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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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MSC Seashore

Courtesy of MSC Cruises |

Find a Cruise on MSC Seashore

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Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 518 guests have reviewed MSC Seashore , giving it a rating of 4 on a scale of 1-5.

Cruiseline Travel Rating:

Reviews by traveler type, most recent reviews.

Great cruise

Sep 26th, 2024

Our first time on MSC and I will definitely book another cruise !

Traveler Type

Sep 25th, 2024

It's just a normal Carribean cruise with a the normal stops

Singles/Friends

Best Cruise Ever

We were able to do everything that we wanted to do on this cruise. We will take this cruise in the future

Wonderful cruise experience

We had a great experience and thankful for free upgrading of room to Deluxe Balcony.

2-3 cruises

We didn't like the food at all. The room 14283 the bed was way to hard.

We will never sail on MSC again. Total Waste of time.

Family (older children)

great Bahamas cruise experience

Sep 18th, 2024

This is our 2nd time cruising with MSC, great experience, staff was very nice

4-6 cruises

Generally good, but a few hiccups

Sep 16th, 2024

Overall, a nice experience. Their website is a disaster. The app only works on board, so not really an alternative. The guests often can't figure out the elevators. And Yacht Club basically obliterates the traditional one-class model of cruising. But the ship is nice, it was a great deal, and a few inconveniences didn't ruin it. I'd definitely sail MSC again, if the opportunity arises.

Fantastic fun on shiny ship

MSC Seashore Review: MSC was a blast! While we had a few things to learn since there are some things that differ from the other cruise lines we’ve sailed on, after getting beyond the learning curve it was one of the most fun cruises we have taken. MSC is an Italian owned cruise line and as such you can see and feel the differences. Certain things took time to get used to, but other elements were surprisingly refreshing and unique. I will go ahead and break this experience down into categories: The Ship: The ship is gorgeous and shiny everywhere you turn. The Seashore is New York City themed. The main foyer consists of a time square background (showed in photo). There is a Swarovski staircase and lots of mirrors throughout the ship (I found this could sometimes get you turned around) but it looked pretty! The pool areas have a nice atmosphere (more to come on pools). The elevators were the thing we liked the least about the trip. They are awful. Take super long and aren’t big elevators. People pack in like sardines. We walked the stairs most of the time. Bonus: I lost a couple of pounds on this trip even with eating my brains out! The Stateroom: The room was nice. We had a balcony room. The bathrooms were tiny, but there was a tub! The bed was the least comfortable of the 4 cruiselines we’ve sailed, but it was manageable. I liked the giant mirror that is in the room. Note, you must put a keycard into a slot by the door to get electric… I liked the wrist bands that we bought for only $15 to get into the room and use to pay for things.. The Pools: There are 3 main pools. Supposedly there are other pools but I did not see them. The jungle pool is a fun environment enclosed which is nice if there is bad weather. There are 2 jacuzzis in that area as well. All the pools were saltwater pools as we were floating very easily and can see the salt molecules on us when we dried off. Did not dislike or like. Just different! The adults only infinity pool is at the back of the ship and is very nice. I wish all the pools were a bit colder. This one seemed to be the nicest temperature out of the three. The other pool is on one of the top decks. They also have the full moon party here and that was so much fun with deejay and dancers. This pool was warm! But I loved the environment. Also had 2 jacuzzis in this space.. although little kids were often going into them unsupervised. I didn’t’ care for that aspect as I do not believe there is a reason for little kids to be in jacuzzis at all, let alone unsupervised. A lot of them had goggles and some floaties and kicked around. That behavior is for pools not jacuzzis. The Food: The food was fantastic minus a couple of items. I really enjoyed the brunch on sea days in the main dining rooms. Loved the parfaits and the eggs benedict and everything else. The pizza in the buffet is the best pizza on any other cruise line so far by far! The dough is amazing! Lots of other foods at buffet were great. I liked the salads and desserts and breakfast sandwiches. The main dining had a couple of dishes that were good and a couple that lacked a bit in flavor. I also didn’t care for the bread at main dining as it was always hard and cold. But, I loved the breadsticks! Specialty Restaurants: The Tepanyaki was fantastic. Not much of a show compared to what I’m used to at some other places, but the food was delicious. The lobster was at the top of my list. The tacos and quesadillas at the Mexican place were so tasty. Had this on the last day and wished I would have tried it earlier on the trip, I would have gotten it again. Ocean Cay was good, but I didn’t like the venue. It’s a tiny room with little atmosphere. The crabcake appetizer was delicious and the entrée was good. They brought us chocolate lava cake from the steakhouse because I originally wanted to go there for that! Nice touch. It was delicious. The chocolate bar drinks were so yummy. Hot chocolate with hazelnut and chocolate martini were the drinks we tasted and were crave worthy. The Casino: I loved the layout and the spaciousness. Other casinos on cruises are a lot more cramped and less room. The chairs were comfy. The staff and casino hosts were fantastic. They made it a fun experience with different raffles, events and overall friendly crew. We also did the best at this casino so far. Could have been pure luck, but we played every day on both tables and slots and left a little up! This was one of the highlights of the trip. Only thing I did not like was little kids and teenagers alike walked through the casino and sometimes would hang out for a while with their families and one little girl nearly pushed my button on slot machine. On a couple of instances, I saw parents sit down with their little kids in the chair. The Ports: I really enjoyed Costa Maya and next time want to spend more time on the port. I like that there are some things to do there without booking an excursion. There is a resort style pool on the port to enjoy! Their private island: Ocean Cay is beautiful! While they are still doing construction on parts of it I can see where they are going to take this.. We watched the lighthouse show from our balcony and it was only a few minutes, but it was beautiful. They had a small bonfire on one of the beaches as well. There are walking trails on the island and lots of places that will be restaurants and bars (some already present). Saw no one in the water though. Maybe sharks? Cozumel. I wanted to do an excursion but did not want to ride the ferry to Playa Del Carmen in choppy water. I heard some people got sick from that ride. It is known to be a bit of a choppy ride to begin with.. We stayed on the ship and were happy to enjoy it with slightly less crowds. The internet was not good. Went in and out a lot and took forever to send or download videos or media content even with upgraded package. It is also expensive, and you cannot switch between devices (so you need to buy internet for more devices if you need it). Final note: Super fun and beautiful ship to be on. Learn about the differences in this cruise line first to see if it’s for you. But note all of the positive things to enjoy before ruling it out if you are nervous about going on a European line. Will be going back on the World America in May and cannot wait!

