout the day for an added fee.

One confusing aspect of MSC's bookings is that you'll have to select an experience package in addition to a cabin type. Package tiers determine things like your ability to choose a specific cabin and preferred dining time and whether you'll receive welcome amenities in your room. Certain cabin types are only available in conjunction with certain package experiences and vice versa. Those are noted in each respective section below.

Accessible cabins , including accommodations for wheelchair users, are available on every ship in MSC's fleet. In addition to more space, they feature wider doorways and lowered sinks and toilets in the bathrooms, as well as grab bars.

MSC Cruises' experience packages

Here's what you get when you book each of MSC's three experience packages, which determine the perks you'll receive on your sailing.

• Accommodations
• Complimentary food in the dining room and buffet
• Broadway-style theater entertainment
• Access to the onboard gym, pool and kids club
• MSC Voyagers Club points
• One for-fee change to your cruise booking (with some restrictions)
• Drink package discount at time of booking
• All Bella perks
• Choice of specific cabin and location
• One free change to your cruise booking (with some restrictions)
• Ability to choose between early and late seating for dinner
• Room service (complimentary for breakfast, but fees apply for other meals)
• Discount on pre-cruise specialty dining package
• All Fantastica and Bella perks
• Flexible My Choice dining, which lets you eat at any time you choose between set hours
• Free 24-hour room service delivery
• Pillow menu
• A welcome package, including Prosecco and chocolates
• Complimentary access to your ship's solarium and thermal area
• A 10% discount on all spa treatments purchased on board
• Special Balinese massage offer when booked pre-cruise
• Complimentary use of bathrobe and slippers
• Priority boarding and luggage drop-off

Inside cabins on MSC Cruises ships

Inside cabins — rooms with no windows — are available on all ships in the MSC fleet. Ranging from 140 to 301 square feet (depending on the ship), they make for great sleeping because they're so dark. They're also ideal for passengers who are on a budget.

In addition to the standard amenities mentioned above, they provide room for anywhere from two to four passengers to sleep. (Rooms that sleep more than two feature bunks that pull down from the ceiling.)

These cabins are available with the line's Bella and Fantastica experiences.

If you're sailing solo, some MSC vessels offer cabins for one outfitted with a twin bed that converts into a couch. These interior studio accommodations are only available with the Bella package on MSC Meraviglia , MSC Bellissima and the line's World Class ships.

Ocean-view cabins on MSC Cruises ships

Ocean-view rooms are similar to insides in that they provide basic amenities — but with a view.

Offering 129 to 269 square feet of space (depending on the specific ship and ocean-view category), these staterooms allow you to see outside through a porthole or a window that doesn't open.

MSC's outside cabins are available to passengers who book Bella and Fantastica packages.

Additionally, if you're traveling with your family or another group, several of MSC Cruises' ships — particularly those in the Meraviglia and Seaside classes — feature space for as many as 10 passengers via a series of connecting rooms. Options are available at the ocean-view and balcony levels.

Balcony cabins on MSC Cruises ships

You might be surprised to discover that most of MSC Cruises' balcony cabins provide less interior square footage than what's available in inside or ocean-view staterooms.

Balcony rooms run anywhere from 129 to 205 square feet, but their key feature is, of course, a private balcony, which does add an extra 32 to 129 square feet, depending on the vessel and specific type of balcony room booked. These cabins are bookable in conjunction with MSC's Bella, Fantastica and Aurea experiences.

Although balcony cabins offer upgraded amenities, including MSC's brand of hand lotion and toiletries, they are largely the same as inside and ocean-view accommodations.

MSC's newest ships — including those in the Meraviglia, Seaside and World Classes — house connecting balcony rooms that can sleep up to 10 in the same group traveling together.

Additionally, on its World Class ships, the line has introduced inward-facing balconies, similar to the ones Royal Caribbean pioneered in 2009 with the debut of its Oasis Class vessels . On World Europa, for example, they overlook the ship's promenade, offering views of the activity below, rather than the ocean.

MSC Cruises suites

All ships in MSC's fleet have suites that can be booked as part of the Fantastica and Aurea packages, but it's Aurea that offers the largest number of perks, as outlined above.

The several types of suites vary by ship in terms of size and amenities. Some come with balconies, while others only offer floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows.

Junior Suites

Although this room type is listed as a suite, it's essentially a balcony cabin with a bit more space — 183 square feet of interior accommodation with a balcony that ranges from 140 to 183 square feet.

Standard suites include rooms with huge balconies larger than the cabin's interior space and ones with private whirlpool tubs. They run from 269 to 355 square feet, with balconies measuring 32 to 409 square feet.

Grand Suites

Coming in between 377 and 420 square feet, with balconies spanning from 32 to 495 square feet, Grand Suites — found on Seaside and World Class ships — come in two types. They include standard one-bedroom Grand Suites, as well as two-bedroom varieties.

The latter has one bedroom with a queen-size bed and another with two twins. It sleeps up to five passengers and offers two bathrooms — one with a shower and the other with a bathtub.

While most suites are designed for double occupancy, some suite accommodations on MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Magnifica can sleep up to five people.

MSC Yacht Club suites on MSC ships

All cabins located in the MSC Yacht Club — an exclusive, gated area on select ships — are called suites, even the smallest and least expensive, which don't have windows or balconies.

Yacht Club suite types range from insides to two-deck duplexes, all of which come with butler and concierge services, luxuriously appointed furnishings (such as real marble finishes, memory foam mattresses and Egyptian cotton sheets) and access to members-only restaurants, bars (alcohol is free there), lounges, pools and sun decks.

