Lost Shaker of Salt- MSC Seascape April 5- 12, 2026 Galveston, TX (Western Caribbean)
MSC Seascape was an absolutely GORGEOUS ship!
After 28 cruises, we are in love with CRUISING and are pretty much addicted to cruising. We find it to be the overall BEST VALUE for vacationing; although, we do travel on land vacations annually. We wanted to try MSC as we have never sailed on this Italian Cruise Line. We found a last minute deal just 22 days prior to embarkation day for only $342/ person. Even when we added the Premium Drink Package and the Wi-Fi, the grand total with taxes and fees was still only $1542 for both of us! This is completely unheard of as we usually pay just short of that for the DRINK PACKAGE only on Royal Caribbean!
We have cruised 13 previous times with Carnival, 12 times with Royal Caribbean, 2 times with Norwegian and 1 time with Princess.
This blog will contain entries of our day-to-day life aboard the MSC Seascapeas well as a shore excursion details, port tips and tricks and so much more. We will also VLOG our daily life aboard the MSC Seascape!
Throughout the blog posts, we will also share the lots of tips, tricks and insiders knowledge about cruising out of Galveston, information about cruising to the Western Caribbean as well as great information about MSC Seascape!
Check out our 7 day cruise to the Western Caribbean:
We enjoyed the MSC Seascape and trying out a new cruise line! And to be honest, we would sail on Seascape or with MSC again (if the price was right). We will pay MSC prices for the "MSC experience" like we had on the Seascape; but NOT Royal Caribbean prices for the same experience! We cruise for the relaxation and peace of being at sea and away from it all! In the end, we will cruise on whichever line has the best deal and overall value!
Up Next... The Mariner of the Seas (our SUITE LIFE to achieving Diamond on Royal Caribbean)!
Coming Soon:
Symphony of the Seas- July 2026 Liberty of the Seas- December 2026 Freedom of the Seas (Graduation Cruise)- June 2027
1990's Spring Break Vibes Day #6- Cozumel, Mexico April 9, 2026
Cruise #29 means Cozumel visit #24! It truly is our "Caribbean home away from home"
Morning We woke up a little bit later than usual since we stayed out until the early morning hours the night before. However, this allowed for a less crowded breakfast since most people had already gotten off the ship in Cozumel. We decided to have Butcher's Cut again for breakfast since it was FREE. The service was just average for this meal and I am not sure if that is due to the later arrival (9:45AM instead of opening time) or another reason. The food was good but not "blow you away" type of meal. Both Chris and I opted to try the Steak and Eggs and the steak was paper thin and incredibly chewy. The Biscuits and gravy were flavorful but the biscuits were hard; in fact, I wonder if they were stale. It was a mediocre meal (at best) but was about par for our cruise, to be honest!
Greetings from our Home Away from Home!
I loved the crafted Ice Latte's in literally EVERY bar.
This was delivered in Butcher's Cut and it was great!
The omelet Chris and I shared was nothing impressive! Kellie- 2.5 & Chris- 1.5
We finished breakfast and got off the ship around 10:30AM. The MSC Seascape was docked at the Punta Langosta- the Downtown Pier. Carnival and Royal Caribbean both use the southern piers so it had been many years since we had ported at this pier. The island has really built up this pier and I was impressed with the overall design and structure. TIP- However, the construction is not yet complete so you will have a bit of an issue getting back across the street getting back to the ship. While I enjoyed the upgrade terminal, I still prefer the International Pier (Royal Caribbean) the best of the three Cozumel piers.
We made our way through the terminal and I was able to find a "Fish Spa". I have always seen these and wanted to try it out and this allowed such an opportunity. It was a 20 minute "fish eating" session for $35 total. The 100+ fish started eating at my dead skin immediately- it was really weird. With the tip, this cost $43 total and I am not sure I would do this again, despite it's uniqueness!
I have always wanted to try these and today was the DAY!