Price was right but didn't expect additional booking fee. Also, would be nice to be able to use points for cruise.

Very enjoyable

Sep 15th, 2024

Had a great time. Was first time on this cruise. I definitely would cruise again

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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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's newest cruise ship is gorgeous, but is it ready for Americans? A first look at MSC Seashore

I've just sailed MSC Seashore, the first ship in MSC Cruises ' new Seaside EVO Class — a variation of the line's original Seaside Class — which offers passengers affordable elegance and plenty of outdoor spaces to connect with the sea.

Following a two-night media preview voyage to Ocean Cay, MSC's private island , I've got some thoughts about the vessel. Here, I'll walk you through how it differs from fellow U.S.-focused ship MSC Seaside, what it does well, what needs some work and what you can expect if you sail.

The backstory

Although it has been around since the late 1980s, the cruise arm of the behemoth Mediterranean Shipping Company has only been wooing the North American market for just shy of a decade. The company still remains an enigma to many travelers.

In 2013, the line "Americanized" its MSC Divina ship. It was built a year earlier for a European audience, but the line decided to make it fit the American market by adding a movie screen on the pool deck, cutting back on smoking areas, stocking more brands of beer and soda, and revamping some entertainment and menu items.

Since then, instead of retrofitting existing vessels for the U.S. and Canadian demographics, MSC Cruises has added new hardware purpose-built for Americans to the lineup of ships it has been constructing at a breakneck pace. (The line is currently the world's third-largest cruise brand, and with plans to launch more than 10 new ships in the next few years, it's poised to quickly move into second place.)

The first vessel built exclusively to cater to Americans was MSC Seaside, which began sailing in 2017 as the flagship of the line's Seaside Class. It tried hard but struggled with the little things that gave away its roots: Dinners took more than two hours, coffee was nonexistent after dinner for those who wanted a cup with dessert, announcements were made in multiple languages and service was of the more standoffish, less conversational variety that's common in Europe.

Fast forward four years, and MSC Seashore is the line's latest attempt to show U.S. cruisers what it can do. Has MSC finally been able to figure out the secret formula that will make Americans swoon?

First impressions

The ship is gorgeous. With interior design elements, such as upholstery and art, chosen by Rafaela Aponte — wife of MSC owner Gianluigi Aponte — elegance abounds. (Check out the Danza del Mare glass sculpture spanning decks 5 to 8, midship. It's a stunning piece of work by Italian glassmaker Venini.)

As with its Seaside-class counterparts, one of MSC Seashore's biggest highlights is its sweeping four-deck atrium, which serves as one of the ship's main hubs of activity. Chrome and colored lights give it a hip feel, but the vibe also oozes sophistication, courtesy of a transparent, backlit staircase inlaid with thousands of Swarovski crystals.

On paper, the vessel has 20 decks, but true to Italian custom, there is no Deck 17. (In Italy, it's 17, rather than 13, that brings bad luck.) This is one of several ways the ship acknowledges its heritage, despite its target demographic.

In contrast, MSC Seashore employs a New York City theme that's equal parts cute and corny. Meant to appeal to American clientele, the dining rooms boast names like Manhattan, Central Park, Tribeca and 5th Avenue. You'll also find the Brooklyn Cafe, the Uptown Lounge and the Long Island Pool and Bar. In the Times Square area, faux skyscrapers and TVs posing as electronic billboards complement a twice-nightly New Year's Eve digital ball drop following each night's shows in the nearby Madison Theater. Overall, I found it endearing, familiar and, in some ways, even innovative.

However, there isn't a ton that differentiates Seashore from its smaller Seaside sister class. The main changes we noticed, in addition to the NYC theme, are the lack of top-deck ziplines, fewer waterslides and an expanded gaming and arcade area.

Designers revamped the layout for alternative eatery enclave Chef's Court and the accompanying bar. They replaced the French bistro with a Mexican restaurant and scrapped the second family-focused buffet found on Seaside vessels, opting instead to expand the standard buffet. Notable new additions to the deck plan include an aft-facing infinity pool; Le Cabaret Rouge, a secondary lounge that hosts nightly cabaret performances; and a couple of selfie spots that are intentionally Instagrammable.

Below, I'll outline the major highlights and share some of my favorite — and not-so-favorite — bits about the ship.

Dining and drinks

Housing 11 restaurants — including five for-fee options and four included main dining rooms — and 18 bars and lounges, MSC Seashore offers a ton of variety. My two-day preview voyage was sailing at limited capacity; due to time constraints and the small number of passengers onboard, I was able to have full dinners in one of the main dining rooms, lunch at the buffet and between-meal samples from each of the Chef's Court venues.

The four main dining rooms on the ship all feature the same menu, which changes nightly. The venues include 5th Avenue Restaurant, where midcentury modern meets The Jetsons; Tribeca Restaurant, which gives off penthouse vibes; Central Park Restaurant, showcasing green hues and accent plants; and Manhattan Restaurant, which reminded me of an upscale department store in terms of decor.

Dinners still take forever, but service throughout the ship has improved immensely, especially in the dining rooms. Perhaps the restaurant staff was working out new-ship hiccups, but it took so long for everyone at my table to receive their main courses on the last night of the voyage that passengers from other tables ate their dessert and left to see the show before we were served.

The Marketplace Buffet, which takes up about half of Deck 16, is notable for its sheer size and variety of food. Just about anything you could want is found there — meats and cheeses, sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts. The atmosphere is totally casual, making it the perfect place for a quick, free bite. If you love pizza as much as I do, don't miss MSC Seashore's take, which includes standard cheese and pepperoni selections, as well as more unusual choices like pies with black crust (thanks to activated charcoal).

Most of MSC Seashore's extra-cost dining venues are located in a central Deck 8 area called Chef's Court. Restaurant choices include Butcher's Cut, a steakhouse with superb meats, potatoes and desserts; Ocean Cay, serving up fish and seafood dishes in a nautical-themed outpost; and Kaito Sushi and Kaito Teppanyaki, the former offering conveyor belt sushi and the latter offering grill-side performances in one of the largest teppanyaki venues I've ever seen. (Try the salmon or Wagyu beef. You won't be disappointed.)

