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MSC Yacht Club Menu: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks (2024)

June 21, 2024

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MSC Yacht Club Menu: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks (2024)

Introduction.

Click here to download the MSC Yacht Club Breakfast menu.
Click here to download MSC Yacht Club Lunch menus.
Click here to download the MSC Yacht Club Dinner menus.

MSC Yacht Club provides a private paradise at sea. This all-inclusive hideaway, which includes an exclusive Butler service, reflects the elegance of cruising on a private yacht with all the facilities of the largest ships right outside your door.

MSC is well aware that, among other things, the stomach is the gateway to a guest’s heart. Therefore, MSC strive to serve the yacht club menu with exclusivity. There are four components to the MSC Yacht Club menu:

MSC Yacht Club Breakfast menu
MSC Yacht Club Lunch menus
MSC Yacht Club Dinner menus
MSC Yacht Club Drinks menu

In this post, I’ll go over each of these individually. So let’s get going.

MSC Yacht Club Breakfast Menu

The breakfast menu at the MSC Yacht Club is the same every morning, so guests may start their days with their go-to favorites. The breakfast menu includes light continental meal along with hot and freshly made dishes.

Enjoy traditional eggs benedict, indulge in a custom omelet, or choose from a range of other breakfast favorites. You can always find a satisfying breakfast to fuel your day’s activities because the MSC Yacht Club menu is consistent.

MSC Yacht Club Lunch Menus

The lunch menu of the MSC Yach Club has a dynamic array of choices in 5 different sections namely,

Bakery items and
a section called “Always Available” having Caeser Sald, Pennette Pasta and & Angus Beef Burger

Among these 5 sections, Starters and Entrée sections’ dishes change daily for surprising and delighting your palate. Food items coming under “Always Available”, Desserts and Bakery remain same.

This allows guests to relish in their favorite dishes. The daily variations in Starters and Entrée section ensure there’s always something new to try. If you want a light salad or a hearty entrée, the MSC Yatch Club lunch options cater to your tastes and preferences.

MSC Yacht Club Dinner Menus

Yacht Club Dinner Menus served in 7-night of your MSC trip have 3 different types,

Regular Dinner Menu

Gala Dinner Menu

Special Themed Night Menu

Regular Dinner Menus in MSC Yacht Club

These dinner options are provided five out of seven evenings during your MSC Yacht Club tour. The MSC Yacht Club’s Dinner menus reflect MSC’s dedication to culinary excellence, with a rotating variety that guarantees a different experience with each meal.

Classic culinary items that have captured the hearts of many people are a standard in these menus, bringing a sense of comfort with new flavors. Each of the 5 regular dinner menus served in MSC Yacht Club has 5 sections,

a section named as “Delicious Healthy”
a section called “Always Available” having Grilled Salmon, Broiled Beef Fillet, Chicken Breast & Sauces
Bakery items

MSC Yacht Club’s Gala Dinner has 5 different sections. Let’s get into them.

Start your meal with our delightful selection of appetizers.

Burgundy Snails: Tender snails served with garlic herb butter and a crunchy baguette crouton.
Twice-Baked Blue Cheese Soufflé: Fluffy soufflé with toasted walnuts and sweet fig chutney.
Williams Salad: Fresh mixed greens with pears, celery, caramelized walnuts, and a tangy carrot orange dressing.
Shellfish Bisque: Rich and creamy soup topped with brandy foam and chives.

Gala dinner’s main courses offer a variety of delicious and hearty options.

Fresh Pasta Made on Board: Egg fettuccini in a creamy porcini mushroom sauce, made fresh on the ship.
Champagne Risotto: Luxurious Carnaroli rice with a creamy Pecorino Romano sabayon.
Grilled Lobster Tail: Succulent lobster served with steamed asparagus, new potatoes, and aromatic butter.
Beef Tenderloin Rossini: Tender beef with foie gras, truffle shavings, red wine reduction, new potatoes, and green asparagus.
Imam Bayildi: Flavorful baked eggplant with onion, tomatoes, and confit bell peppers.

Deliciously Healthy

Every night, the “Deliciously Healthy” section offers a tailored experience that focuses on fish and vegetables. This part is offered in all three types of dinner menus: regular, Gala, and Special Themed Dinner on MSC Yatch Club.

It’s a celebration of flavor and nutrition, designed to satisfy without sacrificing quality. Discover the unique flavors and traditions of the Greek islands in this section of the Gala dinner menu.

Steamed Octopus Carpaccio: Thinly sliced octopus with potato caper salad and basil oil.
Monkfish Medallion au Gratin: Monkfish with a bouillabaisse reduction, potatoes, and sautéed mussels.
Mint-Flavored Pineapple Salad: Refreshing pineapple salad topped with coconut flakes.

Baked Just for You

Enjoy daily selection of freshly made breads.

Assorted Bread: Spelt rolls with seeds, country white rolls, and black olive focaccia.

Finish your dinner with our delectable sweets.

International Cheese Selection: A selection of cheeses paired with fruit and vegetable preserves, honey, jellies, fresh and dry fruit.
Chocolate Royal Cake: Dark chocolate mousse with crunchy praline and vanilla anglaise.
Crêpe Suzette: Caramelized crêpe with vanilla ice cream and toasted almonds.
Tiramisù: Mascarpone cream with ladyfinger biscuits dipped in coffee and topped with bitter cocoa powder.
New York Cheesecake: Classic cheesecake includes chocolate, caramel, peach, strawberry or passion fruit toppings.
Grandma’s Chocolate Cake: Rich cake with layers of dulce de leche and chocolate fudge.
Selection of Ice Cream and Fruit Sorbets: Ask your waiter for today’s flavors.
Petits Fours: Bite-sized sweet treats.
Fresh Fruit Plate: Several types of fresh fruits.

Special Themed Dinner Night

Keeping ties with its Italian roots, MSC ensures to make your gastronomic trip more magical by the Serata Italiana, which offers a deep dive into Italian-themed foods that raise your dinner experience to a joyful celebration.

Premium Extra Package included

The Yacht Club’s all-inclusive package includes the Premium Extra Package , which offers a variety of beers, cocktails, wines, top shelf spirits, and non alcoholic beverages to complement their meals.

MSC Yacht Club Drink Menu

In MSC Yacht Club, talented mixologists compose the perfect drink for you, anytime of day. Begin your day with a cup of bio-organic Lavazza Tierra coffee, indulge with a crisp craft Gin & Tonic or Elixir Spritz during aperitivo, or sip an old-school martini.

MSC Yacht Club drink menu has something for everyone. So let check out what is available in the MSC Yacht Club drink menu.

Coffee by Lavazza Tierra!

Caffe latte
Caramel Macchiato Latte
Mocca Latte
Nutella Latte Deluxe
Vanilla Caramel Latte

Hot Chocolate by Arthemia

Orange & Cinnamon

Tea from the East India Tea Company

The East India Company’s Tea Master is exceedingly meticulous, going to great lengths to find and purchase the best teas from all around the world. Each tea has a distinct tale to tell, and the blends are carefully chosen to ensure that every cup of tea is excellent.

Royal Breakfast
The Staunton Earl Grey
Lemongrass & Ginger
Nile Chamomile
The Campbell Darjeeling Princess
The Forbidden City Jasmine Blossom
The Prince Sultan’s Green with Mint
Tropical Punch

Morning Star

Bloody Mary by Elixir (Tito’s vodka, Elixir’s Mary mix, tomato juice)
Mimosa Blossom (Absolut Mango vodka, Galliano, orange juice, simple syrup, prosecco)
Bloody Mary Zero (Elixir’s Mary mix, tomato juice)
Mocha Breakfast Shake (400 cal.)(Chocolate whey protein powder, coconut milk, coffee, banana, unsweetened cocoa, walnuts)
Very Berry Protein Shake (150 cal.) (Strawberry whey protein powder, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, low-fat milk)

Mineral Water

Premium still water 75 cl
Premium sparkling water 75 cl

Fruit Juices

Bottle 20 cl (Peach, apple, mango, tomato)
By the glass 20 cl (Orange, pineapple, cranberry)

Energy Drinks

Red Bull 25 cl can
Red Bull Sugar-free 25 cl can
Dolce Vita (Baileys Irish Cream, Captain Morgan Spiced rum, banana liqueur, cream, drizzle chocolate)
Ocean Cay (Malibu voconut rum, blue curaçao, coconut syrup, diced lime, fresh mint leaves, club soda)
Piña Colada (Myers rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream)
Strawberry Daiquiri (Bacardi Black rum, strawberry syrup, lime juice, simple syrup)
Classic Margarita on the rocks or frozen (Patron Silver tequila, Cointreau, sweet & sour mix, kosher salt)
Mangorita (Mezcal, Cointreau, mango purée, lime juice)

Zero Alcohol

Passion Fruit G&T (BUSS N°509 Passion Fruit 0.0% gin, passion fruit puree, lemon juice, Fever -Tree Refreshingly Light tonic, dehydrated lemon and passion fruit, coriander seeds)
Vibrante Martini Spritz (Martini Vibrante Zero, deydrated orange wheel, non-alcoholic sparkling wine)
Mojito Zero (Mojito mix, mint leaves, simple syrup, club soda, mint sprig)
Piña Colada Zero (Pineapple, coconut cream, pineapple juice, milk)
Strawberry Daiquiri Zero (Strawberry puree, sweet & sour mix, sugar sysrup,lime juice)

Draught Beer

Lager 20 cl / 40 cl (Heineken, Netherlands; Tegernseer, Germany)

Bottled Beer

Heineken, Netherlands
Stella Artois, Belgium
Budweiser, USA
San Miguel, Spain
Dos Equis, México
Beck’s, Germany
Nastro Azzurro, Italy
Newcastle Brown Ale, England
Guinness, Ireland
Paulaner, Germany
Baladin Wayan, Italy
Strongbow, England
Heineken 0.0, Netherlands
Coca-Cola 33 cl can
Coca-Cola Zero 33 cl can
Fanta 33 cl can
Sprite 33 cl can
Lipton Ice Tea Peach 33 cl can
Lipton Ice Tea Lemon 33 cl can
Fever Tree Royal Tonic 33 cl can
Fever Tree Mediterranean 33 cl can
Fever Tree Elderflower 33 cl can
Fever Tree Pink Grapefruit 33 cl can Fever Tree Refreshingly Light 33 cl can
Red Bull Organic Ginger 20 cl bottle
Red Bull Organic Cola 20 cl bottle

G&T Club by Gin Project

Elderflower Floral (BUSS Nº509 Elderflower gin, Fever-Tree Mediterranean tonic, dehydrated orange peel, cinnamon stick, clove)
Engine Herbal (Engine gin, Fever-Tree Mediterranean tonic, sage, dehydrated lemon)
Mango & Lime Fruity (Whitley Neill Mango & Lime gin, Fever-Tree Elderflower tonic, dehydrated passionfruit slice, rosemary sprig)
Aloe & Cucumber Herbal (Whitley Neill Aloe & Cucumber gin, Fever-Tree Elderflower tonic, dehydrated cucumber, rosemary sprig)

Spritz & Beyond

Aperol, The Original (Aperol, prosecco, splash of soda, dehydrated grapefruit)
Hugo (St-Germain elderflower liqueur, prosecco, soda, mint)
Tunisian by Elixir (Vermouth Blanc infused with carraway, corriander and cumin, prosecco, dehydrated chili pepper, cinnamon stick)
The Italian by Elixir (Rouge infused with olives, basil and sundried tomatoes, prosecco, sundried tomatoes, basil)
Queens Spritz (Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger gin, prosecco, ginger ale, dehydrated lemon, mint)
Negronic Sbagliato (Campari Bitter, sweet vermouth, procecco)
Mojito (Bacardi Superior White rum, mint, sugar syrup, lime juice, club soda)

Old School, Throwback

Classic Old Fashioned (Woodford Reserve, simple syrup, Angostura bitters
Godfather (Makers Mark bourbon, Disaronno)
Negroni (Engine gin, Campari Bitter, red vermouth)
French 75 (Bombay Sapphire gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, Ferrari Brut)
The Real Long Island (Vodka, tequila, gin, rum, triple sec, simple syrup, lemon juice, cola)
Cucumber & Basil Martini (BUSS Nº509 Elderflower gin, St Germain elderflower liqueur, cucumber, basil, simple)
Passion fruit Martini (Whitley Neill Mango & Lime gin, passion fruit purée, vanilla syrup, lemon juice)
The Cosmopolitan (Absolut citron, cranberry juice, Cointreau, sweet & sour mix, strawberry syrup)
Dirty Martini (Aviation gin, dry vermouth, olive brine, olives)
Salted Caramel Espresso Martini (Caramel, dark rum, chilled espresso, caramel syrup, Himalayan salt and caramel rim)

Wines & Other Spirit

You may explore selection of wines and spirits by scanning the QR code provided.

In Summary: MSC Yacht Club Menu

Dining at the MSC Yacht Club is more than just the food; it’s about the experience. With no bookings required in your any of the restaurant, you may enjoy these exquisite delights anytime you choose. MSC Cruises offers an unparalleled, all-inclusive dining experience.

As you sail across the oceans, remember that at the MSC Yacht Club, every meal is an occasion, every mouthful is a celebration, and every moment is to be cherished. This is more than simply a voyage; it’s a culinary adventure at sea.

This Cruise Life

Msc yacht club menus (2024) with pictures.

In January, we sailed on MSC Meraviglia for a 9-night cruise. Each night, we dined at the private Top Sail Restaurant – exclusive to Yacht Club guests. Because food is such an important part of our cruise experience, we captured every dinner menu to share with you.

To make it easier to digest (see what I did there!!), we’ve split the 9 dinners into 3 separate pages, complete with photos of the food. Scroll down to see just how well we ate during the course of our cruise!

MSC Yacht Club – Night One Dinner Menu

For our first dinner in the Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge, we each enjoyed multiple starters and entrées. We both ended our meal with the Tiramisu.

MSC Yacht Club Menus (2024) with Pictures

I got the Nordic Salad and the Fire-Roasted Tomato Cream Soup as my Starters. Because I couldn’t decide on my meal, I got two: the Tortellini Stuffed with Asparagus and Mascarpone Cheese along with the Punjabi Tadka.

MSC Yacht Club – Night Two Dinner Menu

The second night in the Top Sail Lounge was the Gala Dinner (aka, Formal Night). There were so many wonderful options on the menu, and we, once again, each ordered several appetizers!

I ordered the Williams Salad and Burgundy Snails (fun fact: escargot is one of my favorite starters). For my entrée, I ordered the Champagne Risotto. While I won’t rehash our Yacht Club Food Review on YouTube here, let’s just say it was one of the best dishes I had in the Yacht Club. I ended my meal with the Crepes Suzette.

MSC Yacht Club – Night Three Dinner Menu

Our third dinner in the Yacht Club’s Top Sail Lounge was no different than our previous nights; we couldn’t decide what to order! So, both Rocky and I each got several appetizers. I stuck with the risotto for my main as I enjoyed it so much the previous night and I finished off with the evening’s featured dessert.

To start, I had the Cream of Argenteuil Asparagus Soup from the “Deliciously Healthy” section of the menu. Side note: I find it kind of funny that the Deliciously Healthy section is placed directly under the full Desserts menu. haha

I also enjoyed the fried Asiago Cheese Fritters (definitely not from the Deliciously Healthy section). For my main, I ordered the Truffle Risotto. Again, I don’t want to give too much away, but WOW. This was fantastic; I highly recommend. Finally, for dessert I ordered the Cherries Jubilee which was flambéed by the maître d’. Extra points for both presentation and flavor. Once again, another highly recommended dish.

MSC Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge Menus

Keep on eating and enjoying; check out the next set of menus below:

MSC Yacht Club Menus (2024) | Top Sail Lounge Nights 4, 5, and 6
MSC Yacht Club Menus (2024) | Top Sail Lounge Nights 7, 8, and 9

Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge Full Review

We’re working on a complete dinner service food review from our time on board. If you haven’t already, subscribe to our YouTube channel so you’ll be notified when that goes live. In the meantime, check out our entire MSC Meraviglia YouTube Playlist !

The Traveling Steve's

Our traveling adventure blog.

The Steve’s Review of MSC Seaside’s Yacht Club

Steve (DOS) and I sailed MSC’s Seaside cruise ship for the first time this past week; October 15 – 22, 2023 for a 7 night cruise to MSC’s Ocean Cay (MSC’s private island in the Bahamas), Costa Maya, and Cozumel Mexico. As this was a new cruise line for us, I’ll detail my/our experiences here in a bit more detail, similar to what I did when we first sailed Virgin Voyages this past July. Warning: this is a long post with lots of photos! (Sorry in advance for any typos!)😀

First some quick ship stats: for the MSC Seaside (per Wikipedia)

153,516 Gross Tons
Length: 1,059 Feet
Beam: 141 Feet
Total Cabins: 2,067
Passenger capacity: Max 4,961
Entered Service: December 2017
Cost when built in 2014: €700 million Euros
Country of Registry: Valletta, Malta
Current number of cruise ships in MSC fleet: 23

DRIVE TO THE PORT: As we live in the Orlando, FL suburbs, the Port of Cape Canaveral (where the Seaside is currently sailing from) is only an hour drive from our house, which make it super convenient. Not only that, but Cape Canaveral, in my humble opinion is one of the easiest embarkation/debarkation points we have sailed out of. It is not the closest port, however, to the airport as it’s an hour’s drive via car or shuttle bus, unlike Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) which is a short distance from the FLL airport terminal.

ARRIVAL AT PORT CANAVERAL: MSC currently leaves from terminal 10, which is the former Royal Caribbean (RCL) Cruise terminal. We saw RCL’s Wonder of the Seas docked further down the terminal channel, so I guess they needed bigger space for their mega series of ships.

We arrived at Port Canaveral Terminal 10 around 10:45am, and the luggage drop off and parking were a breeze, thanks to the good signage and uniformed port staff providing directions. There was very little car traffic at this hour, and the tour buses coming from the airport had a drop off point just for them, so they weren’t interfering with the flow of traffic. We parked on the ground level of the garage (shaded area), took a photo of where we parked, and walked the short distance to the terminal with our carry-on luggage, taking a selfie along the way of us with the giant ship behind us. One huge thing that at least the Port Canaveral Terminal Garage 10 does, is collect the parking fee upon entry via credit card. This really expedites the traffic flow upon debarkation, something other port garages such as Miami do not do, which caused lengthy exit delays when we sailed out of there in late July on Virgin’s Scarlet Lady. Ideally Miami’s garage should at least have an EPAS exit, as their garages handle multiple cruise lines out of the same garage, with various lengths of cruises, so pre-paying is perhaps not an option there.

Once at the terminal, we quickly found the Yacht Club (YC) tent area where we were verified for YC, and then sent thru a quick security check line. From there we were directed to a dedicated large conference-type room in the terminal, where we would then check-in for our cruise. We had already completed the paperwork and had downloaded the MSC app, but we still printed out our travel documents per MSC’s website guidelines, which makes it easier should the phone need re-charging or an update when you’re trying to check-in. (I’m old fashioned I guess, but I always print my boarding pass for the airport for the same reason; don’t always trust the phone and/or app when I need it most.)

The check-in process was very quick and we were given a glass of champagne as we entered the room. We then received our room card key which indicated YC access. They did not have the blue wrist bands available at check-in, (which will also allow you to open your stateroom door), but we picked up our complimentary bands two days later onboard at the photo gallery. While we waited a few minutes for our boarding to commence, we sipped our glass of pre-boarding champagne together with the other YC guests, and toasted to an awesome cruise ahead!