The Yacht Club features seven different types of rooms. Ships that have the MSC Yacht Club on board include MSC Bellissima, MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Seaside, MSC Seascape, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore, MSC Splendida, MSC Virtuosa and MSC World Europa.

Note: Not all Yacht Clubs have the same suite types available.

MSC Yacht Club Interior Suites

Although these 161- to 226-square-foot cabins don't offer a view or fresh air, they are elegantly decorated and include all the Yacht Club benefits mentioned above.

MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suites

These Yacht Club digs are the equivalent of a balcony cabin — but in a dedicated area that includes all the exclusive perks. They run 236 to 366 square feet and have balconies ranging from 54 to 86 square feet, so they also come with a bit more space, both inside and outdoors.

MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Grand Suites

Similarly, Deluxe Grand Suites are like the Yacht Club equivalent of booking a Grand Suite with more perks. Depending on the ship, they offer anywhere from 269 to 463 square feet of space, plus 65- to 129-square-foot balconies. Some Grand Suites also have two bedrooms instead of one. Further, these rooms on Seaside Class ships include bathrooms with bathtubs, as well as separate living areas.

MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suites

Rising two decks, MSC's duplex staterooms measure 495 to 635 square feet and come with 65- to 334-square-foot balconies. They feature living rooms with two-person sofa beds downstairs and master bedrooms upstairs, which also sleep two passengers.

Each of these accommodations comes complete with two walk-in closets and two bathrooms — one with a bathtub and one with a shower. Most duplexes on Meraviglia and World Class ships also have their own private whirlpool tubs.

MSC Yacht Club Executive and Family Suites

The line's Executive and Family Suites, available only on Fantasia Class vessels, are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to stay in the Yacht Club with a family or other group of more than two people.

This option, which is one type of suite (despite its confusing name), has space for up to five cruisers via a combination of bunk beds, sofa beds and beds that pull down from the ceiling, depending on the ship. The suites clock in at around 431 to 549 square feet, depending on the vessel.

The only drawback is that these staterooms have no balconies and no in-room dining areas, but they do include all the perks you'd find in Yacht Club cabins.

MSC Yacht Club Royal Suites

Although they only occupy one level, at 388 to 667 square feet, MSC's Yacht Club Royal Suites are right up there with the Duplex Suites in terms of space. They offer the second-largest amount of square footage after the Owner's Suites. They come with huge balconies comprising 355 to 753 square feet of outdoor area.

Additionally, bathrooms in these suites offer bathtubs on Fantasia, Meraviglia, Seaside and World Class ships, and the latter three have private whirlpool tubs, as well. All four classes' Royal Suites also include separate living room areas.

MSC Yacht Club Owner's Suites

The largest and most impressive of all MSC's cabins are the Owner's Suites found in the Yacht Club. Offering an impressive 840 to 1,119 square feet — larger than some land-based apartments — plus 269- to 670-square-foot balconies, they're some of the most luxurious rooms afloat.

Specific amenities vary by ship, but as an example, Owner's Suites on MSC World Europa offer floor-to-ceiling windows and walk-in closets. These accommodations on both the line's Seaside and World Class vessels also feature bathrooms with separate showers and bathtubs, as well as private whirlpool tubs and separate living room areas.

Bottom line

Although MSC Cruises' cabin types are straightforward, the line's add-on experiences can complicate things a bit.

Overall, what's key to remember is that MSC Cruises offers a wide variety of rooms and pricing to meet just about any budget or style of cruising. Each ship will offer accommodation choices from the least expensive, bare-bones interior rooms to the priciest suites, which come with butler and concierge services.

When you sail with MSC Cruises, you can expect function, style and comfort, regardless of the cabin type you book.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Situated in a bustling arts community on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront, the St. Petersburg Yacht Club has been a part of the sailing community for over 100 years.

We pride ourselves in creating a relaxed private club atmosphere with a warm, friendly, family-oriented environment.  we offer a wide variety of social activities and our clubs within a club meet a plethora of special interests for our members where they can mix and mingle. , banquets & catering, community events.

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• MSC Cruises

An insanely detailed Seaside Yacht Club Review!

By Dr. Cocktail , March 3, 2018 in MSC Cruises

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Dr. Cocktail

I recently sailed on the beautiful MSC Seaside in the Yacht Club with my partner and two friends. We sailed in an exterior suite while our friends had an interior “suite”.

Boarding: A hot mess

The new Terminal in Miami has a beautiful, curved driveway that goes to the main entrance. Too bad that security has closed this off so that they drop you off well past said entrance. In fact, if you take UBER, they drop you off even further. No problem as the stevedores are there to take your bags.

However - the location of the Yacht Club Tent? You guessed right - immediately next to the main entrance. Therefore, Yacht Club passengers actually have to drag their bags the furthest to board. Once there, the shoreside “butlers” guide you through security and up to the VIP check-in.

Continental Drift is faster than this process. In fact, we sat there for half-an-hour watching general boarding begin as the two ladies checked in a dozen or so passengers. MSC - are you reading this? It would be far more efficient to check Yacht Club in with everyone else in the fast moving general line and then move those guests to the VIP lounge.

We walked on ourselves and as I had studied the deck map, guided us to the forward elevators.

We went to the Yacht Club and were greeted by the Yacht Club manager - one of the few times that we saw him all week.

