OK so it has a zip-line and the kids area was designed in part by Lego, but don’t get excited Not until you have considered the new digital age that connects you to your phone and wrist watch to keep you in touch with all that is going on onboard the ship.
MSC Seaside was built for the Miami market – the beach market. It is a big new ship and Fincantieri’s largest cruise vessel ever constructed. Terminal F was built especially for it, because it needs to be big and move a large volume of people to their cabins quickly. It is a huge ship. A little bigger than the two new ships P&O now has on order and it has the new digital system MSC For Me – you might be tempted to download the app to your phone or tablet but it only works for those with a booked cruise, so we don’t know what is inside. We wonder if connecting to your digital watch makes finding your cruise photos any easier? But the digital experience is something they are shouting about and claims to keep you in touch with crew and ship in real time. This ship loves the Med, from Barcelona and Naples to Valletta all the big deep ports though it bravely claims it can dock at any cruise port.
MSC CRUISES FROM SOUTHAMPTON – click here
Seaside is home port in Miami to destinations like the Bahamas, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Jamaica. A second Seaside-class is launched in May 2018, the Seaview. A 3rd Seaside ship is expected and scheduled for 2021. The new P&O ships will hold 5,200 guests, still smaller.
Aurora Ship Tour Azura Ship Tour Britannia Ship Tour Arcadia Ship Tour Oceana Ship Tour
We have yet to find a written dress code for MSC, but people do get smart in the smart places and you will see in number 3 they suggest you bring a tux and the ladies an evening dress. We have the following (taken from their web site.)
DORIS VISITS WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN MENU OF PORT GUIDES
Taking a cruise may be a holiday, but it is also a skill and those who have been on plenty know all the golden rules. If you have never taken a cruise before, but are keen to fit straight in and look and feel like a pro, there are five principles to live by, which will ensure you make the most of your time.
DORIS VISITS EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN MENU OF PORT GUIDES
1. Learn the lingo
There is a whole new language used at sea, so learning a few words will help you look like you have done this before. Always remember that the vessel you are cruising on is referred to as a ship and never a boat and your accommodation is a cabin. Get your bearings on board and refer to the front of the ship as the bow, the back is the stern, port is to the left-hand side and starboard is the right.
DORIS VISITS CARIBBEAN MENU OF PORT GUIDES
2. Keep to ship’s time
One of the beauties of cruising is the opportunity to visit a wide selection of destinations in one trip, but this could well mean crossing various time zones. Running on ship’s time will help you manage your day on board and not miss that all-important dinner reservation, but it is also vital for port days. Be sure your watch is in line with ship’s time before disembarking to guarantee you are back on board well before the vessel is due to set sail again.
DORIS VISITS CANARY ISLAND MENU OF PORT GUIDES
3. Only pack what you need
It can be tempting to pack all things for all eventualities for your cruise, especially if you are travelling with young children. Experienced cruisers know that many of these items are actually readily available on board, so they leave them at home. These include a buggy, which can easily be organised in advanced, and toiletries, which are found in each cabin. Leaving these out of your luggage will give you extra space to buy souvenirs on the ship or in your favourite ports.
The items that really are a good idea to bring along though are a tux for the men or a formal dress for the women. Gala night really is one of those special cruise experiences and you will certainly want to look the part. Click the picture to go to their site.
DORIS VISITS FJORDS MENU OF PORT GUIDES
4. Plan your time
Yes, you are on holiday, but you have booked yourself onto a cruise ship that is chock full of fantastic things to do, see, eat and explore, so you’ll want to make the most of your time. There’s nothing more frustrating than realising you could have seen Cirque du Soleil On The Seas if you’d organised it earlier.
Plan the experiences you really want to have in advance and get them booked to avoid disappointment. This includes reservations at the speciality restaurants and spa treatments for a good feeling of being pampered. Even better, if you book on embarkation day, you will receive a 50 per cent discount on your spa treatments. Explore ports on an organised excursion or have ideas before getting off the ship about where to go, otherwise, you could end up missing out on a destination’s best attractions.
DORIS VISITS BALTIC SEA MENU OF PORT GUIDES
5. Know when to take advantage of the ship benefits
There are a wide number of benefits that passengers can take advantage of on board MSC Cruises simply by upgrading. For example, if you upgrade your Bella cabin experience, you’ll automatically be served breakfast in your cabin. While this may sound romantic for couples, it can also be great for families. Not having to ready all the children for breakfast at the same time makes for a less stressful trip and everyone loves the treat of eating in their pyjamas.
CHAT MSC CRUISE – Kings of the Med – Click here to joinclick the direct links above to an MSC CRUISE DEAL or click here to try a THOMAS COOK price
