MSC Seaside Review
Rating by category
Additional details
I'll start by echoing what pretty much every other reviewer has stated about this ship . . . it is beautiful! My wife and i were immediately taken with how pretty the ship was from the time we got to the Port of Miami until we disembarked.
Embarkation was pretty smooth, aside from the individual in front of us having his bag inspected. We were Aurea class, so we did have priority boarding (just go into the cruise terminal and to the left), but the inspection did slow the process down a bit.
Once we boarded, around 1:00PM, we headed straight to the Top 19 for a drink, as our room wasn't ready until about 2:30. This area was great. We thought the bar service at the Top 19 was fast and great. The wristbands definitely helped with the speediness of getting a drink. We had upgraded to the Deluxe drink package . . . well worth the additional $120 or so above the included Classic Drink package. I will say that the mixed drinks are a little light on the alcohol, however, but you can always request an extra shot of whatever you're having for no additional cost with the Deluxe Package.
Cabin Review
Aurea Grand Suite
The cabin was very clean and spacious. Having the full-sized walk-in closet and shower, as well as the separated living and bedroom were great. The balcony was large and provided a great view of the Gulf, as long as you were standing up. The cabin was also extremely quiet to foot-traffic, although being at the front of the ship, it meant there was more rockiness. There was also a banging noise we heard on occasion that sounded like heavy equipment being moved. We never really figure out what was causing it. Best guess was it was the cabin above us closing their sliding glass door very loudly.