Cruisin' - Part 1: The Boat.....


I just got back from my Caribbean cruise yesterday. So I've got to tell you about it. But too much to say in one blog. So I'll break it up. But how was it? Great , beyond my expectations. How am I? Whipped. Parts of my body are badly sunburned. Also, the stereotype about getting sick on a boat?  That's true. I'm coughing and hacking frequently. But let me start telling you about the trip.

As regular readers will remember, my wife and I planned a cruise last year for our 40th anniversary. But Hurricane Irma came, and the trip was cancelled. So we decided on trying it again this year.

After shopping for a cruise line we decided on a new comer to the American cruising market, MSC Cruise lines. MSC is based in Italy. They are one of the largest cargo shippers in the world. A while back they entered the cruising market, and only a few years ago decided to enter the American market with Caribbean cruises. Their calling cards are elegant, make that drop dead gorgeous, new ships.

After going through the embarkment process in the new MSC terminal in Miami, you walk through the ramps and enter the MSC Seaside, christened in January. You enter the stunning atrium. It is a shimmering, multi-tiered silver and mirrored spectacle. The focal point a six curving staircases. They are each encased with actual Swarovski crystals. It really takes your breath away.

But every deck and every area is spectacular. It has Venti, the chocolate bar where you can get Chocolate drinks, gelato, and special coffees. It has lounges for activities and just lounging. Ziplines and water slides. Pools, deck chairs, a casino and art gallery. Plus it seemed like every night there was a spectacular party on the top deck with a DJ. You could bump the night away.

There was an ultra modern theater that seats about 1,000. Every night there was a spectacular show. Everything from singers and dancers to acrobats. The quality was outstanding. Why this one female singer is on a cruise ship, and not releasing her own songs is beyond me. She's that good.

Food was served on buffets on two different decks. The buffet food was OK, but still buffet food. Nothing overy special. Although you could get Italian style pizza there. Dinner was served in one of
Venti, the chocolate bar.
the dining rooms. We had the same waiter and table mates all week. You could order off the menu that varies from day to day. Throughout the week I had New York steaks, swordfish, shrimp, and lasagna. Desserts included cheesecake and baked Alaska. Plus it was all you can eat. Want another steak? Bring it on. To be honest, some portions seems to be a bit small, in the European fashion. We never made it to the fancy, optional restaurants.

This was truly an international cruise. The ships officers were mostly Italian, with many other European nationalities. The staff, such as waiters, bartenders and room staff were even more international. They came from The Phillipines, Dominican Republic, and South Africa. But few few, if any Americans. But everybody spoke English.

The surprising part was the makeup of the passengers. English speakers were most definitely in the minority.The vast majority were Europeans. Italians, Spanish, and Germans. They can really dress fashionably too. These were no Americans with their ripped up jeans.

I guess the most amazing thing was this. This was a huge ship with about 5,000 guests, and I think about 1,500 staff. Yet, there were so many places to go, and so many things to do, that no one area was over crowded. Except maybe the elevators.

White Party night. Wear white, drink, dance.
I learned a lot too. To work on the cruise ship you work every day for nine months. Then you get two months off. I couldn't do it. It's hard work. Remember, our ship docked back at Miami, and we were off the ship by about 9:00 am. By 7:00 pm the ship was off again with new passengers, for another cruse.

So would I do it again? Hell, yes. Only now I would be more experienced and be able to get more out of it and avoid mistakes. (apply sunscreen). Now you can say that some cruises are expensive. But if you shop around, you can find them for well under $100 per day. That's less than staying in most hotels. Plus it's all you can eat, with entertainment.

I'll try to talk more about this trip soon. Hear about the Big Mon's time in Jamaica.

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