MSC Seaside is a lovely new ship. In general, the deck layout is not ideal especially if you have to use a stroller. They do not have decks that get you from front to back of ship without having to go up or down a deck or two. I don’t know if it is galley or what but you hit a dead end and then have to go up a deck to continue going forward. Not a good design but this is not the only ship or cruise line where you have that issue.

In most areas the elevator and surrounding area is a black shiny wall. It tends to be very dark and lighter colors would be preferable. The elevators apparently are not synchronized in any fashion. Most times you get to a bank of elevators and all four are on the top decks or on the bottom decks. One elevator is reserved for Yacht club which further limits space for others. If you have strollers or wheelchairs it is even worse. On a ship that bills itself for family you would think they would plan for strollers and wheelchairs and walkers and provide extra elevators or at least faster services. Too much wait time everyday and too many full elevators when they finally arrive.

Dining room is well laid out with sufficient space for the wait staff to get thru. Not quite as fancy as the formal dining rooms on Royal Caribbean but they do a nice job with white table clothes and all the glassware and silver you need. Service was good. Menus tend to be more limited than on some lines but they offer the “Classics” every night on both the adult and children’s menus. So if you didn’t care for the entrees that nite you could go with Classic Offerings. They were also good about getting French fries for the kids or pasta without sauce so you could just butter it for smaller kids. They were very accommodating and friendly. Read more