Entertainment & Activities

Theater and Shows on MSC Seascape

Chora Theater is MSC Seascape's primary entertainment venue. A 1,200-seater, the two-deck theater feels intimate enough to the point that there's hardly a bad seat in the house. The unassuming grey patterns on the walls and ceiling are vaguely reminiscent of stone slabs you might find in an ancient Greek amphitheater (chora is Greek for town), while classical Greek motifs adorn other parts of the venue.

During our sailing, Chora Theater hosted nightly shows ranging from single-performer concerts to elaborate musicals. The entertainment itself was hit or miss; owing to MSC's multilingual audience, the shows often had to rely on universal forms of entertainment. This meant sometimes forcing elements -- like gymnasts or mimes -- that didn't have much of a connection to the overall plot of what was being presented on stage.

Cabaret Rouge - While Chora Theater owns its minimalist style, Le Cabaret Rouge embraces an extravagant swagger. Drawing not-so-subtle inspiration from Paris' Moulin Rouge, this fun spot at the aft of the ship on decks 6 and 7 features a red-on-red décor accentuated with all-black chandeliers. It can sit up to 400 people, but thanks to its smart layout, feels remarkably intimate.

Live entertainment at Le Cabaret Rouge got started around 8pm each night. The quality of the acts was inconsistent, but the overall vibe of the venue is thoroughly enjoyable. After midnight, the cabaret became the DJ's stage.

Tip: Le Cabaret Rouge was obviously built for nightlife, but it's also a delightful afternoon spot. Curl up on one of its comfortable lounge chairs by a window to catch the sunset or to catch up on a good book.

Daily Things to Do on MSC Seascape

Trivia contests, bingo sessions, dance classes and the odd lecture made up the bulk of the daily activities on board MSC Seascape. But even on sea days, the number and variety of organized events seemed somewhat scarce. To be fair, the plurality of languages among passengers can turn some of these activities (particularly trivia) into a complicated affair.

We did find, however, that passengers onboard MSC Seashore are quite adept at generating their own entertainment, so impromptu card games were a common sight across the ship's lounges and other common areas.

Nightlife on MSC Seascape

The glitzy look of MSC Seascape lends itself to healthy doses of nightlife, and our sailing was no exception. Aside from the activities in the theater and cabaret, other venues throughout the ship come live when night falls. The parties usually got started at The Atrium or Times Square on Deck 6 with live music and dueling pianos, while more subdued performances would take place at the Loft Café on Deck 8. Karaoke sessions, dance lessons and live music took off in Deck 8's Uptown Lounge, and for those who prefer to party under the stars could revel on the Marina Pool Deck with a live DJ.

MSC Seascape's casino serves as the main thoroughfare between The Atrium and Chora Theater on Deck 7. A grand total of 186 slots machines and 14 gaming tables with Roulette, Blackjack, Poker and Ultimate Texas Poker keep the high rollers rolling. But non-smokers beware: the smell of cigarette is overwhelming and will stay with you long after you've left the confines of the casino.

MSC Seascape Bars and Lounges

With 20 bars and lounges to choose from, cruisers are spoiled for choice on MSC Seascape. Better yet, many cocktails cost less than $9, which also happens to be the maximum price covered by MSC's Easy Drink Package. If you're staying in the Yacht Club, your fare includes all drinks at any of the ship's bars or restaurants (except those yummy margaritas at Hola! Tacos).

Our Picks

For Pre- and Post-Dinner Cocktails: Located on Deck 8 right across the entrances to Butchers Cut and Kaito Teppanyaki, Cocktail Bar is a sort of extension of the specialty restaurants and the ideal place to enjoy your pre- or post-dinner cocktail of choice.

To See and Be Seen: The glamourous Champagne Bar on Deck 8 overlooks The Atrium and its bedazzled four-deck staircase, giving you a great vantage point for people watching. In truth, you can't go wrong with any of the bars throughout The Atrium, including Shine Bar on Deck 6 or the signature Seascape Bar on Deck 5. But its lofty location and the bubbly-centric cocktail menu takes the Champagne Bar a notch or two above the rest and fits the Atrium's glitzy aesthetic best.

For Sports Enthusiasts: Decked out in sports memorabilia, a bar shaped like a football and booths with private TVs, the Sports Bar is hands down the most obvious choice to enjoy a cold one Adjacent to the bar, you'll also find a game room with a pool table, shuffleboard and pinball machine.

