0208 248 2355
Questions about your booking? Contact Us
Login
The cruise experience on MSC Seaview is all about connecting you with the world outside, from the sea to the sky. Whether you’re sunbathing by one of the pools, strolling around the seafront promenade, dining under the stars or enjoying a relaxing massage in the lavishly appointed MSC Aurea Spa, you’re always surround by superb views.
We have already been on around 20 cruises worldwide, almost exclusively on premium ships such as Europa, Hanseatic Inspiration, Crystal Serenity, Seabourn Pursuit, Silver Muse and Silver Spirit, Oceania Riviera, Azamara Onward, Cunard Queen Anne, Celebrity Reflection, etc. So the idea of traveling with MSC was certainly a risk, but the travel dates suited us well and we booked at very short notice. Spoiled by previous trips, we opted for the MSC Yacht Club. Given the many negative reviews we had read about MSC Seaview, the result was surprising for us. This yacht club is actually a ship within a ship. While the Seaview can accommodate over 5,000 passengers, the yacht club has a maximum capacity of just 300, located only on the top decks of the ship. The embarkation and disembarkation process was smoother and more luxurious than on many premium lines. We had a rather negative experience last year with the Queen Anne, even though we had booked the Queen's Suite category. No waiting, our own yacht club luggage drop-off, escorted from there by a butler to a lounge, and after checking our documents and passports, we were escorted past all the queues onto the ship in five minutes; disembarkation was exactly the same. The same applied to shore excursions: we briefly registered with the yacht club concierge and were immediately escorted by a butler to the tender boat or ashore (we had a similar experience in the Royal Suite Class on the Anthem of the Sea, but it was much more expensive). Truly outstanding! The same feeling of privacy prevailed in the yacht club, which was never overcrowded and always had plenty of space, whether in the restaurant, the lounge, or at our own pool. It felt like being on a small ship with 300 people. Our Deluxe Suite was about 30 square meters with a small balcony, plenty of space, functionally furnished, good storage space (often critical in cabins and suites at sea), and a small but functional bathroom with a shower (finally, no more pointless bathtubs—who needs to bathe at sea when water is scarce?). Three-quarters of the service staff were very good, which was not surprising in the yacht club and even better than in the rest of the ship, but never rude or really bad. The ship itself is a floating entertainment machine, but you don't notice any of the hustle and bustle in the yacht club. If you want to socialize, you can use all the facilities or just relax in the yacht club. The food on board is not quite as good. Here you really notice the size of the ship and, of course, that the budget for catering is geared towards the lower categories, not the upper ones. We didn't eat in the main restaurants, of course, and the buffets in the day restaurants were too crowded for us. The Yacht Club Restaurant is separate and quite luxurious, but the seats are too close together, and there are good, average, and almost bad tables. I would describe the food as average, with small portions, especially the meat. We also went to two specialty restaurants, but you have to pay extra for those: $55 per person at the steakhouse and $45 per person at the seafood restaurant. This is another example of how MSC is ruled by calculations. Despite the high purchase price, you are limited to three courses (which is a shame, as the steaks at sea tend to be on the small side; for example, on Oceania or Silver Sea, I often skipped the starter and had two steaks instead, but that doesn't work on MSC, where you have to eat according to the rules).We tended to like the atmosphere and food in the seafood restaurant a little better, which was good to very good, but of course still far from excellent. This surcharge policy is annoying, especially for Yacht Club guests. Since you pay significantly more in the Yacht Club (around €1,000 per suite per day), a visit to the specialty restaurant should be cheaper than if you pay for an inside cabin and then want to dine in style. Equally annoying is that you have to pay an extra €2.50 for an espresso in the ship's pastry shop, which is very good, though, which is important to me. Not all services are included for Yacht Club guests. However, champagne was included, Nicolas Feuillate, a premium champagne, but not bad. Gin and tonic with Tanqueray gin was also included. We didn't book any shore excursions through the cruise line, as we already knew all the destinations and set off on our own, often using hop-on hop-off buses. Disembarking in the ports and shuttle buses worked well, as did the tender. We went to two evening entertainment shows. There are three shows per night, but they were never really that good, but that's not why we go on a ship. On the subject of smoking, which is very important to me as a cigar smoker and to my wife as an e-cigarette smoker, there were several areas, especially in the yacht club area, separate from the swimming pool and the restaurant, with few passengers, so you couldn't disturb anyone. The internet also worked relatively well, with two devices per person per day included in the yacht club. We skipped the couple's treatments, as we found the prices on this ship too high in relation to what you get on land. The fitness center was very nice, well equipped, and relatively spacious. There was also a wider selection for sauna lovers. Conclusion: good value for money, not in the same class as small luxury ships, of course, but definitely a treat for spoiled souls in the yacht club. We would do it again.
