MSC Seashore - 2025 Halloween CruiseJust 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 7th cruise on the MSC Seashore, my 29th cruise on MSC, and my 226th cruise overall. I again have the newish Blue-Diamond status, which is now the highest level in the MSC Loyalty Club, and this is a repeat of my spring cruises.
Sunday, October 26 / Port Canaveral / Embarkation / Day 1
I was assigned an early boarding time, so I planned accordingly and left the Florida Villa at about 8:30 a.m. for the drive to Port Canaveral. I arrived at Park-N-Cruise at about 10:45 a.m. Another change in operations is that we again leave the car keys with them. They have changed systems three times now, yet remain very efficient. I soon boarded a shuttle bus to the port terminal. We arrived at Pier number 10 just after 11:20ish. As the bus arrived, I noticed a very short line for boarding. The new Blue Diamond status benefit made it very easy for me. I rolled my single-rolling duffle bag to the nearby Yacht Club kiosk, and 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 smooth embarkation. Since the cabins don’t officially open until later, I went to my muster station located in the casino, then to the Marketplace Buffet on Deck 16 for a light lunch. I then went to the Brooklyn Lounge, met a friend, and had a few Elderflower Martinis until cabins were announced ready at about 2:30 p.m. I have a standard Fantastica interior on Deck 15 near the forward elevators. I hung my clothes in the wardrobe and prepped my cabin for the week. At 6:00, I returned to the Brooklyn Lounge for cocktails before our 7:15 p.m. dining assignment in the Central Park (Main) Dining Room on deck five aft. I had a nice dinner, ordering the Creme of Tomato Soup, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Prime Rib Beef entree, and a nice Pistachio dessert. Dinner was good. I did a brief walkabout, and there weren't many Halloween decorations as I expected, but it's not really a big holiday in Europe. After such a busy day, I retired early after dinner and went to sleep. It was an easy embarkation day on the MSC Seashore.
Monday, October 27 / Ocean Cay - private island, Bahamas / Day 2
Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well. I woke at about 8:30 a.m. and decided to go to the MDR for breakfast. I had a custom breakfast of three fried eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, and hash browns. Also, a fruit bowl, Danish, and hot milk. It was good. The weather is excellent considering there is a Category 5 hurricane just south of us near Jamaica. I was having cabin time until my steward came to clean, so I went up to the Jungle Pool area and scored a great table overlooking Ocean Cay. My bar server, Erick from Kenya, really took care of me, and later, my friend Mike joined me. It was great day with Coca-Colas, a few Daiquiris, and Pizza for lunch.