After a short wait in the pre-boarding area, we were escorted in small groups aboard the ship where we were led directly thru the main lobby atrium. Here we met our personal shipboard Butler Agus, who assisted us from there. Agus helped us with our carry-on luggage and escorted us from deck five thru a few public areas, until we reached the forward elevators which took us to our “ship within a ship”, the Yacht Club section. The Yacht Club occupies the forward third of the 16th, 18th, and 19th decks aboard the Seaside. (There is not a deck 17 on this ship as it is an Italian ship, and 17 (like 13 in the US) is considered an unlucky number.)

Once in the Yacht Club, we had a seat in the Top Sail Lounge, which is the huge main cocktail lounge exclusive to the 200 Yacht Club passengers. We had yet another glass of the complimentary Champagne in the Lounge (actually Prosecco to be technically correct), and met some of our fellow passengers, while we again sipped our Bubbly. (And it’s not even 11:30am yet!). There was a nice assortment of snacks, nuts and pastries as well, but we skipped over those for now as lunch was in the near future for us. In a few minutes, we were gathered with a few other guests for a quick orientation of the Yacht Club’s services, amenities, meal hours etc, which was lead by the lead Concierge staff person, Raj. After the 10 minute or so orientation, we went to our cabin, which was just down the hall, also on deck 16. We knew from the moment we boarded that the Yacht Club was truly special, and this would be an awesome cruise!

STATEROOM : After the orientation in the Top Sail Lounge, DOS and I headed to our stateroom which was just down the hall. Our room was 16014, with 16 being the deck number, and 014 the room number. The room was quite comfortable, and categorized by MSC as a “Superior Yacht Club Suite”. While our room was not what I would consider a full suite, it was a nice sized Jr. Suite in size, similar to those on other cruise lines and quite spacious enough for us. We had a King sized bed, half open-sided wall adjacent to the bedroom, dividing off the living room sofa, a large bathroom (no tub) with decent sized shower and a large single sink vanity. Robes were provided for use onboard, and the large towels and bed linens were of very good quality.

The outlets for electronic devices were a bit lacking as they weren’t located on either side of the bed, but on the long table with pull out drawers. We brought a cruise-allowed power adapter (not a surge protector which are banned on all cruise ships) we bought on Amazon which is cruise-safe, and handled our other devices, such as our iPhones, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac Book. The is also a European power outlet under the TV, as well a couple USB outlets.

FIRST MEAL ABOARD: LUNCH! After briefly settling into our cabin and unpacking our carry-on items, we headed up to Deck 18 (only one level up due the “skipping” of the 17th floor per Italian superstition) to the Yacht Club (YC) Dining Room. I’ll talk at length about the Yacht Club further down in this post, but for now the relaxing lunch with wine made for quite a friendly welcome aboard and literally a taste of what was to come over the next 7 days. We met our waiter and assistant waiters, who would expertly serve us throughout the cruise.

EXPLORING THE SHIP: After lunch in the Yacht Club, it was time to venture out of the YC exclusive area, and explore a bit of the rest of this mammoth ship. I say “a bit” as even by the end of the cruise we felt like we had only seen some of the major ship venues, and never quite learned our way around the ship, even with the lighted ship maps located near the elevators and elsewhere.

The layout in some places could be a bit strange, such as on Deck 16 towards the mid/aft of the ship, where you needed to go down or up a deck to cross all the way to the back of the ship (due to a galley blocking part of the passageway) or the plethora of mirrors aboard in some corridors that had us saying hi to the “other people” coming towards us, only to realize we were saying hi to ourselves! LOL! 😂

Part of the fun of going on a new ship, however, is getting lost finding your way around; it really is a beautiful ship with so many sectional venues that it will take some time to explore even the main parts of the ship by day and night.

MAIN LOBBY : At the centerpiece of the ship are the beautiful Swarovski decorated crystal staircases located in the ship’s main atrium. These staircases lead to several levels, and flank either side of the multi-level stage areas that are used for various musicians throughout the day and evening, as well as on the main open air bottom level of the lobby. The backdrop of the atrium is an ever changing myriad of colors and scenes, depending on the occasion.

There is a huge semi-circular bar which is visible from the staircases and overlooks surrounding them, and serves as a focal point entertainment venue for the numerous onboard events and parties. We even saw Elvis, and Michael Jackson one night!

ELEVATORS: The ship has two primary banks of elevators; one towards the forward of the ship; and one a bit past the middle of the ship. The main elevators are “smart” elevators, although I would say the “smart part” needs a bit of tweaking to them. The idea in theory is great, provide more efficient elevator access by matching groups of passengers going to the same floors, although at peak times that doesn’t work the best. Basically by each elevator there is a mini iPad type device where you select your floor, which is also indicated by the deck’s name; i.e, Miami Beach deck.

The elevator then calculates which elevator will be the quickest, and tell you the elevator (via letter and number, i.e. G5) and the approximate wait time. During slow periods, these worked fine, but when several hundred people got out of a show at the same time or returned from a busy port of call, things got a bit more hectic. Ideally each person in their group, say four people, should enter the floor number, not just one person from the group, so the elevator can calculate the capacity as 4 riders instead of 1. Unfortunately this is not obvious, and I don’t recall seeing signage to tell people to do this which at busy times can be quite crowded and confusing with multiple groups of people trying to ride as a single passenger, instead of their actual group size.

Busy periods aside, though, I really love this concept, as busy elevators on these mega ships in general (most other lines included) face the problem of over-crowded elevators, and people riding up to go down, and not getting off at the correct top or bottom floor; instead just getting on to secure their space in the crowded elevators. These “smart” elevators do not have any floor buttons once you are on board so you can’t change your mind or better yet, don’t have kids pushing every floor button of the elevator!

There is also one small bank of two elevators in the aft area of the ship by the aft pool, which are not the “smart elevator” type. There is also an elevator inside the Yacht Club for exclusive use of the YC passengers, but it only operates on the YC floors 16 – 19.

LOUNGES/BARS: According to the MSC website there are some 19 bars and lounges onboard! And, no we didn’t try all of them out on our seven day cruise! While we primarily used the Top Sail Lounge in the Yacht Club, as well as the YC’s pool bar, we did go to several of the other bars and lounges in the main part of the ship as well. We were concerned the main bars/lounges outside the YC would be jam packed all the time, but that really was not the case most of the time. While many were busy, with the exception of the large main atrium bar, and main and aft pool bars, we didn’t have trouble finding seats or barstools at some of the other bars and lounges. We tried the Sports Bar, which had a large selection of drafts (but oddly no IPAs such as Lagunitis here or elsewhere on the ship I could find), the Seaview Lounge, and the Haven Lounge, both of the latter offered live entertainment, as well as the main atrium lounge.

We didn’t try out the Champagne Lounge on the upper level of the main atrium, but walked by it several times as well as the Chocolate Bar; both of which looked nice but not overflowing with crowds.

There is also a small bar (more of a to-go bar) in the buffet area on deck 8 which is open late while the late night buffet is being served until 1am, which is fine for grabbing a brewski or drink to your table while munching on the midnight food and snacks.

GAME ROOM: We didn’t utilize the game room, but did pass thru the Game Room Arcade a few times when walking towards the back of the ship. There was a Formula One Race Car simulator, complete with an actual size car that can be “driven” around the large virtual screen track directly in front of it. It looked pretty realistic, and we watched a man probably in his early 40s having a ball with his racing skills!

There is also a two lane bowling alley in the arcade room, but we never saw anyone bowling, although we weren’t there very much other than just passing thru. I was hoping to video someone bowling as it must be quite tricky on a moving ship; I’m sure there’s lots of curve and gutter balls even from experienced bowlers!

There are also other video games as well, all of which required payment or a game pass of sorts via the ATM like kiosk or pre-pay on the cruise card.

SPA Area: We’re not spa kind of people (i.e. don’t get massages, use the treatment rooms etc) so we can’t speak for the Spa, other than it was quite large, and people we spoke to really enjoyed their massage and even the “mud treatment”. (I’ve always wanted to try that seaweed wrap treatment but DOS says “that’s phooy”, you’ll gain your weight back as soon as you drink water or alcohol! Possibly, but it does sound like fun!)

Any passenger on the ship can book the “The Thermal Suite Pass” (which is complimentary for Yacht Club Members), and provides access to the Thermal Suite area and and spa deck area; a private section of deck 16, just prior to entering the YC section. We did not use the Thermal Suite on this trip as we seemed to be too busy on this cruise (not sure what we were doing other than relaxing, but we seemed busy all the time!) We did walk thru the spa outdoor deck area on our daily walks around the ship for exercise, which is shown in the next couple of photos, which never seemed to be busy, and was a nice wide area of the deck as well.

We did like the cold towels the Spa staff handed to all guests when they came back from port, on the dock area near the entrance to the ship. The white washcloths were chilled (like Celebrity Cruises and Princess does), but also sprayed with an exotic Eucalyptus mixture that smelled divine. Of course they sell the bottled mixture in the Spa if you like it!

POOL FUN : The main (non Yacht Club) portion of the ship has several pools, divided into different sections. There is an adventure pool area that has a kiddie pool and other water activities, while there are 2 racing water slides that go out over the starboard side of the ship, while on the port side there is a similar, but larger twisting water slide that uses a raft to ride the slide down to the bottom. Scrunched in-between, in the center of the Adventure Club area, is another twisting slide that finishes on the bottom deck of the Adventure Club pool area. None of the slides were overly busy and were complimentary, although you had to sign a waiver and get a wrist band prior to riding them. Adults as well as kids seemed to be enjoying themselves! I’m sure in peak summer or holiday periods there would be hundreds more kids using these facilities, though on our mid-October sailing it was not overwhelming.

SAIL-AWAY PARTY: Sure enough, as quiet and empty as the ship was when we first got on and started exploring the ship, it quickly filled up by sail-away time. There was a big sail-away party at the aft pool deck area, but it was a bit too busy to see the entertainment staff, and a bit too noisy for us to enjoy, so we retreated back to the quite calm of The Yacht Club. I told Steve (DOS) at times leaving some of the crowded main areas of the ship was like being in a busy airport terminal, and then suddenly entering the calm of an airline’s international First Class Lounge! Not really an exaggeration either, as a couple of fellow Yacht Club passengers said something similar.

SHOPPING GALLERY : As expected for a ship of this size, there are several shopping areas aboard the ship, ranging from logo items, to duty free liquors and other items, to Swarovski crystals, jewelry, cosmetics, to men’s face creams to make you look ten years younger. Maybe I should have bought two of the face cremes to shave 20 years off my age!🤣

We’re not big shoppers except for souvenir type items, but we did purchase the ship’s Seascape model (which I try to collect of ships we have taken), which was priced at $56, and was a nice quality metal model on a wood base. I wanted an MSC cap, but oddly enough they were out of them, and I didn’t see any nice logo T-shirts that I cared for, so we settled for just purchasing the ship’s model.

We had the same issue on Virgin Voyages recently where they were out of their logo caps, and like on MSC, this was only on the second night. Don’t know if ships are having supply-chain issues or people are gobbling them up right away (I think the former as you they would want to advertise their product), so if you see something you want in the gift logo shop, I would buy it early on in the cruise.

CASINO: While we’re not gamblers, we did stroll thru the casino after the theater shows let out, as it was a passageway towards the mid to the aft of the ship, and you really couldn’t avoid it. Although MSC allows smoking in the casino, it really was very well filtered, and this comes from someone who is very sensitive to second-hand smoke. There were definitely plenty of slots for every type play you like, as well as many table games as well.

The huge bar served as a functional and aesthetically pleasing circular sports bar as there were TV monitors mounted from the ceiling pointed down to the bar below.

YACHT CLUB EXPERIENCE: Wow oh Wow! What can I say about this? The Yacht Club (YC) is an exclusive area for 200 or fewer passengers, which makes up only 5% of the ship’s capacity, yet offers the best service, food, and amenities aboard. The YC occupies the forward 1/3 of decks 16, 18, and 19, with YC cabins on decks 16 and 18 (there is no deck 17 on these Italian ships due to superstition of the number 17). The YC offers mostly similar “Superior Suite Balcony” cabins, although there are 2 Royal Suites, and a few inside cabins as well, all which receive the same Yacht Club service, although the Royal Suites do get a reserved onboard pool-side cabana and much larger suite. (There are other cabanas in the YC available complimentary to YC passengers, on a first-come basis, and can be reserved onboard.)

Note there are actually several categories of larger suites aboard the Seaside that are not in the Yacht Club area, and these do NOT include the 5 star Yacht Club admittance and perks; they are basically larger cabins located throughout the ship among the masses of other passengers. Even though we’ve had very large suites on other lines, the room on MSC was almost secondary as the service and amenities in the public Yacht Club areas were far superior than being in a large suite in a non-Yacht Club area, although the larger space would be good for families needing extra space. All of the rooms in the Yacht Club are in the same key-only accessible area, and it was like being at a Country Club as it was such a small group of passengers with such a high staff to passenger ratio. It was easy to meet most of the fellow YC passengers over the course of the cruise, and it really was like a family between the staff and passengers by the end of the cruise.

The Yacht Club is entered via a key-carded entry door, where the 24 hour Concierge desk and staff are located, and glad to answer any questions, assist with shore excursions, specialty dining, and any type special request you may have.

The long hallway internal to the YC is mirrored on both sides, a common design theme used throughout the ship; lots of mirrors everywhere! On the starboard side where our cabin was located, there is also another keyed entrance door which bypasses the Concierge, and lead down a couple hallways to our room.

At the end of the hall on deck 16, is the Top Sail Lounge, a large and elegant cocktail lounge exclusive to the YC passengers. It faces the front of the ship and has plenty of seating on chairs, sofas, and at the bar area as well. It is here where (well actually anywhere in the YC) you can truly relax away from the mass market crowds of passengers in the main parts of the ship. No loud music and shouting, although there is a piano player/singer who entertains in the evening and special events such as the Captains cocktail party, High Tea, etc, and one night there was a saxophone player entertaining as well.

During other times of the day and night there is light and soft jazz or supper-club type music piped in thru the speakers, which makes a subtle background effect, without being overwhelming, even in the pool lavatory! There are always plenty of staff serving the YC, and there is never a wait for a drink, be it bottled water or your favorite cocktail, wine, or beer, and all but the most premium wines and liquors are included both here and throughout the ship (with two exceptions, the chocolate bar and the gelato bar in the main areas of the ship.)

Meals Aboard: Unlike the main part of the ship which has 3 seatings in a couple of dining rooms, which require a reservation time, the YC is open seating, and offers 3 waiter-serviced meals a day, in addition to the YC buffet which is available until 7 -10 am for breakfast and normally 12 – 3pm for lunch. We usually ate at the outdoor buffet for breakfast and lunch as the service hours were later and longer than the restaurant, and it was quite an extensive buffet you could enjoy around the pool, or outdoor seating area.

We did have lunch in the Yacht Club Dining Room the first day, and breakfast in the Dining Room on Debarkation Day; both of which were leisurely and wonderful, but we preferred the casual poolside buffet most days for breakfast and lunch. (The YC buffet is not open for dinner, although they have hors d’oeuvres in the Top Sail Lounge for a pre or post dinner snack.)

We always had dinner in the YC Dining room, which was truly a treat! Dinner is served nightly from 6pm to 9pm, and is open seating with no reservation required for whatever time you like to dine between the posted hours. We requested the same section each night so we had the same wait staff, and normally dined around 7:30pm. The menu selections changed each night with the evening’s theming, but they always had a few classics you could order from if nothing was to your liking, which including a Filet Mignon, Salmon, Cesar Salad etc.

Unlike other mainstream US cruise lines, there are 3 courses offered instead of the usual four on RCL, Celebrity, Princess and others. The portion sizes are also a bit small than other lines, but we thought this was actually a positive thing as many times cruise lines oversize their portions, although that too has changed since COVID in serving size portions. MSC offers a choice of several starters, entrees, and desserts (including selections from the cheese cart which I loved.). If you wanted another entree or like Steve (DOS) another or different starter, the wait staff was only too happy to oblige. As drinks were included, we tried several different wines with different food pairings over the week cruise, and one night the sommelier surprised us with a Beaujolais to try with our starter. We never would have guessed what it was (he didn’t tell us initially) as it was quite complex; like a more full-bodied Pinot, than a Beaujolais which is usually a young and more simple wine. Our wine of choice however, was the French Medoc they freely poured, or the Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon.

The food, presentation, and service were truly outstanding in the YC, and the Chef visited us table-side a couple evenings, while the Maitre D’ always stopped by to check on us. Our waiter and assistant waiter were absolutely some of MSC’s best!

Outdoor YC Pool Area/Bar/Buffet: On deck 19 was the YC Sun Deck, pool, and bar/buffet and outdoor seating area and cabanas. This was a large area, although most of the lounge chairs were not shaded unfortunately. As the YC’s sundeck was in the very front of the ship, umbrellas would probably not work due to the wind, although the area was quite protected by full length window panels, which mostly blocked the wind. On the downside, the large window panels created a bit of an obstacle for taking photos, although for sunset photos or in-port photos such as MSC’s private island, we could get good and unobstructed photos from our room’s balcony, as the window panels did not block the view as they did on the sundeck.

The YC saltwater pool was deeper than it looked, at around 5 feet deep, although the sign said 4’8″. The pool was a fun place to socialize and cool off, and we used it most days due to the great weather.

There are also two whirlpools located a bit further forward of the sectionally partitioned YC club, which are on the forward part of the YC sundeck.

Little extras mean a lot: The Yacht Club includes so many little extra touches with attention to detail, which makes it so extra-special. Your choice of daily newspaper: Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, and others, which are condescended versions of the papers, and printed daily on site.

Evening chocolates on the pillow, and some type of surprise treat each evening, such as white chocolates in a plexiglass box, a bottle of Prosecco one evening, a box of 4 sampler chocolates in a gift box the last night, replenishment of your mini-bar beers, water, sodas per your request etc.

Butler Service is included along with your room attendant, and the Butler will escort you anywhere on the ship and even to the exit for port days and debarkation. This was a huge benefit, especially being led to the reserved Yacht Club section for the Theater production shows. The High Tea service was especially nice and classy, and served in the Top Sail Lounge.

Production Shows: There were FIVE Production shows on this 7 night cruise! (Most 7 and even 10 night cruises only have a maximum of three, filled in with other acts on the other nights). Each show was different and some were better than others, but were all energetic with 4 main singers and 9 dancers, with additional specialty-act performers on some of the shows, such as the Peter Punk and Michael Jackson show.

The show theater itself while very large with two aisles and a center section (with stadium type seating allowing for great views), seemed a bit under-sized for a ship this large, sailing with 4,300 passengers on our sailing, so a couple of the most popular shows actually had 3 seatings (7:30, 9:30, and 10:30pm) instead of two most nights, due to the capacity requirements.

Unlike most other cruise lines, the Cruise Director did not make an announcement forbidding photography or even video taping at each show, and it seemed like quite a few people discretely videoed some of the performance number highlights, including myself, which I have included a few short segments below of some of the shows.

We enjoyed all of the shows, although we did not go to the two comedy shows on the non-production show nights, with the Circus Spectacular and the final night’s Michael Jackson show really extra well-done.

PORTS OF CALL : MSC OCEAN’s CAY was without a doubt our favorite port stop on this cruise. Like other cruise lines, MSC has their own private island in the Bahamas, however on our itinerary we were docked at Ocean Cay overnight, allowing for two full days on their private island, something other cruise lines do not do.

The island is also reachable via a dock area, so there is no need to tender to the port. As our cabin was on the starboard (right) side of the ship, we had an awesome view of the private island, including the landmark lighthouse, which has a light show at night, overlooking the beach party there.