There was a general din as people lined up to speak to the Concierge, register their credit cards and reserve dinner with Luigi. As we knew what to do, we did what we had to but our friends commented on how NO information was provided. They really were, “WT#?!”

They flat-out told me/asked me: “This is supposed to be luxurious?”.

I don’t want to do a running comparison but in The Haven, the Concierge welcomes you and then tells you when your room will be ready, where and when you can have lunch and outlines the features of the Haven.

We then went to the Top Sail, had the first of many (many)(like, a lot) of cocktails and settled in.

I also was pleased to see that my good friend Nick (Nicholas Feuillatte) was on board and over the week, we had a lot of pleasant times together.

Our first lunch was excellent (lots of hugs and laughs with Arthur) and all was now good.

Accomodations

Our first impression was excellent - extremely large, plush, a restful (if a bit too brown) colour scheme and TONS of storage. Loved the self-lighting closets. We took two suitcases and could have easily unpacked a third.

The lighting was good but I would have liked a dimmer or switch that provided more options.

While we never watch TV, for those who do it is mounted in an awkward position for either the sitting area or the bed. It would be better to have it on a moveable mount. As it is now, the mounting apparatus made a lot of noise during the night with the ship moving as much as it did.

As others have commented, Seaside does move a lot. I don’t know if its because of her intrinsic design or because the Caribbean has been unusually windy these past few months.

The bathroom was huge, dripping in marble with tons of storage and a fantastic, glass walled walk-in shower with a rainshower head.

My only quibble was that the shower door opened into the room - easier for getting in but one always seemed to get a ton of water on the floor afterwards.

Still - an elegant, spacious and comfortable space.

Interior Design: a mixed bag

The interior design was interesting as while the decor was quite striking, the size and placement of rooms was far from ideal.

I loved the colours, surfaces and textures and the recurring motif of slashed and angular lines.

Unfortunately, many of the spaces were too large or too small for the needs that they served. As an example, people were literally overflowing in the Piazza Grande which was one of the few lounges to offer live music (more on that later) The spaces around the atrium such as the Champagne Bar, however, felt like they were in the middle of a shopping mall. The walkways bisected the areas removing any intimacy with people constantly walking by.

The entrance to the theater appeared to be an afterthought with a couple of zigs after the elevator lobby. There was no space for those who were waiting for the following show.

As the MSC ships become ever larger, they really must focus and concentrate on passenger movement and flow and where people are likely to go. While I’m not a fan of the overall product, this is an area that Royal Caribbean excels at.

Entertainment

I always divide entertainment into two categories - mainstage and lounges.

We enjoyed the almost nightly 10:30 “recitals” with soprano, tenor, violinist and pianist. While it wasn’t necessary Conservatory quality, it was a great addition to “usual” cruise ship offerings.

We only saw one show, Timeless, that was the usual MSC drug-induced, hallucinatory craziness. Time travel, Micheal Jackson and the American National Anthem. Why? Dunno.

The Yacht Club had very good performers but there were extremely looooooooooong breaks between performances.

The lounge entertainment is a definite step down from Divina … there are far fewer small lounges and there really wasn’t a lot happening. What is such a refreshing change from much of the industry on Divina is all that live entertainment

A telling change is in the Daily on Seaside - Divina would have a list of the various live events happening whereas Seaside doesn’t for the likely reason that there isn’t that much happening. Any event with live performers was ridiculously overcrowded as there was so little to choose from.

Cleanliness

I made this a separate category as this is the first ship I’ve been on where it has to be a category. Seaside uses many mirrors and reflective surfaces and many were covered in fingerprints and smudges. We were surprised at how sparkling the Yacht Club wasn’t. The Yacht Club elevator was always one gigantic smear. You NEVER saw anyone cleaning the staircases, elevators or glass walls and mirrors. It’s obvious that they just have really cut back on maintenance staff.

The food in the Yacht Club Dining Room, with one or two exceptions, was miles above that served on Divina. Much higher quality ingredients and far better preparation.

We dined at all of the specialty restaurants. We bought a dining package but then frequently went off script and paid the difference.

We had a superb lunch at Bistrot La Boheme. We were the only patrons present but the food (prefab pate notwithstanding…) was superb. Hot, fresh and great.

Butchers Cut was an enjoyable train wreck. Disorganized, loud and chaotic but with excellent food when it finally arrived. Portions were ridiculously large and dinner took over 2 and a half hours.

Roys was excellent - while not necessarily as excellent as one of their land based restaurants, pretty darn good for a cruise ship with one notable exception (details below!)

Ocean Cay was ….stupendous. Like, jaw-droppingly good. The decor was contemporary elegant and there were only 7 tables being served.

The meal package includes starter, main and dessert. We asked if we could have two starters and skip dessert and the initial answer was no but after checking with the Specialty Restaurant Manager, an exception was made.

I’m going into overdetail here because it was so superb. We started with the Crab Sampler (cold) that consisted of about 246 pounds (OK, I exaggerate here) of simple but beautiful crab legs and claws. This was followed by a dozen oysters (ridiculously generous) and finally perfectly prepared sea bass.

A meal like this on land would easily cost between one and two hundred dollars per person without alcohol.

The generally available wines and liquors in the Yacht Club and elsewhere were excellent …. FAR superior to what is provided in the Haven on NCL. I literally (and embarrassingly) went through a LOT of bottles of Nicholas Feuillatte.

