MSC Seaside was called a groundbreaking Seaside-class ship. It was launched in 2017. It was meant to redefine cruising, with its beach-condo-inspired design, featuring a stunning waterfront promenade, glass elevators offering panoramic views, and innovative outdoor spaces. It has greatly succeeded in creating this perception and influence today. With vital statistics measuring 1,060 feet long and 153,516 gross tons, she is able to host up to 5,179 passengers across 19 decks with 2,066 staterooms. The amenities were further improved with minor refurbishments that include enhanced Wi-Fi, updated dining options, and improved family amenities. Among MSC ships, she is a popular choice for Caribbean and Mediterranean sailings departing from Miami and Genoa, with itineraries exploring Nassau, Cozumel, Sicily, and more.
The Seaside cruise ship has a layout and a really fun atmosphere that people love for family vacations and nice views of the ocean. Some of the rooms are not as quiet and peaceful as you would want them to be. To help you in this, we looked at what people said about their trips in various cruise review websites and YouTube videos. We also checked out the deck plans on sites like Cruisedeckplans.com and the official MSC website. What we found out is that some rooms on the Seaside have problems like much noise, a lot of movement of objects creating noise, things blocking your view, not enough privacy or a layout that is just not very good. The Seaside rooms are not all the same. Some Seaside rooms have more issues, than other Seaside rooms. This guide highlights MSC Seaside cabins to avoid, categorizing problems, listing specific rooms, explaining reasons, and suggesting alternatives to help you book smarter. Bella experience cabins often end up in these spots, while Yacht Club suites provide superior insulation and exclusivity.
Why Certain Cabins on MSC Seaside Are Worth Skipping
The Seaside cruise ship really has fun things to do. They have a lot of things like the Deck 8 Waterfront Promenade and the pools on Deck 16 and the theaters on Deck 7. These things are really awesome. But for those looking for quiet time, they can also be very loud. The noise from these areas can be heard in the rooms that're close by.
If you are on a deck like Deck 14 or Deck 15 you will probably hear a lot of noise from the pools. If you are on a deck like Deck 5 or Deck 6 or Deck 7 you might not be able to see very much because of the lifeboats. You might also hear the music from the parties at night. The rooms at the front or back of the ship will move around a lot when the water's rough. This happens a lot when the Seaside cruise ship is in the Caribbean during hurricane season or, in the Mediterranean when it is very windy. Connecting rooms and guarantee (GTY) assignments add unpredictability in booking an ideal cabin you deserve, as recent reviews from 2025 Miami-Bahamas sailings complain of "non-stop thumping" and "overlooked balconies." Post-refurbishment, some upgrades added some soundproofing, but core structural issues remain regardless. Always review MSC's interactive deck plans and check forums for the latest sailings where increased family crowds help you identify these problems.
Noisy Cabins: The Biggest Sleep Disruptors
Noise tops complaints, stemming from high-traffic public areas, entertainment venues, and service operations. Let’s have a look where you can find these cabins.
Cabins Under the Pool Deck or Buffet (Deck 15)
You should know what to expect. The cabins on this deck like 15001 to 15050 and 15100 to 15150 are right under the South Beach Pool and the Miami Beach Buffet on Deck 16. You will hear a lot of noise in the morning because people start dragging chairs at 6 a.m. There are also a lot of people walking around to go swimming and at night they clean up which makes a lot of thumping and scraping sounds.
One person who went on a cruise to Cozumel in 2026 wrote a review on Cruise Critic saying it was like living under a herd of elephants because they moved chairs all night long. The cabins under the pool deck or buffet on Deck 15 are really noisy because of all the activity, on Deck 16. Similarly, Deck 14 cabins (e.g., 14001–14050) under the buffet endure cart rolling and kitchen prep from dawn until 2 a.m., with vibrations filtering down.