Hola! Tacos and Cantina is a new, centrally located restaurant. It's on Deck 8, just above the atrium area, and it takes the place of the French bistro on Seaside-class vessels. Festive colors point the way to ample seating, and the tacos, quesadillas, guacamole and flan are to die for. Looking to grab a drink with your meal? Try one of several margarita flavors, including original, strawberry, mango, pineapple and vanilla.

Alcohol, soda, smoothies and specialty coffees and cocoas cost extra on MSC Cruises ships. You can pay per drink or invest in a drink package. However, MSC's packages come in five varieties, and what's covered isn't always clear. Prices vary by season and destination, but the most expensive one, which includes everything, is the Premium Extra package (formerly Premium Plus).

American Sports Bar is a terrific spot if you're hoping to watch your team play while you're at sea. I could see myself spending quite a bit of time there, largely because of its fun sports memorabilia decor and private areas for viewing sporting events.

It also has an adjacent billiard room — a new feature for Seashore — plus added-fee nibbles and one of the most impressive beer lists I've seen on a ship (including one of my favorites, Yuengling Lager, which isn't found on vessels in most other fleets). The sports bar also has a small menu of bar bites, including what I'm told is the best burger on the ship. (Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to try it for myself.)

The Seashore Bar, named for the ship, is located at the base of a three-deck entertainment space that's adorned with chrome and colored lights and features a couple of small stages for performances. The bar offers up a standard menu of drinks, as well as excellent coffee and cocoa. Any of the nearby tables is perfect for sipping your beverage while people-watching.

The Chef's Court Cocktail Bar is ideal for a tipple before dining at Butcher's Cut, Ocean Cay or Kaito Sushi or Teppanyaki. The menu is fun, but the ambiance is even better, with plenty of rich colors and a laid-back but elegant vibe. Friends can gather in the plentiful seating alcoves.

My absolute favorite place to grab a snack and a cappuccino is the Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar. Located on Deck 6, near Times Square (which, unexpectedly, often afforded me a quiet place to work during the day), it offers tasty coffee beverages and chocolate-themed drinks (read: fancy Italian hot chocolate and chocolate cocktails), as well as chocolate candies, via a partnership with the famous Venchi Italian chocolatier.

Another option if you're seeking respite from crowds and noise is the Brooklyn Cafe, a lounge area that evokes a hip travel writer's den. Decorated with globes, typewriters and plenty of cushy seating, it feels like a creative space fit for anyone seeking coffee or cognac.

With 18 bars and lounges onboard, I probably wouldn't have been able to try them all, even if I had done a weeklong sailing. Other notable watering holes include standard pool, casino and buffet bars, as well as the Shine Bar, which specializes in mixology, and the Wine and Champagne Bar, where you can snag some vino or bubbles.

MSC Seashore offers a variety of standard cabin types, including insides, outsides with windows and balconies with verandas. They are outfitted with bedside closets that are sometimes difficult to access because of their proximity to the beds, as well as the sliding-door system that only allows one side of the closet to be accessed at a time. However, the accommodations are cozy and elegantly designed, and there's plenty of drawer and shelf space, as well as under-bed storage for suitcases.

All cabins are equipped with safes, hairdryers (which are surprisingly powerful compared with those found on other ships), bedside tables with reading lamps, vanity/desk areas with small stools, minifridges and house phones for calling the front desk, spa, alternative restaurants and other locations onboard, as well as other staterooms.

Each room also has at least one television that features live TV, onboard channels, movies and the ability for passengers to check their onboard bills. Sadly, my TV didn't work for most of the sailing. Some rooms also come with pull-down beds or pullout sofas that sleep additional passengers.

Even in the most high-end accommodations, showers are tiny. On the plus side, shower doors mean you won't have to battle with clingy curtains, and shaving bars are a useful addition. Toiletries are MSC Cruises' special brand, but they seemed to be of higher quality than most of the free all-in-one shampoo and conditioner and shower gel found on other lines.

Other thoughtful touches include plenty of outlets and USB ports, although only one side of the bed allows for USB charging.

Rooms are also designed so you can't turn the lights on without inserting your keycard into a slot by the door. On other ships, you can game the system by inserting another card (credit card, membership card, driver's license), but, unfortunately, that trick doesn't work on MSC Seashore.

Forget about charging multiple devices when you leave your room because the electricity will be turned off. The only way to do it is to either use the built-in Hamlet wireless charger (if you have a compatible device), which takes forever, or have one member of your party leave their keycard behind while you explore the ship together. (Each person will need their card with them to go ashore, however.)

Where MSC Cruises' accommodations are particularly impressive is in its ships' Yacht Clubs. The Yacht Club is an exclusive onboard area of accommodations plus a restaurant, bar/lounge, pool and sun deck reserved for the Yacht Club guests. Occupants also have access to a slew of perks like concierge and butler service.

Yacht Club staterooms come in a variety of types, ranging from insides to cabins with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. They generally include more space than standard accommodations, and they offer upgraded amenities like walk-in closets, dual bathroom sinks, extended balconies, private hot tubs and bathtubs in addition to showers.

MSC Seashore was built with more than 70 wheelchair-accessible cabins that include wider doorways, grab bars and flat thresholds, among other assistive devices. They span all major categories, from inside to suite, including some in the Yacht Club.

There are no solo cabins on MSC Seashore, which seems like a huge oversight for such a modern ship.

Entertainment

Because MSC Cruises' fleet largely caters to an international audience, it's known for nonverbal entertainment, featuring magicians, acrobats, jugglers, aerialists and other intriguing performers. For years, the line's offerings have been, hands down, my favorite, so I was expecting something great. Unfortunately, what awaited me in the Madison Theatre during the preview sailing was cringeworthy, rather than jaw-dropping.

Exclusive to Seashore, "Coast to Coast" featured a troupe of singers and dancers who performed what someone who likely isn't American decided Americans would appreciate — a disjointed, stereotypical mashup of songs about U.S. cities and states that felt like it was trying too hard. Costume styles ranged from burlesque to Vegas showgirl; the latter reminded me of something a cruiser might have seen on a Carnival ship in the 1980s.