To Smell or Not to Smell, That is the Question

The general tone on these boards about *ahem* “the smell” on these boards can roughly be translated to: “you stink”, “NO, YOU STINK”!

I was so excited to go on Seaside that I boarded completely forgot the issue. Now, I am not one to sit still and frequently go for walks to simply enjoy the ship and people watch. I am frequently accompanied by the Cocktail-of-my-choice and can be readily identified by my Golden-retriever-like happy face and big smile. Let’s just say, I love being on ships!

On the second day I was doing my rounds and walked by the Forest Aquaventure Park and literally stopped dead in my tracks. I was immediately transported back almost 50 years to Northern Ontario where my parents and I would go to their friend’s cottage and spend a week.

In those days, we would walk the path to the outhouse or privy when nature called.

Imagine if an outhouse exploded inside a tent. It was truly vile.

I turned on my heel and raced back to find my partner.

Now, as anyone in a long-time relationship knows, if you smell something truly terrible, you MUST find your spouse and make them smell said object. He was happily relaxing in the Yacht Club when I told him we HAD to go for a walk. After a bit of protest, he accompanied me and reached the same spot when/where his jaw dropped.

Now, anyone watching would have wondered who the two lunatics were as we were laughing hysterically, generally saying: “that’s the worst thing I ever smelled, Oh, that’s horrible, I heard it was bad but I didn’t think it was that bad”. We continued laughing and went back for more restorative beverages.

Over the course of the week, the odour would ebb and flow there and in the atrium, our friend’s inside Yacht Club Suite and most glaringly, at Roy’s.

My were on our way to dinner at Roy’s when I ran into Robert, the Specialty Restaurant Manager who we know from Divina. Everyone went ahead while I caught up with him.

When I got to our table, everyone had a wry smile and appeared to be waiting for me.

I asked: “what’s going on”, sat down and said: “holy &@^@&^” - it smelled like we were have dinner inside The Bowel Reconstruction Unit. Our friends wanted to leave but I wanted to speak to a staff member first. At that moment, the sommelier stopped by and asked if everything was ok. I leaned in and stated in sotto voce: “everything’s great but there seems to be an odour problem”. He became immediately serious and asked if we would move to the back of the restaurant. I said “of course” and the back corner was much less odiferously challenging.

To clarify, this was only over a week ago so yes, there are still some serious problems. You can check my signature … ships always have different mystery smells and unpleasant odours but nothing like this.

I really feel it is related to the ship’s speed and wind conditions. This may be while some encounter “the Force” and others don’t. Hopefully, a solution will be found in the coming weeks or months.

Spa and Gym

A 100% complete and utter First World disaster.

The gym appears to be huge but with the number of passengers (and frankly, active passengers from Europe) the gym is not nearly large enough by half. Many of the cardio machines are not working and there are no sign-up sheets for equipment so it’s a free-for-all when one becomes available.

Towels must be signed out (ridiculous) and there are no disinfectant wipes for the equipment available - just two (2)(deux)(due) spray bottles with paper towel (ridiculous and unsanitary).

The garbage cans were overflowing and during one workout, no one went to clean up the spilled cup of coffee sprayed over the gym floor.

One must sign into the spa depending on who’s manning the desk. Ridiculous again.

They then give you one Dollar Tree towel that you MUST return to get your key card back.

The change room accomplishes a miracle … while NOT providing you with towels, the floor is still covered with used towels and is messy and dirty.

Now, anyone using the spa has already “paid” in one way or another …. Just give us some *($^&*#&$&* towels!

The spa itself is dark with puddles of water everywhere. The therapy pool has many hidden levels - they should set up a second therapy pool to take care of the injuries you will get from using the first pool. The area is filled with rattan loungers in every corner - as if you wanted to lie in that dark, dank and unpleasant environment to relax.

MSC - please - board Breakaway/Getaway/Escape and walk through the spa and see how it’s done with lots of towels, coffee, tea, filtered and flavoured waters and tons of heated lounge chairs. Oh, and NCL has towels. Have I mentioned that yet?

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can honestly say that in a 7 night cruise, I never encountered a single staff member who didn’t smile, laugh or ask how I was doing. Just lovely people. Now, I am a firm believer in how an ounce of honey is worth a pound of vinegar so crew may respond to that. Or, they’re just great in any case!

So, the ship sorta’ smells and isn’t the cleanest, the entertainment is lacking and the spa sucks.

Would I go back?

In a heartbeat.

The crew are working hard, the ship is beautiful, the suites are excellent, the food is great but there are definitely problems.

For a ship that was only 10 weeks old and is not only a prototype for MSC but for the entire industry, however, they are doing a fine job. The true test will be in the coming months to see whether they can wrestle all of the problems under control.

For the Yacht Club, the value is unbelievable and unmatched in the industry.

I had actually booked three (!) Seaside Yacht Club cruises because of the great deals available and the increasingly insane prices in The Haven.

I plan on going on each and every one!

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Enjoyed your review, very much.

A few questions:

Embarkation. I don't understand. When we were on Divina we were brought to a room, registered, had wine/champagne and then a butler brought us to the YC. I don't think we even saw the other passengers, so we wouldn't have known if they were moving faster than us or not. How is this different? BTW, who's Luigi.?

Were you Black Card?

We are. We might just do one specialty.

If you had to choose just one, which one would it be?

What about the pool area? How was it? Crowded?

Thanks again.

We're on her in July.

