MSC Seashore Cruise Review — April 27, 2025
Just the Facts:
Ship: MSC Seashore
Captain: Vincenzo Miele (Italy) / Cruise Director: Kevin Crawford (South Africa)
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 6th cruise on the MSC Seashore, my 25th cruise on MSC, and my 221st cruise overall. I again have the NEW Blue-Diamond status, which is now the highest of the MSC Loyalty Club levels, and this is a repeat of my January cruise.
Sunday, April 27 / Port Canaveral / Embarkation / Day 1
I was assigned a 12:30 p.m. boarding time, so I planned accordingly and left the Florida Villa at about 9:05 a.m. for the drive to Port Canaveral. I arrived at Park-N-Cruise at about 11:30 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 just after noon. As the bus arrived, I noticed a very short line for boarding, unlike in January. The new Blue Diamond status benefit made it very easy. 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 Priority Booking area for final check-in. Sweet. I was in my cabin to drop my bag within minutes. Very nice embarkation. I decided to dine in the Manhattan MDR for lunch, arriving at about 1:10 p.m. (hours are from noon to 1:30 p.m.). The luncheon menu was nice; I ordered a Cobb Salad, the Sea Bass entree, and a Fruit Sundae for dessert. I then went to Muster Station D, located in the Casino, before returning to my cabin on Deck 14 far forward. My interior cabin has a Queen Bed, Wardrobe, Large Screen Television, Counter/Dressing table with Mirror, a small stocked Refrigerator, Shelving, Drawers inside the Wardrobe, a Chair, and a small but adequate bathroom with a solid glass door shower. I quickly signed into the ship's WiFi to watch the Oklahoma vs. Texas softball game. I unpacked between innings of the exciting game…OU swept the series and is now in first place in the SEC standings. I went to the Brooklyn Lounge on Deck 8 for cocktails and watched the ship sail away from inside. I’m assigned the 5th Avenue Dining Room that serves from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with unassigned seating. I think I will like this change and I’ve never been to this smaller MDR. I was seated immediately after 6:00 p.m., and my assigned waiter was Sheila from Kenya. I ordered the Creme of Tomato Soup, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Prime Rib Entree, and a nice Pistachio dessert with extra Banana ice cream. All was excellent, and the Service was terrific. I ordered two Diet-Cokes to take back to the cabin, placing them in my front pockets and my phone in my back pocket. Somewhere, somehow, I lost my iPhone. Thought it made it to the cabin, as I recall checking for it along the way. MSC blocks access to Apple iCloud (to prevent upgrades, I assume), so I can't do an online search. Not too concerned at this time. I retired early, but I watched the production show in the theater on the Cabin TV channel 6. It was a good embarkation day on the MSC Seashore.
Monday, April 28 / Ocean Cay - private island, Bahamas / Day 2
Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well. I woke at about 4:30 a.m. and decided to search under my bed more thoroughly, and sure enough, I found my iPhone. Glad for that as so much on the cruise is now dependent on the phone, including reservations for the theater, specialty dining, your itinerary, and more. I updated this blog and then slept until 9:30 a.m. Sweet. At about 10:00ish, I went up to Deck 16 and the Breakfast Buffet. Not too busy, as many are already ashore on Ocean Cay. I had Eggs, Bacon, Hash Browns, and more. It was good. It’s a beautiful day, and guests are enjoying the island. I had a leisurely day making reservations for Tappenyaki, upgrading my complimentary WiFi to streaming, getting ice and Coca-Cola from the Lobby Bar, and monitoring the markets and news. I also met my new friend Itallo in the Future Cruise department and booked another great solo deal on the MSC Grandiosa for December. After reviewing it, I want him to do another for January. Jon, my excellent cabin Steward, had my cabin nicely done for my afternoon relaxation. He was concerned about my phone; I think the DW at home was the most concerned. At about 5:00 p.m. I went to the Brooklyn Lounge for cocktails, then at 6:00 p.m. I went to the 5th Avenue Dining Room. I had the same table as last night with the same Wait Staff, I was lucky as it was busier. Shelia did an excellent job taking care of me. Tonight I ordered: Italian Wedding Day Soup, Spinach Salad, Shrimp Cocktail, the NY Strip Steak entree, and Apple Strudel & Rum Raisin Ice Creme for dessert. All were very good and a great meal. They even brought me two cans of Diet Coca-Cola when I was ready to leave… excellent service. I did a short walkabout the ship, and we are overnighting here at Ocean Cay. I’ve seen the lighthouse light show many times, so I will pass on that and retire to the cabin early. I watched a bit of television and updated this blog before lights out. It was a perfect day on the MSC Seashore.