We absolutely loved MSC’s Ocean Cay, and as DOS and I both agreed, it reminded us of Royal Caribbean’s (RCL’s) Coco Cay, before they turned the quiet island into a “theme park” with gigantic waters slips, a hot air balloon, zip lines etc. Not that there’s anything wrong with that if you want a bit of adventure for the whole family, but we much prefer the more pristine and natural look of a tropical island without all the added frills which we could do onboard or at a waterpark back home if we wanted to.

As there is no tendering required, it’s quite easy to debark the ship, and quickly explore the island. Our ship was the only ship in port both days, so it really did feel like a private island without the crowds. As passengers in the Yacht Club, we were escorted down to the exit, and once on land directed to a golf-cart tram, which transported us to the other side of the island, to the exclusive Yacht Club compound on the private beach.

The Yacht Club section includes the only air-conditioned passenger building on the island for the club house bar. There was really no reason to access the bar most of the time though, as the service was exceptional, both on the beach as well as at the adjacent Yacht Club Ocean Restaurant. We did go in there a couple times for a quick bottled water or drink if we were passing by there for a restroom stop or to cool off a bit.

As lunch the first day was from noon to 2pm, (11:30am – 1:30pm on the second day), we were a bit early for lunch, so headed to the gorgeous private beach just steps aways from the restaurant/bar area. The private beach area was huge, and offered plenty of lounge chairs with umbrellas (complimentary). We had read that the beach itself could be a bit rocky, so we brought some waterproof beach shoes which were great for not only the water, but walking on the hot beach.

In addition to the complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas, beachside cabanas could be pre-reserved as well for a fee. As the service was so good to everyone, we really didn’t see a point in getting a cabana, and were quite comfortable with our beach chairs and umbrellas, as servers were constantly coming by on the beach to provide us beverages. The beach chairs were actually closer to the water as well. The Bahamian water was so crystal blue and clear, it invited most passengers in for a refreshing dip.

Snorkeling was not offered at the Yacht Club beach, possibly as there was no protective netting there (more in a moment – yikes! 😱), but it was offered at the non-Yacht Club main beach areas for a fee.

We went to lunch around 1pm at the Yacht Club outdoor Ocean House Restaurant, which is covered in most areas, along with ceiling fans to cool off. The food has different menus both days, and unlike a Buffet for the non-Yacht Club areas we passed on the way in, the YC section has full waiter service. It is served by the same wait staff on the ship, so it’s nice they know you, and you know them for the service they provide with a smile.

Steve (DOS) had always wanted a lobster roll (served on the second day on the island) but doesn’t like mayonnaise, so he told that to the waiter, who in turn talked to the chef, and DOS got his lobster roll without mayo and loved it! Later on in the cruise, the chef actually came by our table one evening at dinner and asked him how he liked the lobster roll without mayo! Outstanding service, and passenger memory preferences as well!

After a leisurely lunch, we headed back to the beach to relax for a while and enjoyable the beautiful mid-October day in the Bahamas. We actually got more than we expected, with some “wildlife” viewing, swimming around in the water. Yes, we saw a few sharks really close to the shore! 😱 These were sand sharks, and I guess when everyone was at lunch and the water was empty of beach goers, they decided to swim close to the shore and feed on the tiny needle or other fish. I could not believe how close the sharks got to the shore; literally in a foot of water! 🤪😜🤔😱

We, along with most our fellow passengers at the beach took photos and video of the sharks swimming around, although I don’t think anyone else got back in the water that afternoon. There is a lifeguard, and he cautioned people about the sharks, but it didn’t take much caution for us to avoid the water after lunch!

The next day, we didn’t see the sharks though, and it seemed safe to go back into the water. I looked up sand sharks when we got back to the ship and Wikipedia had this article on them. They are normally “docile” to humans and are not aggressive unless provoked. They are usually more active at night, so I guess we “got lucky” by seeing them in the afternoon!

In the evening of our first day at MSC’s Ocean Cay, there were two lighthouse shows, and a huge beach party on the sand. We intended to get off the ship and go to the party, but after a big dinner and a few drinks we felt a bit lazy, so watched the show and party from our 16th floor balcony; actually probably the best view from anywhere.

The beach party was adjacent to the lighthouse, and in full view for us as seen from our balcony, looked lively and fun as well. The beach party, and island “curfew” lasted until 11:30pm, at which point everyone rebounded the ship until the next day, while the “island people” who live there freshened up the island overnight.

There were two different light shows; one at 9 and one at 10pm, and in between the shows were rotating light effects; i.e. MSC logo, different color lights etc, and coordinated with music as well.

The second day on Ocean Cay was basically a repeat of the first day, but without any shark sightings.😀 It was nice to sleep in a bit, have breakfast aboard the ship, and then head back to the Yacht Club Beach Resort; it had a feel of staying at a nice Caribbean land resort. DOS had his lobster roll for lunch, while I had the lunch tournedos of beef, and an ahi tuna salad.

We sailed from Ocean Cay on our second day there, at 5:30pm for our next port, Costa Maya, which we would arrive in two days, after a day at sea on the way there.

COSTA MAYA, MEXICO: This is a newer Mexican port as far as tourism goes, but already it has gotten quite popular, and unfortunately crowded. The day we we docked here, there were a total of 4 mega ships in port, (RCL’s Adventure OTS, Allure OTS, Carnival Pride, and our ship MSC Seaside) and as the ships shared the two long dock areas, it was quite busy just walking down the long perpendicular dock ramps to the Costa Maya cruise entrance.

Once there, it felt perhaps a little less busy than Mardi Gras, with most passengers wandering around aimlessly watching the free show in the town square, going to the many bars there, shopping, some even swimming in the huge pool there, or like us heading down to the “swim with the dolphins” area to have a look.

We skipped on doing Costa Maya’s “Spa Treatment”, which consisted of women (and even some men) soaking their feet in an aquarium filled with tiny fish. Supposedly the fish gently chew on your dead skin, and somehow this “reduces stress” and “makes skin smooth and soft!”. I don’t know, but I got stressed just watching these ladies with their feet getting chewed on by those little fish! To each his own I guess; hey they’re in Mexico enjoying themselves. (At least the lady on the right. The lady on the left kept looking at her watch, like “how much longer do I have to have my feet in this horrible tank!”

We did not do a shore excursion or tour here on our own, as we stopped here last year in March 2022 on a Princess cruise and had gone into town on that trip. While there were mega ships in that day as well, as it was still the trailing part of the COVID pandemic, most of the ships were only sailing half full then, so while the port was busy in places (such as the taxi stand), the port itself was more like a ghost town compared to this trip’s visit to Costa Maya. The one part that was busy then was when we took a taxi into town, and it was a bit of a free-for-all getting a cab. The town itself wasn’t as busy as the hectic cruise port, and offered massages on the beach next to one of the many ocean front beach bars and souvenir shops. The town was worth a look if you hadn’t been, and it had much more of a feel for the “real” Mexico with its rustic sea-side village. You can view our stop in Costa Maya last year on this Princess post if you want to see the village town of Costa Maya.

COZUMEL MEXICO: We’ve been to Cozumel several times over the years, and always enjoy the stop there. While there were three or four ships in port the day we were there, Cozumel has several docks which are spread out by a couple miles, so it’s not nearly as overwhelming with crowds compared to Costa Maya, where the docks are all in the same area. We were docked at the International Cruise Port Terminal, which is the preferred terminal as it’s in town and the port area has some of the fun places to visit; i.e. Margaritaville and Señor Frogs among others. We had no excursions booked here, so basically wondered around the port area and into town for some exercise and bought a souvenir hat, being the big spenders we are!🤣

I first went to Cozumel in 1987 on my very first cruise, Bahama Star Line’s Veracruz, when Cozumel was not a well known port of call, and the ships that did stop there were much smaller than today’s mega-monsters. That first 5 day cruise on the Veracruz, got me hooked on cruising for life, and I have fond memories of the 3 cruises I took on her the first two years alone, eventually expending my cruise repertoire to now over 75 cruises on various cruise lines with different cruise lengths and regions of the world That tiny ship, the Veracruz was only 10,000 tons or so with perhaps 700 passengers, and there were no balconies, specialty dining, internet (Internet! 🤣🤣🤣 It wasn’t even invented yet!🤣🤣🤣), but it brings back great memories to this day, and many former passengers and staff have commented on my Veracruz post from a few years back with their stories down memory lane on her as well.

Anyway, sorry I digress down memory lane. What reminded me of Cozumel and the Veracruz, was the Hotel that you see in port, at the International Terminal where we were docked on the MSC Seaside. That Hotel has been there for years, although has undergone many renovations (even now) due to hurricanes and general upkeep and modernization.

It was formerly called “El Sol”, Spanish for “The Sun”. I never stayed there, or even visited the property, so DOS and I toured the lobby of the hotel and grounds, which although under partial renovation, looked very nice. Even though it was so close and just across the dock area from the cruise ships, it had a secluded feel to it, with a nice pool facing our ship, a nature walk with outdoor spa, whirlpool, bar etc, and was tropically landscaping as well. DOS even went to inquire on room types and rates at the Front Desk before we left, which is now called “El Cid La Ceiba”.

In my younger, “Veracruz” days, (pre-DOS) I would take the old Fiesta party boat as a shore excursion to a private beach, with unlimited rum punch and a piñata party and dancing on the way back to the port.

I’m sure they have something similar to the Fiesta boat now, but we skipped the party scene on this return trip to Cozumel, although did have a look in at Margaritaville and Senior Frogs. I settled for my souvenir cap from Ron Jon’s Surf Shop in Cozumel, and we made our way back to the ship for lunch. It was a beautiful day in Cozumel while we here on the MSC Seaside in mid-October 2023.

MISC/OTHER Onboard Experiences : On MSC Seaside, there were several other optional tours and events, wine tastings, backstage tours, Bingo, Slot Pulls etc you could signup and pay for, although we did not do any of them; not so much out of lack of interest, rather there were so many other activities to do, and hanging out by day at the Yacht Club pool area was one of them! 😀

Behind-the-Scenes Tour: I would have loved to have taken MSC’s Behind the Scenes Tour, but it was quite an extensive tour and required lots of walking up stairs and other areas of the ship (per their description) and as I’m still recovering from my heart surgery last year and I didn’t want to over-exert myself, although I’m doing fine walking on level surfaces. The backstage tour includes off-limits areas to guests including the Engine Room, Galley, Bridge, and Backstage of the Main theater among others. The Backstage Theater tour was always my favorite on Celebrity Cruises, and I’m sure this all inclusive Behind-the-Scenes tour would fail to disappoint as well.

Wine Tasting Events: Another event that sounded promising was one of the wine tastings. We walked by the display table for the wine tasting event that was setup adjacent the Butcher Cut (Specialty steak dining venue), and it looked quite elegant with various size Riedel glassware and fine wines. We’ve done many ship wine tastings on many different ships, and have always enjoyed them, so from the descriptions of the wine tasting it sounded very nice; again it was more of a timing thing for us. We enjoyed one wine tasting event on Celebrity Cruises years ago, that got us hooked on the Riedel glassware and use it to this day (after breaking a few glasses over the years and replenishing them obviously!)😱 A proper wine tasting with Riedel should include a different type glass for each varietal tasted, noting the differences and shapes in the stemware, paired with the appropriate wine for the glass from which you are sampling.

Caviar Tasting : We did not do this, but met a couple of ladies in the Yacht Club who did, and loved it! I believe the cost was $50 for this tasting, which is held at Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse at various times.

Specialty Dining : There are several Specialty Dining venues on board, including the Butcher’s Cut, an Asian Restaurant, and a Seafood Restaurant. The Butcher’s Cut especially looked wonderful for me Steve (UNO) as I’m a steak and potatoes kind of guy, and the cuts of beef (and wines) are on display adjacent to the Specialty Restaurant’s Lounge and worth at least having a look. /

We actually enjoyed the Yacht Club Restaurant so much we didn’t even make it to one of the Specialty Dining’s Restaurants aboard (although I would have chosen The Butcher’s Cut if we had gone) as we had an included complimentary Specialty Restaurant dinner with my (status match) Diamond status on MSC. Passing up on a complimentary meal at Butcher’s Steakhouse tells you how much we enjoyed The Yacht Club’s restaurant. (Actually though, I was getting a bit Filet Mignon’d out by the fourth day!)😀

Optic Eye: This was unique to us, and again we didn’t do this, but it was interesting, at least in concept. According to MSC, “it’s all the rage in Europe”, although we’ve never heard of it there either. Basically they scan your eyes with a device similar to one at an optometrist office, and it creates a colorful artwork design of your eyes, enlarged to make a poster, photo, canvas etc. I don’t know maybe it’s me, but I don’t think I would want my eyes staring at me all the time at home in the living room, but it is a unique conversation piece.🤔

BINGO! Everyone knows Bingo and if you play it, you know it! Onboard every cruise ship.

Zip Lining! This is one activity I definitely wouldn’t do, but was hoping to watch. They only offer it certain times of day, and unfortunately the last sea day was a bit windy so it was closed. I just wanted to video the brave souls that soared high over mid ship’s top deck toward the aft pool area. The zip line, (after you sign your life away waiver) costs $11 a zip. No thank you from the Steve’s, although it’s probably a blast if you’re an adventurer type.

I’m sure there are many other paid events and experiences aboard, but these caught my “eye” so to speak, out of interest even though we didn’t do them. There were plenty of free activities as well such as trivia, karaoke, dance classes, beach parties, pool parties, sail-away parties, etc, etc, etc. Whatever you do, you won’t be bored or run out of things to do, and you certainly won’t go hungry.

Farewell Day at Sea: The last day of the cruise is traditionally sad for us, as you have to pack up and realize the cruise is ending early the next morning. On this cruise, most likely due to the Yacht Club service, accommodations, easy itinerary and mostly casual clothes, we were really able to relax the last day.

Traditionally the first and last night of a cruise are very casual with the idea being passengers just arrived and/or have not unpacked their luggage, or on the last day have already packed up their luggage for the trip home. On MSC in the YC at least, about 50% of the passengers dressed up in semi-formal attire for the farewell Italian dinner on the last night of the cruise. This was the only night I wore shorts to the dining room as we had already packed and were only traveling an hour home to Orlando the next day. I felt a bit uncomfortable although quite a few other Floridians and others were wearing shorts as well. Some of the passengers also wore shorts to dinner on the port days, but mostly it was dress casual aboard except for the one formal night, which was not the last night of the cruise.

We spent a good part of the day by the pool area, having lunch as usual at the outdoor YC buffet. As a nice afternoon treat, the waiters come by and pass out your choice of ice cream too!

For dinner, it was Italian night, and all of the waiters were dressed in tuxes with the Italian flag colors for the tie and vest. Even the tables had alternating colors of red, white, and green of the Italian flag.

Disembarkation: We had our farewell breakfast in the YC Restaurant at 8am on disembarkation day, as the regular pool-side buffet breakfast was not served on the last morning. Having the full breakfast and not being rushed on Debarkation Day was especially nice vs the normal Continental Breakfast you get on some lines as you’re in a hurry to get off the ship and avoid crowds.

After breakfast, we waited for a bit with the other YC guests in the Top Sail lounge as we waited to be called; rather escorted down to the exit one last time. The “walk off” guests were called first; i.e. those passengers aboard the ship (everyone, not just YC) who were carrying their own luggage off the ship (as opposed to checked luggage), which must have been a few hundred passengers. No rush for us though as we were comfortably seated in the lounge area.

We disembarked around 9:10am, and were escorted all the way to the exit, following a roped off line so the passenger mix wouldn’t get in with our flow of YC traffic. Our luggage was waiting for us in the terminal, and we got a porter to assist us (very smart move!), who wheeled our luggage thru Customs and all the way to our parking spot in the parking garage. We were on our way home by 9:30am, and home by 10:35am; quite an easy disembarkation and trip home. Welcome Home!

Final Thoughts on the MSC Seascape after our first sailing:

Certain areas of the MSC Seascape (more so than allowed on most other cruise lines) allow smoking. This seemed to be the main pool on the starboard side, but even the YC allowed smoking on the front portion (away from the pool though) starboard side. I don’t recall anyone smoking in the YC area however, so it wasn’t a problem for us, although on the main pool area starboard side there were quite a few smokers. The casino allows smoking but it is really filtered well, so wasn’t terrible just walking thru it, as we don’t gamble.
YC is truly a class by itself, and is so worth it if you can afford it. Compared to booking a suite on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Princess, it’s quite a bit cheaper as well, and RCL doesn’t include the drink package with all but the very top suites, nor their Beach Club access on their private island (an extra $200 a person for the one day there!)
The production shows in the theater do not allow you to bring a drink into them. Not a huge deal though as the shows are typically 30 -35 minutes. There were actually 5 production shows on this 7 night cruise, plus two comedy shows. The shows were shorter, except for the Michael Jackson show which lasted about 45 minutes vs 30 minutes for the others.
YC service includes Butlers who will escort you anywhere on the ship, and for disembarking in port as well as final debarkation. While we normally only used this service for the theater shows and going off the ship, it really does save lots of time, and makes it much easier to attend the shows, as you don’t need a reservation for the reserved YC seating area. Main passenger guests need to make reservations for the shows and queue up, while YC passengers are escorted by a butler 10-15 minutes prior to show time in a dedicated seating area which always had seats for us and others, even on the full shows.
YC guests do not need a reservation for dinner as it’s open seating in the YC Dining Room. Other guests must make reservations for dinner, and depending on the fare level you paid, you may not be able to pre-reserve your dining preference at one of the three seatings.
To us it seemed a bit of an oddity, but there are ATM-like credit card verification kiosks several places aboard the ship, where you needed to verify your credit card to enable charging on your account. We just thought it was a given to charge your credit card on file, but I guess some people put down a cash deposit, and need to have a card cover their excess charges on board. We just provided a credit card and “activated” (that’s what MSC calls it) when we boarded, and we were good to go for any incidentals.
The YC covers all meals, 2 internet devices per person, virtually all alcoholic and other drinks, Butler and Room Attendant services, complimentary room service (you can even order a whole pizza to your room!), dedicated Concierge service, nightly turn down service (with chocolates!), daily choice of newspapers, pillow menu, etc: so worth it all! Best of all are the dedicated spaces for it’s own restaurant, lounge, private pool and sundeck area, and the YC Beach section at Ocean Cay, as well as complimentary access to the Spa Thermal Suite.
The YC does NOT include daily staff gratuities, shore excursions, spa, or gift shop items.
MSC will “status match” their frequent quest program to another cruise line or an elite Frequent Flyer or Hotel Program. I got status matched with Hyatt Globalist which gave me Diamond status with MSC. It’s not a huge benefit, but provides a 5% discount, and one specialty dinner aboard. The YC restaurant itself was so good, however, we didn’t even go to one of the specialty dining venues, even though we had a complimentary meal at the speciality restaurant of our choice.
At least on the Seaside out of Port Canaveral, the shipboard announcements were not as many in quantity as we expected. It’s possible these (except for emergency or Captain’s announcements) were muted in the YC area, but we didn’t hear any more than you would on a Princess or RCL ship. This would be different in Europe I imagine due to the many nationalities boarding there, as well as the different length of cruises, even within the same 7 or 10 day itinerary (people may disembark in one port, vs taking the whole roundtrip cruise like on the Seaside out of Port Canaveral).

Finally, If you’re still here reading this; thanks for sticking around! I’ll finish this lengthy post with the finale the MSC singers and dancers concluded the Michael Jackson show with on the final night of the cruise. This song was a fitting sendoff to everyone, and in effect the ship itself is a bit of the United Nations itself with the multiple nationalities from both crew and passengers, that make up this floating city. The video is taken from the back of the theater, so it’s not the best quality, but it gives a happy and bittersweet moment for the end of show and cruise. Thanks for reading, and God bless the crew members here and worldwide that work so hard for us, and are away from their families for months at a time, so that we may enjoy our cruises. Take care everyone, and safe and happy travels!