MSC Seaview offers a wide variety of elegant accommodation, from ocean-view balcony cabins and family options to luxury suites with private whirlpool baths.
MSC Seaview's main restaurants serve a mouthwatering blend of freshly prepared Mediterranean and international cuisine in elegant surroundings. And with a choice of superb speciality restaurants offering further variety, there’s a menu for every desire.
Seek the extraordinary and make your cruise holiday an unforgettable adventure.
We offer an incredible choice of shore excursions to suit every taste: whether you prefer adventure, nature, culture or history, we’ve designed something for you and the whole family.
From Culture & History and our breathtaking Scenic Routes, to our Active & Adventure tours and the discovery of Natural Wonders, to Sea & Sun’s relax, our Something Special experiences and our Accessible Tours, you can enjoy the treasures of each destination in your preferred way.
We’ve also established the MSC Family Explorer Club, Excursions Explorer Package and MSC Bike Adventours, which are unique to our line and available on selected MSC Cruises' itineraries.
MSC Seaview offers every kind of recreation facility you could wish for, from the high-tech theatre, disco and casino to the full-sized bowling alleys, interactive, multi-storey water park and adventure trail, not forgetting colourful kids’ play areas created in partnership with LEGO® and Chicco®.
BARS & LOUNGES
A refreshing choice of 19 classy bars and lounges means you’ll have no trouble finding the ideal venue for an evening of laughter with friends, accompanied by sophisticated cocktails, fine wines, a selection of international beers and other refreshments.
An MSC Cruise is not just a chance to travel and explore – it’s also a chance to relax, feel healthy, and look your best. Unwind with a soothing sauna, relax with a traditional Balinese massage, or treat yourself to a high-tech beauty treatment during your cruise in our MSC Aurea Spa.
SPA & BEAUTY
Feeling healthy and looking your best is a part of the MSC Cruises experience. Try something new, like high-tech beauty treatments, a soothing sauna or enjoy a Balinese massage. Book now one of our spa packages and take advantage of our pre-boarding rates.
PLEASE NOTE:
In order to grant the best experience to our guests, all Thermal Area experiences are available by appointment only.
Access to the MSC Aurea Spa is only permitted for guests over the age of 18. Click here to discover the details.
Pregnant guests are not allowed to use any heat treatments within the Thermal Area.
SPORT & FITNESS
A voyage with MSC Cruises brings you the leisure time and the facilities to maintain and build your fitness thanks to a wide choice of Sports Facilities and a state-of-the art Sports Centre with fabulous sea views. You can admire the panorama, burn off calories and keep in shape. Whether you prefer to train alone, love a workout in company or live to compete, you’ll find just what you need.
PLEASE NOTE:
Click here to discover the treatments and services available according to our Spa and Gym Minors Policy.
Family holidays are a special time – a blend of fun, special times together as a family, and quality time as individuals. Over the years, we’ve built a renowned reputation as a company that can cater for all needs at all times, paying special attention to the individual needs of children, tweens, teens, and parents, as well as creating incredible shared experiences for the whole family.