Booboochase

Dr. Cocktail, that was by far the most entertaining, hilarious, informative review I have ever read. Thank You!! Can I just say, I hope you are on our cruise in Jan of 2019 in the Yacht Club! Bravo.

Really enjoyed the review! Too bad about your boarding experience. Ours was pretty quick and it really made you feel special, as we were escorted all the way from dropping off the luggage up to the YC, where we were introduced to one of the Concierges who explained everything, and then a butler took us to our cabin. It was really nice and I have to say far superior to what we experienced in the Haven where we had to wait in long security lines along with everyone else.

I was also lucky enough not to encounter any smells, enjoyed the spa more than you, found the ship to be quite clean, but found the food much less appetizing than you. Mediocre at best.

Two things we certainly agree upon, I would return in a heartbeat and I do feel the YC is one of the best bargains and values in cruising right now.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts, in an entertaining way!

Two Wheels Only

I'll be on the ship in 3 months.....I have no idea of what to expect. :o

....but I promise to give a review when I get back. :D

Enjoyed your review..... Question...What time did you arrive at the pier/terminal?? I'm getting the impression early afternoon based on the crowds you mentioned.

Terrific review, thanks much!

Enjoyed reading this very much. We seemed to have faired a little better on our sailing. Easy boarding (not yc, but black card/casino guest). We felt so bad for the crew that we saw constantly cleaning all the glass and chrome(beautiful but so hard to keep fingerprintless- I like that word).

We loved all the shows, and wished we had more time at Butcher's Cut. Glad we never encountered the smell, but spent alot of time in the casino. Agree, all the staff was wonderful-must be extremely difficult to get everybody working as a team, and they were doing a fantastic job.

We are sailing again in April, hoping again for no smells and terrific staff.

Thanks again for your review-great reading

Safe sailing

Sent from my SM-N950U using Forums mobile app

This is an excellent review/report.

Enjoyed your review, very much. A few questions:   Embarkation. I don't understand. When we were on Divina we were brought to a room, registered, had wine/champagne and then a butler brought us to the YC. I don't think we even saw the other passengers, so we wouldn't have known if they were moving faster than us or not. How is this different? BTW, who's Luigi.?   No one was available to take us right onto the ship. They took us as far as the gangway. Luigi is the Maitred' Were you Black Card? Yes We are. We might just do one specialty. If you had to choose just one, which one would it be? No question - Ocean Cay   What about the pool area? How was it? Crowded? Crowded but always chairs available Casino? That's that place where they take your money and hold it for safekeeping? Sorry - wouldn't know!   Thanks again. We're on her in July.     :D

Totally my pleasure - I'm looking for positive changes this fall!

Really enjoyed the review! Too bad about your boarding experience. Ours was pretty quick and it really made you feel special, as we were escorted all the way from dropping off the luggage up to the YC, where we were introduced to one of the Concierges who explained everything, and then a butler took us to our cabin. It was really nice and I have to say far superior to what we experienced in the Haven where we had to wait in long security lines along with everyone else.   I was also lucky enough not to encounter any smells, enjoyed the spa more than you, found the ship to be quite clean, but found the food much less appetizing than you. Mediocre at best.   Two things we certainly agree upon, I would return in a heartbeat and I do feel the YC is one of the best bargains and values in cruising right now.   Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts, in an entertaining way!

Thanks for your nice comments! I think that they were aware that they had kept us waiting for so long so they just wanted us on board. It would have been an even longer wait to get someone who could take us right up.

I also feel that at present, every week will present a different experience as there appears to be a certain lack of consistency. Now, of course, we're all different but it's more than that. We both appear to have large and varied experiences on different ships. We were on Eurodam 8 weeks before Seaside and MSC's food compared extremely favourably. Many discussed the lobster tails available at The One Grill and how dried out everything was. No tails on our cruise but all the different cuts of chicken, lamb and fish grilled to perfection.

Again, likely teething pains.

Enjoyed your review..... Question...What time did you arrive at the pier/terminal?? I'm getting the impression early afternoon based on the crowds you mentioned.   Thanks

We got there before 11 am ... that's why we were so frustrated. We were among the first to arrive only to see general boarding begin while we were waiting....

Booboochase, Clarea, spidybabe,Keith1010 - Thanks!

Loved your review. Mark and I enjoyed meeting you on the Hurricane Irma Divina cruise. We both laughed about you going to get your partner so they could smell the odor as well. This is something we would most certainly do.

We are booked in November on Seaside so we have a ways to go; hopefully some of these "features" will be resolved by them. Any chance one of your next 3 Seaside cruises is Nov 10?

Thanks for the review. This is one of the most well balanced reviews that I have read.

Boarding seems like one of the few (very few) areas where non-YC is getting better reviews than YC cabins. Most are reporting general boarding is very quick whereas a few have reported YC boarding as a little slow. With the increased number of YC rooms on the Seaside, I wonder if they have increased on number of staff at check-in?

Loved your review. Mark and I enjoyed meeting you on the Hurricane Irma Divina cruise. We both laughed about you going to get your partner so they could smell the odor as well. This is something we would most certainly do.   We are booked in November on Seaside so we have a ways to go; hopefully some of these "features" will be resolved by them. Any chance one of your next 3 Seaside cruises is Nov 10?   Lori

So nice to hear from you!!!!

Actually, I have two booked... the first was one of three! Sorry ... not on board in November.....

I read some of Mark's comments on other threads ... it's interesting that you didn't encounter any smell issues. In the foreseeable future, each sailing will have its own surprises!