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10 thoughts on “ The Steve’s Review of MSC Seaside’s Yacht Club ”

Steves, thank you so much for taking the time to write this exhaustive description of your experiences. It is chock full of useful information that I will make good use of.

My pleasure! We enjoy sharing our experiences and tips with others. Thanks for your comments!

Hi both We are booked on MSC SEASHORE which I presume is mostly identical in October. Yacht Club….. I can’t wait for this top notch experience. Your review brought it to life especially the private island. Your writeup of the boarding experience was very informative and will mean hopefully we wont wait in the wrong queue with no fizz! Excellent and thanks

Hi Graham, glad you enjoyed my post on the Yacht Club. While we haven’t taken the Seashore, from what I’ve read (as it’s based in North America) it should be a very similar experience. As the Yacht Club is such an intimate and enhanced experience, you’ll meet many of your fellow YC passengers there, and everyone we met said they would only do the YC on MSC again it was so wonderful! Enjoy your trip on the Seashore!

Thank you so much for this really detailed review. We were suggested Yacht Club by our travel agent but we haven’t yet made a final decision based on so many negative reviews of both MSC and the Yacht Club. Your review makes me much more likely to give it a try this coming October!!

You will love the Yacht Club if you do it. Yes, MSC itself has had some negatives; mainly due to the ‘nickel and diming’, required reservations for shows etc in the basic MSC lower, non YC cabins.. The Yacht Club, however is in a totally different league. There are only about 200 passengers in the YC, and it feels like a “country club” setting. You are free to explore the ship ship anywhere, however it feels so special coming back “home” to the YC. I really think you will like it. We’ve sailed many cruises on many lines, and we were quite impressed with the level of service and attention to details. Enjoy!

We have been dedicated Celebrity cruisers for a few years now. One of our sons got employed by MSC last Fall, and we took advantage of a “Family & Friends” program to cruise on MSC SEASHORE in March for four nights. Balcony cabin was nice, ship was beautiful, staff was great, but certainly not Celebrity level.

We are going back on SEASHORE in June for ten nights in The Yacht Club, then on Seaside in November out of Miami, and SEASHORE again next April. All Yacht Club, which we can do for the price of a regular balcony on Celebrity.

Really enjoyed this great review, and really looking forward to the MSC Yacht Club.

We have enjoyed the upscale Celebrity experience as well over the years, and are going on the Beyond for the first time in August. We were quite impressed with the service level on MSC’s Yacht Club, and felt it was more personal than many ships we’ve sailed. For the price point you’re absolutely right; the YC is less than a balcony on Celebrity, plus for the Caribbean itineraries at least, many offer an overnight at MSC’s private island which is wonderful! Enjoy your upcoming cruises!

Wow love this review. I hear the msc ships are beautiful and prices can be good but not much else positive. You have about convinced me I need the YC for my sept bday cruise now off to research! We always cruised carnival for convenience then tried celebrity and they won us over and our last cruise celebrity didnt work out tried princess and had a wonderful experience similar to celebrity but a few extras. YC seems like the way to go thanks so much for the post. What has been your favorite cruise based on the experience not the ports? Staying overnight sounds nice. Thanks!

Hi Donna, we love the Yacht Club on MSC and are looking forwarding to taking it again, this time on the MSC Seashore in late October. The slightly larger Seashore replaces the Seaside out of Port Canaveral, which we had taken last year. As far as favorite cruise ship (not taking the ports or location into account), that is a tough call to make. The MSC Yacht Club “area” rates as among the best service we’ve had at sea, and makes for a similar experience to even the ultra deluxe lines such as Seabourn.

Some of the other best times aboard ship were on the older Celebrity “Millennium Class” ships, such as the Constellation, Millennium, Infinity, and Summit (all 4 basically twins with slight in decor and the specialty restaurants. I think we liked the smaller size from the mega-liners of today, less crowds, a bit more formal (at least years ago, not now), easier meeting people and seeing them again on the ship, favorite waiters etc. Although you said to not mention ports, these “Panamax” sized ships were (and still are) ideal for a Panama Canal transit, as they can still fit thru the old Panama Canal locks, with only 1 foot or so to spare on either side of the ship. You can literally touch the side of the canal you are so close! The newer and bigger ships must transit the new locks, which while interesting are much bigger and lack the historical context of the original old locks. Other ships: Love Seabourn Encore for its much smaller size and boutique, country club casual like atmosphere and service. Celebrity Beyond – even a mega ship, it has something for everyone, but still a bit to big for us. I’m writing a post on our recent experience, so check back in a couple days. Your question also got me thinking of doing a post on then vs now. I started cruising in 1987 and how it’s changed over the years for better and sometimes not so better, but all good. Thanks for writing Donna!

MSC Seaside | Dining & Restaurants

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Explore MSC Seaside Dining & Restaurant Options

MSC Seaside offers spectacular views of the ocean while you dine. And with eight delicious restaurants, including five sophisticated specialty restaurants, dining at MSC Seaside is as diverse as it is delicious. Services for families are also available. For the perfect aperitif, late-night drink, or mid-day snack, choose from 18 elegant bars and lounges, each with its own atmosphere.

Restaurants on MSC Seaside

Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi - Asian*
Aurea Bar - Suite Guests
Biscayne Bay Buffet & Pizzeria - Casual
Bistro - La Bohéme - French*
Butcher's Cut - Steakhouse*
Champagne Bar - Champagne*
Ipanema Restaurant - International
Jungle Bar - Pool Bar*
Jungle Pool Lounge - Pool Bar*
MSC Yacht Club Grill - Suite Guests
MSC Yacht Club Restaurant - Suite Guests
MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & Bar - Suite Guests
Marketplace Buffet - Casual
Miami Beach Bar - Pool Bar
Miramar Bar - Pool Bar*
Ocean Cay Restaurant - Seafood*
Seashore Restaurant - International
Seaside Bar - Atrium Bar*
Shine Bar - Atrium Bar*
South Beach Bar - Pool Bar*
Sports Bar - Sports Bar*
Top Sail Lounge - Suite Guests
Venchi Cioccogelateria & Coffee Bar - Coffee & Pastries*
Venchi Gelateria & Creperie - Sweets*
Wine & Cocktails - Clubby Bar*

MSC Seaside Free Dining Overview

The main dining room experience aboard MSC Seaside is consistent across Seashore and Ipanema restaurants, sharing identical dining menus encompassing appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Diverse culinary choices, from antipasti and fish to salads, pasta, chicken, beef, and seasonal soups, cater to varied preferences. The menu also features Chef's selections and a "Classic Favorites" section for those seeking familiar options. Notably, extra-fee items are available, each complemented by a complimentary side.

Seashore Restaurant (Deck 5)

Seashore Restaurant (deck 5) invites guests for breakfast daily, lunch exclusively on sea days, and dinner every evening, with three scheduled seatings. However, those opting for MSC's flexible My Choice dining can enjoy dinner at Seashore at their convenience during regular opening hours.

Seating Times: For Breakfast and Lunch, check onboard for hours of operation; Dinner: Early: 5:30 PM; Late: 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM - dining times may vary.
Costs: Food included in the cost of your cruise; specialty drinks, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, wine, beer, and soft drinks are available at current menu pricing

Ipanema (Deck 6)

Ipanema (deck 6), providing stunning sea views through expansive windows, exclusively serves dinner with three designated seatings. Tables at both restaurants accommodate parties ranging from two to 10 individuals. While the main dining room service is generally efficient, it leans towards functionality rather than excessive engagement.

Seating Times: For Breakfast and Lunch, check onboard for hours of operation, Dinner: Early: 5:15 PM; Late: 7:15 PM and 9:15 PM - dining times may vary.
Costs: Food included in the cost of your cruise; specialty drinks, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, beer, wine and soft drinks are available at current menu pricing.

MSC Seaside Buffet Restaurants

MSC Seaside boasts two onboard buffets: Marketplace Buffet on Deck 8, positioned near the outdoor promenade, and Biscayne Bay Buffet on Deck 16, a family-friendly option close to the ship's main pool area. Both buffets provide indoor and outdoor seating, offering virtually identical breakfast and lunch options daily. However, Marketplace exclusively serves dinner each night and features select hours for pizza, grill items, and afternoon and midnight snacks like sandwiches and cookies.

The MSC Seaside buffet pizza is a culinary highlight, crafted fresh throughout the day. It's worth noting that access to Biscayne Bay Buffet from the forward end of Deck 16 is unavailable; passengers must utilize the aft elevator bank and stairs.

For a more exclusive dining experience, the MSC Yacht Club Restaurant on Deck 18 caters to passengers booked in the MSC Yacht Club. Positioned on a balcony overlooking the private Top Sail Lounge on Deck 16, the restaurant accommodates tables for two to ten guests. With a daily varying menu distinguishing it from the main dining rooms, the MSC Yacht Club Restaurant often features premium cuts of meat, offering a distinctive culinary experience.

MSC Seaside Specialty Restaurants and Other Fee Dining Options

MSC Seaside elevates dining experiences with an array of specialty restaurants and for-fee options that cater to diverse tastes.

Asian Market Kitchen by (Deck 16)

This culinary haven, under the guidance of renowned chef Roy Yamaguchi, boasts a trio of Asian delights—Kaito Teppanyaki, a sushi bar, and Hawaiian-influenced pan-Asian cuisine. The shared menu offers flexibility with a la carte options and a prix fixe dining package for Pan-Asian choices, allowing patrons to savor three dishes from a curated selection.

Seating Times: Hours of operation can be Check onboard.
Costs: All items at current menu pricing; specialty drinks, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, beer, wine and soft drinks are at current menu pricing

Ocean Cay (Deck 16)

A pleasant surprise awaits at this nautically themed eatery, offering both prix fixe and a la carte options. The prix fixe dinner allows diners to indulge in a multi-course menu, choosing one dish from each section. The vibrant ambiance and sea views during lunch enhance the dining experience.

Costs: All items at current menu pricing; specialty drinks, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, beer, wine and soft drinks are at current menu pricing.

Butcher’s Cut (Deck 16)

For an extensive menu of fine dining steakhouse delights, Butcher’s Cut delivers. The prix fixe option enables patrons to savor up to three dishes, ensuring a satisfying culinary journey. Sea days offer the additional treat of an a la carte brunch, providing a diverse menu to appease every palate.

Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar (Deck 6) and Venchi 1878 Gelato & Creperie (Deck 7)

Indulge your sweet tooth at these Venchi-inspired outposts. Deck 6 features a chocolate bar offering gelato, specialty coffee drinks, milkshakes, and more. Meanwhile, the outdoor Gelato & Creperie on Deck 7 serves up delectable crepes, milkshakes, waffles, and ice cream.

MSC Seaside’s specialty dining options blend diverse cuisines, ensuring a delightful culinary journey for passengers seeking elevated gastronomic experiences.

MSC Cruises

Msc seaside, dining guide for msc seaside.

Embark on a culinary journey aboard the MSC Seaside, where dining transcends mere eating to become an adventure in and of itself. With choices ranging from the comfort of traditional dishes to the thrill of trying new flavors, MSC Seaside offers an array of dining venues that cater to every taste and preference. Whether you're craving a leisurely Mediterranean dinner, a quick bite by the pool, or an exotic Asian fusion experience, MSC Seaside's diverse dining options promise to satisfy. As you weave through the ship's stunning spaces, each restaurant and bar unveils a unique atmosphere, impeccable service, and gastronomic delights, making every meal an unforgettable part of your seafaring voyage.

Seashore Restaurant

The Seashore Restaurant, one of MSC Seaside's main dining rooms, is the epitome of elegant dining with its sophisticated ambiance and broad windows offering majestic sea views. Here, the cuisine takes you on a Mediterranean journey, with each dish crafted to reflect the rich culinary traditions of the region. Signature dishes such as homemade pasta and succulent meats are not to be missed. The restaurant's leisurely dining experience, encouraging guests to savor each course, is a highlight, with service that's both efficient and warm. A meal here is a celebration of fine dining in an atmosphere that's both grand and inviting.

Ipanema Restaurant

At the Ipanema Restaurant, guests are treated to stunning sea vistas through expansive windows, complementing the international culinary offerings. The ambiance, vibrant and welcoming, sets the stage for a global gastronomic tour. From antipasti to desserts, the menu is a mosaic of flavors, including a 'Chef's Selection' that showcases specialty dishes designed to tantalize your taste buds. Whether it's a romantic dinner for two or a celebratory meal with family, Ipanema offers a memorable dining experience where the joy of sharing a meal is in the spotlight.

Marketplace Buffet

The Marketplace Buffet stands as a culinary hub where flavors from around the world meet. With its indoor and outdoor seating areas, it's the perfect spot for casual dining any time of the day. The buffet's standout is undoubtedly its pizza, freshly prepared and rivaling authentic Italian pizzerias. From hearty breakfasts to diverse dinner options, the Marketplace Buffet is ideal for families and travelers seeking variety and convenience, all in a lively, market-style atmosphere.

Biscayne Bay Buffet

Tucked near the ship's main pool area, the Biscayne Bay Buffet offers a family-friendly dining option with both indoor and outdoor seating. While it mirrors the Marketplace Buffet's offerings for breakfast and lunch, its location makes it a convenient refueling spot for those enjoying poolside adventures. The relaxed ambiance and views make it a pleasant, informal dining venue for guests looking to enjoy quick and tasty meals in a more intimate setting.

MSC Yacht Club Restaurant

Exclusive to MSC Yacht Club members, the MSC Yacht Club Restaurant provides an elevated dining experience with panoramic views from its balcony vantage point. Guests can indulge in a menu that changes daily, offering gourmet dishes with premium ingredients. The setting is refined and exclusive, ensuring a memorable meal with personalized service. This restaurant embodies the luxury and exclusivity of the MSC Yacht Club, making each dining experience unique and highly personal.

Asian Market Kitchen

Helmed by the celebrated chef Roy Yamaguchi, the Asian Market Kitchen is a fusion of flavors where East meets West. This specialty venue encompasses a teppanyaki area, a sushi bar, and Hawaiian-inspired pan-Asian dishes. The intimate cooking shows at the teppanyaki tables are not only entertaining but also showcase the chef's craftsmanship, making it a must-try experience. For sushi lovers and those craving Asian flavors, this restaurant offers a delectable a la carte menu, promising an unforgettable culinary journey.

Ocean Cay, with its sophisticated nautical theme, is a seafood lover's paradise. Offering both prix fixe and a la carte dining options, guests can enjoy a range of meticulously prepared seafood dishes, from fresh oysters to exquisite fish, in an elegant setting. The restaurant's ambiance, reminiscent of a high-end seaside eatery, combined with its stunning sea views, makes for a romantic and memorable dining experience. Ocean Cay's emphasis on quality and freshness merits it a top spot on the culinary map of MSC Seaside.

Butcher's Cut

Butcher's Cut, MSC Seaside's fine dining steakhouse, presents a sumptuous menu in an exquisite, contemporary setting. With an emphasis on prime cuts and a comprehensive selection of wines, it offers a classic American steakhouse experience with a modern twist. The prix fixe option provides a curated dining journey, while the a la carte menu caters to individual tastes. Notable for both its refined ambiance and impeccable service, Butcher's Cut is the perfect venue for a special evening, promising satisfaction for the most discerning carnivore.

Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar

A dream destination for chocolate aficionados, the Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar offers an indulgent array of gelato, specialty coffee drinks, and chocolate in all its glorious forms. The partnership with the esteemed Italian chocolatier Venchi ensures the highest quality chocolates, from pralines to hot chocolate. The cozy, inviting atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for a sweet escape any time of the day.

Venchi 1878 Gelato & Creperie

Located on Deck 7, the Venchi 1878 Gelato & Creperie is a slice of Italian paradise at sea. Offering fresh, artisanal gelato, crepes, and other sweet treats, this venue embraces the spirit of Italian indulgence. Whether you opt for a classic gelato flavor or a savory crepe, each bite is a testament to Venchi's mastery in creating sweet delights. The outdoor setting adds to the charm, allowing guests to enjoy their treats with a sea view.

Bistrot La Bohème

Bistrot La Bohème transports guests to the heart of Paris with its chic, French-inspired cuisine and ambiance. It's a delightful spot to enjoy a glass of wine paired with classic French dishes and small plates. The intimate setting, complete with quaint bistro decor, makes for a cozy dining experience reminiscent of a Parisian cafe. La Bohème stands out for its attention to detail, from the presentation of the dishes to the selection of wines, making it a must-visit for Francophiles and food lovers alike.

Reserved for suite guests, the Aurea Bar offers an exclusive retreat with a wide selection of cocktails and premium beverages. The serene ambiance and top-notch service complement the premium drink offerings, making it a favorite among those seeking a quieter, more refined bar experience. Its location in the Aurea Spa segment of the ship emphasizes relaxation and luxury, inviting guests to unwind in style.

The Jungle Bar, adjacent to the Jungle Pool, immerses guests in a tropical-themed oasis. With its unique decor and relaxed atmosphere, it's the perfect spot for a refreshing cocktail or a cold beverage after a swim. The bar's vibrant yet laid-back vibe captures the essence of an exotic getaway, making every drink a mini-vacation in itself.

Jungle Pool Lounge

The Jungle Pool Lounge mixes the thrill of aquatic adventure with the chill of a tropical escape. Enclosed and weather-protected, it offers a unique poolside bar experience, mirroring the lush ambiance of a rainforest. It's an inviting space for guests to enjoy their favorite drinks in a casual, relaxed setting while taking a break from the sun or enjoying the pool's activities.

MSC Yacht Club Grill

An exclusive escape for MSC Yacht Club members, the MSC Yacht Club Grill elevates outdoor dining to new heights. Situated in a privileged area, it serves a selection of grilled specialties in an elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere. Offering impeccable service and premium culinary selections, this venue exemplifies the luxury and exclusivity of the MSC Yacht Club experience.

MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & Bar

The MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & Bar provides an exclusive sanctuary for Yacht Club guests, combining sun-soaked leisure with sophisticated bar service. This private oasis atop the ship offers stunning panoramic views, making it an idyllic spot for enjoying a cocktail or a glass of champagne in utmost privacy and comfort. The attentive service and tranquil atmosphere create a haven of luxury at sea.

Miami Beach Bar

The Miami Beach Bar buzzes with the vibrant energy of its namesake city, serving a lively mix of cocktails and refreshments poolside. As the heart of MSC Seaside's outdoor entertainment, it's a hotspot for guests looking to sip on their favorite drinks under the sun. The bar's dynamic setting, combined with its fun and friendly service, makes it a central gathering place for those looking to add a splash of excitement to their day.

Miramar Bar

Overlooking the Miramar Pool, the Miramar Bar is a serene locale ideal for those seeking a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere away from the main pool areas. Offering a selection of drinks and light bites, this bar is perfect for savoring peaceful moments and enjoying the view, all while indulging in your beverage of choice. The Miramar Bar's calm ambiance offers a refreshing escape on the high seas.

Seaside Bar

Situated in the heart of MSC Seaside, the Seaside Bar is a central hub of activity and social interaction. Located in the atrium, it's an ideal spot for people-watching and enjoying a drink in the ship's stunning interior. With its contemporary design and wide selection of beverages, the Seaside Bar is a versatile venue that transitions seamlessly from a daytime meeting point to a lively nighttime spot.

The Shine Bar, with its glittering ambiance and sophisticated drink menu, offers a radiant setting for evening entertainment and socializing. Located near the MSC Seaside's theater, it's a popular spot for pre-show cocktails or a nightcap after enjoying the evening's performance. The bar's elegant design and attentive service ensure a memorable experience, making it a sparkling gem among the ship's nightlife venues.