It's possible the vessel's other theater shows are more in line with the caliber of entertainment the line normally presents, but none were scheduled during my brief time onboard.

MSC redeemed itself, however, with its shoreside beach party on private island Ocean Cay in the Bahamas. On my voyage, Seashore docked there until midnight, and the absolute standout in terms of entertainment was the spectacular light show, set to music, that took place after dark. I could have watched it 10 times over without tiring of it. It's a standard part of late-night calls on the island, found on all itineraries departing from the U.S.

One other new highlight was Le Cabaret Rouge, which serves as a secondary performance space featuring a DJ and nightly shows that set the works of great artists to modern-day music. The lounge has a decidedly French vibe (lots of red velvet) and an interesting viewing setup with both floor seating and chairs set against a high-top bar that runs along a balcony overlooking the stage area.

For those into gaming, the ship houses a dedicated billiard room adjacent to the American Sports Bar. In addition to a pool table, passengers will find tabletop shuffleboard and a pinball machine. If video games are more what you seek, head to the Hall of Games. There, cruisers can pay to try their hand at the vessel's F1 racing simulator; check out the 4D cinema, which offers a selection of interactive games and experiences; or play some arcade basketball or Skee-Ball. All of these cost extra.

Public areas

In addition to the breathtaking atrium spaces and outdoor areas for which the Seaside and Seaside EVO Classes are known, several locations on MSC Seashore require shoutouts, simply for being fantastic.

My absolute favorite spots on the whole ship are the Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar and the Central Park lounge area near it. Venchi is a chocolate lover's dream, but the real testament to just how delicious its offerings are is the fact that I'm not a huge chocolate fan, and I still found myself there frequently. The cappuccinos and hot chocolate are life-changing, and the gelato is a perfect post-dinner, late-night treat. Although the area is open to passing traffic, I found it a quiet place to work, read or meet up with friends for a chat.

One area where MSC's newest vessels do exceptionally well is all things spa and fitness. Seashore's Aurea Spa and adjacent fitness center dedicate more than 25,000 square feet of onboard space to 21 treatment rooms, a barber shop, a hair and nail salon, a MediSpa, a thalassotherapy pool, changing rooms and an outdoor area with sun loungers and hot tubs. Also included in that space is a massive thermal suite with a staggering array of options like a salt room, saunas, heated tile loungers, a snow room and a sensory steam room.

The fitness center, which is one of the largest I've ever seen on a ship, is outfitted with Technogym equipment that includes weight machines, medicine balls, circuit training equipment and cardio machines.

In terms of pools, there are four onboard: the Deck 16 Jungle Pool area that's super family-friendly; the Deck 18 Long Island Pool, which is great for sunbathers; and the private Yacht Club Pool, which is found on Deck 20 and exclusive to Yacht Club passengers. The fourth, the aft-facing Infinity Pool on Deck 8, is one of the most impressive additions on MSC Seashore with its beautiful wake views.

For cruisers with kids, MSC Seashore is a great fit, with 7,500 square feet of children's facilities split among five clubs that cater to different age groups. All have access to a variety of activities, games and toys, but tweens and teens have less structure and may come and go as they please.

Appearances from Doremi (pronounced "doh ray mee"), the line's mascot, are common for younger children, who can also enjoy building with blocks, playing games and conducting science experiments. Activities for older kids include foosball competitions and video games.

But youth entertainment isn't limited to the kids clubs. The ship also offers a plethora of outdoor fun for children and teens. Spanning decks 18 through 20, a twisting waterslide and the Pirates Cove splash area offer watery fun, including climbing structures, dump buckets and sprayers. On Deck 20, Adventure Trail is a top-of-the-ship bridge that winds its way above Pirates Cove, and a sports court is available for basketball and other active pursuits.

I'm loath to include this, but the millennial in me is super excited about the ship's dedicated photo spots. On Deck 7, as you make your way from midship toward the restaurants and Le Cabaret Rouge, there's a passageway adorned with chrome, mirrors and color-changing lights that will make you feel like you're in a tunnel to another dimension. On the other side is a faux hot-air balloon backed by a huge LED screen with scenery that changes to include famous sites, such as (appropriately) Turkey's Cappadocia. Climb inside for a photo that gives the appearance you're actually there.

Historically, MSC Cruises has been an early adopter of onboard technology by introducing wearables, rolling out an app, adding in-cabin virtual assistants and employing digital signage. However, in certain instances, I felt like the line implemented technology for technology's sake, rather than to enhance the passenger experience.

I'll start with the elevators. What's notable about them on Seashore is that they're digital. Each elevator bay is outfitted with electronic keypads. After using the touch screen to select the number of the deck you want, you'll be assigned to a particular letter. When the car with that letter arrives, that's the one you'll board to get where you need to go.

It's a nice idea in theory, but several times my car never showed up, or it whizzed right by the deck I was on without stopping. Other times, I got a keypad error that said "Unable to allocate a lift," which left me taking the stairs. (Honestly, that's what I should have been doing anyway, but people using assistive devices might not have that option when the system doesn't work.)

There are no buttons to push once you're inside the elevators. That means you can't walk up to a bay and piggyback on someone else's ride unless you feel like a rousing game of deck roulette. If you walk into an open car before making a floor selection, you'll be at the mercy of wherever the car is headed next. It also means you can't change your mind about where you want to go after you've entered the car (unless someone else is already going there and selected that deck number before getting inside).

Digital deck plans are located near just about every set of elevators, but few of them offer access to the daily schedule of activities or wayfinders that will help you get to where you need to be. It seems like a missed opportunity to offer a useful passenger service.

Pre-cruise, I had problems using the line's MSC for Me app to check in, which led to a 40-minute wait to check in at the port on embarkation day — a significant amount of time, given the ship's reduced capacity. It's the only sailing of the nine that I've taken since June that required me to stop at a desk to manually check in.

Even then, they weren't able to link my credit card with my onboard account and told me I'd have to do it after I boarded. I headed to the front desk, only to be told that I needed to use one of several kiosks throughout the ship. I found one nearby and was able to link my card painlessly, but after running into so many other snags with the check-in process, it felt like one more hurdle to clear.