Tuesday, April 29 / Ocean Cay - private island, Bahamas / Day 3
We were docked overnight, and I slept well. I watched the Morning Show on cabin TV with CD Kevin as I perused the markets and news online. And the Wifi works well in my cabin. I’m passing on breakfast this morning, too, so it's a relaxing morning. I did call Itallo and book another solo cruise in January on the Grandiosa…taking advantage of the current Flash Sale. The booking is through Bosque Travel, but doing it onboard will get me an additional OBC and a reduced deposit. Win-win. At about 11:30 a.m. I went to Deck 5 and the Central Park MDR for lunch. I ordered the Tortellini Soup, the Baked Ziti entree, and the Pistachio dessert with Strawberry Ice Cream. It was excellent. When I returned, Jon was finishing my cabin, so I went to the Jungle Bar on Deck 16 for ice and soft drinks for my afternoon. At 4:00 p.m. I went to the Blue Diamond cocktail party in the Cocktail Bar on Deck 8. I sat with guests from St. Augustine, whom I had met on my previous MSC Seashore cruise. Very few Blue Diamonds onboard, so the small lounge was perfect. They served Wine or Prosecco, but I ordered two Hugo Specials since I had the drink package. We had canopies & bar snacks, a photographer, a few ship officers and staff, but the Captain was busy on this day—a nice function, but not as special as the previous one I attended. Since this is Captain's Dinner night, Prosecco and petit fours were delivered to my cabin.
Tonight, I had reservations for a special Teppanyaki Dinner. It was a typical Teppanyaki experience but also included a course of Sushi. The menu courses were Sushi and sashimi, Miso Soup, Teppan Salad, Misoyaki Butterfish with Lobster and scallop, Garlic Fried Rice, Wagyu Beef and vegetables, and Caramelized Pineapple with Ginger Ice Cream and mint. It was good, but even with the premium menu selection, it is not as good as the Steakhouse for future reference. I retired after dinner, as it was somewhat late, and the ship rocking was putting me to sleep. It was a relaxing day on the MSC Seashore.
Wednesday, April 30 / Day at Sea / Day 4
There were some rocking seas overnight, and I slept very well. I woke early and went to the MDR, but I discovered I was an hour early because I had failed to note the time change overnight. So, up to Deck 16 and the buffet. I went to the specialty area and discovered Steak and Egg Quesadillas and an Egg Bolognese. Italian and TexMex—very nice, too. I added some bacon and hash browns for a nice hearty breakfast. I returned to the cabin and back to bed, then slept until noon. Wow, it was a good sleep too. At about 1:00 p.m. I went to the Futures desk and met with Itallo to finalize my 3rd & 4th bookings, a cruise for the family for next Spring Break. He made it very easy to get specific cabins for the group. He even ordered a Diet Coke for me from the bar. Sweet. Jon had refreshed my cabin by the time I returned. Even brought ice that was needed for my cabin time this afternoon. I updated this blog and did some travel work until I met some cruise friends who saw me on Deck 5 and contacted me after checking the blog to confirm it was me. Always nice to see fellow cruisers. I again had dinner in the 5th Avenue Dining room, service and food good, better than Tappenyaki, IMHO. I ordered the Spicy Chicken Quesadilla, the Pasta Bolognese, and the Red Snapper entree. For dessert, the Key Lime Pie and Gelato.. I retired to the cabin and watched the Divas Production Show live from the Theater on Cabin Television (channel 6). It was a relaxing and productive day on the MSC Seashore.
Thursday, May 1st / Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico / Day 5
Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well. A beautiful day, but it will be hot for those going ashore. I’m staying on board and planning my day around an important Softball game at 5:00 p.m. At about 9:30 a.m. I went to the breakfast buffet on Deck 16 and had the basics; I didn’t find any unique items they had on yesterday's sea day. I called home since I have telephone service in Mexico, and was updated on everything on the home front. I did a nice walkabout, spending time on deck and getting some soda for the big game later today. At about 3:00 p.m. I went to the Lido Buffet on Deck 16 for my first pizza of the cruise. MSC is known for the ‘Best Pizza at Sea’, and I enjoyed a lovely fresh Salad and three slices of Pizza. It was excellent, especially the sausage pizza. My OU vs. Florida softball game began at 5:00 p.m., and the streaming Wifi was great. I enjoyed the exhilarating game that went extra innings, with Oklahoma winning. Only one win from winning the SEC in their first year in the league. At about 8:00 p.m. I went to the Lobby on Deck 5 for the White Party (photo). It was the first MSC White Party that I had actually attended. I enjoyed several Elderflower Martinis at the bar while waiting for the Future Cruise drawings since I had four entries. I didn’t win the $150 OBC but was second and won an MSC backpack and the two ETSY bracelets. The DD and granddaughter will love those. I then retired to the cabin to update this blog and watch live television streaming via WiFi. It was a good day on the MSC Seashore.