Near Entertainment Venues or Nightlife (Decks 5-8)
This is critical information you’d require, as the rooms on Deck 5 (e.g., 5001–5050, 5100–5150) are too close to the Seaside Theatre and Miami Casino. The main issues are with bass vibrations from shows and crowd chatter lingering until late. A cruise traveler in a Bahamas cruise in 2025 wrote: "It felt like sleeping in a nightclub. The music thumped through the walls". Decks 6-7 near the Atrium (e.g., 6001–6050, 7001–7050) are not far behind when you may hear piano music, events, and lobby echoes, especially during peak hours.
Adjacent to Crew Stairwells or Service Areas (Decks 5-15)
Now, when you get a GTY booking for cabins like 12079 on Deck 12 (next to crew stairs), prepare to face luggage carts, staff movement, and door slams, particularly during embarkation and disembarkation. Similar problems exist on Decks 9-11 (e.g., 9001–9050, 10001–10050). A 2025 Reddit thread on r/MSCCruises warned of "non-stop banging on busier itineraries like Miami to Ocean Cay."
Parallel to Corridors or Bump-Outs (Deck 9-15)
Guest rooms located in the very center of Deck 10 (for example, Rooms 10064,10066,10067, & 10069) run parallel to the corridors on Deck 10, which means that any noise from foot traffic in the corridors will have a greater chance of getting into the guest rooms. Due to ‘bump-out’ architecture (for example, Rooms 10071 & 10075) some of the rooms will have a ‘line of sight’ to the balconies below (10065,10067 & 10069), therefore decreasing their privacy and increasing noise levels from the lower level(s) surrounds them. Higher levels aggravate this (for example, Room 11071).
Known Trouble Spots
Cabin 16019 is very noisy due to dragging and dropping sound from galley prep all night long (per YouTube review as of 2024 that continues to be the case in 2025). There are no sound barriers. Avoid cabins in the vertical columns like 11062, 11066, 11067, & 11071 due to the balconies and sound bleed.
Alternative Options: You have the option of booking midship cabins on Decks 8-11 (i.e., 8001-8050, 9001-9050, etc.), but make sure they are away from service areas so they have greater natural sound barriers. If you can, book Yacht Club suites on Decks 16-18 for additional sound insulation and exclusive access, which is ideal for light sleepers.
Motion-Prone Cabins
Seaside is a stable ship for most of the time. However, Caribbean squalls or Mediterranean winds can turn smooth sailing into a rocky ride. Let's look at the cabins most affected by this.
Forward Cabins on High Decks (Decks 12-15, Bow)
Cabins that are motion-prone are situated at higher levels (Decks 12, 13) towards the front (Bow) portion of the ship (these cabins begin with 12000s on Deck 12, 13000s on Deck 13, and 15000s on Deck 15). If these specific cabins experience rough seas, they will pitch violently and create considerable motion. If you are prone to motion sickness or suffer from sleeplessness, this will likely cause you troubled sleeping. One reviewer of a 2025 cruise that included an itinerary through Sicily said, "If you prone to seasickness, you will hate to be in these cabins, they are like a rollercoaster course - don't choose to be in these cabins." The higher the cabin is front of the ship (for instance, cabin 15001 on Deck 15), the worse the motion as a result of wind noise.
Aft Cabins (Decks 5-12, Stern)
Cabins in the aft section (Cabins 5700–5750, 6700–6750, 7700–7750, 8700–8750) also experience vibration from both the ship's engines and propellers while docking and when travelling at high speeds (e.g., "The constant hum sounded like you were in an earthquake. I could feel it in my bed." - a cruise traveler's post in 2025 about a Nassau sailing) due to being at the back of the ship on the top decks. Additionally, there can be excessive sway in cabins on the top decks.
Alternatives: Several options are available if you prefer to have no motion while still being at a natural balance point on the ship, located midship on decks 7 - 9 (e.g. cabins 7500-7600 or 8500-8600) with minimal obstruction of the ocean view providing very economical cabins.
Obstructed View Cabins
The cruise ship has some great deals on rooms with obstructed views, but some of them have almost no value at all for cruisers looking for views.