Speaking of apps, since the resumption of cruising after 2020's pandemic shutdown, most major cruise lines have transitioned to virtual muster drills that can be completed on your smartphone or on your in-room TV. Passengers normally have a sizable window of time (usually a couple of hours) to complete the mandatory safety briefing.

MSC doesn't offer that. Instead, all passengers must report back to their cabins at a precise time to watch the drill on TV. (It's not available on the app.) Following the drill, you must dial a number on your cabin phone to confirm you've watched the drill. After that, you have to report to your muster station, where a crew member will scan your cruise card.

Not only is the process cumbersome and, frankly, a little bizarre, but it was made more complicated because my TV didn't work. My room steward was finally able to turn it on, but I had to watch the drill in Spanish because the English drill had already concluded by the time we got it sorted out.

The main purpose of making muster drills digital was to eliminate the need for large numbers of people to gather in proximity for the duration of the drill. By forcing all passengers to complete it at a precise time, it prompts them to head to their muster stations simultaneously, thereby causing the very scenario e-mustering was designed to prevent.

As I mentioned before, the only way to charge devices in your cabin when you're not there (without leaving your keycard behind) is to use Hamlet — a wireless charger built into the desk in each stateroom. It's a thoughtful touch, but it took hours for my phone to charge that way. It also won't work for anyone who has an older device that doesn't support wireless charging. Further, when you're in the room and trying to charge multiple devices, some of the plugs are positioned in a way that makes it impossible to charge them side by side.

Bottom line

The key thing to know about MSC Cruises is that its affordable elegance often puts form over function. With MSC Seashore, the line has definitely made progress in terms of being more "American," but in some areas, the product hasn't evolved. It's a delicate balance between what Europeans think Americans want and what Americans actually want.

Some elements of the onboard experience have improved since the world welcomed MSC Seaside. On MSC Seashore, crew members are more outgoing, I was offered coffee after dinner, and announcements were all in English.

That said, some things have stayed the same: Dinners run long, standard cabins' showers are painfully small (although there are, thankfully, no curtains to wrangle) and bed-facing closets are difficult to access. In other areas, the cruise line made changes that didn't achieve the desired effect — including some of the entertainment choices and the focus on technology without ensuring it adds to passenger efficiency or enjoyment.

Despite these issues, American passengers can certainly have a fantastic time onboard as long as they know what to expect ahead of time: a reasonably priced vacation on an astoundingly elegant ship that might hold a few surprises.

• MSC Cruises

Seashore Review, March, 2024

By Terre , March 24 in MSC Cruises

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MSC Newbies:   New Experiences, New Adventures

Ship:   MSC Seashore

Dates:   March 3-10, 2024

Cabin:   12204

Itinerary:   Port Canaveral, FL; Ocean Cay Marine Reserve; Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico

Our Cruising Experience:   First with MSC; 50 th cruise total

My reviews are written in sections so you can skip over anything you don’t care to read about, or if you need a break, you can pick up at the next section without having to go through the whole thread.   This review is written to be objective with both issues and likes & dislikes.   I hope that it will be beneficial to those who are looking to cruise MSC Seashore.   I apologize for the long review, but I’m a detail person and want to you have as much knowledge about this ship and cruise as possible.

Let’s get started!

Pre-cruise Hotel:

We drove to Titusville the day before and stayed at Quality Inn Kennedy Space Center.   There is a steakhouse right next door and lots of restaurants in the surrounding area.   It was about a 30 minute drive from there to Port Parking Space in Port Canaveral.

Click here for info on Quality Inn Kennedy Space Center

We used Port Parking Space.com in Port Canaveral.   It was so easy!   We booked on line for the dates we needed to park for the cruise and arrived around 9:00 the morning of the cruise.   We were third in line and once the gates were open for new customers, we drove on through, and like a well-oiled machine, someone was right there to unload our luggage, had us drive back around to park in a handicapped spot right where we board the shuttle.   We were lined up according to the ship we were boarding and in the order in which we all arrived.   We were first to board the shuttle for Seashore!

There is a sign you need to take a picture of with returning instructions.   The shuttle took us directly to where we would board the ship, with porters waiting for us.   Luggage unloaded and taken by the porters, we went straight to the elevator to get us to the top; otherwise, you would be carrying whatever carry-on luggage you had up a lot of stairs!   This also put us right at the doors to line up for security check.

Debarkation day was just as easy…we followed the directions precisely to the shuttle, loaded up and were at the parking lot by 7:15 a.m., and that well-oiled machine had us unloaded, car loaded and we were on the road by 7:30!

Click here for info on Port Parking Space

Embarkation:

Embarkation was a breeze.   We had to wait around 30-45 minutes before they opened the doors, and from there it was smooth and quick with several lines of security checks.   After check-in we found our cabin, got our cards, left our carry-on, watched the lifeboat drill, found our station, checked in, and had lunch.

The ship is New York inspired and themed.   Someone described it to me as “like entering a jewelry store”, and it was an excellent description with the sparkling staircases that glistened in the light, sparkling like diamonds!

The décor was nice and pretty in most places.   It was hard to find places like Times Square, because there was no signage that we could ever find, but there is some entertainment there at night.

I was disappointed in the shops.   With a lot of unused OBC, I was looking to find a t-shirt or something I could bring home, but they didn’t have a lot of medium size.   The only other thing I wanted was too tight in a medium and they didn’t have it in large!   We ended up spending $86 of OBC in Venchi, buying candy that we didn’t really need or want.   It’s good, but I could buy a whole lot more Reese’s Cups with that $86…

I loved that they have a special section in the buffet for Kids & Families with their own buffet and area to sit.   They also have a pool area just for kids and families, which freed up chairs at the adult pools.   You had no idea how many kids were on board until you walked through that pool.

The bar we used the most was Seashore Bar, where a lot of entertainment happened on the floor around the bar, and just above with singers, ship’s officers, etc. Second to the last night, we found Le Cabaret Rouge Lounge and wished we’d found it sooner. There is some entertainment in this lounge in the evening that we watched a few nights.

Kids & Family Pool

We booked cabin 12204, a balcony cabin.   The cabin is roomy, enough with a nice sofa, queen bed, dresser, and TV.   When I first opened the closet, I didn’t think there would be much storage.   The closet is small, and there are not many drawers at the dresser, but as it turned out, there is plenty of storage with shelves under the safe and on the wall beside the mirror, and on the sides of the dresser area.   My pics make it look a lot more roomy than it actually is from the angle.