South Beach Bar

Echoing the lively spirit of Miami's South Beach, the South Beach Bar serves up refreshing beverages in a vibrant, open-air setting. Located on the bustling South Beach Pool deck, this bar is all about soaking in the sunshine and the lively atmosphere. With its convenient location and refreshing drink options, it's the perfect spot for guests to hydrate, relax, or enjoy a leisurely drink between dips in the pool.

The Sports Bar is a haven for sports enthusiasts, featuring live broadcasts, memorabilia, and a dynamic atmosphere. Guests can enjoy their favorite games and events while sipping on beers, cocktails, and other beverages. This venue combines the excitement of sports with the camaraderie of fellow fans, making it the go-to spot for those who don't want to miss a play even while on vacation.

Top Sail Lounge

Reserved for the exclusive use of MSC Yacht Club guests, the Top Sail Lounge offers a quiet, luxurious space to enjoy panoramic views, gourmet snacks, and a wide range of premium drinks. The lounge's serene atmosphere is enhanced by live piano music, making it an oasis of calm and refinement. Exceptional service and attention to detail ensure that every visit to the Top Sail Lounge is a VIP experience.

Venchi Cioccogelateria & Coffee Bar

A partnership with the renowned Venchi brings the Venchi Cioccogelateria & Coffee Bar to life, a paradise of chocolate and coffee delights. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee blends with the scent of artisanal chocolates and gelato, creating an irresistible invitation to indulge. Whether for a morning espresso or an afternoon treat, this venue celebrates Italy's legendary love of fine chocolate and coffee.

Wine & Cocktails

The Wine & Cocktails bar, with its sophisticated allure, is a connoisseur's delight offering an extensive selection of fine wines and expertly crafted cocktails. Its elegant setting is perfect for a pre-dinner aperitif or a leisurely evening savoring the complexities of a rare vintage. The knowledgeable staff and the bar's curated offerings make it an educational and enjoyable experience for anyone looking to explore the world of wine and cocktails.

Champagne Bar

Nestled within MSC Seaside's elegant atrium, the Champagne Bar is an epitome of sophistication, offering a selection of the finest champagnes accompanied by a selection of caviar, oysters, and other exquisite pairings. The luxurious ambiance, coupled with the sight of the sparkling Swarovski crystal staircases nearby, makes for an enchanting setting where every sip feels like a celebration.

Msc Seaside: my Yacht Club experience

Msc seaside: 7-day eastern caribbean cruise out of miami. an in-depth travel diary by ernie roller from a yacht club experience. don’t miss many other msc seaside reviews on cruising journal , why msc seaside.

Ever since my first glimpse of the MSC Seaside renderings I knew she was a ship I wanted to sail. Based on the renderings it looked like Fincantieri ’s innovative Project Mille class of ships might finally get built. What makes this design so unique is that it’s not simply a floating box, as is the case with so many new cruise ships today. Instead we have a ship that actually has interesting lines, from the bow all the way back to the stern. In between a condo style superstructure that jets in and out creating a very unique look. Topside a generous amount of deck space, and even more open deck space on the lower decks with a mega-wide promenade deck and even an aft pool fairly close to the waterline.

The internal arrangement also proved interesting, with much smaller and varied venues instead of overly massive ones. Even the show lounge is purposely smaller but with more frequent shows. The main buffet was moved down to the promenade deck, something I’ve only seen on QM2 in a modern ship, but in a unique twist a second buffet was added. All the speciality restaurants are grouped around a central bar area and placed high on the ship. Finally lots of pools to go with all that deck space. A forward pool reserved for the exclusive Yacht Club , and indoor/outdoor large pool with retractable magrodome, a main pool placed slightly aft, and finally a unique pool placed all the way aft and on a lower deck, much closer to the waterline. In addition a large waterpark cleverly concealed and protected within the aft enclosure of the ship’s funnel. The gimmicks are few but some exist. You won’t find bumper cars, rock climbing walls, or a race track; but you will find the two longest zip lines at sea. In addition there are water slides jetting over the side of the ship and some glass walkways providing striking views, but generally the gimmicks are few on Seaside and frankly I appreciate that.

She is a ship for those that appreciate fun in the sun, and her outdoor decks are expansive and varied. I think that is one of her strongest design features. I’ve been enjoying cruises for about 40 years now, and in that time I’ve accumulated about 125 cruises on various ships and lines. I’m not loyal to any one line, and my weakness is new prototype ships. If there is a stunning new design, I’m likely to be booking my next cruise. Seaside certainly fit that bill, and moving forward we have some great new designs to look forward to. Virgin’s new ship and NCL’s new Leonardo Class both look modeled after Seaside and Fincantieri’s Project Mille. I’ll be sailing on both and it will be interesting to compare their adaptations on this unique design. The Virgin version is especially of interest as the first ship will be adult-only. That is very appealing to me. First though is the new Celebrity Edge making her debut later this year, and that is the next prototype ship that is heavy on my radar. She looks incredible and Celebrity rarely disappoints. So with expectations high we booked Msc Seaside and decided on the Yacht Club .

The price was about equal for a standard balcony cabin or a Yacht Club inside cabin. After weighing the pros and cons, the Yacht Club won out. On a 5000+ mega-ship it’s nice to be able to escape to the solitude and spaciousness of a private area. Really more than anything you are paying for space, which is always at a premium on a mega-ship. The Haven on NCL is the closest equivalent to MSC’s Yacht Club , and having already experienced The Haven I was quite familiar with the benefits of a “ship within a ship” concept. Another reason for the Yacht Club appeal is that generally speaking, MSC does not have the best reputation for food and service, and we hoped the Yacht Club would mitigate those concerns.

Having sailed on two previous MSC cruises , we were already familiar with some of MSC ’s shortfalls. Nothing that would prevent me from booking MSC, but something to be aware of none the less. MSC is a European value line making strides to become more prominent in North America. They have greatly altered the North American product compared to their European based ships, but MSC is not Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, etc. and doesn’t pretend to be. Things are done a little differently and the passenger mix is much more international. If you go with the mindset that it will be just like one of those American-centric cruise lines you might be disappointed. Do your homework, read reviews, and discover some of the differences. If they are a deal breaker for you, then stick with what you know. Personally I embrace the differences and perhaps it’s one reason I do enjoy MSC . As I mentioned earlier I’m not loyal to any one cruise line. I love the variety that they all offer, and I’m happy to have MSC as another option right in my back yard.

Embarkation in PortMiami was from MSC ’s newly renovated Terminal F. The Yacht Club has a tent just outside the terminal entrance and that is where you drop off your bags. From there you are escorted through security then upstairs to the private Yacht Club embarkation lounge. Inside there is sparkling wine, juice, and snacks while waiting to be checked in. Once those formalities are complete a butler escorts you onboard and directly up to the Yacht Club for a quick orientation then on to your cabin and an introduction to your personal butler for the week. All in all it would be difficult to top this embarkation experience, especially when you consider how big and how many people this ship carries.

In various ports of call there would often be a Yacht Club representative outside the gangway with a Yacht Club sign. You could go to them and they would expedite you onboard the ship which was a nice touch.

MSC markets our Yacht Club inside cabin as a “suite”, but I already knew this was no suite going in. Basically a slightly longer standard inside cabin with upgraded carpet, bedding, towels, and amenities. Overall I was quite pleased with the cabin (16025) with a couple exceptions. Storage space was minimal. The closet was fine but no other drawers, shelves, or cubby holes. This is a problem shared by every standard cabin on the ship. We literally had to make use of all available space including under the bed. There was only one chair and a nice coffee table although there could have easily been room for two chairs, or a sofa instead of the chairs. Sparkling wine and fresh fruit were waiting. The bathroom was small, again standard size but with an extra rain shower type shower head and a magnifying mirror which are absent from standard bathrooms. In addition we had upgraded soaps and shampoos along with lotion.

Cabin service was excellent and completely unobtrusive. The cabin itself was extremely quiet. We made little use of our butler, but he did bring almost nightly turn down treats along with stocking the refrigerator to our preferences. One nice feature of the Yacht Club that I haven’t seen even on some luxury lines is morning delivery of a newspaper of your choice. The room service menu and breakfast hanging card were ok with their offerings, but certainly nothing special or extravagant. We found it odd that made to order eggs were not part of the room service breakfast menu. An egg sandwich was your only egg option. This is one area where a true luxury line out shadows the Yacht Club. The room service menu would be far more extensive and you could be served course by course should you choose to be. Mind you that would be rather silly in an inside cabin! We basically had to sit on the floor to eat the one time we ordered room service.

Food is a highly subjective topic. Ask 10 people about the same dish and be prepared for 10 different responses. For this reason I won’t spend too much time on it. Overall I found the food on Msc Seaside to be adequate but nothing special. There were some standouts, like steak, pastas, deserts, and bread. I found all those to be fairly exceptional especially the steak we enjoyed in Butcher’s Cut one evening. The variety could sometimes be lacking and other more American-centric lines do offer more nightly choices on the menu. None the less no one will starve and you could always find something that interested you.

Msc Seaside: I liked: Entertainment, design of the ship, Yacht Club experience

Within the Yacht Club , we enjoyed our own restaurant that was open seating and available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Essentially you dine when you want (within the open hours) and with whom. Funny enough, we ended up dining at the same 2 to 3 tables the entire cruise, always in Arthur’s section who was one of the best and most entertaining waiters in all my years of cruising. Wow did we luck out getting him our first night onboard, although I’m sure the other Yacht Club waiters were exceptional as well. Other options within the Yacht Club were a small buffet adjacent to the Top Sail Lounge bar , and the Grill up on Deck 19 by the pool. I enjoyed the fresh grilled specialities at the Grill, yes even lobster and lamb chops, but oddly enough if I wanted a simple burger I had to dine in the more former indoor restaurant or go to the general buffet for the ship. My cravings for a burger did lure me more than once to the Marketplace Buffet , where I found them pretty good along with excellent fries.

In the main buffet we never had a problem finding a seat and the option to sit outside was welcomed in great weather. Towards the back of the buffet they had dispensers for soda, beer, and wine. All automated. Just wave your card or wrist band over the control panel and it would activate. Because we were in the Yacht Club all our beverages were included, but were they not you would have been charged at that point. One feature MSC has deployed to gain market share in North America is a status match program. Before your cruise just submit your highest status at a cruise line or hotel chain, and MSC will match it.

My Elite status on Princess was matched with Black on MSC , currently their highest level. This entitled us to a complimentary dinner in a speciality restaurant. We chose Butcher’s Cut being steak lovers, and we were not disappointed. It was an excellent dinner beginning to end. Another favorite option sometimes after dinner or even in the afternoon was Venchi the chocolate bar onboard. Many chocolate items (such as the chocolate ships) are made right onboard, and it’s fun to watch them getting made. There is even a wall of chocolate, although it was never working the entire cruise. My favorite was a chocolate/strawberry milkshake made with their excellent gelato. Just decadent especially with the fresh and real whipped cream on top. The best part, it was all included being part of the Yacht Club .

Yacht Club services

Service generally goes hand and hand with any dining experience, so I’ll mention that overall I found the service to be excellent. This was especially true in the Yacht Club where everyone was beyond polite and helpful, and always seemed willing to do whatever it took to make you happy. Around the rest of the ship service was great as well, with a crew that smiled and generally seemed happy to assist you.

Another nice feature of the Yacht Club was our own Concierge Desk . They basically handled any request, so there was never a need to wait in the line at the general Guest Services or Shore Excursion desks. Entertainment onboard was varied and excellent in my opinion. I looked forward to all the production shows and none disappointed. I can say that most others enjoyed the productions as well as every single one received a standing ovation. One evening was a shortened version of Madame Butterfly that I quite enjoyed. Very unusual to find an opera onboard a mass-market cruise ship, but MSC was proud to offer it and with good reason.

Entertainment

In large part what made the shows so successful were the talented performers. Singers that could actually sing and dancers that could truly dance. I found these performers to be more Broadway calibre than typical cruise ship standard. The theater size is smaller but to make up for the smaller venue there are more performances offered, usually three a night at a time that will work for you. Some are repeated later in the cruise. I’ve found the new ships of NCL have gone with the smaller showrooms as well along with more performances. The shows are shorter, only 30-40 minutes which means they can offer more of them. I really enjoyed this format and found them all just long enough. Along with Disney , Royal Caribbean , and certain shows on NCL these ranked as my favorite shows at sea. Reservations are required through the MSC For Me app or interactive screens, and more on that later.

Other entertainment ranged from the nightly violinist and pianist in the Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge to game shows, comedians, theme dance parties, and a nightly disco. Sometimes the disco was inside in the Garage Club, and other times outside at the South Beach pool bar. Keep this in mind if booking one of those aft view balconies. Movies were shown nightly at the large outdoor screen but with virtually no seating they were not well attended. A favorite venue onboard was the Seaside Lounge with the nightly smooth sounds of the Silk Jazz Trio. I really enjoyed their music.

Spa and technology onboard

During the day I made good use of the spa daily, and found the thermal suite area one of the best of any ship I’ve sailed. Visually pleasing, there are two types of saunas, two types of steam rooms, a snow room, salt room, heated loungers, outdoor private deck with hot tubs, a thalassotherapy pool, and the Geyser Kneipp , an interesting water experience I’ve never seen before. Access to the Spa’s thermal suite was included as part of our Yacht Club amenities, and a simple swipe of my key card or wrist band granted me access.

As a bit of a techie, I need to make mention of the technology onboard. I was impressed. I found Msc Seaside probably the most technologically advanced ship I have ever sailed, and this includes the newest and largest Royal Caribbean ship the Harmony of the Seas which I would say comes in a close second. I pre-purchased a very reasonable Internet package called the Surfer Package (one of three available). Priced at $44.90 for the entire cruise, it offered a total of 800MB on two devices with access to everything but audio & video streaming. In reality I had 2500MB at my disposal and I’m not sure why I was given the higher amount? At the end of the cruise I didn’t use even half the allotted amount, and this with uploading lots of pictures and using the internet multiple times a day. Initial setup was extremely simple and the MSC system recognized I had already pre-purchased a package.

After the initial log-on it remembered my device and I never had to log-on again, just push the “start” and “stop” buttons on the app to begin or end my external internet sessions. Keep in mind that an internet package is not required to access the general onboard services of the MSC For Me app , that is completely free. Speed was excellent (about as fast as Voom on Royal Caribbean) and I had no interruptions or dead zones, which has been common on other ships. Some little things, like waving your cruise card or wrist band instead of swiping them are nice touch. Some things I’ve never seen before on any ship, such as the camera phone in my cabin where I could FaceTime with fellow passengers. With Blue Tooth enabled on your smart phone, your exact location on the ship was always known. This will come in handy when eventually you will be able to order drinks from your phone (using the MSC For Me app ) and have them delivered directly to you.

Princess is already experimenting with this with their Ocean Medallion program which so far has had its share of teething pains and has been scaled back. Another first was the card slot in the cabin to activate electricity. The trick of using any frequent shopper card in the slot no longer works on Seaside. It now requires an RFID card such as the MSC cruise card to activate the electricity in the cabin. The frustrating thing about this is that you could not charge your electronic devices unless you were in the cabin. Still a great way to conserve electricity and fuel. Ground zero for all the onboard technology is the MSC For Me app . Easy to use and well laid out, you can do everything from booking shows and speciality restaurants, to looking at your shipboard account or even finding your current exact location onboard. You could also peruse the Daily Planner of activities or look at the dinner menu for that evening. Hand in hand with the app are the various interactive information screens around the ship, and the TV in your cabin. They essentially worked the same way, providing another option for those that don’t use smart phones or prefer not to carry one around.

Msc Seaside: I didn’t like: Food, some aspects of the service, and poor storage in the cabins. The ship could feel crowded at times.

For those in the Yacht Club , you also receive a wrist band which serves the same purpose as the cabin key card, with the exception of getting on and off the ship. I used the wrist band quite often as it was convenient not to have to carry anything in my pockets. For those in the Yacht Club , the two forward elevators (one in each bank port and starboard) have priority control using your cruise card or wrist band. There were two problems with this. One is that you are never given a tutorial of how it actually works or even that it exists, and second is the way that it’s programmed. Basically when you waved your card or wrist band over the reader just below the call button it would grant priority access to the elevator, wiping out all floor selections of those already in the elevator and bringing it directly to your floor. Now if you stepped on without again waving your card over the reader inside the elevator, nothing would happen and it would appear the elevator had shut down.

Everyone would get off and wait for another elevator, understandably frustrated. Eventually it would reset in a couple minutes. In fact you had to wave your card again inside the elevator and make a floor selection. Needless to say I used this feature rather sparingly as you might often be met with an elevator full of confused and pissed off people wondering why their floor was missed. Priority lift access aside, I would say the technology onboard worked quite flawlessly and effortlessly. I swiped my card all over the ship but was never wrongfully charged as the system knew everything was included in my Yacht Club package.

Interiors and design

If there is one word to sum up the decor on Msc Seaside , it would be “Glitzy”. This is a flashy, modern, high tech floating resort with lots of mirrors, chrome, glass, dramatic lighting and unique furnishings. The furnishings were so unique in fact that I created a special photo album just to showcase them. Overall I loved the design and decor of the ship, but if you’re a traditionalist that prefers more understated decor this is not the ship for you. Thankfully I enjoy both and I’m equally comfortable on a ship such as Msc Seaside as I am on Cunard. Personally I found the ship easy to get around but I had been studying the deck plan for months prior. Even so some of the flashy decor can be a little confusing when learning your way around, but fairly quickly I felt right at home.

One great thing about the design is the amount of glass and views to the ocean. Msc Seaside is definitely a ship that is open to the sea, and you can see the ocean from just about everywhere. Even the atrium has windows to the ocean on both sides, on every deck with lots of seating areas. It makes for a very impressive vantage point inside and out. Overall the general arrangement of lounges, bars, and restaurants is fairly straight forward with one exception. Up on Deck 16 the forward section is dedicated to the cluster of speciality restaurants situated around a central bar. It works very well and is accessed by the forward elevator banks.

The more aft section of Deck 16 is the Miami Beach Pool and just forward the Biscayne Bay Buffet . This is accessed by the aft or more midships set of elevators. You can’t walk between the two sections, so essentially Deck 16 is cut off into two sections. Technically there are doors port and starboard that connect the Biscayne Bar Buffet to the speciality restaurants forward, and I used them, but they are for crew only. So generally it means going up or down a deck, then forward or back, then back up or down to access the area of Deck 16 you wish to reach. Having already studied the deck plan in advance I was prepared for this so not a big deal.

Another great advantage of the Yacht Club was the beautiful forward facing, two level Top Sail Lounge and restaurant. The lounge and bar were on the first level, along with an outdoor deck overlooking the bow. The upper level was the restaurant connected to the lounge with a beautiful Swarovski crystal staircase. A massive two-level glass forward facing wall provided the exceptional views. Unfortunately for those not in the Yacht Club , there is no forward facing view that is accessible on the ship, unless you have a forward facing view cabin.

This was an Eastern Caribbean cruise departing Miami on January 20, 2018 to St Thomas, Antigua, and Nassau. When we initially booked the ports were a little different, but with a couple hurricanes some itinerary adjustments were necessary. One port that would have really interested me is Ocean Cay, the private island that MSC Cruises is developing in the Bahamas. This port was initially on our itinerary when we first booked, but it became obvious fairly quickly it would never be ready in time.

The development timetable has been adjusted a few times now, and I’m not actually sure when this new private island experience will be completed. I’m not even sure MSC is. We docked at each port and tenders were never required. As this cruise was all about the ship for me and I’ve been to these ports countless times, I really didn’t do much off the ship. Basically wondered around in each port but that was it. My priority was time spent on the ship, and I also love the atmosphere on the ship when the vast majority of passengers are ashore. It takes on a entirely different feel.