Linda the Book Lover

I loved your review and had a good laugh while reading. Your descriptions are wonderful.

Formula280SS

On Seaside now for a B2B. Some early thoughts (and also glad we actually got to Miami and made the first departure).

I recently sailed on the beautiful MSC Seaside in the Yacht Club with my partner and two friends. We sailed in an exterior suite while our friends had an interior “suite”.   Boarding: A hot mess   The new Terminal in Miami has a beautiful, curved driveway that goes to the main entrance. Too bad that security has closed this off so that they drop you off well past said entrance. In fact, if you take UBER, they drop you off even further. No problem as the stevedores are there to take your bags. Yep, totally confused the heck out of our GoAirport driver; who took our bags all the way the curb. However - the location of the Yacht Club Tent? You guessed right - immediately next to the main entrance. Therefore, Yacht Club passengers actually have to drag their bags the furthest to board. Once there, the shoreside “butlers” guide you through security and up to the VIP check-in. Yep, YC people arrive as early as 9:30. Couple of port employees smoking behind the area, no YC staff at all. We were told by a MSC porter (very nice) who worked the YC that it didn't open until 10:30. That's OK, but they showed up at 10:30 and then had to set up and try to get started. Three young (very nice) men were barely 20. Compared to Divina YC, it was really not well done outside. After entering with the first small group, the terminal screener for the YC group was overwhelmed. Continental Drift is faster than this process. In fact, we sat there for half-an-hour watching general boarding begin as the two ladies checked in a dozen or so passengers. MSC - are you reading this? It would be far more efficient to check Yacht Club in with everyone else in the fast moving general line and then move those guests to the VIP lounge. YC butlers told us to wait after security for everyone in our group; the port security told us not to wait but to proceed. The YC lounge was really nice. It was not set up, the first couple of butlers (shore-side only, they don't go on the ship) had to set up the beverage and apps station after the first groups had arrived. There was 1 lady processing the passports for the first half hour. We walked on ourselves and as I had studied the deck map, guided us to the forward elevators. We went to the Yacht Club and were greeted by the Yacht Club manager - one of the few times that we saw him all week. As a group, went to the YC concierge for brief chat. There was a general din as people lined up to speak to the Concierge, register their credit cards and reserve dinner with Luigi. As we knew what to do, we did what we had to but our friends commented on how NO information was provided. They really were, “WT#?!” They flat-out told me/asked me: “This is supposed to be luxurious?”. Understaffed for this particular day. Lot's of issues with APP, had to delete and redownload in order to book shows. I don’t want to do a running comparison but in The Haven, the Concierge welcomes you and then tells you when your room will be ready, where and when you can have lunch and outlines the features of the Haven. Agreed. We then went to the Top Sail, had the first of many (many)(like, a lot) of cocktails and settled in. I also was pleased to see that my good friend Nick (Nicholas Feuillatte) was on board and over the week, we had a lot of pleasant times together. Absolutely stunning venue, the best at sea IMO. Our first lunch was excellent (lots of hugs and laughs with Arthur) and all was now good. Yep, so good was our filet and sea bass (skin on) we never need dinner. Arthur still a blast, Mario NOT on the ship. Accomodations   Our first impression was excellent - extremely large, plush, a restful (if a bit too brown) colour scheme and TONS of storage. Loved the self-lighting closets. We took two suitcases and could have easily unpacked a third. Agreed. The lighting was good but I would have liked a dimmer or switch that provided more options. Still figuring out. While we never watch TV, for those who do it is mounted in an awkward position for either the sitting area or the bed. It would be better to have it on a moveable mount. As it is now, the mounting apparatus made a lot of noise during the night with the ship moving as much as it did. We'll never watch the TV, but you're right about the mount. As others have commented, Seaside does move a lot. I don’t know if its because of her intrinsic design or because the Caribbean has been unusually windy these past few months. Haven't noticed that, however, we've big navigational change due to pressure systems and waves to avoid. The bathroom was huge, dripping in marble with tons of storage and a fantastic, glass walled walk-in shower with a rainshower head. DW and I believe the best design, construction and decor at sea. My only quibble was that the shower door opened into the room - easier for getting in but one always seemed to get a ton of water on the floor afterwards. Yep. Still - an elegant, spacious and comfortable space. Yep. Interior Design: a mixed bag   The interior design was interesting as while the decor was quite striking, the size and placement of rooms was far from ideal. We love it. I loved the colours, surfaces and textures and the recurring motif of slashed and angular lines. Yep. Unfortunately, many of the spaces were too large or too small for the needs that they served. As an example, people were literally overflowing in the Piazza Grande which was one of the few lounges to offer live music (more on that later) The spaces around the atrium such as the Champagne Bar, however, felt like they were in the middle of a shopping mall. The walkways bisected the areas removing any intimacy with people constantly walking by. Went out a couple of times to get a feel for the ship, a zoo out there. The have so many more quality bar venues compared to Divina it is amazing. The Atrium is really unique. The entrance to the theater appeared to be an afterthought with a couple of zigs after the elevator lobby. There was no space for those who were waiting for the following show. Yep. As the MSC ships become ever larger, they really must focus and concentrate on passenger movement and flow and where people are likely to go. While I’m not a fan of the overall product, this is an area that Royal Caribbean excels at. Yep, the toughest to navigate for sure. Entertainment (None Yet)   I always divide entertainment into two categories - mainstage and lounges.   We enjoyed the almost nightly 10:30 “recitals” with soprano, tenor, violinist and pianist. While it wasn’t necessary Conservatory quality, it was a great addition to “usual” cruise ship offerings.   We only saw one show, Timeless, that was the usual MSC drug-induced, hallucinatory craziness. Time travel, Micheal Jackson and the American National Anthem. Why? Dunno.   The Yacht Club had very good performers but there were extremely looooooooooong breaks between performances.   The lounge entertainment is a definite step down from Divina … there are far fewer small lounges and there really wasn’t a lot happening. What is such a refreshing change from much of the industry on Divina is all that live entertainment   A telling change is in the Daily on Seaside - Divina would have a list of the various live events happening whereas Seaside doesn’t for the likely reason that there isn’t that much happening. Any event with live performers was ridiculously overcrowded as there was so little to choose from.   Cleanliness   I made this a separate category as this is the first ship I’ve been on where it has to be a category. Seaside uses many mirrors and reflective surfaces and many were covered in fingerprints and smudges. We were surprised at how sparkling the Yacht Club wasn’t. The Yacht Club elevator was always one gigantic smear. You NEVER saw anyone cleaning the staircases, elevators or glass walls and mirrors. It’s obvious that they just have really cut back on maintenance staff. In the YC, we've seen none of such. Outside, "big time" yep. Dining   The food in the Yacht Club Dining Room, with one or two exceptions, was miles above that served on Divina. Much higher quality ingredients and far better preparation. It's insane what they will do for you if you ask. We dined at all of the specialty restaurants. We bought a dining package but then frequently went off script and paid the difference.   