Msc Seaside: the ship that follows the sun (part 2)
Welcome to the second part of the account of an experience on board Msc Seaside, where were we? If you missed the first part you can read it here, otherwise enjoy!
Slides in Marseille
The next morning when Msc Seaside is in Marseille, we find ourselves once again in the ‘Marketplace’ buffet restaurant. It is crowded, it does not seem as if the ship is sailing with a lower than normal passenger capacity. The buffet stations have the usual hustle and bustle and long lines, even for the most mundane things – tea and water. The only advantage: if the hustle and bustle inside becomes too much for your taste, you can always escape to the outside area of Msc Seaside.
MSC Seaside
We decided not to take part in an organised shore excursion to Marseille, water slides awaited us, we tried all three one after the other! There is a double slide, a donut slide (rubber dinghies) and a whirligig slide, and all three are spectacular. Others curl up in one of the large, circular lounges, some of which have unfortunately been placed on the pool deck. But if you want to enjoy them, you have to be quick, because they are loved by young and old alike. Once you have found and occupied your seat, the only thing that can ruin your rest is the loud sound of music, which even in the morning does not stop anywhere on the ship.
A ship you have to get used to
We finally take a look at the common rooms below deck. Orientation is difficult because Msc Seaside differs dramatically from other cruise ships. The confusion begins with the fact that the atrium, which is at the bow or midships on most cruise ships, is located aft on the ships of the Seaside class. Furthermore, there is no internal central promenade like on the Msc Meraviglia. On the other hand, the ‘Piazza Grande’ is not, as the name suggests, the heart of the ship, but only a small corridor at the front of deck 6, where the shops are located. Moreover, on the MSC SEASIDE there is no longer a classic pool deck. The ‘Jungle Pool’ is located in the middle of the ship on deck 18, while the large open-air pool deck extends aft on deck 16, and another smaller pool (‘South Beach Pool’) is somewhat hidden at the foot of the panoramic elevators on deck 7. If you are here, for example, and want to move from one pool to another when the weather changes, you should not only bring flip-flops and a medium-sized rucksack, but also some time and a good physical condition.
MSC Seaside Atrium
MSC Seaside Atrium
MSC Seaside Piazza Grande
MSC Seaside Piazza Grande
However, what Msc Seaside has in common with all other MSC cruise ships is the fact that the vast majority of passengers do not have a visual of the direction of travel anywhere on board. On decks 16, 18 and 19, the middle part of the decks is reserved for the MSC Yacht Club, on decks 9 to 15 cabins, including the MSC Aurea Spa, and on decks 6 and 7, it is reserved for accommodation for 1,413 crew members. What a pity. All in all, the Msc Seaside is a ship that takes a long time to get used to. Other MSC units may seem more elegant with their glittering Swarovski windows and central shopping promenade with iridescent LED ceilings, and it is easier to get used to.
MSC Seaside Jungle Pool
MSC Seaside South Beach Pool
The time between departure and dinner offers another opportunity to discover other areas inside the ship. However, with little success. The Seaview Lounge is nice, because you can escape from the hustle and bustle of the atrium and bars here, but unfortunately it is also the only one of its kind on board and consequently very crowded. However, in the evening, the piers are almost deserted. There is no poolside music and almost no activity in the bars, just the usual young bands, which can hardly be classified as ‘entertainment on board’. There is more only in the atrium. A football match featuring Italy will be shown there on the large screens, but even this is not enough to silence the music from the loudspeakers or turn it off altogether. Moreover, the hall would become a kind of playground for an hour that would need no artificial support, but whose atmosphere would only be fuelled by the spectators and their enthusiasm. What a pity, missed opportunity.
MSC Seaside Seaview Lounge
At sea
652 nautical miles from Syracuse, our destination port is quite far away, giving the ship the opportunity to spend a day at sea. Outside on the pontoon, the air is considerably cooler. The pontoons are wet and drizzling, and there is still no activity. So there is a lot of fun to be had, sometimes slipping and sliding with the children, but they are finding it too cold to have fun there. After all, to go on the slides you have to endure several minutes of climbing up the slope at dizzying heights, where the wind is quite chilly. We therefore prefer to postpone it to a warmer day.
MSC Seaside Bridge of Sighs
MSC Seaside Infinity Bridge
However, Msc Seaside is full of open or semi-open spaces that encourage you to have a look here and there or to linger and admire the sea, but in which you are always exposed to noise or music. The sea is not particularly rough, but the sun does not come out from behind the clouds. The good thing is that the swimmers have the pools to themselves, and the tourists the open-air bridges. The Bridge of Sighs at the stern is not for the faint-hearted. With its glass floor, it leads to the open deck between the port and starboard sides of Msc Seaside, with a view of the small South Beach pool below. The situation is similar on the Promenade Deck with the Infinity Bridge, which also protrudes a few metres above the deck. It also has a glass backdrop, but at least there is a leak on only one side (towards the sea).
We are looking forward to seeing you next week for the last edition of the MscSeaside story!
Furthermore, don’t miss updates, news and reviews of Msc Seaside on Cruising Journal with photos, videos and cruises on offer!
