I am an independent travel agent and took a group of 27 aboard the MSC Seaside Feb. 3, 2018 for an Eastern Caribbean Cruise. I have cruised with MSC before but no one in the group had. Most were Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruisers. MSC's Status Match program was perfect for the others so they could receive the status they had with the other cruise lines.

I was on the inaugural cruise Dec. 22, 2017. The overall service, and friendliness of the crew in the short 1 1/2 month time had improved 110%. With it being an entirely new crew and learning the ship themselves.

The Seaside is a beautiful ship with everything and anything a first time or experienced cruiser would desire. Food and service in our main dinning area with very good. The waiters went out of there way to make things perfect. Housekeeping was very good. Cabins were always cleaned and picked up. Theatre shows were very good. Could be a little longer. Didn't enjoy the opera shows (but that's just me).Being a European Ship Company there is more smoking in the smoking areas. I asked Maitred for some bottles of wine for a wedding anniversary celebration and was told he couldn't help but would need to ask my waiter when seated. It all ended up ok. Bartenders had issues with mixing the same drink twice, and some didn't know what drinks to make or how. The spa service was very good. Excursions were good overall. A few with our group were on an excursion that was overbooked and had to wait to get on another one but worked out ok. Read more