MSC Seashore Cruise Review
Just the Facts:
Ship: MSC Seashore
Captain: Pietro Maresca (Italy) Cruise Director: Eversen Beville (USA)
Ports: Port Canaveral, USA - Nassau Bahamas - Ocean Cay, Bahamas
This is a special 3-day cruise to introduce the 5 year old Granddaughter to cruising. We have four in the group: The DW, DD, & GD. This is her first cruise, but my 4th cruise on the Seashore, my 23rd cruise on MSC, and my 217th cruise overall. I do have Diamond status, and was informed that I have the new Blue Diamond status, the highest of the MSC Loyalty Club levels, when it begins in 2025. Nice.
Thursday, September 21 / Port Canaveral / Embarkation / Day 1
We have an assigned a noonish boarding time so we planned accordingly and left the Florida Villa at about 9:00 am for the drive to Port Canaveral. We arrived at Park-N-Cruise at about 11:30 pm. We immediately boarded a shuttle bus to the port terminal. We arrived at Pier number 10 before noon. We checked a bag and rolled the others through security. The GD is a Disney veteran so the boarding process went smoothly. All card lines were open without a line and we went directly to a Diamond check-in counter. We could go straight to our cabins arriving on Deck 14 at about 2:35 p.m. We have adjoining balcony cabins located aft of the aft elevators. Each cabin has a Queen bed, Wardrobe, Large screen Television, a Counter/dressing table with mirror, a small stocked Refrigerator, Shelving, Drawers inside the Wardrobe, a Couch, and a small but adequate bathroom with a solid glass door shower. We soon took the Panoramic aft elevators up to the Deck 16 Lido Marketplace for lunch. Afterward, we all went down to our Muster Station and checked in, thankfully you can check in casually and not as a mass hoard (MSC was last to update the streamlined system). I orderedthe premium WiFi package and the reception in my cabin was good. They are strict about one device…and you can not change from a Laptop to an iPhone. The DD and GD went to the Children’s area to check in and get the youth wristband. We then all met in the Brooklyn Bar at about 3:00 pm for cocktails. We did get the drink package. We sailed away at about 5:00 pm and we watched from our adjoining balconies. We have an 8:00 pm dinner assignment in the Manhattan Dining Room (MDR), located on deck 6 aft. Dinner and service was good. For dinner, I ordered the Tomato Basil Soup, one very nice Shrimp Cocktail, and the Prime Rib entree with horseradish. For dessert a wonderful Crema Catalonia. The girls went to the Production show in the Theater and then to the Children’s area on Deck 18. I retired to the cabin for rest and retired soon afterward. It was a good first day on the MSC Seashore.
Friday, November 22nd / Nassau Bahamas / Day 2
Smooth seas overnight and a delightful night's sleep. The bed is comfortable with good pillows: one soft and one firm. I woke early and at about 8:20 am I went down to the Central Park MDR for breakfast. I ordered Danish, Hot Milk, a Fruit Bowl, Eggs Benedict, Bacon, Sausage, and Potatoes. It was delicious. The girls had Room Service breakfast on the balcony, the GD enjoyed that. We were docked at about 10:00 am and it is a beautiful day today with a nice breeze keeping it cool. We all went off the ship at about 10:45 into the NEW Nassau. We did a little shopping and I felt comfortable leaving the girls in the new security area as I returned to the ship after an hour. Two had a few braids done in the new designated Hair Braiding area. Yes, the new Nassau is better. Upon my return to the ship, I began updating this blog, then went upstairs when the Cabin Stewart Roldan came to clean. I took my Yeti and enjoyed Coca-Cola, a Cheese Steak Sandwich, French Fries, and more for lunch. I then took two cans of Cokes back to the cabin. The girls had lunch and went to the nice aft Pool on Deck 8. They did some Trivia and Kids' area in the afternoon. The DW and I went to the Hola Bar for Mango Margaritas then to the Uptown Lounge at about 7:30 to listen to the solo guitarist before dinner. We were joined by the others and then went to the Butchers Cut Steakhouse for dinner. I enjoyed Filet Mignon steak, the Burrata Cheese & Beets, a Hearts of Palm Salad, a Baked Potato, Creamed Spinach, and Breads. It was a lot to eat and it was perfect as was the service and company. It may be the last complementary Steak dinner as the new MSC loyalty program goes into effect in 2025. I retired after dinner, but the DW and DD went to the late Comedy Show, they said it was good. That’s how Americanized MSC has become having added comedy about a year ago. It was a great day on the MSC Seashore.