Lifeboat-Obstructed Balconies (Decks 5-8, Midship/Forward)
Cabins 5160–5232, 5560–5632, 6160–6232, and 6560-6632 have lifeboats/tenders blocking 50%-70% of the view – limiting you to either the sky or the hull. "Spent a lot of money for a balcony and got nothing but a big orange wall", a TripAdvisor review from 2025 said regarding a Mediterranean cruise. The lifeboat obstructions on deck 5 are particularly bad because where they are located in relation to the deck.
Metal-Front Balconies (Bella Category, Decks 5-7)
Solid metal rails block an entire view. "A sky view only, no view out to sea" as per a review. Others point to low door locks as an issue for child safety. Children can open & climb over them easily if they want to. Combination Metal & Glass balcony railings made people feel cramped and like as if they were in an industrial workspace, based on many reviews.
Overlooked or Shaded Balconies (Decks 9-12, Bump-Outs)
Cabins 10065, 10067 and 10069 all have their outside space overlooked by Cabin numbers 10071 and 10075. If you were in a cabin on a higher deck, 11071 or 12075, you would be "alienated from your relaxation space". Reviewers complained that the shading on these balconies from overhangs made them feel like they were in a dark hole, without sunlight all day long.
Alternatives: Clear-view balconies located at Mid-Ship, from Decks 8-10 (I.e., 8500-8600; 9500-9600) are great alternatives. In addition to that, a front-view balcony (e.g 11th and 12th Decks) have unobstructed panoramic view of the Wake from The Ship, which complements the beautiful sunsets.
Connecting and Cramped Cabins
Now let’s look into certain kinds of cabins meant for budget travelers and which might be mistaken for a good cruise deal.
Connecting Cabins (Decks 5-15, Midship)
Thin doors in rooms like 7230–7232, 8234–8236, 9238–9240 transmit sound from the room into another, not limited to TVs, conversations, and persons snoring. Per 2025 comments from the Reddit forum r/MSCCruises “Could hear every argument and laughter. Privacy? Zero!” They maybe great for families, however, for single passengers and couples, it is sheer trouble.
Junior Aurea Suites (Decks 9-15)
They are of the same size as the Deluxe Balcony Rooms (17 sq. m) and well over £500.00 more than the Deluxe Balcony with no meaningful amenity upgrade. The Junior Aurea Suites are located in noisy areas of the ship. A review about the Junior Aurea states: "[I] overpaid for the same size room in the wrong location."
Accessible Cabins (Various Decks)
Wider doors create ease of mobility, but the tight layouts like, e.g. wheelchairs barely fit next to the bed, fold-down beds block pathways and balcony ramps are not aligned with the floor, lead to frustration among Accessible Guests. "This ramp was about to be my downfall. Someone has literally died using it."
Cramped Oceanview and Interior Cabins (Lower Decks)
Characteristics of these cabins include small sizes (13-15 sq. m.), and the presence of Pullman beds greatly reduces usable floor area. Lack of available light in the interiors is particularly problematic for long voyages. "This cabin was too small for 4 people. My group was constantly blocked by one another at various points throughout our stay".
Alternatives: Non-connecting midship cabins on Decks 8-10 are good options. Deluxe Balconies are also good choice for better value over Junior Suites. Grand Suites are best for space.
Guarantee (GTY) Cabins
GTY is a great way to book a cruise. But they also are like Russian Roulette. You might land at the wrong cabins. Let’s see which ones.
Random Assignments (Decks 5-15)
GTY bookings (e.g., 3100–3140, 6150–6190, 8150–8190) often result in undesirable cabins with obstructed views, noise, or excessive motion. According to a 2025 Cruise Critic review, "I ended up under the pool... with a blocked view... never again". The Bella GTY has the greatest risk factor.
Alternatives: Specific bookings on Decks 8-10 midship is a good idea. Paying for your cabins allows to control their location selection with your click of a mouse.