There are plenty of outlets, both U.S. outlets, USB ports, and two European outlets.   I always take a U.S. adapter for the European outlet, but I never needed it.   There are several USB ports at the desk and one beside the beside.

The temperature in the cabin was perfect for us…getting down to 64 at night.   We love it cold and that cabin got cold enough for us.   The thermostat is easy to work.   Instead of a card to hang on the door or a magnet, your Do Not Disturb or Clean Room indicator is a light that you change inside the cabin.   Kinda nifty!   We don’t need our cabin cleaned twice a day, so we kept the DND light on during the day.   Our Cabin Steward was Jonathan and he was great!   Everything I asked for, I was provided as soon as we returned to the cabin.   If like us, you are used to using wash cloths, you will need to ask for them from your Cabin Steward.   I had to ask for wash cloths, top sheet on the bed, and Kleenex; they are not automatically provided.   They don’t have body lotion, but fortunately, I had brought some from home.   I communicated with Jonathan by leaving Post-It notes on the mirror   for him with my requests.   This worked perfectly for us.

The hair dryer is plugged into the drawer at the desk.   It is adequate, but hard to maneuver; you have to leave the drawer open while using it, and hold the on button down with your thumb.   It is awkward, but after a day or so I got the hang of it.

The bathroom is very tiny compared to what we are used to, and the shower is so small that it was even hard for me to turn around in.   I’m not tiny, but not the biggest person either.   My husband would knock the the door open with his elbow while showering and of course water was everywhere!   Just be careful in that tiny shower!

The balcony was very nice and I loved to sit on it listening to the waves or watch people in port, or just reviewing the day’s pictures on my phone.

I used magnetic clips and hooks for things like our itinerary, important info like reservations, confirmations, hanging our pool bag, clothes for dinner, etc. We took a small rechargeable fan with a hook, and we hung it by the bed with the magnetic hook attached to the wall high up, and it was perfect.   Remember that the walls, doors, and ceiling are all magnetic and using magnetic clips and heavy duty hooks are great for a little extra storage and tidiness.

Dining/Food:

Dining Room:   Here’s where we ran into some issues.   The food for the most part was all good.   The desserts were scrumptious, and we loved all the desserts we ordered.   Our issue was with dining in the Tribeca Restaurant.   This being our first time on MSC, we started out as Gold loyalty level because of our match from another cruise line, and we booked the Fantastica experience, which gave us this restaurant.   They don’t have any time dining at this experience, it was either 5:00 or 7:00.   We didn’t want to miss the 7:00 show, so we chose the 5:00 dining.   The first night was chaotic, as usual, but we waited 15 minutes for our server to approach us, then he apologized saying he was helping with other guests and would be back.   After another 15-20 minutes he returned for our order, which arrived quicker than we expected.   We made it in time for the 7:00 show.

On the second night, it was better, but on the third night, it took forever to get our order taken.   My husband ordered sword fish, and after a very long wait for our order to arrive, his sword fish looked like a grilled pork chop.   It was so tough, a knife couldn’t cut it.   My food was good, but we waited and waited for the waiter to come back so we left before dessert came.   We asked to speak to the Maitre d’, but the Restaurant Manager, Steve, was very rude saying that the Maitre d’ was “a but busy” and he could help.   My husband insisted on speaking with the Maitre d’ but Steve said he was being unreasonable, so we went to Guest Services and asked for the Maitre d’.   He was extremely nice, apologetic, and agreed that the service and food was unacceptable.  

I asked to be moved to another dining room, and the next day we were moved to the Manhattan Restaurant, which is anytime dining for the Aurea experience.   It was like night and day!   Our server was Nery, who was excellent at his job!   He was very attentive to our needs, and food came out in a quick and timely manner, and was perfection!   Nery learned our preferences the first night we ate there and had my wine ready every night after.  

All the dishes we ordered in Manhattan were excellent, from the plating to the flavor.   They all had their own unique flavor that played on your taste buds, and none of them disappointed!   All of the desserts were wonderful and actually tasted as good as they looked, unlike most other cruise lines’ desserts.   Nothing you order will disappoint you, I promise!   Be careful with the sword fish, though…wink, wink!

Breakfast in Central Park Restaurant was extremely disorganized.   There are no dedicated waiters for sections and once seated, someone comes around asking for your cabin number, then you wait for a server to take your order.   Sometimes this might be right away, sometimes it may take 30 minutes.   Sometimes we sat and sat while others who were seated after us had their orders taken immediately.

Buffet:   The Buffet, in my opinion was laid out so weirdly that it wasn’t worth my time trying to find anything.   The lines were always so long that it just wasn’t worth my time and effort.   I did find the pizza, which was hidden way down the hall from the other “rooms” of the buffet, so that’s what I had every day, mostly because others couldn’t   find it and it was never that busy.   The ice cream in the buffet was good, and once we found it we got that every day.   What food I was able to find was good, it was just hard to maneuver around all the different, what I call rooms, to find the stations and different foods.

Entertainment:  

Theatre Shows:   The shows are at 7:30 and 9:30 each night.   You must reserve your seat before each show.   What we learned is that if you don’t reserve it the night before, both shows would be completely full, but the last 10 minutes, they will begin letting those in without a reservation until all seats are gone. What I figured out is that at exactly at 7:30 the night before, you had to book the next night’s show.   You can’t wait until 8:00, they would be full already and you can’t book tonight’s show at 6:00 on the same day.   So keep that in mind.

Shows in the theatre were great, so don’t miss them.   I didn’t take any pictures or videos because you are asked not to, but I did see some people doing both.   I’m a rules follower, so I didn’t and wish I did have some videos for you of them.   Take my word for it, you really don’t want to miss them.   The production shows were wonderful, with very professional dancers and singers.   The guest entertainers were equally as good.

There was also entertainment, as I mentioned before, in Times Square, Le Cabaret Rouge Lounge, around the Seashore Bar and above it.   Be sure to keep your Daily Program for all the entertainment information, or check your MSC for Me app for things to see and do.

