Just the Facts:
Ship: MSC Seashore
Captain: Pietro Maresca (Italy) Cruise Director: Eversen Beville (USA)
Ports: Port Canaveral, USA - Ocean Cay, Bahamas (overnight) - Costa Maya, Mexico - Cozumel, Mexico
I’m cruising as a solo on this 7-day cruise. This is my 5th cruise on the MSC Seashore, my 24th cruise on MSC, and my 220th cruise overall. I have the NEW Blue-Diamond status, the now highest of the MSC Loyalty Club levels.
Thursday, September 21 / Port Canaveral / Embarkation / Day 1
I was assigned a noonish boarding time, so I planned accordingly and left the Florida Villa at about 8:45 a.m. for the drive to Port Canaveral. I arrived at Park-N-Cruise at about 11:15 a.m. Another change in operations is that we park, lock the car & take our keys with us. I soon boarded a shuttle bus to the port terminal. We arrived at Pier number 10 at about 11:30. As the bus arrived, I noticed the longest line for boarding that I had seen there. I was hoping the new Blue Diamond status benefit would make it smooth, and thankfully, it did. I rolled my single-rolling duffle bag to the nearby Yacht Club kiosk, was confirmed as Blue Diamond, and went straight up the escalator. Then, a special line through security and to the Yacht Club area, where you are seated for final check-in. Sweet. I was in my cabin to drop my bag at about noon. Very nice embarkation. I decided to dine in the Manhattan MDR for lunch, so I stopped at Muster Station G on the way to Deck 5. The luncheon menu was nice; I ordered a Cobb Salad, the Sea Bass entree, and a Fruit Sundae for dessert. I then made my way to the Sports Bar to watch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL game. I eventually went to the Brooklyn Lounge to follow the game on my iPhone. When the passenger cabins opened at about 3:00 p.m., I went back to my cabin on Deck 10. My balcony cabin has a Queen Bed, Wardrobe, Large Screen Television, Counter/Dressing table with Mirror, a small stocked Refrigerator, Shelving, Drawers inside the Wardrobe, a large Couch, and a small but adequate bathroom with a solid glass door shower. I unpacked as I followed the ending of the game, and the Buccaneer's win put them in the playoffs. I like my cabin location as I’m by the aft elevators, so it’s easy to get to the passenger decks and MDRs. Another Blue-Diamond benefit is complementary Wifi, so I was able to upgrade that to a full WiFi Streaming package for $35. Good for me. We’re docked next to the Disney pier, and I enjoy watching them sail away as they play Disney-themed tunes on the ship's horns. I will enjoy the balcony. I’m assigned a 5:30 dining time in the Tribeca Dining Room. I have an 8-top table with all gentlemen in the 70-80 age range. That was interesting and unique. Dinner was slow this evening, IMHO. I ordered the Stuffed Meatball, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Lasagna Entree, and a nice Pistachio dessert. Most of the others ordered the Prime Rib. It was 7:30, and I decided to retire early to get started on this blog and watch some cabin Television. It was a good embarkation day on the MSC Seashore.
Monday, January 6th / Ocean Cay Marine Reserve / Day 2
Smooth seas overnight and a very enjoyable night's sleep. The bed is very comfortable, with both soft and firm pillows. We were docked at about 7:00 a.m. It was a cloudy and cool day, perfect for walking the beach or island, but too cool in the water for me. Construction is continuing on the second pier, more buildings, and another beach area, all easily visible from the ship. My balcony is on the opposite side of the island this time, but I have a view of the new island where they are placing the drugged sand. I had a relaxing morning, then went to the Buffet on Deck 16 for some Danish at about 10:30 a.m.
