MSC Seashore - 2025 Halloween Cruise

 MSC Seashore - 2025 Halloween Cruise

Just the Facts:

Ship: MSC Seashore

Captain:  Marco Colonna (Italy) / Hotel director: Paul Cernat (Romania) / Cruise Director: Jose Ventura (Dominican Republic)

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 a great day with Coca-Colas, a few Daiquiris, and Pizza for lunch.  I also did a lot of travel business.  Most of the relaxing day was spent there, enjoying the view of Ocean Cay.  From about 4:00 p.m., I had cabin time until meeting for cocktails at 6:00 p.m. in the Brooklyn Bar.  At 6:45, the Diamond Party was held in the La Caberet Rounge, and I enjoyed a Hugo Spritzer and saw the senior staff of the ship introduced.  Then it was time for our 7:15 p.m. reservation in the dining room.  Tonight I ordered the excellent Spinach Salad with bacon & walnuts, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Short Ribs entree, and Carrot Cake for dessert.  It was good with the salad as the highlight. 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 wonderful day on the MSC Seashore.

Tuesday, October 28 / Ocean Cay - private island, Bahamas / Day 2

We were docked overnight, so no rocking to sleep, but I did sleep well.  Like magic, today the ship is decorated for Halloween, and it’s well done.  There are also some well-decorated cabin doors.