Disembarking

Back in Miami our disembarkation was as effortless as embarkation, maybe even more so. Perhaps one of the best disembarkation experiences of any ship I’ve sailed. We were requested to vacate our cabins by 8am which we did. After a leisurely breakfast in the Yacht Club restaurant and enjoying the company of Arthur one last time, we were escorted down to the gangway by one of the Yacht Club butlers. There was no line at all to get off the ship. We quickly retrieved our bags in the Yacht Club section of the terminal (closest to the exit) and proceeded through CBP, which again had no line. With no forms required, we simply presented our passports and were waved though. Next thing you know we were in the car and driving home. Effortless and efficient.

Conclusions

As with any cruise, MSC Seaside was not perfect. Cuisine could be upgraded and storage in the cabins could be better, but overall I would rate it a fantastic experience especially for what we paid. The Yacht Club inside cabins are a fantastic value, taking advantage of being pretty much all-inclusive while also receiving the special treatment and upgraded service & amenities. All this without breaking the bank. I’m certainly pleased with our decision, and I hope to someday return to Seaside, perhaps in a regular balcony cabin to compare how the experience differs. I think either way I would enjoy this special ship filled with energy and visual delight!

For those that haven’t viewed the photos, here are the three links: Over 600 ship pics!

Msc Seaside 01/20/2018: 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise out of Miami

Daily programs and menus

The unique seating styles of MSC Seaside

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Ernie Roller

Msc Seaside

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MSC Seaside Menus – Download

Looking for MSC Seaside Menus? We’ve got ’em!

Here is a quick and easy download of all the menus we could get on the MSC Seaside. These were collected during our 7 night Caribbean cruise aboard the MSC Seaside . We’ve collected menus from the Yacht Club, the Main Dining Room, and Ocean Cay. Click the menu thumbnail to the right to open or download all menus or use the following link to download all menus in a zip file: MSC Seaside Menus

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MSC SEASIDE

MSC Seaside rewrites the rule book of cruise ship design, combining indoor and outdoor areas to connect you with the sea like never before. Located as low as Deck 8 is a unique seafront promenade lined with places to eat, drink, shop, swim and sunbathe. And you can enjoy superb views from our two glass-floor catwalks and panoramic elevators.

ITINERARIES

OCEAN CAY MSC MARINE RESERVE

Cruise From $199 From Miami, Orlando, or NYC on Select Sailings

Main Features

Waterfront boardwalk, miami beach pool, south beach pool, four decks atrium, msc yacht club, msc aurea spa, state-of-the-art gym, cabins & suites.

Combining comfort and style, the accommodations on MSC Seaside includes luxury suites with whirlpools and connecting staterooms for families.

Comfortable king bed
Balcony with a private whirlpool bath and dining table
Separate living area and dining room
Spacious closet
Bathroom with shower and bathtub, vanity area and hairdryer
Interactive TV, telephone, safe and minibar
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Approx. 226 - 667 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 86 - 355 ft 2
Located on decks 16 - 18

Choose the Suite that best suits you: • MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite (approx. 667 ft2 with a balcony that is approx. 355 ft2, deck 16) • MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite (approx. 269 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 86 ft 2 , decks 16 - 18) • MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite (approx. 226 ft 2 , decks 16 - 18) Discover a world of privileges with MSC Yacht Club. The image is representative only; the size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same stateroom category).

Comfortable king bed that can be converted into two single beds on request
Sitting area with sofa or separate living area
Walk-in closet
Bathroom with shower or bathtub, vanity area and hairdryer
Wi-Fi access available ($)
Approx. 183 – 527 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 75 - 409 ft 2
Located on decks 9 - 15
Two-Bedroom Grand Suite Aurea (approx. 527 ft2 with a balcony that is approx. 183 ft2, decks 11 - 14)
Grand Suite Aurea (approx. 377 - 527 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 183 ft 2 , decks 9 - 13)
Premium Suite Aurea with Whirlpool (approx. 301 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 75 ft 2 , decks 9 - 15)
Premium Suite Aurea with Terrace (approx. 301 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 409 ft2, deck 9)
Premium Suite Aurea (approx. 280 - 344 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 97 - 151 ft 2 , decks 9 - 15)
Deluxe Suite Aurea (approx. 215 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 86 ft 2 , decks 9 - 15)
Junior Suite Aurea (approx. 183 ft2 with a balcony that is approx. 172 ft 2 , deck 9)
Comfortable king bed that can be converted into two single beds on request *
Balcony
Sitting area with sofa
Approx. 172 - 183 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 54 – 97 ft 2 Choose the stateroom type that best suits you:
Balcony Aurea (best location, approx. 183 ft 2 , deck 9)
Deluxe Balcony (approx. 172 – 183 ft 2 , decks 9 - 15) * Some staterooms have a metal balcony front, instead of glass. The image is representative only; the size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same stateroom category).

Entertainment

MSC Seaside offers endless fun for everyone, with a high-tech theater, bowling alleys and an interactive, multi-story water park featuring 5 water slides, an adventure trail and an AquaPlay™ area designed for tots. There are also colorful kids’ play areas created in partnership with LEGO® and Chicco®.

Restaurants & Buffet

On MSC Seaside, you can enjoy the spectacular ocean views while you eat. And with nine delightful restaurants to choose from, including five sophisticated specialty restaurants, dining on MSC Seaside is as varied as it is delicious.

Explore the world full of Pan Asian flavours: Japanese, Hawaiian and European fusion food. Take a culinary journey into the taste sensations from the Land of the Rising Sun and savour a tantalising selection of popular cold and hot dishes from fresh sushi, sashimi, maki, tempura to delicious soups and rice dishes prepared to the highest standards. Our highly skilled chefs use only carefully sourced ingredients.

Ocean Cay Seafood Restaurant

A mouthwatering menu of sophisticated fish dishes and other recipes, made with the freshest ingredients and complemented by a wonderful wine list; these are the magic ingredients of the luxury fish restaurant.

Butcher's Cut

This American-style steak house serves select Linz heritage angus beef, gold standard in high-end angus beef thanks to the best genetics in breed. The highest quality product custom cut by master butchers and aged to perfection. The menu is inspired by the great plains and it is accompanied by bold New World wines and cocktails with swagger.

Seashore Restaurant

In our main restaurant, we offer a unique culinary experience every day. With our exquisite Mediterranean and international specialties and a daily changing menu, we ensure that no two days are the same, providing you with a fresh and exciting dining experience each time.

Ipanema Restaurant

Offering exquisite Mediterranean and international specialities and a change of menu everyday means that no two days are the same in our main restaurant.

Marketplace buffet restaurant

A wonderfully comfortable and casual place to eat. It’s the ideal place for enjoying a great informal Mediterranean dining experience with a spectacular sea view. Visible kitchens and a Mozzarella-making area allow guests to watch our chefs preparing the fresh food. The extensive buffet area includes various multifunction corners serving international dishes, ethnic cuisine, healthy options and a multitude of other tastes.

Biscayne buffet restaurant

The dedicated family buffet offers a variety of popular favourites and other tasty, healthy dishes that children will love.

Kaito Teppanyaki

Step in, choose your spot at one of four cooking stations and watch your delicious Japanese dishes come to life, right before your eyes. Our expert chefs cook with flair on an open grill: a feast for the senses that sees flames and the finest sizzling ingredients coming together to form delicious dishes you'll remember forever.

Kaito Sushi Bar

Tradition and modernity go hand in hand in this stylish sushi restaurant. This charming venue offers deliciously authentic Asian cuisine prepared on the spot with only the freshest, highest quality ingredients.

Bars & Lounges

Venchi 1878 chocolate bar and venchi 1878 gelato & crêperie.

A real chocolate experience by Venchi, the best luxury chocolate since 1878. A chocolate, gelato and coffee corner where guests can indulge in some of Venchi’s finest treats while watching the Venchimaîtres chocolatiers creating authentic Italian recipes through the glass window overlooking the kitchen lab.

Seaview Lounge

Cocktails and other drinks are available for your enjoyment in our Seaview Louge. Bar menu with classic cocktails, sparkling cocktails, Mojitos, zero-alcohol drinks, wines, beers, ciders, aperitifs, liqueurs and more. There are afternoon activities too, along with an extensive selection of tea.

Watch the game, or simply relax with a great choice of American or international beer, cocktails, spirits and more at this American-style sports bar.

Bistrot La Bohème

Our Bistrot la Bohème bar is the ideal spot to join friends for a cocktail or for a refreshing drink at any time of day. From traditional cocktails, our signature cocktails to the contemporary classics and French wines, there is something to suit your taste.

This relaxing outdoor pool bar is dedicated to guests who have chosen the Aurea Experience. The exclusive bar menu features a variety of coladas, margaritas, long drinks, frozen delights and many other refreshers.

Champagne Bar

With an array of first-rate champagne, bubblies, fresh oysters, caviar and fish, the chic Champagne Bar is a place to indulge in the finer things in life. To ensure we have only the best, we have painstakingly researched the quality of our sparkling wines and sourced them from the most renowned producers worldwide.

Garage Club

During the day, the Garage Club is dedicated to teenagers. At night, it’s a club with a powerful sound system and great cocktails. Dance the night away to our pumping sound system and enjoy a fantastic beverage range: long drinks, Spritz & Co, exciting premium cocktails and the latest mocktails.

Haven Lounge

Super cocktails are a feature of this cocktail bar. A signature MSC cocktail, a classic or something entirely new –you decide. This bar is an ideal spot to stop by to listen to live music and enjoy a drink from the extensive bar menu.

Thanks to its sliding roof, the indoor pool ensures maximum enjoyment in every season. On evenings when the weather prevents the outdoor pool areas from being used, it becomes a fantastic party venue, hosting a series of fun events on themes ranging from the ‘70s to The Great Gatsby.

Miami Beach Bar

Discover a world of frozen delights, cocktails, beers and soft drinks at the main poolside ice cream bar. Venchi artisanal ice-cream is made fresh daily.

Miami Casino

Hit the jackpot at our spacious bar in Le Grand Casino. Get that James Bond feeling, order a drink from our skilled bartenders and cast an eye over the Casino as you contemplate where lady luck will go to next. We have a wide variety of selected cocktails, mocktails, beer, wine and fine spirits to refresh yourself with as you take a break from play.

Seaside Bar

This bar is an ideal spot to join friends for a cocktail before a meal. Choose your favorite drink or ask our professional mixologist to prepare you a fabulous martini.

Ideally situated near the main dining room, this bar is a perfect place to join friends for an aperitif before a meal, or for an after-dinner shot, even vodka, whiskey or rum tastings.

South Beach Bar

The Sunset Beach Bar offers delicious Caribbean-style cocktails and punches, like Mojitos and frozen delights, as well as beer, mixed drinks, ciders, softs, fruit juices and alcohol-free cocktails.

Top Sail Lounge

Reserved exclusively for MSC Yacht Club Guests, this elegant lounge with its panoramic views offers the Yacht Club bar list of craft cocktails, beer, fine wine, soft drinks and coffee drinks. This elegant lounge equally offers a fine selection of gourmet finger food throughout the day. Enjoy spectacular views in this elegant lounge.

Wine & Cocktails

Surrounded by the specialty restaurants, Wine and Cocktails is an ideal place for a drink while waiting for a table in one of the specialty dining venues, or the place to stop by for a glass of wine after dinner.

Until WINTER 2024-25
From SUMMER 2025
5. Cape Cod
6. Copacabana
7. South Beach
8. Ocean Cay
10. Maspalomas
11. Flamenco Beach
12. Las Salinas
13. Pink Sands
14. Mondello
15. Venice Beach
16. Miami Beach
18. Playa Paraiso
19. Biarritz
20. Sun Deck
Deluxe Interior
Premium Interior
Deluxe Ocean View
Deluxe Balcony
Deluxe Balcony Aurea
Junior Suite Aurea
Premium Suite Aurea
Grand Suite Aurea
Two-Bedroom Grand Suite Aurea
MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite
MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite
MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite

B: Stateroom with bathtub | BS: Stateroom with bathtub and shower | T: Terrace | W: Balcony with whirlpool bath

• 3rd and 4th beds available in all categories except for MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite • 5th bed available in Premium Interior, Premium Suite Aurea with whirlpool, Two-Bedroom Grand Suite Aurea (staterooms 11001, 12001 and 14001 have two double beds and one pullman bed) and MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite. • Our ships offer the possibility of combining 2 or 3 connecting staterooms based on the ship class. Call our Contact Center to choose the best accommodation for you.

Ship configuration, data and descriptions may be subject to change depending on the season and on the destination and must be verified at the time of booking.

Premium Balcony Aurea

Gross tonnage: 153,516
Number of passengers: 5,079
Crew members: 1,513
Number of staterooms: 2026
Length / Beam / Height: 1,060 ft. / 135 ft. / 245 ft.
Maximum speed: 22.95 knots

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MSC Cruises

17 MSC Seaside Tips and Suggestions

Doug Parker

January 7, 2020

MSC Seaside is the first purpose-built ship for the North American market from MSC, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line.

A better godmother couldn’t have been chosen, as Seaside subtly blends Italian design and tradition with spaces and amenities desired by modern North American cruisers.

With a passenger capacity of 4,132 (double occupancy), Seaside compares favorably with the largest and most modern ships from the other big lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

1. Download the MSC for Me App to your smartphone

MSC for Me is an incredibly functional and fun app for anyone on an MSC cruise. Before you sail, users may book a show, shore excursions, prepay for drinks or specialty restaurants, and add activities to a personal agenda.

Once onboard MSC Seaside, guests can use the MSC for Me chat function to message fellow cruisers without purchasing an internet package. Additionally, a “what to eat” feature gives insight into local in season and fresh ingredients in meals onboard as the ship moves from port to port. Of course, the app also includes a map of the vessel, and the ability to check events and add them to the planner.

2. Look into the Easy Drinks Package

MSC offers drinks packages on every sailing like every other major cruise line, and there are several levels to choose from. Passengers often overlook the Easy Package, but it certainly shouldn’t be. For only $35 per day (at writing time), the package includes anything under $6 in most venues and includes beer, wine, liquor, specialty coffees, and bottled water. Sometimes this package is offered as a promo during booking, so keep a lookout for that.

3. Asian Market Kitchen

Many of the largest ships at sea now have teppanyaki restaurants onboard, and MSC Seaside has one too. Unique, however, is the Asian Market Kitchen, a concept from celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi, the creator of Hawaiian Fusion. Asian Market Kitchen differs from his land-based restaurants by presenting an unforgettable pan-Asian menu.

For something different, consider ordering the Triple Play, a fun dish consisting of kaiware (radish sprouts), yamagobo (pickled burdock root), shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, and Hamachi fish with a delicious garlic aioli sesame sauce. Another popular item is the poke bowl, which has various choices. Asian Market Kitchen is a la carte pricing.

4. Have a Drink at the Seaside Bar

Located in the spectacular atrium onboard the ship, the Seaside Bar is the place for evening entertainment and drinks. The whole atrium is ensconced in glass and crystal, scattering the light and creating a magical venue, especially in the evening.

Live music takes place on the small stage with acts consisting of musical trios, soloists, and other entertainment with dancing couples common. The selection is vast, with all types of liquor, beer, wine, and cocktails. Daily specials are available (try the Moscow mule.)

5. Order a drink with a side of sea views

For passengers who prefer to have sweeping views of the ocean while they sip their beverage of choice, the Top Sail Lounge is the place to be! Be warned, though. This lounge is for the exclusive use of Yacht Club guests, which means you have to be staying in a Yacht Club suite to access it.

Located on Deck 16 all the way forward, this lounge has outside walls consisting of floor-to-ceiling glass windows, giving spectacular views of the sea. The Top Sail Lounge is also a great spot to watch a sail in or away from the port or to enjoy a Caribbean sunset.

6. Brave the Bridge of Sighs

Named after the famous bridge in Venice, MSC Seaside has its own Bridge of Sighs. This bridge is at the far back (aft) of the ship on Deck 16 and consists of a glass-bottomed walkway positioned high above the South Beach pool.

The bridge is a great photo stop and is a fun place to visit during your time onboard. If you enjoy the Bridge of Sighs, there are two additional glass walkways on either side of the ship on the Waterfront Promenade, Deck 8.

7. There’s a chocolate bar, and it’s spectacular

On Seaside, they take their desserts seriously — so much so that there’s a space devoted to the art of chocolate! The Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar is located on Deck 6 near the Piazza Grande and is a treat for the eyes as much as it is for taste.

Stunning designs are created from chocolate and candies, truly works of art. In addition to the displays, there are vast quantities of chocolate available to purchase, which makes excellent souvenirs for friends and family back home.

8. Speaking of the Piazza Grande

In Tip #7 we talked about the Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar located on the Piazza Grande. This Piazza is centrally located on deck 6 and is where most of the shopping on the ship is located. In addition to the shops and boutiques, there is also a great bar serving all kinds of drinks with a good quantity of comfortable chairs. Along with the dance floor and stage, this spot is a great place to unwind while onboard and is more relaxed than the atrium or the top decks by the pool.

9. If you are a family, look into the Super Family Cabins

For families or groups, a great way to sail is in the Super Family Cabins. These cabins are three combined staterooms, usually with two typical rooms and one center bedroom with a fold-out couch; they come in both balcony and ocean view options. The standard cabins have a king or two twin beds, along with a set of twin bunks, sleeping up to 10 people comfortably.

The Super Family cabins also have two full bathrooms. When booking, pricing is done by the cabin rather than per person, which can be a nice savings.

10. The MSC Seaside has a full-fledged adventure park onboard

MSC Seaside has a multi-story waterpark called the Forest AquaVenture Park. Inside the park, there are five water slides, including two racing slides that extend over the side of the ship.

The MSC Seaside’ Adventure Park also contains an AquaPlay and AquaSpray park for younger guests. Above all this water play, passengers who wish to climb can enjoy the Adventure Trail. This ropes course even has spray cannons for shooting other adventurers.

11. Dress for the White Party

Every sailing of the MSC Seaside includes a White Party where guests dress all in white and staff don fantastic costumes. Don’t forget to pack appropriately to enjoy the party fully.

12. The kids club is not just a kids club

In addition to age-separated kids and teen clubs, the MSc Seaside has a fun and engaging entertainment space called Doremi’s Studio. Located on Deck 18 with the other kids’ stations, Doremi’s Studio is where kids can watch and enjoy special programming for their ages. Fun varies by sailing, so be sure to check with the kid’s staff or the schedule of events.

13. Panoramic Elevators

Should you be excited about an elevator? YES! At the rear, or aft, of the MSC Seaside, are a pair of panoramic elevators that wizzes up and down the outside of the ship, giving spectacular views of the sea and the fun going around below. The higher you go, the better the view, culminating on Deck 16, right by the Bridge of Sighs (Tip #6 above).

14. Do you really enjoy chocolate?

Then say “hello” to the Venchi 1878 Gelato and Creperie, the ship’s second (but different!) Venchi location. Situated aft on Deck 7, this incredible space is THE place to get your Italian gelato and coffee treats. With MSC being an Italian line, they know how to make a fine coffee and a seductively smooth gelato. Even though this restaurant has an a la carte menu, you will not be disappointed with the quality or the taste.

15. Race in the F1 simulator

Looking for some competition with your friends or family? Try the F1 Simulator on Deck 7 where you can sit in the drivers’ seat of an F1 race car and participate in a virtual reality race! Additional fees apply, but they are a small price to pay for the fun to be had.

16. Dine Al Fresco at the Marketplace Buffet

If you enjoy a lovely meal with a view, fill your plate at the Marketplace Buffet on Deck 8, and head all the way aft, past the food and outside.