My feet were left very soft but overall, it was a memory made for sure!
My Fish Spa experience... YOLO!
We then ventured into Senor Frogs and immediately the MTV Spring Break vibes started flowing. Chris and I got a drink and really enjoyed the dance videos and theatricals from the workers. I had not been to Senor Frogs since my HS Senior Trip to Cancun in 2001 but this really hit the spot! Oddly enough, the restaurant was full of Generation X 1980s babies just singing along to Alanis Morsette! Next time we will get food!
We opted for the 20oz instead of the YARD and it was perfect! $18.99/ each and the Yard was $27.99!
Hello from Senor Frogs... This was a GREAT day in Cozumel!
Afternoon We got back on the ship and went to the buffet for lunch and it was still just not for us. The food offerings were substantial and offered something for just about anyone but overall the food was just Food Court standard in our opinion.
Chris's neuropathy was giving him fits so we opted to get a bicycle shuttle back to the ship! The best $15 tip EVER!
MSC desserts were "low key" delicious! (Sorry... I am trying to be a cool blogger)
We got changed into our swimsuits and then went to the Infinity Pool once again for a beautiful afternoon. It was very windy and since the infinity pool is not very deep, we were not in here for very long as we just got too cold! We showered and got dressed for the evening and then made our way to the Loft Cafe for mid-afternoon snacks and drinks. This was a moment we were both enjoying the Wi-Fi that came with our Premium Package. It felt a little weird to be playing games and scrolling social media on a cruise but we enjoyed the communication availability!
The Infinity Pool around 2PM- It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon!
MSC version of the "Ranger Cookie" from Royal Caribbean... Not near as good!
We spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening in the Sports Bar for the 2nd Round of The Masters. As I mentioned in a previous post, I LOVE The Masters and being able to watch it for hours in this expansive Sports Bar was literally priceless. I am already thinking about how to take off work next year and watch it from a cruise ship sports bar! We were also able to see the MSC Seascape push off from Cozumel and begin making our way home from Deck 8 just outside the Sports Bar!
I am ready for CARIBBEAN Attire night! Gotta Love Shein... Only $11!
This is where we spent the majority of our afternoon! This Sports Bar is LEGIT!
Goodbye Norwegian Prima... We will see you in Galveston in 2 days!
The Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas and the Carnival Dream also docked in Cozumel!
Adios Cozumel... See you in TWO MONTHS!
Evening We went to our favorite bar, The Cocktail Bar, as it opened at 6PM and had another wonderful conversation with Ashish Rao, the bartender. We were also able to talk with a fellow quest who was an elementary principal about the "joys of education". This was a very enlightening, albeit curse-filled, conversation. We also strolled through the Captain's Court Specialty Restaurant Lounge.
Check out these AWESOME areas around the ship:
Liberty Plaza and Duty Free Shopping (Deck 8 Midship)
We made our way to Deck 8 for a gorgeous sunset and then dinner in the MDR. The Mexican Themed menu was not terrible and on the same level as the Carnival and Royal Caribbean Mexican menus.
THIS is why I cruise... These sunsets are GORGEOUS!
I still cannot believe we got THIS view from our MDR table!
Hello Table #430.. You are FOREVER my favorite!
The Mexican Themed Menu aboard MSC Seascape!
French Onion Soup Kellie-1.5 There is a reason Royal Caribbean is FAMOUS... This was a pass!
Quesadilla Chris- 3.0 & Kellie-2.5 This had a LOT going on but was flavorful!
Brisket Chris- 2.0 & Kellie-1.0 WHOA... This was so NOT GOOD!
Sorbet Kellie 1.5 I always have to have an "Ice Cream" night and this was it!
After dinner we went back to the Cocktail Bar before they closed at 9PM and then to the Casino to try our luck but we were not successful so we made our way to the Casino Bar to talk "Beagles" with one of our favorite bartenders. It started to get busy around 10:30PM so we went back to the Sports Bar for more live music with Christo De Rey, the Classic Rock guitar performer!