Ports of Call:

Ocean Cay Marine Reserve:   This beautiful cay was our first port and we were here a full day and almost half of the next day.   Ocean Cay is located in The Bahamas and is MSC’s private island.   It has been transformed by MSC from an industrial site, into a beautiful tropical island. MSC took on the task of cleaning up this island and the waters surrounding it of all discarded debris, with a commitment to protect, restore, and conserve this beautiful cay (pronounced key).   You will not want to miss this port.   On the first night there, we had a light show that was absolutely amazing, and so beautiful to watch from the island or from your balcony!   It starts when night time arrives   with the lighthouse beginning to “light” up from the base to the top with different colors, then bursting beautifully into the night sky!   Don’t miss this light show as it is so beautiful.

Costa Maya, Mexico:   Costa Maya was our next port of call.   We have been several times and although there is not a lot to do here, we discovered Maya Chan a few years ago via Cruise Critic reviews.   We have been three years in a row now, and love this beautiful little beach.   It is owned by Mark, David, and Jane, who moved to Costa Maya and started this perfectly sized “resort” for a day.   It’s so beautiful with a beach area, chairs, papalas, bar, and a lunch buffet.   Oh, and, all you want to drink while you are there!   They have several dogs, and a sweet cat, you will fall in love with.   They pick you up outside the terminal, down the road a ways, and take you back to the cruise terminal when you are ready to, which is neverrrrrr!   Trust me, you will love Maya Chan, but book early because they do get booked up, they are limited on the number for each day.   More and more people are learning about them.

If you want quiet, and relaxing, Maya Chan Beach is the place for you! Maya Chan is very tranquil with cozy, swaying palm trees, canoeing, paddle boarding, tubing, etc.   This part of Mexico battles the seaweed fight, but they work so hard to keep it off the beaches.   Don’t let that keep you from enjoying a wonderfully relaxing day in a beautiful, peaceful setting.  

Click here for Maya Chan info

Cozumel, Mexico:   Our next port was Cozumel, and since we have been here many times and usually go to Nachi Cocum, we decided to stay on the ship this day.   There are many beach clubs to go to here, and lots of things to do, so just research it and pick the one that suits you the best.

Miscellaneous:

Infinity Pool:   We did find chair hogs around the pool areas, so there’s no getting away from that.   In fact, some chairs were saved with towels, etc. on our half day in Ocean Cay, and I’m positive the owners were on the island for that part of the day.   We enjoyed the adult only pools and didn’t use the one regular pool.   The pools we used each had hot tubs, and there was a bar right at the pools.

Debarkation:

We chose to walk off at the published time of 7:30 a.m. with our luggage.   We got in line before 7:00 and it was wrapped way around a large area when we got there.   We had to wait for a little bit, but once it got going, it went pretty quickly.   The luggage was not even out in the terminal and porters were just beginning to show up when we walked through.   With facial recognition, we looked into the camera at Customs and walked right off.   We followed our instructions for finding the shuttle for Port Parking Space, and it filled up quickly so we were back at the parking lot early enough to be on the road a little after 7:30 a.m., which made my husband very happy!

Things We Learned:

Elevators:   The elevators are different from elevators on other ships.   You press the button for the deck number you want, and then the number of   people getting on.   This keeps the elevators from crowding – supposedly.   It worked most of the time.

Cabin Necessities:   Some things like wash cloths, Kleenex, and lotion are not provided.   You must ask for anything you want and they will provide it, unless of course, they don’t provide it at all, like lotion.   You can ask for different pillows and they will bring those.   We also asked for a top sheet, as that is not used, but we were able to get it.   I can’t say enough about Jonathan, our steward. Whenever I asked for anything,   I had it immediately.

Also, you have to leave your cabin’s key card in the slot to keep the lights on, and maybe the A/C, we’re not sure about that one; the cabin was only very warm one day when we came back.

Complaints:

1.   One complaint was that we were supposed to get $100 OBC from our TA in addition to the other OBC.   They only gave us $50 of that and refused to give us the rest even with my invoice showing it.   We were also supposed to get a cake for our anniversary, but didn’t get that either.

2.   Of course, the issues with dining already mentioned.

3.   The issue of having to book the shows for each night, but after we figured out you could book tomorrow’s show at 7:30 each night, we did that with no problem.

Tips and Suggestions:

1.   If this is your first cruise, one thing I believe is a necessity, are magnetic hooks and clips.   This helps you to stay organized.   The cabin provided three of those large hooks to hang things on, but I did use a couple of my heavy duty hooks, which can be found on Amazon, and my magnetic clips for hanging important papers, itinerary, etc.   They also help keep the cabin a little neater.

2.   I also suggest if your excursion involves a lot of walking in a hot climate, is to take some sandwich baggies, and the night before your excursion, wet a couple of wash cloths, put them in the baggie and into the refrigerator.   Take them with you on your excursion to wipe your neck or face on the excursion or tour.   Take bottled water with you as well.

3.   Always take a first aid kit that you can easily add to with needed things you will learn you need as you cruise.   Mine has things like band aides of all sizes, aspirin/Ibuprofen, cold/cough meds, peroxide, melatonin, sea sickness meds, etc.   I was glad I had Vaseline and band aides on this cruise because I got some sand between my toes that rubbed a blister on one of my toes between the two toes.   On another cruise I broke my little toe, and I knew that the doc would wrap the little toe to the next one, so I taped it to the next toe with band aids.   After I got home, my doc looked at and said I did a good job of taking care of it!   Prepare for all kinds of things so that you’ll have what you need.

4.   Do your research before you go; research the ship as much as possible by reading reviews on Cruise Critic, TripAdvisor, Google, etc.   Do the same for tours, excursions, and ports of call.   Find out as much as you can about everything, so you can enjoy your cruise.  

5.   Take a picture of your luggage to help your steward find it if it doesn’t show up.   Sometimes it get taken to security for one reason or another, or just gets lost.

6.   Do everything, try everything, eat all you can and learn new things.   Travel while you are young and don’t worry about the money, just find it.   Traveling is one of the best educations you can have.   Meet new people, make new friends, go and enjoy!

By the way, even with the issues we had, we have booked a Yacht Club cabin on Seashore for next year, so we did like the ship and the cruise!

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Great review!  Regarding the safety drill…did you do this right away upon boarding or had to wait until the official safety drill started?