For the Views: Any of MSC Seascape's outdoor bars will reward you with good views, but our pick goes to the somewhat modest Infinity Bar on Deck 8. Sure, it's essentially a pool bar and it's not located on the highest decks. But the Infinity Pool area oozes charisma and just begs to be enjoyed, drink in hand.

MSC Seascape Pools and Hot Tubs

Following the blueprint introduced by sister ship MSC Seashore, the cruise line opted against having one large pool on board MSC Seascape and instead offers a collection of smaller pools. This feature also contributes to the ship's ability to manage crowds, as cruisers tend to spread among the various pool decks.

Based on its location alone, the Marina Pool on Deck 18 would be the equivalent of a main pool on board MSC Seascape. It features a 360-degree water fountain island in the center, a lounge space within the pool at a shallower depth and six jacuzzies.

In terms of size, though, the Jungle Pool on Deck 16 has the advantage. Adorned with faux vegetation and a couple of tiger statues bordering on corny, the pool also features a retractable roof, so it can be climate-controlled during cold weather sailings. A pair of hot tubs flanking the pool give this room something of an adult vibe, but the fact that its located right outside of the Doremiland Kids Club and on the way to the buffet means the Jungle Room is also a haven for families.

Part pool and part attraction, the Pirates Cove AquaPark is impressive in its own right and a big hit among the young (and not so young) crowd. It's laid out like a pirate ship about to get pulled down to the ocean depths by the mythical Kraken's tentacles, with water slides that branch out from either side.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, the adults-only Infinity Pool at the aft of the ship on Deck 8 is the place to be if you're traveling without children (or you're relying on the Doremiland Kids Club for daycare). The views of the ship's wake here are as relaxing as they are enticing, especially when enjoyed from a sunbed within the pool.

But if being away from it all is your goal at the pool deck, then the Yacht Club's One Pool is the place for you. Located all the way up on Deck 20 and accessible only to passengers staying in the Yacht Club, this pool feels bigger than the Marina Pool and is surrounded by plenty of lounge chairs, a solarium and hot tubs.

Robotron and Other Attractions on MSC Seascape

MSC Seascape boasts one attraction that sets it apart from other ships on the fleet: the Robotron thrill ride. Perched on Deck 20, overlooking the Marina Pool, the ride consists of a robotic arm with three seats that shakes, twists and flips to pulsating beats while suspending riders 174 feet above water. Billed as the first ride of its kind at sea, Robotron is worth checking out as part of MSC Seascape's interactive attractions, which also include the Formula 1 racer simulator, the interactive XD cinema, the flight simulator and video arcades on the ship's Hall of Games on Deck 18.

Robotron costs $10 per ride, and the ride itself lasts about three minutes. That's a pretty good cost-to-ride-duration ratio, and the ride features three different settings (light, moderate and fast). Only three riders can go on Robotron at once, which can make for a more intimate experience with family and friends, but can also translate into longer waiting times.

Tip: If you plan on riding Robotron numerous times, spring for a Fun Pass Package, which also entitles you to enjoy MSC Seascape's other attractions like the Formula 1 racer simulator or the interactive XD Cinema, among others.

Sundecks on MSC Seascape

With 140,000 square feet of outdoor space, sundecks are not in short supply on board MSC Seascape. Therefore you won't have to look far to find loungers, although popular areas like the Infinity Pool and the Marina Pool tend to fill up rather quickly.

Unsurprisingly, MSC Seascape's best sundeck is the one surrounding Deck 20's One Pool in the Yacht Club suite complex. The loungers, sofas and daybeds here are noticeably swankier and availability is hardly an issue.

Services and Wi-Fi on MSC Seascape

Several stores and boutiques -- including a duty-free shop -- are located midship on Deck 6. One of the standouts here is TimeVallée, as the luxury Swiss store made its debut at sea onboard MSC Seascape. You will not find an ATM onboard the ship, so it's best to plan ahead or look for one in port. In the midship area, MSC Seascape also features a shore excursion desk, a future cruise desk, an art gallery and an MSC Foundation store/information center.

While the Wi-Fi on MSC Seascape is reliable enough to handle video calls and other internet needs, the setup can be tricky. It took us a few tries to sort it out, but once it kicked in, we were set for the whole sailing without any issues. If you're staying at the Yacht Club, the concierge or your butler should be able to help.