Saturday, November 23rd / Ocean Cay Marine Reserve / Day 3.
Smooth seas overnight and I slept well. We were docked very early and the gangway opened by 8:00 am. I had leftovers from the previous night for breakfast and the girls had room service. We rented a Cabana in the North Beach area so left at about 9:30 to get it squared away, then texted the location back to the ship for the girls. The Cabana was nice, with seating and lounges. Two floats and six towels were furnished as was a cooler with water. We had a service bar located just a few yards away and a great view of the Lagoon with the Ship and Lighthouse in the background. Soon the three others arrived for our long beach day. The Granddaughter loved it, she brought a lot of sandcastle-building items that kept her busy when she wasn’t in the water. The DD and GD used the floats and explored the beautiful Lagoon. Ocean Cay is different from other Cruise lines private islands as it is in a very natural state without pools, rides, or amusements. The numerous swimming beaches and lagoon are pristine with natural beauty. There were two Food Trucks on our beach with complimentary burgers, hot dogs, and fries. I had a Lobster Roll that I thought was well worth the $12.50 charge. Bahamian Food was an option in the Pavilion in the center of the island. The DW and I headed back towards the ship at about 3:45 pm. We caught a shuttle that made it very easy. The DD and GD were back before the 5:15 pm designated return time. Most had a light snack. I had the Macaroons that were delivered to the cabin as well as the bottle of Prosecco, a part of the Diamond guest loyalty benefits. Thanks, MSC. Already our final dinner night on this short cruise. It was Italian Night and the menu was good. We ordered Caprese Salads, Minestrone Soup, Shrimp Cocktail, Chicken Breast Parmigiana, Pasta Primavera, Penne Pasta, and more. Desserts included Limoncello Cake, Tiramisu, and Banana Ice Creme. We even had some Italian entertainment and sing-alongs. The GD had spent this time with Children’s activities including a Disco Party…she really enjoyed going to the Children’s Area. I retired to the cabin to stream the 2nd half of my Oklahoma Sooners football team upset Alabama 24-3. Sweet. The girls had photos to review and other events. It was a great day at Ocean Cay and on the MSC Seashore.
Sunday, November 24th / Port Canaveral / Debarkation
Fair seas overnight and I slept well. We arrived on time and were docked just after 6:00 am. I finished packing and I was very proud of the Girls all being prepared to roll at 7:00 am. We were lucky with an elevator and on Deck 6 just after they opened the gangway. We were off strait away and through Security by 7:15 am. The shuttle was waiting and we were in the car and on the highway by 7:30 am. All very smooth especially for four people. We stopped in Lakeland at Krispy Kreme, then washed the car, and refueled. Home before 10:30 am.
Ship
Maiden Voyage: 2017 I Gross Tonnage: 153,500 tons
Passenger Capacity: 5179 | Crew: 1413 I Length: 323 meters/1060 ft
Max Cruising Speed: 22 knots I Avg Speed 21 knots
Installed power: Diesel (40,000kW) I Propulsion: Twin propellers
17 passenger decks Builder: Fincantieri
Godmother: Sophia Loren
Highlights of the Cruise
The excitement of first-timer Lily-Rose
Cabana at Ocean Cay
Butcher’s Cut Steak House
