MSC Seaside Review
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We chose this cruise as a last minute deal in January and received a free drink package (Easy Package) and internet package. This was our first cruise on MSC and we will be sure to cruise them again.
For my wife and I, we couldn't of asked for a better cruise. I have cruised three NCL cruises and 1 Disney cruise and this was the best for us. First, my wife has Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerant) and this is by far the best cruise line for Celiacs. Most of the other lines require you to order your food the night before for the next day. MSC had a menu and separate kitchen for gluten free, which allowed my wife to eat without worrying. She had a waiter assigned to her in MDR named Carlos that did an excellent job making sure her food was not cross contaminated. They also provided a bagged lunch that contained sandwiches, fruit and all different Italian gluten free snacks for days we were off the boat. It was fantastic! I thought the food was excellent. Plus, I went to the buffet a couple of times and thought there was a huge selection. MSC gets a bad rap for not changing the buffet menu, but when you have everything on the buffet, not sure what else you can change.
When we go on vacation we like to drink and we like to drink really good alcohol. We read a lot of complaints on the drink package that was given to us when we booked the trip, so we decided to go with the Premium Plus Package. Yes, it cost over $600 to upgrade. And yes, we got our moneys worth on the first day. As soon as we got on the ship we stopped at the Seaside bar and both order a double of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. If we didn't have the Premium Plus Package, each of our drinks would have cost us $52 plus 15% gratuity. Next stop was the Champagne Bar. They have Veuve Clicquot by the glass. They charge $23 a glass and had several Champagne cocktails that were out of this world. Plus, we got to know Ronald at the Champagne bar and was our favorite bar tender. Next up was the wine and cocktail bar. We had smoked cocktails that were fantastic. I can honestly say that I have never drank this well on a cruise ship. Plus, we could get fresh squeezed juices, bottles of sparkling and still water and everything in the mini bar was included.