Our beagle, Rockefeller, for reference! 2.5 years and he thinks he RULES THE WORLD! He is a MESS!
Let's Talk Ship- Day #6
It's ALWAYS a good day on a cruise!
We called it a night right before midnight after a great day spent in Cozumel and onboard this gorgeous ship!
UP NEXT... Our last day spent onboard the MSC Seascape!
We really enjoyed getting dressed up like the "good ol' cruising days". (At least I did)
Morning
Once we reached smooth sailing at approximately 9PM on Night #2, it was a very smooth cruise and this allowed for much better sleep but as a perimenopausal woman in her 40 forties, I was desperately needing a fan. The stateroom still stayed very cool compared to many other cruise lines we have sailed but the hot-flashes are not forgiving. We were up around 7AM and made our way to Loft Cafe for coffee and light pastries. TIP- The Loft Cafe on Deck 8 Forward is an incredible coffee shop that truly offers coffee shop vibes and has tons of seating. The coffee is a little more customizable here than anywhere else on the ship as well as they have several different syrup options. I also appreciate the fact it is a full service bar with bartenders. HOWEVER- The Full service was not great during the morning hours it seemed.
SMOOTH SAILING on Day #3
This is a GREAT option for breakfast and the pastries' were actually good.
Check out the Loft Cafe!
We went back to the room to enjoy the balcony in the shade before going to breakfast at Hola Tacos.TIP- This was easily the best food on the ship period. They offered traditional breakfast options like omelets but also Huevos Rancheros and even Queso. The service was just as good if not better than the MDR and Butcher’s Cut as we were in and out in less than 40 minutes. This is NOT to be missed while sailing on the MSC Seascape.
Do not sleep on Hola Tacos-It as AWESOME!
The Hola Tacos Breakfast Menu
The Churros were not bad at all.
This queso was AMAZING... I cannot believe I ate this for breakfast but it was mighty tasty!
The Hola Tacos Breakfast Burrito was really good and I loved the fresh guacamole!
After breakfast we went back to the balcony as it was a gorgeous day and the seas were smooth as glass. We stayed on the balcony in the shade for over an hour before going to the Jungle Pool Beach Bar for freshly squeezed orange juice. TIP- The Jungle Beach Bar is the only place on the ship with a fresh OJ machine and it is delicious. This is free if you have the Premium Beverage Package and does not count towards your 15 drinks. We sipped our fresh OJ and laid out in the corner of the Jungle Pool area for over an hour.
This is a perfect day aboard a cruise ship... AND even INSIDE with AC.
We then went to the Casino Bar and met a couple from Magnolia, just miles away from our hometown of Conroe, TX. We talked to them for a while before going to “Tour de Brunch” in the MDR. This brunch offered food from “around the world” with about 8 different main dish options. We arrived after 12PM and it was very busy, but we did not have to wait for a table which was nice. The service was not as good for this meal as I feel we were forgotten a bit. The food was mid-level at best but I enjoyed seeing all the offerings from other passengers' tables.
The Main Dining Room Tour de Brunch menu (Sea Day #2)
The French Toast
Kellie- 2.5
Carbonara Pasta
Kellie-2.0
This sauce was awful... Flavor was not terrible!
Bread and Butter Pudding
Kellie 3.0 & Chris- 3.0
Afternoon
After brunch we went back to the balcony and were able to stay in the shade for only about 30 minutes before it was fully in the sun and were HOT so we went to the Cabaret Lounge for afternoon trivia- we didn't win! But the wake view was absolutely perfect on this gorgeous day!
Balcony Selfie time...
This is why I cruise... and cruise SO OFTEN! This is absolutely PERFECT!
Hello Mariner of the Seas!
We will see you in less than 2 months for "The Suite Life of Chris & Kellie"!
Stay tuned for that!