Suites Near Service Areas
Now, let’s have a look at how the rooms fare near service areas, because naturally, it is expected there will be some noise.
Noisy Premium Rooms (Decks 16-18)
The Yacht Club suites (e.g., 16001–16020, 17001–17020) located next to the crew areas of the ship are going to have constant noise from carts, prepping food, and slamming doors. A TripAdvisor post from 2025 stated that this constant staff noise ruined their suite experience.
'Private' Whirlpool Suites (Select Yacht Club)
These suites are not private because the hot tubs are exposed to looking down from other decks and promenades. Also, being on an upper deck with high winds creates additional noise. One person who posted on Reddit in 2025 said they felt like their hot tub was out in public for everyone to see.
Alternatives: The Mid-Ship Yacht Club (Deck 18) or the aft-facing suites (Deck 16 & 17) will be much more private and have much better views than any of the other suites.
Latest Updates, General Tips, and Booking Strategies
Soundproofing was added to parts of the 2024 drydock area of Seaside, but there were still noise issues on 2025 (Caribbean) cruises. Check the Miami weather for the possibility for motion (hurricane season runs from June through November). Use the MSC app for departure virtual tours. There are forums such as r/MSCCruises, as well as YouTube channels (e.g., Cruise with Ben and David) where people post about their experiences.
- Booking smart: DO NOT book a GTY (guarantee) room. Use Cruisedeckplans.com for maps to identify all the rooms that might make noise and use the 3D feature to view the cabins.
- Seasickness remedies: Book mid-ship, use lower area for rocking motion. Take Dramamine or Sea-Bands.
- Family Information: Deck 11 (forward) may not be good if you do not have children with you (close to the kid's club). Consider getting a family suite located in the mid-ship area.
- Ways to save on your budget: Obstructed views pricing comes at a 20%-30% discount. Verify them by viewing photos and book 6-9 months in advance to have more choices.
- Accessibility: Most of the newer MSC ships are fairly good as far as accessibility is concerned. However, the Seaside has ramp issues due to its older design. Ask for specific details before finalizing a cruise ticket.
Summary Table of Cabins to Avoid
| Category | Cabins | Reasons | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Pool/Buffet | 14001–14050, 15001–15050 | Lounger dragging, traffic | Deck 11/12 midship |
| Near Entertainment | 5001–5050, 5100–5150 | Bass, crowds | Decks 8-10 midship |
| Crew Stairwells | 12079, 9001–9050 | Luggage Cart slams | Surrounded by cabins |
| Overlooked Balconies | 10065, 10067, 10069 | Privacy loss | Clear BA on 8-9 |
| Connecting | 7230–7232, 8234–8236 | Sound transfer | Non-connecting 8-9 |
| Aft Vibration | 5700–5750, 6700–6750 | Engine hum | Decks 11/12 aft |
| Obstructed | 5160–5232, 5560–5632 | Lifeboats, beams | Clear 8-10 |
| Junior Aurea Suites | Decks 9-15 | Overpriced, same size as Deluxe | Deluxe Balconies |
| Accessible | Various | Tight layouts, ramps not flush | Newer class ships |
| GTY Random | 3100–3140, 6150–6190 | Undesirable spots | Specific 8-10 midship |
| Suites Near Service | 16001–16020, 17001–17020 | Crew noise | Midship Deck 18 |
| Whirlpool Suites | Select suites | Overlooked, windy | Public whirlpools |
Conclusion
MSC Seaside is a colorful, sunny ship perfect for someone who is physically active while cruising. If you are looking for relaxation at night then you may want to avoid the cabins we have discussed in the article. Cabins in the midship A to C on Decks 8 to 10 will provide an optimal balance of view, peace and stability. The ship will active this year and has a Caribbean and Mediterranean sailing focus. So check back for recent reviews regarding weather-related motion as well as updated information after her refurbishment. If you wish to reserve specific cabins, do so early, and let the innovations of the ship, including the Bridge of Sighs glass walkway be your focus of attention.