The MSC For Me app, which you can use on board even if you don't purchase an internet package, is easy to use and quite convenient to sort out your daily schedule and manage your reservations.

Staying at the Yacht Club also means you get a special MSC For Me Wristband that not only grants swift access to the suite complex and your cabin, but you can also use as your de fact ship card to order drinks or make any purchases on board.

On MSC Seascape, food options vary from acceptable to excellent. The cruise line's predilection for traditional dining settings on this ship endures, with hardly any place to get a grab-and-go bite, although the vast Marketplace buffet serves as MSC Seascape's most informal eatery. Eleven restaurants make up MSC Seascape's dining offerings. The buffet and the main dining room's four restaurants comprise the complimentary options, and five specialty restaurants round up the pay-to-dine choices. The MSC Yacht Club features its own exclusive restaurant and buffet.

Free Restaurants on MSC Seascape

Green Wave Restaurant, Cala Jondal Restaurant, Aegean Restaurant and Skyline Restaurant: MSC Seascape's main dining room is split into these four restaurants located on decks 5, 6 and 7, a concept borrowed from sister ship MSC Seashore. Green Wave on Deck 5 is the largest, followed by Cala Jondal on Deck 6, and Aegean and Skyline on Deck 7. This layout helps provide a more intimate experience for diners, and although you will have an assigned seating time and restaurant, if you're curious to try a different restaurant you're welcome to try as a walk-in. Just keep in mind that the menus are identical on all restaurants and that Skyline is exclusive to passengers staying in one of the Aurea category cabins.

On the two separate occasions that we dined in Aegean, we found the experiences to be inconsistent. Service was attentive and swift on one night, but slow and intermittent on the other. The food was decent on both opportunities, if unremarkable, and the menus try to cater to the tastes of North American passengers by adding items like surf and turf.

Marketplace Buffet: With capacity for 1,169 diners, MSC Seascape's buffet on Deck 16 is by far the largest eatery on board. Despite its vast size, the buffet was never overwhelmingly crowded during our sailing. Seating was also plentiful, and the space boasts a handsome Parisian bistro look that adds to its charm. Moreover, the buffet extends to the aft of the ship where you can enjoy al fresco dining.

The Marketplace Buffet is where MSC Seascape makes the strongest culinary appeal to mainstream American palates, with options like burgers, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches among the choices.

The quality of the food here was also hit or miss, but not unlike what you find in the buffet eateries of other mainstream cruise lines. As one would expect from a cruise line with Italian roots, pizza (the four cheese slices in particular) and burrata were some of the highlights, but some pasta dishes left a lot to be desired.

Room Service: On MSC Seascape, lower-level cabin categories incur a delivery fee of $4.99 for room service. But if you're staying in an Aurea or Yacht Club cabin, this service is free. Some menu items are complimentary while others are available for a fee, and room service is available 24/7. A popular option for room service on MSC Seascape and MSC

Free Yacht Club Restaurants on MSC Seascape

One of the best perks of the MSC Yacht Club is having your very own a la carte restaurant that's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a buffet on the suite complex's private sundeck. The Top Sail lounge, located just below the Yacht Club Restaurant, also serves canapes and bites all day long, as well as afternoon tea.

Yacht Club Restaurant: If the Yacht Club Restaurant was the only perk available in MSC Seascape's suite complex, it would still be well worth the money. The restaurant is like an epicurean sanctuary perched on Deck 18, worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the public areas of the ship. Featuring all the markings of an upscale restaurant, the service is faultlessly attentive and personalized, and the menu -- brimming with top of the line options -- changes daily.

The One Pool Grill & Bar. As the name suggests, this buffet-style eatery is located within the Yacht Club's exclusive pool deck on Deck 19. During our sailing, the buffet lines were never crowded, and food is served throughout the day until sundown.

Specialty Restaurants on MSC Seascape

MSC Seascape's specialty restaurants are all excellent choices and well-worth the price of admission. It can get expensive to try them all, however, so we recommend getting a specialty dining package, which entitles you to a pre-selected three-course meal. Tip: if you purchase your package ahead of your sail date, you can save up to 40%. The package limits your included choices to certain items or meals on the menu, but you do have the choice to select anything else by paying 50% of its cost. (Note: the Unlimited Dining Experiences and Five Dining Experiences packages are not available on MSC Seascape)

All five restaurants are conveniently located on Deck 8 towards the aft of the ship, turning this corner into a 'restaurant district' of sorts that exudes a nightlife charm. This location also allows one of the restaurants -- Butchers Cut -- to have outdoor seating area, which is perfect for a serene sunset meal.

