SHIP REVIEW: MSC Seaside Preview

MSC Cruises has revealed further details of MSC Seaside, its new class of cruise liner for the North American cruise market.

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The new features announced include suspended glass floors, a wraparound outdoor promenade with bars and restaurants, ocean-view elevators and the highest ratio of outdoor space of any other cruise ship currently afloat.

MSC Seaside will carry 5,179 passengers and is due to enter service in December 2017. She will homeport in Miami, joining MSC Divina, which was deployed on Caribbean cruise itineraries last year.

In a major first for MSC Cruises, and underscoring its commitment to the US cruise market, the ship will also be christened in Miami.

Itineraries on MSC Seaside will include destinations such as the Bahamas, Mexico, Jamaica and Puerto Rico.

The new details were announced at a traditional coin laying ceremony at the Monfalcone shipyard, in Italy, where the ship is being built.

Atrium Bar aboard MSC Seaside

Also on show were mock ups of MSC Seaside’s cabins and suites, including 14 aft corner suites; terraced balcony cabins, which feature sea views and overlook the promenade below; cluster cabins, which have been designed specifically with families in mind and suites with a private outdoor Jacuzzi.

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MSC Cruises chief executive officer Gianni Onorato said during the ceremony that MSC Seaside had been designed specifically with the Caribbean and other warm climates in mind.

“This prototype is significantly different to anything we have ever built before as this is a ship dedicated to cruising in warm seas,” he told journalists. “With the highest ratio of outdoor spaces on any of MSC Cruises’ ships, guests will also enjoy an increased number of balcony cabins, sea views and public areas.”

The three Seaside-class cruise ships (MSC has ordered another with one on option) are intended to bring the sea closer to passengers. The beach-condo-inspired concept will focus on the outdoor space of cabins and suites and many al fresco eating options including 20 bars.

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The ships will also have an outdoor spa and fitness facilities, such as luxury cabanas for spa treatments, two wellness cabins, which feature advanced Kinesis Technoygm fitness equipment; and the private MSC Yacht Club, which features a lounge and restaurant and a solarium.

Outdoor Sushi Bar aboard MSC Seaside

“Specifically for MSC Seaside, we are developing exciting new dining options for the delight of our guests, with nine eateries featuring cuisines from all around the world including a Pan-Asian restaurant in partnership with acclaimed chef, Roy Yamaguchi, a luxury seafood restaurant with chef’s table and a world-class international steak house, amongst others,” Onorato added.

MSC Seaside will feature new at-sea attractions for the Italian cruise line, such as a 130-metre zip line and an aqua park. At the aqua park slide boarding, duelling high-speed aquatubes, AquaPlay & AquaSpray – a section specifically designed for younger children — and the Adventure Trail, featuring rope courses, bridges, and crawl-through slides will be available.

MSC Seaside is the first of two identical ships in the Seaside class. The sister ship is set to enter service in 2018, while a third one — an existing option for one additional Seaside class ship — will be delivered by 2021.

MSC Seaside is part of a series of “smart” ships to be built by MSC — part of its 10-year, €9 billion investment plan — including the building of up to 11 new ships, which are due to come into service between 2017 and 2026.