We had a superb lunch at Bistrot La Boheme. We were the only patrons present but the food (prefab pate notwithstanding…) was superb. Hot, fresh and great.   Butchers Cut was an enjoyable train wreck. Disorganized, loud and chaotic but with excellent food when it finally arrived. Portions were ridiculously large and dinner took over 2 and a half hours.   Roys was excellent - while not necessarily as excellent as one of their land based restaurants, pretty darn good for a cruise ship with one notable exception (details below!) Giving it a try tonight, "elegant night." Ocean Cay was ….stupendous. Like, jaw-droppingly good. The decor was contemporary elegant and there were only 7 tables being served. Giving it a try Wednesday. The meal package includes starter, main and dessert. We asked if we could have two starters and skip dessert and the initial answer was no but after checking with the Specialty Restaurant Manager, an exception was made.   I’m going into overdetail here because it was so superb. We started with the Crab Sampler (cold) that consisted of about 246 pounds (OK, I exaggerate here) of simple but beautiful crab legs and claws. This was followed by a dozen oysters (ridiculously generous) and finally perfectly prepared sea bass. Nice. A meal like this on land would easily cost between one and two hundred dollars per person without alcohol.   The generally available wines and liquors in the Yacht Club and elsewhere were excellent …. FAR superior to what is provided in the Haven on NCL. I literally (and embarrassingly) went through a LOT of bottles of Nicholas Feuillatte. Yep. To Smell or Not to Smell, That is the Question   The general tone on these boards about *ahem* “the smell” on these boards can roughly be translated to: “you stink”, “NO, YOU STINK”!   I was so excited to go on Seaside that I boarded completely forgot the issue. Now, I am not one to sit still and frequently go for walks to simply enjoy the ship and people watch. I am frequently accompanied by the Cocktail-of-my-choice and can be readily identified by my Golden-retriever-like happy face and big smile. Let’s just say, I love being on ships! As our first YC group board and walked by the Atrium (I believe on 8) it was horrendous for about 75 feet. Really, really awful. On the second day I was doing my rounds and walked by the Forest Aquaventure Park and literally stopped dead in my tracks. I was immediately transported back almost 50 years to Northern Ontario where my parents and I would go to their friend’s cottage and spend a week. In those days, we would walk the path to the outhouse or privy when nature called. Yep. Imagine if an outhouse exploded inside a tent. It was truly vile. Yep, a 10 out of 10 for unacceptable. I turned on my heel and raced back to find my partner.   Now, as anyone in a long-time relationship knows, if you smell something truly terrible, you MUST find your spouse and make them smell said object. He was happily relaxing in the Yacht Club when I told him we HAD to go for a walk. After a bit of protest, he accompanied me and reached the same spot when/where his jaw dropped.   Now, anyone watching would have wondered who the two lunatics were as we were laughing hysterically, generally saying: “that’s the worst thing I ever smelled, Oh, that’s horrible, I heard it was bad but I didn’t think it was that bad”. We continued laughing and went back for more restorative beverages.   Over the course of the week, the odour would ebb and flow there and in the atrium, our friend’s inside Yacht Club Suite and most glaringly, at Roy’s. We encountered a 3 out of 10 on 8 on the way down steps to muster station in casino. Lounging in the YC pool, shielded by the forward deck, we frequently got a down draft of a 2 out of 10 sewer odor. My were on our way to dinner at Roy’s when I ran into Robert, the Specialty Restaurant Manager who we know from Divina. Everyone went ahead while I caught up with him.   When I got to our table, everyone had a wry smile and appeared to be waiting for me. I asked: “what’s going on”, sat down and said: “holy &@^@&^” - it smelled like we were have dinner inside The Bowel Reconstruction Unit. Our friends wanted to leave but I wanted to speak to a staff member first. At that moment, the sommelier stopped by and asked if everything was ok. I leaned in and stated in sotto voce: “everything’s great but there seems to be an odour problem”. He became immediately serious and asked if we would move to the back of the restaurant. I said “of course” and the back corner was much less odiferously challenging.   To clarify, this was only over a week ago so yes, there are still some serious problems. You can check my signature … ships always have different mystery smells and unpleasant odours but nothing like this.   I really feel it is related to the ship’s speed and wind conditions. This may be while some encounter “the Force” and others don’t. Hopefully, a solution will be found in the coming weeks or months. Using the YC interior stairway from 16 to 19, mid morning, it was awful when I went down to the stateroom. When I returned, massive wind/blowers/fans were on and all of the door were open. Spa and Gym   A 100% complete and utter First World disaster.   The gym appears to be huge but with the number of passengers (and frankly, active passengers from Europe) the gym is not nearly large enough by half. Many of the cardio machines are not working and there are no sign-up sheets for equipment so it’s a free-for-all when one becomes available.   Towels must be signed out (ridiculous) and there are no disinfectant wipes for the equipment available - just two (2)(deux)(due) spray bottles with paper towel (ridiculous and unsanitary).   The garbage cans were overflowing and during one workout, no one went to clean up the spilled cup of coffee sprayed over the gym floor.   One must sign into the spa depending on who’s manning the desk. Ridiculous again.   They then give you one Dollar Tree towel that you MUST return to get your key card back.   The change room accomplishes a miracle … while NOT providing you with towels, the floor is still covered with used towels and is messy and dirty.   Now, anyone using the spa has already “paid” in one way or another …. Just give us some *($^&*#&$&* towels!   The spa itself is dark with puddles of water everywhere. The therapy pool has many hidden levels - they should set up a second therapy pool to take care of the injuries you will get from using the first pool. The area is filled with rattan loungers in every corner - as if you wanted to lie in that dark, dank and unpleasant environment to relax.   MSC - please - board Breakaway/Getaway/Escape and walk through the spa and see how it’s done with lots of towels, coffee, tea, filtered and flavoured waters and tons of heated lounge chairs. Oh, and NCL has towels. Have I mentioned that yet? Yep. Experienced with NCL Spa makes every other line we've cruised simply look comparable horrible. Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Crew   I can honestly say that in a 7 night cruise, I never encountered a single staff member who didn’t smile, laugh or ask how I was doing. Just lovely people. Now, I am a firm believer in how an ounce of honey is worth a pound of vinegar so crew may respond to that. Or, they’re just great in any case! So far, one of the nicest crews we've have in quite a while. Summary   So, the ship sorta’ smells and isn’t the cleanest, the entertainment is lacking and the spa sucks.   Would I go back?   In a heartbeat. Yep, we're booked. The crew are working hard, the ship is beautiful, the suites are excellent, the food is great but there are definitely problems.   For a ship that was only 10 weeks old and is not only a prototype for MSC but for the entire industry, however, they are doing a fine job. The true test will be in the coming months to see whether they can wrestle all of the problems under control. Yep. For the Yacht Club, the value is unbelievable and unmatched in the industry. Yep, met some TA's who've been blown away by the YC venues, food and service "already." I had actually booked three (!) Seaside Yacht Club cruises because of the great deals available and the increasingly insane prices in The Haven. NCL has over-priced the Haven IMO, and the bidding leads to less pre-books. Also, simply not the same 'venues as the YC. Not even close, IMO. I plan on going on each and every one!