Butchers Cut ($$$; brunch, $$): The largest and most popular of the specialty restaurants, Butchers Cut manages to flawlessly replicate the vibe of land-based steakhouse. The aroma of leather is alluring, and the décor is elegant and unpretentious. Then there's the food… The baked goat cheese appetizer we had here was so deliciously decadent that it almost eclipsed the filet mignon main course. Other no less impressive items on the Dining Experience list included a burrata and beet salad, foie grass deviled eggs and a duo of lamb chops, while the a la carte steaks ranged from a 16 oz bison steak to a 36 oz. tomahawk. We didn't get to try it, but the menu also included brunch selections available on select days from 10 am to 2 pm.

Ocean Cay ($$$$): Of all the specialty restaurants, Ocean Cay felt like the most upscale option. Intimate and stylish, this would be our top choice for a date night dinner. It's also the most expensive of the five specialty restaurants. We kicked off proceedings with generous crab cake appetizer that clicked all the right buttons. For the main course, we had the spaghetti with wild clams, which had an enticing proportion of about 75% seafood to 25% pasta, but other similarly enticing dishes included a squid ragout, roasted black cod with eggplant caviar and mullet bottarga with linguine.

Kaito Teppanaki ($$$, kids menu available): The second largest of the specialty restaurants, Kaito might be one of the most spacious Teppanyaki restaurants at sea. The setup is standard for this type of eatery: you sit around the iron griddle table with your fellow diners while the chef puts his knife skills to the test, cracking silly jokes and dishing out everyone's meals. We had the Sencho Dining Experience, which consisted of a plentiful parade of dishes, including sushi and sashimi, miso soup, salmon, prawns, sirloin and fried rice, plus spiced pineapple with matcha ice cream for dessert.

Kaito Sushi (a la carte, $): A more informal option than the previous eateries, Kaito Sushi Bar consists of a conveyor belt that rolls covered small plates of sushi and sashimi and you choose dishes to your heart's content (or your wallet's allowance). The dishes are color coded by price and range from $6 to $14, so you can have an idea of what your final bill will look like. We liked the quick and casual nature of Kaito, and if you prefer cooked items like tempura and soup, you can also order them.

Hola! Tacos & Cantina (a la carte, $): While still located on Deck 8, Hola! Tacos & Cantina sits away from the main specialty restaurant cluster and closer to The Atrium. With a menu inspired by Mexico City's street dining scene, we were impressed by the authenticity of the offerings here. While the festive decoration can sometimes border on overwhelming, it does work in service of the restaurant's general ambiance. The guacamole is a must, but don't sleep on the other salsas. One drawback is that the margaritas served here are not included in your drink package, but they are well worth the extra expense.

Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar and Gelato Stations: Though more of a shop than a restaurant, we would be remiss to leave Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar out of the list of MSC Seascape's specialty eateries. Located on Deck 6 among duty free shops, Venchi's chocolate confections, specialty coffee and mouthwatering gelato are worth checking out. And the gelato also makes an appearance at the Infinity Pool on Deck 8 and the Jungle Pool on Deck 16, in case you crave a yummy cold treat by the pool.

Cruise Critic Restaurant Picks on MSC Seascape

In terms of food quality and service, MSC Seascape's specialty restaurants deliver consistency across the board. On our voyage, we were particularly impressed with Butcher's Cut and Ocean Cay as two superb traditional dining experiences, but you simply can't go wrong with any of the choices. Although five restaurants doesn't sound like a lot, there is plenty of variety among them and your taste buds will have abundant cuisines to explore.

Dietary Restrictions on MSC Seascape

Passengers with dietary restrictions traveling on MSC Seascape can rest easy knowing that they ship has separate galleys for vegan and gluten-free food preparation. You will be asked to flag any dietary restrictions when you check in, but it's always recommendable to let the main dining room's maitre'd know if you have any food allergies.

The menus in the main dining room and the Yacht Club Restaurant label their vegan, vegetarian and no sugar added options. Oddly, this isn't the case in the specialty restaurants, although you can usually infer which menu options fall under the aforementioned categories (or better yet, ask your server). On all restaurants that we visited, however, our server asked us if we had allergies or dietary restrictions.