We then went to the Cocktail Bar in the Specialty Restaurant Lounge. This very quickly became our favorite spot on the whole ship and gave Carnival Alchemy Bar vibes. The bartender Ashish Rao from Mumbai was incredible and the sole bartender at this bar. He made some of the best drinks I have had in a very long time. We sat at talked to him for a long time before leaving to go to Friend’s Trivia in the Cabaret Lounge. Unfortunately, I did not win but we still had fun! In fact, this is our first cruise EVER we have not won a single trivia!
We went to the Love and Marriage Show as the matinee in the Main Theater and it was funny and very well attended. TIP- Be sure to arrive at all shows in the Main Theater about 5-10 minutes early as there is not enough seating for 5,500 passengers and it gets really crowded in the last 10 minutes before a show.
MSC Spa Entrance- Check it out!
We loved the layout of this Spa!
We opted to enjoy the gorgeous afternoon in the Infinity Pool area on Deck 8 aft. This was less of a pool and more of a shallow bathtub but we enjoyed the sun and the calmness of no kids.TIP- Even when sailing on “off-peak” weeks in the school year, we still had 1,269 passengers less than 18 years old on our cruise and I was a little shocked. I will say that most of the kids were much better behaved than Carnival or Norwegian clientele it seemed.
Another view of the Infinity Pool from the Aft Elevators.
Check out the AFT ELEVATORS:
Hello Cancun, Mexico!
Let's Get some GELATO!
Day 3- Let's Talk Ship
A gorgeous day on a cruise ship... everything else doesn't even matter!
Evening
We spent about 2 hours in the Infinity Pool and then showered and got ready for Gala Night onboard. TIP- Gala Night is MSC’s Formal Night and I will say that overall the guest were much more dressed up than our experience the past few years on Carnival, Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. It very much reminded us of Princess Cruise Lines Formal Night and we liked that.
We are all "prettied up" for Gala Night!
I (personally) LOVED getting to dress up for Gala Night!
Dinner in the MDR was not as nice as we would have thought for the “Gala Night” dinner and the service was not as fast as the previous two evenings; but it is a formal night and the service is just always slower. We also for the first time ordered "Two Entrees" as we wanted to share the Filet Mignon. Supposedly MSC charges $5 per additional entree beyond 1. We expected a charge and we did have a "charge" on our account BUT it was for $0. That could have been standard or it could have been since we mentioned the steak not being very good at all- It's hard to tell! It was also VERY HOT in our corner on this meal and by the time our dessert arrived, we were so hot we were uncomfortable!
The MDR Gala Night Dinner Menu
Lobster Bisque
Chris- 3.0 & Kellie- 2.5
This was good flavored but it was not as rich or thick & creamy as I would personally prefer.
Caesar Salad
Chris-1.5 & Kellie- 1.0
This seemed not even mixed together and the dressing had "clumps" in it!
Lobster
Chris-4.0 (the whole dish but the Lobster itself was 2.0)
Kellie- 2.5 overall
Filet Mignon
Chris 2.0 & Kellie-1.0
This didn't even taste like the right cut of meat as it was very chewy and overcooked. Even the neighboring table had a tough cut of meat. The potatoes, asparagus and sauce were DELICIOUS and easily the most flavorful thing we had up to this point but we couldn't even finish this TINY steak!
Another look at this cut of "filet".
Baked Alaska
Both- 3.5
We enjoyed this ending to our meal!
Gala Night Review
Overall, we really enjoyed this evening!
After dinner we went back to the room to get into more comfortable clothes and then went to the Sports Bar for live music with guitarist Christo de Rey- this guy was INCREDIBLE and easily the most entertaining musicians we have experienced on any cruise! If you like Classic Rock, be sure to check him out!
He last set was over at 11PM so we went back to enjoy the balcony! I was not feeling 100% so I showered and went to bed early. Overall it was a great sea day aboard the MSC Seascape!