We were on the Divina in Sept during hurricane Irma too

Concerning Seaside...I'm a bit of a freak about planning...can anyone offer suggestions on which deck is better for YC? Currently booked on 16, starboard. There's a cabin left on 18, port.

On Seaside now for a B2B. Some early thoughts (and also glad we actually got to Miami and made the first departure).   Comments

Sorry and upset to hear that there are smells and odors in the Yacht Club too. Won't cancel, of course, but not happy at all.:mad:

Fix this, MSC!

Oh, geez. Sorry and upset to hear that there are smells and odors in the Yacht Club too. Won't cancel, of course, but not happy at all.:mad: Fix this, MSC!

We believe with high certainty that the smell at the pool in YC was because of where we were lounging; right in front (glassed off but open on top) from the heavy wood doors that lead to the inside YC stairway 'where the issue really was. IMO, in addition to people coming and going, they (MSC) opened all of the doors to 'vent the stairway and we happened to be lounging the closest to the door. How it got in the stairway inside the YC in the first place, we have no idea (but also, nothing compared to the boarding Atrium walk by experience; that really was very bad).

As a side note, the grill at the YC pool has been putting such great product that the YC restaurant for lunch is noticeably less attended than what we experienced on Divina.

Oddly, after having enough sun for first day at sea, and in the YC lounge near the port side on widow couch and table having a coffee, a touch of the smell. We moved to Starboard. ;)

Enjoyed reading this very much. We seemed to have faired a little better on our sailing. Easy boarding (not yc, but black card/casino guest). We felt so bad for the crew that we saw constantly cleaning all the glass and chrome(beautiful but so hard to keep fingerprintless- I like that word). We loved all the shows, and wished we had more time at Butcher's Cut. Glad we never encountered the smell, but spent alot of time in the casino. Agree, all the staff was wonderful-must be extremely difficult to get everybody working as a team, and they were doing a fantastic job. We are sailing again in April, hoping again for no smells and terrific staff. Thanks again for your review-great reading Safe sailing   Sent from my SM-N950U using Forums mobile app

Spidybabe, did they do a CAS-match too? I never even thought of asking about becoming an invited guest. Did you have to call a different number?

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