I didn’t know what to expect stepping onto a cruise ship for the first time in my life. I think I had this idea of a cruise ship as something noisy, family-heavy, and maybe a bit overwhelming if you’re someone (like me) who needs pockets of luxury, of room to breathe and of authentic travel. But literally within five minutes of boarding MSC Seascape for a 24-hour preview stay in Galveston this past weekend, that whole picture rewired itself.
Even though the ship never left the port, it still felt like arriving somewhere if that makes sense. I kept reflecting on how it was essentially a metropolis at sea; genuinely the closest thing I can imagine to a floating city (in fact, it borrowed references from New York City for its glamorous interiors, from a Statue of Liberty replica to its sparkling Swarovski staircases). But rather than the sometimes exhausting bustle of a city, that buzz is softened to an exciting energy by the glowing skies around us, whether that’s the soft pinks at sunrise that edge past your cabin curtains in the morning, or the ocean-reflected golden hour that spills into every deck and room come evening. Honestly, every corner I turned was something stunning to discover, at all times of day.
This trip was all part of MSC Cruises’ celebration of their new Galveston terminal, which officially opens a gateway to places like the Western Caribbean (amazing news for Western Canadians who usually face a really lengthy travel day on planes getting down to the Caribbean). And honestly, as soon as I absorbed that making your way down to these sun-soaked destinations would mean being on an equally sun-soaked cruise ship, hopping from pool to pool and restaurant to restaurant…it made me all the more excited to experience my first cruise trip at sea one day soon. Let’s dive into more of what MSC Seascape has to offer below.
Arriving in Galveston & Stepping Onboard
After landing in Houston a 4ish hour flight later from Vancouver and making the drive to Galveston, I checked into the hotel for a quick overnight before boarding the next morning. The next morning, boarding felt surprisingly effortless. The terminal itself is literally sparkling new, and all staff made it a breeze to pass on through. It truly is like you’re about to enter a new country (which as mentioned above, really isn’t that far off). A short walk later and you enter to the MSC Seascape staff literally dancing and singing our way aboard, which was the most fun way to start the trip.
You immediately have to hit pause and catch your breath once you see the gorgeous interior…from those Swarovski staircases to a glittering stage, it’s really so magical. We headed on off to our cabins and then set off to explore. My partner in crime for the trip was the gorge Melissa Merk (we almost exclusively see one another on brand trips so knew how to lock in on this trip!) and I was happy to have a buddy to explore it all with…it’s overwhelming in the best of ways, and since we were only on board for 24 hours, we wanted to see it all.
I’ve worked as a travel blogger for over a decade now, but I’ve never been anywhere that presented this many micro-worlds within one space. From the Jungle Pool to the Infinity Pool to the Marina Pool, there was no shortage of showstopping pools to explore. There was a plethora (an overused word but one that is very fitting here) of bars with totally different moods, a marketplace that felt like an international food hall of elevated cuisine, Japanese teppanyaki, a sushi belt, a cocktail lounge…I could go on and on. The ship just kept expanding every time I turned a corner. For someone seeing a cruise ship for the first time, it was honestly surreal.
Sunset, Dinner, and Festivities
As you guys know, I’ve been running on empty lately, between work, motherhood, everything…unexpectedly, there was something so comforting about being in a place built around taking care of people. Even though we didn’t sail, the feeling of exhaling into vacation mode started almost immediately. I knew that if I was here on a week-long trip, you’d start connecting with all the staff and source out your regular haunts. As the Texas sun set, we all congregated near the Infinity Pool and it was just so magical to imagine the ship sailing down to the Caribbean, a cocktail in hand as we wind down an epic day and get ready for dinner.
Our dinner was at Green Wave, which was incredible. Lobster tail for me, steak for my seatmates, delicious wine for the table and unbelievable starters and desserts to bookend our entrees. I love the sense of occasion this restaurant felt like it gave; the opportunity to dress up for dinner and feel so festive.
Unsurprising to me now because I’m currently recovering from a bug, but I was feeling pretty exhausted so decided to go curl up in my cabin and watch some Gilmore Girls; if I’d had a bit more pep in my step though, I would’ve joined everyone else who went to see a really amazing performance, complete with acrobats, dancers, etc. It looked unreal and I was definitely jealous the next morning.
MSC Yacht Club & Family Offerings
One thing I love about the MSC Seascape is that it has options for everybody, whether you’re a family, a couple on a honeymoon, a group of girlfriends or even a solo traveller. As I mentioned, your girl here has a taste for luxury and I think I found one offering I would be hard-pressed to not opt for. I had a quick tour of the MSC Yacht Club, essentially a boutique hotel within the larger ship, and was so wowed by how elevated it is.
From a private pool, a stunning panoramic restaurant with a wrap-around deck, concierge, butler service, private entertainment and even options to have unique excursions exclusive to the MSC Yacht Club, it was like a quiet, serene space that felt worlds removed from the energy elsewhere. If you’re someone who loves a more refined experience or just needs pockets of calm while still being part of the action (because of course, the rest of the ship is still yours for the taking), the MSC Yacht Club is exactly that.
But the family side of the ship is equally impressive (and again, like I said: there are different offerings and opportunities for different seasons of life, different travellers and different needs). Given my ever-present precarious state of burnout (like I juuuust keep edging past it), I would probably want to go with girlfriends so I could really relax. But if I did bring my little bundle of fun (by fun I mean bouncing off the walls all hours of the day), there would be no end to what he could explore. I toured more of the kid offerings on my last day and spent that whole time thinking about how much Cal would love it.
Pirates Cove Aquapark (which legitimately seemed like a great place for me and my friends, honestly), waterslides, the arcade, dedicated kids clubs, spaces that feel like they were actually designed for children (not just tolerated). I get now why cruising is such a thing for families. It solves the constant “how do I keep them entertained?” puzzle in the most seamless way, and there’s also always the promise of a new destination just around the corner to keep things from getting stale.
And of course, for adults there is truly no limit to what you can do. The spa, the private decks, the dining, the shows, the bars; it’s honestly ideal if you’re craving a warm-weather escape where everything is done for you. The idea of taking off into the Western Caribbean with nothing on your agenda except reading, swimming, eating, and resetting feels like actual heaven.
I left the ship understanding cruising in a way I didn’t before. It’s not just convenience, or the end destinations. It’s (dare I use the biggest cliché ever) all about the journey. It’s the way the whole environment is designed to support you, whether you’re a parent who needs a break, someone craving warmth in the middle of winter, or just a person who wants to be taken care of for a few days.
And for Western Canadians especially, this new Galveston homeport opens the door to warm, turquoise, tropical trips that feel accessible again. After 24 hours aboard MSC Seascape, I get why people love this. I get why they come back (some people I spoke to have been on 40+ cruises…like I do get why it becomes addictive!). It’s not that I was ever hesitant to cruise I just never had or took the opportunity, and I can tell you now I’m definitely beyond eager. Thank you so much to MSC Cruises for giving me a taste of what’s to come!