Friday, May 2nd / Cozumel, Mexico / Day 6
Overnight, the seas were smooth, and I slept very well. At about 8:00 a.m., I went to the MDR for a proper breakfast. I ordered Danish, Cranberry Juice, leche caliente, a Fruit Plate, Eggs Benedict, Bacon, and Hash Browns. It was terrific, and I had a lovely window table shared with a couple from Egypt who now live in the Orlando area. At about 9:15 a.m. I left the ship to walk into San Miguel, taking all my known shortcuts. My first stop, as usual, is the St Miguel Archangel Church, where I stayed through a short service. Then to Zensi Spa for a pedicure. I had a new (to me) girl, and she did an excellent job with extended foot massage time. Sweet. I did something different and new for Cozumel. We used to buy our medications at Similares Drug Store, a nationwide chain in Mexico, but they began requiring a prescription a few years back. They have very fair pricing and quality drugs, so I bit the bullet and went to a Medical Consultant to get prescriptions. Between her limited English and my limited Spanish, we got it done. Those who know me know I don’t go to Doctors, but it went well, and the fee is only 75 Pesos, so it's cheap enough. I had a prescription, and I then got the local pricing on the drugs. Well worth doing IMHO. Afterwards, I said a quick hello to Martin, my barber of 18 years, on my way to Woody’s Bar & Grill, my long-time office HQ away from home. I love my table 7 with the fan, electrical outlet, view of the entertainer, a view of the big Mexican Flag on the water, the MSC Seashore through the foliage of the Square, and people strolling down the avenue walkway out front. The Guacamole & Pico de Gallo is the best too (photo). As much as I enjoy Woody’s, I will return earlier than usual today as Oklahoma has a game two against Florida this afternoon. I was back on board the ship by 3:30 p.m., soon cleaned up and ready for 5:00 p.m. Softball on the SEC-TV channel. OU lost, but still won the SEC as the 2nd-place team also lost today. At about 7:45 p.m., I went to the 5th Avenue MDR for dinner. It wasn't busy because Cozumel night has the fewest guests in the MDRs, and I was seated straightaway with Sheila. Good dinner tonight, I had the Stuffed Mushrooms, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Ziti Pasta course, and the Chicken Coq au Vin entree, with Banana Ice cream for dessert. I retired after dinner to watch some Television and update this blog. It was a great Cozumel day.
Saturday, May 3rd / Day at Sea / Day 7
Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well. We also changed our clocks back to Eastern Time last night. I had a leisurely morning, then at about 12:30 p.m. I went to the Central Park MDR for Sea Day Brunch. I forgot about a full-day brunch, or I would have gone earlier. I sat at a large shared table and ordered the Cheeseburger Platter with French Fries and Onion Rings. It was a thick burger, but well prepared (cooked all the way through) with onions, lettuce, and tomato. I did a short walkabout, and guests are enjoying the day. The crew talent show seemed friendly and well-attended. Great weather on the outer decks, although some rolling seas in the afternoon. While away from the cabin, Jon did another great job of cleaning. The final OU softball game of the regular season began at 5:00 p.m., and I watched it by streaming on my laptop. MSC has Elon Musk’s Starlink, and it works great at sea. I went to the 5th Avenue Dining Room (photo) at about 7:30 p.m. and again had my unusual table, and Sheila was my server. It was Italian night with tables and servers in Italian colors. I ordered: Minestrone Genovese, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Marinara Chicken Parmigiana entree, and Limoncello Cake with Banana Sorbet for dessert. A lovely Italian dinner. I retired afterward to begin packing for early debark in the morning. It was a nice final sea day on the MSC Seashore.
Sunday, May 4th / Day at Sea / Debarkation
Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well. I was up early to finish packing and at about 7:05 a.m. left the cabin. I was lucky on the elevator, being on a high deck, and was soon on Deck 6 and joined the line for Self-Debarkation. It was good timing, and I was quickly off the ship and through the Facial Recognition at Border Security. I made the first shuttle bus to Parn-N-Cruise and was soon on the road. Cloudy and I hit the rain at the slowest part of the drive beyond Lakeside, FL., entering Pasco County. I was home at 10:00 a.m. A very smooth and quick debarkation. Three hours from the Cabin to Home.