On the ship’s rear is a fine place to enjoy your meal with sea views and gentle breezes. When you are finished, take the panoramic elevators up to deck 16 to enjoy the Miami pool and all the action there.

17. Pretend you’re in Europe

This may be a Caribbean cruise, as MSC Seaside sails year-round from Miami, but the clientele is decidedly international. In addition, many announcements are in multiple languages along with English, such as Spanish, Italian, and French. Embrace it!

Enjoy the different cultures and foods, and maybe make some new friends. Who knows, you may end up in Rome one day, visiting with your new friends from the cruise.

Michael York helped contribute to this article.

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Mon - Fri 8:00am - 7:00pm Sat 9:00am - 1:00pm (AES/DT) Closed on Public Holidays.

MSC SEASIDE

" The ship is fabulous, stylish and clean. Very nice places to sit down, stunning atrium and Venchi Chocolate Bar was our favourite. "

" Very satisfied with the cleanliness of the entire ship along with cabin services. Most staff was very helpful. "

" The Yacht Club experience can not get any better than it was this cruise. We attribute our entire great experience to your staff. "

ITINERARIES

Caribbean destination image with palm trees

MAIN FEATURES

Waterfront boardwalk.

Miami Beach Pool

South Beach Pool

Four decks atrium

MSC Yacht Club

MSC Aurea Spa

State-of-the-art gym

MSC Seaside Public Area MSC Aurea Spa 07

Cabins & Suites

Surface approx. 14-28 sqm, deck 5-15
Interactive TV, telephone, wifi connection available (for a fee), safe and minibar
Bathroom with shower, vanity area with hairdryer
Comfortable double or single beds (on request)*
Can accomodate up to 5 people

Choose the cabin type that best suits you:

Premium Interior (surface approx. 28 sqm, deck 10 )
Deluxe Interior (surface approx. 14-17 sqm, deck 5-15 )

*Some cabins for guests with disabilities or reduced mobility have twin beds that can’t be converted into double beds. The image is representative only

Size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same cabin category)

Surface approx 17 sqm, deck 5
Window with sea view
Relaxing armchair
Comfortable double or single beds (on request)
Interactive TV, telephone, Wifi connection available (for a fee), safe and minibar

The image is representative only

Surface approx. 16-17 sqm, balcony approx. 5-9 sqm*
Sitting area with sofa
Bathroom with shower or bathtub , vanity area with hairdryer
Balcony Aurea (best ship position, surface approx. 17 sqm, deck 9 )
Deluxe Balcony (surface approx. 16-17 sqm, deck 9-15 )

Entertainment

Restaurants & Buffet

Ocean cay restaurant.

Butcher's Cut

Seashore Restaurant

Ipanema Restaurant

Marketplace buffet restaurant

Biscayne buffet restaurant

Bars & Lounges

MSC Seaside Restaurant Bar Tvenchi 1878 Chocolate Bar 08

Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar and Venchi 1878 Gelato & Crêperie

Seaview Lounge

Bistrot La Bohème

Champagne Bar

Garage Club

Haven Lounge

MSC Seaside Restaurant Bar Jungle Bar 24

Miami Beach Bar

Miami Casino

Seaside Bar

South Beach Bar

Top Sail Lounge

Wine & Cocktails

5. Cape Cod
6. Copacabana
7. South Beach
8. Ocean Cay
10. Maspalomas
11. Flamenco Beach
12. Las Salinas
13. Pink Sands
14. Mondello
15. Venice Beach
16. Miami Beach
18. Playa Paraiso
19. Biarritz
20. Sun Deck
Deluxe Interior
Premium Interior
Deluxe Ocean View
Deluxe Balcony
Deluxe Balcony Aurea
Deluxe Suite Aurea
Premium Suite Aurea
Grand Suite Aurea
Two-Bedroom Grand Suite Aurea
MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite
MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite
MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite

B: Cabin with bathtub | BS: Cabin with bathtub and shower | T: Terrace | W: Balcony with whirlpool bath

• 3rd and 4th beds available in all categories except for MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite • 5th bed available in Premium Interior, Premium Suite Aurea with whirlpool, Two-Bedroom Grand Suite Aurea (cabins 11001, 12001 and 14001 have two double beds and one pullman bed) and MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite. • Our ships offer the possibility of combining 2 or 3 connecting cabins based on the ship class. Call our Contact Center to choose the best accommodation for you.

Ship configuration, data and descriptions may be subject to change depending on the season and on the destination and must be verified at the time of booking.

Gross tonnage: 153,516
Number of passengers: 5084
Crew members: 1513
Number of cabins: 2026
Length / Beam / Height: 323 m / 41 m / 74.8 m
Maximum speed: 22.95 knots

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MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises Drink Packages & Prices (UPDATED)

On a recent MSC Cruise, I booked an aft balcony with a special rate that included the “Easy Package”. I really had no idea what to expect since I never booked an MSC Cruise with a beverage package in the past.

Upon embarking, I was told by staff how the Easy Package didn’t include much and couldn’t be used at a specialty dining restaurant. With that information, I paid a nominal upgrade on the spot to the “Easy Plus” package to make sure I had more choices and that I could use the package while dining in every restaurant.

So is a drink package on MSC worth it? Let’s find out!

About the drink packages:

MSC Cruises offers a variety of drink packages for their cruises, including the “Easy” package, “Easy Plus” package, “Premium Extra” package, an Alcohol-Free package for minors, and a Minors package. The packages range in price and offerings, with the Easy Plus package allowing for more choices and access to specialty dining restaurants. Recent changes include gratuity now being included in the pricing. It’s important to understand what each package includes and excludes before making a decision.

Quick things to know:

MSC Cruises offers various drink packages like the “Easy,” “Easy Plus,” “Premium Extra,” Alcohol-Free, and Minors package.
Prices range from $19/day for the Minors package to $85/day for the Premium Extra package.
The Easy Plus package offers more options and includes access to specialty dining restaurants for an additional cost (best value)
Drink package prices include gratuity
Drink packages CAN BE USED on Ocean Cay
If your package doesn’t cover the drink cost, just pay the difference!
The Mini bar in the cabin is not included in any package
Everyone in the cabin needs to purchase the same drink package (excluding minors)

MSC Drink Package Prices

Depending on which you choose, you can get a package for as little as $19/day (Minors) – but the most popular package is the Easy Plus Package which starts at $61/day. The good news is that MSC Is running quite a few promotions that INCLUDE the Easy Plus Package ! Take a look at their promotions here.

What do the drink packages on MSC cruises cost?

Package Name	Cost Per Person – Purchased in Advance
Easy Package	$46 /day or $49/day for short sailings
Easy Plus Package	$61 /day or $64/day for short sailings
Premium Extra Package	$85 /day or $88/day for short sailings
Alcohol-Free Package	$28 /day (21 yrs +) / $30 for short sailings
Minors Package	$19 / day (3-20 yrs old) / $21 for short sailings

We’ll be posting accurate European prices shortly, as they have also changed recently.

MSC Cruises Drink Packages Compared (NEW 2024 prices)

There are 5 drink package options that MSC Cruises offers on its ships including the “Easy” package, “Easy Plus” package, “Premium Extra” Package, and the Alcohol-Free Package (with a different price for minors and adults)

See : MSC Cruises Bar & Drink Menus with Prices

Easy Drink Package

The “ Easy Package ” is the most basic alcoholic beverage package on MSC Cruises with a cost of $46 per day per adult and is sometimes offered at no charge as a promotion. (This package is $49 per day on short cruises of less than 6 nights and is even more expensive if purchased onboard)

Liquor choices that go into mixed drinks are generic and sometimes off-brand.

The upside to this beverage package is that it also includes bottled water, soft drinks & juices as well as espresso, coffee cappuccino, and other hot drinks (tea, hot chocolate, etc.) With many cruise lines when purchasing a drink package, they often exclude bottled water and coffee drinks.

So if you are a heavy coffee drinker and enjoy bottled water with a few beers throughout the day, this is likely your good choice.

This is the package that was included on my Meraviglia cruise with the base cruise fare. Initially, this seemed like a good option as it covers the basics, but some restrictions were inconvenient enough to make me upgrade to the Premium Plus.

An important exception to the Easy Package!

You CANNOT use the Easy beverage package in any of the specialty restaurants . So if you want a gin & tonic at dinner, you’re out of luck. Even more bizarre, bringing a beverage to dinner is specifically prohibited forcing you to purchase any drinks regardless of price for the time you are in a specialty restaurant.

MSC Easy Drink Package Menu & What’s Included

The Easy drink package entitles you to any beverage up to $7.50 ( sort of ). For your convenience, menus throughout the ships have a section specifying what’s included in the easy beverage package. However even though some beer prices by the bottle are $7.50 or less, those are EXCLUDED from this package. Strange, right?

For beer, with the Easy Drink Package, the only option is Heineken Draft or sometimes Miller Light, and the wines are off-label or inexpensive brands only marked as “chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel Rose, Cabernet, or Merlot (Plus a random label of sparkling wine or Prosecco). So if you’re not picky, this package may be sufficient.

Martini | Gin or vodka, dry vermouth, olive or lemon peel Manhattan | Whisky, red vermouth, Angostura bitters Daiquiri | Rum, lime juice, sugar syrup Cosmopolitan | Vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, lime Sidecar | Brandy, triple sec, lemon juice Screwdriver | Vodka, orange juice Margarita | Tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, lime juice Moscow Mule | Vodka, lime, ginger beer Cape Cod | Vodka, cranberry juice Mimosa | Sparkling wine, orange juice Gin Fizz | Gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda Pink Lady | Gin, lemon juice, grenadine Sea Breeze | Vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice Caipiroska | Vodka, diced lime, sugar Blue Hawaiian | Rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, coconut cream Tequila Sunrise | Tequila, orange juice, grenadine Bloody Mary | Vodka, tomato juice, salt, pepper, tabasco, Worcestershire sauce Long Island Iced Tea | Vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, cola Mojito | Rum, fresh mint, lime, sugar, soda Piña Colada | Rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice Strawberry Daiquiri | Rum, strawberry purée, sweet & sour mix

Alcohol-free cocktails included

Nojito | Lime, fresh mint leaves, sugar, Mojito mix, club soda Magic Island | Pineapple, orange and lemon juice, grenadine, Sprite Cuddle on the Beach | Peach purée, orange juice, cranberry juice Royal Punch | Passion fruit purée, pineapple juice, cranberry juice Fruit Smoothie | Orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, fresh banana, guava juice, mango purée Coco Colada | Fresh pineapple, coconut cream, pineapple juice, milk Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri | Strawberry purée, sweet & sour mix, sugar syrup

Beer Included in the MSC Easy Drinks Package

Heineken draft beer (ONLY)

For this package, even though bottled beers are less than the price cap of $7.50, they’re specifically excluded. Mindblowing, right? It just adds to the confusion about the MSC Drinks packages.

Sodas Included in the Easy Package

Sodas by the glass, Fruit juices by the glass, Still or sparkling mineral water

Other beverages included

Espresso, Decaf espresso, Cappuccino, Decaf cappuccino, Caffè latte, Glass of milk, Hot chocolate, Hot tea

Is the Easy package worth it?

That really depends. If you drink basic cocktails such as Gin & Tonic, Bloody Mary, Screwdriver , etc, and aren’t picky about the liquor used, the Easy Package may work for you.

Easy Plus Drink Package

The Easy Plus Package cost is $61 per day , ($64 for shorter cruises of 6 days or less) but you can upgrade from the Easy package for about $23/per day per person

With this beverage package, you can order drinks in specialty dining restaurants as well as anything included in the above Easy package. There are caveats, more on that later.

Any beverages up to $10 are included in this package which gets you all of the beer options, more wine options, and some frozen drink options that aren’t available in the most basic drink package. There is also a larger range of liquor brands, cordials, and martinis available at this price point.

The Easy Plus Package is the most common drinks package because it includes just about everything that a typical drinker would order. Even better, this package can be used in specialty dining restaurants as well. With recent changes to the beverage packages, the cruise line now allows you to order a drink that is not included in the package and only pay the difference (plus gratuity)

This is what we ultimately upgraded to from our included Easy Package. It was well worth the upgrade not only for the more inclusive offering, but for the simplicity of not having to think about what we were ordering and if it was included.

In addition to the Easy Package, you can also order the following:

Cocktails included:.

Sapphire Martini Bombay Sapphire gin, Martini dry, olive or lemon peel Appletini Absolut Classic and Absolut Vanilia vodka, apple sour liqueur, sweet & sour mix Royal Manhattan Crown Royal, Martini Rosso, Angostura bitters Cuban Daiquiri Bacardi Superior white rum, lime juice, sugar syrup Absolut Cosmo Absolut Citron vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, Rose’s lime Spanish Sidecar Cardinal Mendoza brandy, Cointreau, lemon juice, sugar syrup Screwdriver Made in USA T ito’s vodka, orange juice Classic Margarita Jose Cuervo silver tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, lime juice Dutch Mule K etel One vodka, lime, ginger beer Absolut Cape Cod Absolut Classic vodka, cranberry juice Mimosa Blossom Absolut Mango vodka, Galliano, orange juice, prosecco Bombay Fizz Bombay Sapphire gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda Ultimate Pink Lady Beefeater London Dry gin, lemon juice, pomegranate syrup Caribbean Breeze Ketel One vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, lime Masters of the Sea Caipirinha Premium cachaça, diced lime, sugar Blue Hawaiian Punch Bacardi Superior white rum, Malibu coconut rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, coconut cream Aperol Spritz Aperol, prosecco, club soda, orange slice Jalisco Sunrise Jose Cuervo silver tequila, orange juice, grenadine Absolut Bloody Mary Absolut Classic vodka, tomato juice, salt, pepper, tabasco, Worcestershire sauce Ultimate Iced Tea Smirnoff vodka, Bacardi Superior White rum, Beefeater gin, Jose Cuervo silver tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, cola Bacardi Mojito Bacardi Superior white rum, fresh mint leaves, lime, sugar, club soda Mudslide Absolut vodka, Kahlúa coffee liqueur, Baileys Irish Cream, heavy cream Baileys Alexander Baileys Irish Cream, dark crème de cacao, cream

Frozen Drinks:

Mango Tropical Trooper Cruzan mango rum, peach schnapps, triple sec, mango juice, fresh mint Rock Lobster Malibu coconut rum, banana liqueur, grenadine, fresh banana, pineapple and orange juice, Gosling’s Black Seal rum Ultimate Piña Colada Bacardi Superior white rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream, fresh pineapple B.B.C Bailey’s Irish Cream, Bacardi Superior white rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, fresh banana Original Strawberry Daiquiri Bacardi Superior white rum, strawberry purée, sweet & sour mix Miami Vice Miami’s hottest drink: half Strawberry Daiquiri and half Piña Colada Frozen Toblerone Bailey’s Irish Cream, macadamia nut syrup, Swiss white chocolate syrup, cream

Beer Included in the Easy Plus package:

Miller Lite USA Budweiser USA Bud Light USA Coors Light USA Michelob Ultra USA Heineken Netherlands Corona Extra Mexico Dos Equis Mexico Red Stripe Jamaica Stella Artois Belgium

Samuel Adams USA Yuengling Lager USA Newcastle Brown Ale England Blue Moon USA Beck’s Germany Peroni Nastro Azzurro Italy Pilsner Urquell Czech Republic Guinness Pub Draft Ireland Angry Orchard Apple Cider USA Heineken 0.0 Netherlands

MSC Easy Plus Package Menu

This is an example of the Easy Plus menu from within the MSC mobile app. Just know that you are entitled to anything up to $10. See the complete list below.

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Premium Extra Package

This drinks package allows you to purchase any beverage up to $16 , however, it comes at a high cost of $85.00 / day per person (this can be as much as $104/day if you are on a short cruise and purchase onboard). You can upgrade from a lower-cost beverage package for the difference in price, i.e. if you have the easy package, for approximately $43/day you can upgrade to this Premium package. (Note: Prices have changed as of March 1, 2023, and this information reflects the newest pricing)

While this package covers most top-shelf liquor, there are still quite a few wines and drinks that are more than $16, so it’s not as inclusive as other cruise lines’ most premium drink packages.

MSC Premium Extra Drink Menu

Most premium liquors can be purchased with this package including Grey Goose, Aviation Gin, Belvedere, etc. (see the menu below). However, there are still plenty of drinks that are strategically priced above $16, making this package far from all-inclusive. Additionally, most of the champagne and decent wine on board is significantly more than the limit allowed by this package. It’s hard to make sense of this package unless your tastes are squarely within the more premium liquor brands included.

A bonus of these drinks packages is the discounting on bottles of wine (25%), but the reality is good bottles of wine are generally only available at The Butchers Cut Steakhouse, so unless you are dining there regularly, that benefit is minimal.

In addition to the Easy Package & Easy Plus Package, you can also order the following beverages:

Drinks included in the premium extra package:.

Aviation Martini Aviation gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, fresh lemon juice Hemingway Daiquiri Zacapa 23Y rum, fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice, maraschino liqueur Santa Teresa Manhattan Santa Teresa 1796 rum, orange bitters, red vermouth Gold Rush Woodford Reserve bourbon, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup MSC Signature Martini Disaronno liqueur, Grey Goose vodka, Licor 43, lemon peel Mule Le Poire Grey Goose Le Poire vodka, fresh lime juice, ginger beer Shanghai Margarita Patrón Silver tequila, agave nectar, fresh lime juice, fresh ginger zest Chili Passion Caipirinha Premium caçhaca, lime, raw sugar, hot chili sauce, passion fruit, jalapeño

Ultimate Mai Tai Appleton Estate rum, Bacardi Superior white rum, Disaronno liqueur, pineapple and orange juice, sweet & sour mix, grenadine Purple Rain Bacardi Superior white rum, Finlandia vodka, Bombay Sapphire gin, peach schnapps, blue curaçao, sweet & sour mix, grenadine Coco Loco Bacardi Oakheart spiced rum, Malibu coconut rum, Piña Colada mix, mango purée, fruit punch Jamaican Paradise Appleton Estate rum, Malibu coconut rum, Jose Cuervo silver tequila, Midori melon liqueur, blue curaçao, sweet & sour mix Miami Beach Iced Tea Bacardi Superior white rum, Beefeater gin, Smirnoff vodka, Cuervo silver tequila, blue curaçao, sugar syrup, Sprite Sunset Beach Malibu coconut rum, raspberry liqueur, orange and pineapple juice, grenadine Tropical Tease Midori melon liqueur, Malibu coconut rum, banana liqueur, pineapple juice Emerald Mariachi 1800 Reposado tequila, blue curaçao, lime juice, passion fruit syrup, pineapple juice Mango Mojito Bacardi mango rum, mango purée, fresh mint leaves, lime, club sod a

You ONLY pay the difference in price for a beverage not included in your MSC DRINK package

You can now get a credit towards any drinks not included in your MSC Drink package!. The credit towards a drink is $8 per drink for the Easy Package, $10 per drink for the Easy Plus Package, and $16 per drink for the Premium Extra Package.

For European cruises the credit you get is 7 Euro for the Easy Package, 9 Euro for the Easy Plus and 14 Euro for the Premium Extra package on MSC.

Alcoholic-Free and Minors Package on MSC Cruises

You might be interested in the non-alcoholic package if you’re not a drinker or when traveling with children. This package offers non-alcoholic cocktails, sodas, energy drinks, juices, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. This package doesn’t apply to specialty restaurants unless it’s for a minor whose group purchased the Easy Plus or Premium Extra alcoholic package. So be prepared to pay for your soda when dining at the Butcher’s Cut, even if you have this package.

