I choose this cruise because Seaside is a brand new ship and I'd never sailed on MSC before. I wanted to try this line and the new ship. I must have read 80 reviews and my excitement was replaced with trepidation and concern that the ship, staff and services weren't ready and maybe would never be ready for American tourists. I'd read week after week of seeming improvements and the reviews got steadily but slowly better. Still, some other reviewers really got me concerned. Here is my take:

This was a fantastic cruise! MSC seemed to have been reading the reviews, too, and even more importantly, acting to make guest experiences better. Myself and several other discriminating passengers commented that (almost) all the items we'd read about had been addressed. I got onto the ship in 20 minutes. 20 minutes! I arrived at the Port of Miami at 1:15 for a 4:15 registration time and whisked through registration in no time. I was in my stateroom before 2PM and on the pool deck by 2:30. My drink tickets were delivered later that night but at Customer Service (yes there was a line but I was helped by one of their roaming agents) I was told to just drink and they would credit those drinks once I brought them my drink tickets (the ticket showed up after dinner; MSC credited drinks for all my tickets.) I needed Customer Service a few times during the trip (not to lodge complaints) and found them helpful and pleasant. I did not wait in line, but rather went when when there was no line.

My stateroom (5139) was immaculate, well designed and fully functional. NO ISSUES with toilet, space, bedding, etc. Very comfortable, dark and quiet, which I love in a stateroom. Cabin service was perfect. Read more