Thanks for the very detailed review and glad you enjoyed most of it. I’m also curious about the safety drill. It has usually been later in the afternoon (3:30 - 4;00 PM), and everyone does it at the same time. This causes lots of crowding on the stairs. It sounds like it may now be done like Carnival, where you go to your muster station soon after boarding to get your card scanned, rather than having to wait and everyone go at once. I’m hoping they have changed to that process, as it is much less chaotic.

54 minutes ago, dsain said: Great review!  Regarding the safety drill…did you do this right away upon boarding or had to wait until the official safety drill started?

We watched the TV portion when we took our carry-on to the cabin, and called the number it said to call.  We got lunch and I think it was around 3:00 or 3:30 when we went to our actual stations for the drill.  It was quick.

31 minutes ago, JT1962 said: Thanks for the very detailed review and glad you enjoyed most of it. I’m also curious about the safety drill. It has usually been later in the afternoon (3:30 - 4;00 PM), and everyone does it at the same time. This causes lots of crowding on the stairs. It sounds like it may now be done like Carnival, where you go to your muster station soon after boarding to get your card scanned, rather than having to wait and everyone go at once. I’m hoping they have changed to that process, as it is much less chaotic.

We watched it on the TV in our cabin, and around 3:00-3:30 we went to our station and checked in.  Watched a short drill and left.

1 minute ago, Terre said: We watched it on the TV in our cabin, and around 3:00-3:30 we went to our station and checked in.  Watched a short drill and left.

Ok, thanks. That sounds like the procedure used since the re-start after Covid. I was hoping they had changed to where you can go to your muster station to scan your card as soon as you board.

Yes, same JT.  I got excited thinking they were doing it more like Carnival as that’s one of the biggest negatives I have read about MSC.  At least my expectations are set for that hiccup.

Great review. What time did they open the terminal doors on embarkation day? 

29 minutes ago, freeon said: Great review. What time did they open the terminal doors on embarkation day? 

Seems like it somewhere close to 11:30 or just after.

thanks for your review and beautiful pictures.  Thinking of doing a MSC cruise in the future.

Thank you for the fantastic review. Great tip section and pictures. 

noobcruiser

Thank you!  I just booked this itinerary for September and this was extremely helpful.

10 hours ago, noobcruiser said: Thank you!  I just booked this itinerary for September and this was extremely helpful.

Great!  You will love it.

18 hours ago, Terre said: 6.   Do everything, try everything, eat all you can and learn new things.   Travel while you are young and don’t worry about the money, just find it.   Traveling is one of the best educations you can have.   Meet new people, make new friends, go and enjoy!

Thanks for your review and I love #6!  As we live by this theory also!

thank you very much.

so, you say that if first show starts by 19:30, at that time it is possible to book next day shows. Isn't it?

Nice review, 4 of us are on the April 21st so this is helpful.  Did you try any of the specialty dining?  How about the Spa?  

Great review! We did this same cruise in February and loved it. Unfortunately, our weather was not so great so we had to leave Ocean Cay a day early. 

Let me add 2 more things to your first aid kit suggestion. Bring eye drops. If you have to buy them on the ship they are $9. Also, we have found that chewable pepto bismol tablets are a must. I won't get into the details, lol. 

Terrific review and this cruise is one we are considering for this Fall. Lots of cruises but never on MSC. Price point looks pretty darn fine compared with Royal. I haven't looked at Carnival yet. We love going out of Canaveral. Our last cruise was was on Mardi Gras and we loved it so. We have a short family cruise coming up in June on Allure. Decisions decisions

1 hour ago, thomasale said: Terrific review and this cruise is one we are considering for this Fall. Lots of cruises but never on MSC. Price point looks pretty darn fine compared with Royal. I haven't looked at Carnival yet. We love going out of Canaveral. Our last cruise was was on Mardi Gras and we loved it so. We have a short family cruise coming up in June on Allure. Decisions decisions

Thank you!  We love going out of Port Canaveral as well. First time with MSC, learned some things, it is a little different, but we liked it.  We sailed. Mardi Gras as soon as the covid ban on cruising was lifted and liked it, but it was only about 3/4 full at the time.  I can't imagine it at full capacity.

1 hour ago, noshoobie said: Great review! We did this same cruise in February and loved it. Unfortunately, our weather was not so great so we had to leave Ocean Cay a day early.    Let me add 2 more things to your first aid kit suggestion. Bring eye drops. If you have to buy them on the ship they are $9. Also, we have found that chewable pepto bismol tablets are a must. I won't get into the details, lol. 

Thank you!  Oh, yes those two things are in my bag as well.  I have added so much over the course of cruising, I need a bigger bag!  I didn't want to list everything,   but probably should mention a thermometer as well, especially if cruising with children.

2 hours ago, jcollin said: Nice review, 4 of us are on the April 21st so this is helpful.  Did you try any of the specialty dining?  How about the Spa?  

Thank you!  No, we did not try any of the specialty restaurants. 

3 hours ago, alserrod said: thank you very much.   so, you say that if first show starts by 19:30, at that time it is possible to book next day shows. Isn't it?

Yes, at exactly 7:30 (19:00), reservations open for the next day's shows.  I would assume that if you want the next night's 9:00 p.m. show you could reserve it the day before at 9:30 (21:00).

TERRE: I know the infinity pool is for adults, but you mentioned adult pools as if they had another one for adults on the ship. Maybe I am just reading it wrong, but is there another adult pool beside the Infinity....by the way great review.

1 minute ago, jamon said: TERRE: I know the infinity pool is for adults, but you mentioned adult pools as if they had another one for adults on the ship. Maybe I am just reading it wrong, but is there another adult pool beside the Infinity....by the way great review.

Thank you.  I may be labeling them wrong since I saw no kids and any.  On the 8th deck I believe is where the two pools are side by side, and then there is one smaller on another deck; sorry I don't remember the deck number.  If you can look at the deck plans, you may be able to tell.  I know this doesn't te you much.

cruisegeek1974

Thanks for the great review, we are going on our first MSC cruise on the Seashore at the end of the year (same itinerary).

We will likely be driving to the cruise port and I am curious as to why you didn't park at the cruise  port and instead used the shuttle service?  Was it because of price?  Easier process?  From a bit of research I have done so far the terminal parking seems to be pretty good and headache free.

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