These prices will vary if booked on the ship on the day of sailing. Usually by an additional 10% or more. Short sailings are considered anything less than 7 days.

This table of prices is pretty mind-numbing and takes the fun out of figuring out what package is right. Why there are different prices for different lengths of cruise is bizarre and just another way that MSC tends to overcomplicate everything.

Read : More about MSC Cruises
See : MSC Bar Menus

In Summary, My experience with the MSC Drink Packages

Originally, I thought the Easy package would be sufficient for our cruise, but discovering the limited beverage options and the fact that you cannot use the package in specialty dining restaurants, we chose to upgrade to the Easy Plus.

Overall this was a good choice, because of the wider variety of options and the ability to use in a specialty restaurant. However, it’s important to know – that when using the Easy Plus in a specialty restaurant like Butcher’s Cut, you must order off of the wine/drink menus in that restaurant!

If your favorite glass of wine isn’t available in the restaurant, you are forbidden to bring anything from an outside bar, which really makes no sense. This is something that they do NOT TELL YOU when upgrading from Easy to Easy Plus on the ship.

Normally this wouldn’t be a big issue except there were very few options on beverage menus that were covered by the Easy Plus package.

Drink Calculator – Are drink packages worth it on MSC?

Let’s find out if getting a drink package is worth it or not by using our handy drink calculator! Simply choose the package you plan on purchasing and estimate how many drinks per day you might consume and see if you “break even”

Choose the package type you are considering. We’ve entered the package price per MSC Cruises but you can adjust the daily charge if you are getting a promo on the package price.
Enter the number of cruise days
Estimate your consumption of each type of beverage. We’ve put the average beverage prices based on the Drink Menus, but you can adjust this if you know you like more expensive drink options.

Easy Package includes:

Specific drinks listed on the easy drink menu (found here).

Selection of classic cocktails	Soft drinks and fruit juices by the glass
Draught beer	Bottled mineral water
Selection of house wines by the glass	Classic hot drinks (espresso, cappuccino, caffe latte, hot tea)
Mixed drinks and non-alcoholic cocktails

These drinks are sort of “vague” in some respect, so definitely look at the MSC Drink Menus article , where there is a unique menu for the Easy Package.

The Easy Package covers all of the above served in the bars, buffet and main restaurant as well as Ocean Cay and other exclusive destinations. This package CANNOT be used in specialty restaurants.

Easy Plus Package includes:

Bottomless beverages priced up to $10 all day long.

Popular Frozen Drinks	A wide variety of draught and bottled beers
Classic Cocktails	Non-alcoholic cocktails
Well Spirits	Soft drinks
Liqueurs	Mineral water
Cordials	Coffee drinks (latte, espresso, cappuccino, etc.)
Selection of wines by the glass	Hot chocolate and hot teas
10% discount on bottles of wines purchased on board

The Easy Plus Package can be enjoyed in the bars, buffet, main restaurant and specialty restaurants , Ocean Cay, and other exclusive destinations.

Premium Extra Package includes:

Premium beverages priced up to $16.

Extensive variety of frozen and classic cocktails	Our entire selection of draught, craft and bottled beers
Premium brand spirits	Soft drinks, fruit juices, mineral water and energy drinks
Liqueurs and Cordials	Coffee drinks (latte, espresso, cappuccino, etc.)
Selection of wines and champagne by the glass	Hot chocolate and hot teas
25% discount on bottles of wine and champagne purchased on board

The Premium Extra Package can be enjoyed in the bars, buffet, main restaurant, and specialty restaurants as well as Ocean Cay and other exclusive destinations.

Estimate Your Daily Consumption:

Each field contains the average price found on most MSC ships in US Dollars.

Remember! Any drink not within your package limit, you pay the overage cost plus the service charge! If you tend to drink nicer wines or cocktails, you can adjust the average price of each beverage in the corresponding boxes! This helps give you a more accurate idea of your possible spending. (15% gratuities on European, Emirates, South Caribbean, Red Sea, South America (Brazil and Argentine) and Far East itineraries, and 18% gratuity on North America itineraries.)

Each field contains the average price found on most MSC ships. For the Premium Extra package, all drinks up to $15 are included. If you tend to drink nicer wines or cocktails, you can adjust the average price of each beverage in the corresponding boxes – Remember, for anything over the included price, you pay the difference plus a service charge or gratuity (15% gratuities on European, Emirates, South Caribbean, Red Sea, South America (Brazil and Argentine) and Far East itineraries, and 18% gratuity on North America itineraries.)!

You haven’t broken even on the Easy Package yet!

You BROKE EVEN on the Easy Package!

You haven’t broken even on the Easy PLUS Package yet!

You BROKE EVEN on the Easy PLUS Package!

You haven’t broken even on the Premium Extra Package yet!

Other MSC Drink Package Helpful Information

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With Prices (2024)

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With PriceS – UPDATED We spent a lot of time on a recent voyage with MSC Cruises trying... Read This

Cruise Gear Editor

I'm a global nomad at heart, and the dedicated editor behind CruiseGear. For the past two decades, I've experienced exciting voyages across the world, discovering countless ports from the decks of dozens of ships, visiting 40+ countries (and living in some of them for years). It's been an exhilarating journey to say the least! I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

35 Comments

On MSc how much doe sit cost if you buy a beer or a soda pop per purchase since i do not drink much alcohol at all and maybe two sodas a day

Wayne – You can get a beer for about $7.50 and a soda for $3.00-$3.50 + gratuity. You can see the MSC drink menus here

How do you know if the drink you order is within the 10$ limit on the easy plus package? Do the bartenders tell you? I would hate to get a bill for the extra few dollars if not covered. Thanks!

Hi Robin, They are very good about telling you right away if anything you order isn’t in the package, but the menus are also scattered around everywhere, and you’ll quickly learn what types of drinks are extra. I found that the selection of drinks wasn’t incredibly huge, so I knew fast what they had that I liked, and which were going to cost a little more.

I don’t drink alcohol but would like the occasional soda. Is it possible to purchase just individual drinks without the packages?

Hi Peter, Absolutely! If you take a look at the MSC Drink Menus (here) – on the first menu, flip to the last page. You’ll see the list of sodas and other beverages. It’s definitely not worth a package with the occasional soda.

Hi! Sailing in a couple days. Just want water and maybe a MOCKtail or 2 for a day. I wasn’t clear on how much mineral water is included per day or how to access. No soda, tea or coffee for me. The calculator did not offer the nonalcoholic package so wanted your recommendations- I do need to drink alot of water. Can I bring any sealed bottled water aboard? Is there gratuities on bottled water as well and how big are the bottles? Thanks in advance!

Hi Amy – Good point on the calculator – we’ll fix that and add the non-alcoholic package! At about $28 per day for the non-alcoholic package and a water being about $3.25 + gratuities, You’d end up needing to buy about 7 bottled waters per day to “break even”. (They are the large 17 oz sizes you’d get in a restaurant, so it’s a pretty good value) The non alcoholic cocktails are included as well and are usually about $7 to my recollection, but here’s the menus for MSC Drinks . (the first menu flips through to all the non-alcoholic in the back of the menu) – About bringing water, etc. MSC Is one of the only cruise lines that literally allows no beverages to be brought on the ship. Enjoy your cruise! I hope this helps.

We are looking at doing a cruise with our teens in the spring. We don’t drink alcohol, so is it worth buying a drink package? We would like access to sodas, juices, anything non alcoholic, so wondering if you’d advise to get a drink pkg or not. Thanks!

Hi Diana – Basic tea, coffee, water is included in the fare but soda, specialty coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages aren’t included. There IS an Alcohol free package for $28/day per person +/- which is quite a bit less than the other drink packages. HOWEVER, MSC Often does a promo with the “easy” package or “easy plus” as a perk for a bit of an extra charge. Doing the math, you’ll often find that the little higher rate on a cruise that includes the drink package is far less than buying the package separately. For example, on a 7 day booking I looked and the all included fare was about $37/per person per day more expensive and the drink package was included as well as wifi and onboard credit. More benefits for less money for sure! SO be sure to check that pricing and use our drink calculator for MSC (here) to see if you even drink enough soda/non-alcoholic things to make it worth it.

Your calculator doesn’t take into account that they add a 15% gratuity to each drink, and the package includes the gratuity.

Hi Brad, thanks for the comment, we’ll make a change to the formula to include the gratuity in the calculations!

Is there a time limit in between each drink? Like a waiting period of 10/15 minutes?

Hi Sarah – There is not. We would often try a drink of the day or some specialty, hate it, and immediately order something else.

Hope this helps!

I want to get the easy drinks package but my husband cant drink due to Ill health. Do MSC take this into consideration or will we have to both buy same package.

Hi Karen – Normally with a medical notice from a doctor, the second person doesn’t have to purchase an alcohol package. HOWEVER, MSC rules change… sometimes depending on who you speak to. My experience with this is that they will request you purchase the EASY package for yourself and the NON ALCOHOLIC package for your husband. But it will have to be done by phone, and whether they ask for medical proof will likely depend on who you speak to at the time. I had friends traveling with us that were in your exact situation and they were not asked for proof but were in fact told the non drinking person has to purchase a non-alcoholic package.

Is Redbul available at no additional cost in the easy plus package?

Yes, my recollection is that energy drinks were included with the Easy Plus!

So for my wife who does not drink any alcohol is the minor package the best? Based on the menu the easy plus package covers a variety of beers is that correct vs only Heineken on the easy package.

Hi Jason, they (MSC) will likely require the Alcohol-Free Package as I believe the Minors package is truly teens and below. They’re basically the same thing, you’re just getting penalized for being a grown up 🙂 – That said, the Easy Plus package you are considering does cover all of the beers. There wasn’t a beer served that wasn’t covered by the Easy Plus. And yes, Heineken is the only thing available on the Easy Package. So if you’re a beer drinker, it’s worth looking at the Easy Plus. BUT! Keep in mind, the specials that MSC runs sometimes include the beverage packages and it may be cheaper to go ahead and book with those specials rather than cruise only and adding an Alcohol-Free Package + Easy Plus package. Even if your wife doesn’t take advantage of the alcohol, she can have all of the non-alcoholic beverages she wants and in the end the total price may be less on the promotion. Hope this helps!

If you purchase a non-alcoholic drink package, do you pay the difference for an alcoholic drink or the full price?

Hi Tom – The non alcoholic package won’t work to apply anything towards an alcoholic beverage purchase. However if you have the most basic beverage package (Easy), you can pay the difference for drinks that are more expensive than what is covered by the Easy (this is new for 2023)

Thank you, kind of what I thought. I’d have to to go easy plus since the easy package is not inclusive of some of the non-alcoholic drinks I would like.

Interesting! I’m curious about what non-alcoholic drinks you like that wouldn’t be included in the Easy Package? In our experience, everything non-alcoholic was included in the Easy Package (but there may be something I’m missing!) 🙂

What to do if one person drinks and other doesn’t on the same cabin?

Typically everyone of age in the same cabin must have the same drink package. The cruise line will make an exception for medical reasons. Mostly they don’t want one person getting the package and sharing the drinks with their cabin mate 🙁

Thank you for all of this information. It is very hard to navigate all of this from MSC website. I am not a big drinker so I wasn’t sure if the packages were necessary. Your drink calculator is very helpful . If you could answer a question: there are no frozen drinks on the easy drink menu. Does that mean there is no option for frozen margaritas?

Hi Claudia, I’m glad this information helped! We were able to get frozen drinks without a problem, as long as the liquor type was in the basic package. They didn’t distinguish between frozen or on the rocks with things like Margaritas and Daiquiris.

We are sailing to Rome from Durban 20th April and have bought 18 of the 18 unit packages, my question is does a unit mean a short and a mixer, ie, rum and coke or it that 2 units.

Hi Jennifer, we’ve done both Europe & USA cruises on MSC – and in our experience, a rum and coke was in fact a single drink. I know in Europe, it’s common to sell the mixer separate, but that does not seem to be the case on MSC Ships. I hope this helps & enjoy your cruise!

My husband and I are booked to sail from Durban in April on msc Orchestra 25 day cruise to Genoa. Please can you advise if drinks packages are on offer on the ship or if we pay per drink and are soft drinks free? If we pay per drink can you email prices so that we can work out a budget, many thanks.

Hi Ann! When you login to your MSC account you should see a way to pre-purchase the packages. If you wait until you get on the ship, they will be about 20% more expensive! We did the “easy” package which covered sodas, specialty coffee, bottled water, and quite a few basic drinks, but upgraded on another trip to the Easy Plus which gets you better beverages and allows you to use the package in the specialty restaurants (which you can’t with the basic Easy package). We put together a handy drink calculator for MSC (See the drink calculator) so you can estimate your budget based on how you normally consume. This will let you know really fast if you’re going to make the drink package worth it! I hope this helps.

Their top package used to include everything but full bottles of wine. Last time on Miraviglia it included everything on the champagne bar menu including $20 drinks. On the Seaside it used to cover the specialty chocolate drinks and gelato. Mildly disappointed. Used to be the best package. Bartenders loved it because they could make the high dollar stuff most people won’t try

I feel your disappointment! When we were on the Meraviglia , the whole drink package was so confusing that even some of the staff weren’t sure what to include or not. I had hoped they’d simplify it, but the new packages with prices were just released, and it’s still a head-scratcher.

It will be our first time on a cruise. Reading your tips is being mind and eye opening. We will make sure to have every single detail well calculated before we proceed. Thank you! Great website!

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Cruise Line Restaurant, Room Service, and Bar Menus / Food and Drink

MSC Bar Menus and Drink Prices 2024

by Prof. Cruise · Published April 5, 2023 · Updated January 11, 2024

Are you booked on or considering a cruise on MSC? Wondering about available beverage packages, drink menus, and drink pricing? Here’s a brief description of the five available beverage packages followed by the standard MSC bar menus. These menus reflect updated offerings and pricing introduced in 2023.

MSC Beverage Packages 2024

Here’s what’s included in each of the five available beverage packages on MSC:

Easy Package

• Selected classic or international cocktails • Non-alcoholic cocktails and mixed drinks • Spirits (whisky, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, brandy – one brand per type) • House wines (red, white, sparkling, rosè) • Draft beer Heineken and bottled beer Heineken* • Soft drinks from the fountain, canned soft drinks, fruit juices by the glass and bottled • Bottled Mineral Water • Classic hot drinks (espresso, cappuccino, caffè latte, hot tea, hot chocolate) • Beverage gratuities included

*The brand of beer may vary overtime. The Easy Package covers all the above served in bars, the buffet and the main dining room. It also includes private islands, but does not cover specialty restaurants and signature venues.

A photo of the listing of included beverages in MSC's "Easy Package."

Easy Plus Package

Includes all beverages priced up to $10!*

Variety of frozen and classic cocktails
Fresh fruit cocktails and protein shakes
Well spirits, liqueurs and cordials
Variety of draught and bottled beers
Non-alcoholic cocktails and all non alcoholic drinks
Bottled Mineral Water
Wide range of hot drinks
10% discount on bottles of wine purchased on board
Selection of wines by the glass
Beverage gratuities included

*The Easy Plus Package covers all the above served at bars, the buffet, main dining room and specialty restaurants. It also includes private islands, but does not cover signature venues.

Premium Extra Package

Includes all beverages priced up to $16!*

Wide Selection of Premium and International cocktails
Non-alcoholic cocktails and all non-alcoholic drinks
Fresh fruit and protein cocktails
Premium brand spirits, liqueurs and cordials
Wide selection of fine wine by glass
Champagne by glass
Wide variety of draft and bottled beer
Wide selection of classic and specialty hot drinks
25% discount on purchased of bottled wine and champagne

*The Premium Extra Package can be enjoyed in bars, the buffet, main dining room, and specialty restaurants as well as on private islands, but does not cover signature venues.

Alcohol-Free Package

Non-alcoholic cocktails
Energy drinks
Flavored water
Soda by glass and bottle
Soft serve ice cream

*The Alcoholic-Free Package can be used in bars, the buffet, main dining room, and on private islands, but not in specialty restaurants and signature venues.

Minors Package

*The Minors Package can be used in bars, the buffet, main dining room, and on private islands, but not in the specialty restaurants and signature venues.

MSC Bar Menus 2024 (Standard Fleet-Wide)

Gin and Tonics Available on MSC Cruises

Spritz Cocktails Available on MSC Cruises

Premium Cocktails Available on MSC Cruises

Frozen Drinks Available on MSC Cruises

Classic Cocktails Available on MSC Cruises

Tropical Cocktails Available on MSC Cruises

Mocktails Available on MSC Cruises

Spirits Available on MSC Cruises

Liqueurs and Cordials Available on MSC Cruises

Beer Available on MSC Cruises

Wine Available on MSC Cruises

Fruit Juice, Mineral Water, Energy Drinks, and Sodas Available on MSC Cruises

Specialty Coffee Available on MSC Cruises

And with that…

Class Dismissed!

Homework (10 points): Check out sample MSC dinner menus HERE and share your favorite cruise drink to the comments.

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to the blog (scroll up to the top right if on a computer or keep scrolling down if on a mobile device) and follow Prof. Cruise on your favorite social media sites:

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2 Responses

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Thanks for the uploads. This are great infos. I wonder why MSC is not providing this infos on their webside. BUT are this menus now after the updates from 27. February 2023? The prices changed then and also the assembling of the drinks in the individual package changed as well. Just wanted to make sure if this menus here are from after the 27th Feb 2023? Thanks Tom

Hi, I wil travel the 1st of june on the MSC Divina leaving from Barcelona, I need to Underestand how the drink package works?, how much they are? price is per day? per the all crucie? Wath they incloude?

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Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising. Home port: Seattle. Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human. Lover of books and dessert. Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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*The Minors Package can be used in bars, the buffet, main dining room, and on private islands, but not in the specialty restaurants and signature venues. MSC Bar Menus 2024 (Standard Fleet-Wide) Gin and Tonics Available on MSC Cruises. Spritz Cocktails Available on MSC Cruises.

MSC Yacht Club Menu: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks (2024)

MSC Yacht Club Menu: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks (2024)

MSC Yacht Club Breakfast Menu

MSC Yacht Club Lunch Menus

MSC Yacht Club Dinner Menus

Gala Dinner Menu

Regular Dinner Menus in MSC Yacht Club

Deliciously Healthy

Baked Just for You

Special Themed Dinner Night

Premium Extra Package included

MSC Yacht Club Drink Menu

Coffee by Lavazza Tierra!

Hot Chocolate by Arthemia

Morning Star

Mineral Water

Fruit Juices

Energy Drinks

Zero Alcohol

Draught Beer

Bottled Beer

G&T Club by Gin Project

Spritz & Beyond

Old School, Throwback

Wines & Other Spirit

In Summary: MSC Yacht Club Menu

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MSC Yacht Club – Night One Dinner Menu

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MSC Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge Menus

Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge Full Review

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MSC Seaside | Dining & Restaurants

Explore MSC Seaside Dining & Restaurant Options

Restaurants on MSC Seaside

MSC Seaside Free Dining Overview

Seashore Restaurant (Deck 5)

Ipanema (Deck 6)

MSC Seaside Buffet Restaurants

MSC Seaside Specialty Restaurants and Other Fee Dining Options

Asian Market Kitchen by (Deck 16)

Ocean Cay (Deck 16)

Butcher’s Cut (Deck 16)

Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar (Deck 6) and Venchi 1878 Gelato & Creperie (Deck 7)

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Msc Seaside: my Yacht Club experience

Msc Seaside: I liked: Entertainment, design of the ship, Yacht Club experience

Yacht Club services

Entertainment

Spa and technology onboard

Msc Seaside: I didn’t like: Food, some aspects of the service, and poor storage in the cabins. The ship could feel crowded at times.

Interiors and design

Disembarking