The cruise line announced today that the first of its next-generation Seaside-class ships—debuting in November 2017—will be named MSC Seaside. This ship will sail from Miami to the Caribbean throughout the year.
In addition, MSC Cruises announced that its Miami-based cruise operations will benefit from a newly renovated and expanded port with its own berth and terminal at the Port of Miami. This reflects the company's growing ambitions in the North American market to provide guests with enhanced service.
“The Seaside-class ships are part of MSC Cruises’ €5.1 billion fleet expansion plan that will allow the company to double its capacity by 2022,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises; adding: “Today is a very important day for our company, and this is the first major announcement related to new ship builds, demonstrating our enthusiasm and long-term commitment to continue expanding our presence in North America.”
“MSC Cruises has a unique opportunity to offer North American guests the Mediterranean Cruise Style experience, which no other line can offer, and for our guests around the world, a unique base from which to sail to the most sought-after destinations in the Caribbean,” Mr. Onorato continued. “Since we brought the MSC Divina to Miami in November 2013, we have seen significant consumer demand for our product, with excellent support from our partners—the travel agents—and a growing need for MSC cruises in the market.”.
MSC Cruises operates a fleet of 12 modern ships that sail year-round in the Mediterranean and offer seasonal cruises in the French Antilles, Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, South Africa, South America, Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. The company currently offers seasonal cruises in the Caribbean, but starting in 2017, it will operate year-round.
The company, which has experienced 800% growth since 2004, carried 1.67 million guests in 2014 and reported strong financial results, with a turnover of €1.5 billion. Furthermore, MSC Cruises projects an additional 10% growth in 2015.
In 2014, as part of its €5.1 billion expansion plan, MSC Cruises commissioned two state-of-the-art ships from the Italian company Fincantieri, a world leader in cruise ship construction and one of the largest shipbuilding groups in the world, with an option for a third ship. Following the delivery of the MSC Seaside at the shipyard, the ship will sail to Miami, where it will be christened for the first time in the US by MSC Cruises in late 2017.
With a gross tonnage of 154,000 and the capacity to accommodate 4,140 guests at double capacity, the new Seaside-class ship will be the largest ever built by the Fincantieri Shipyard. The ship will offer a wide range of itineraries from the Port of Miami to the Caribbean.
As part of a first look at what the MSC Seaside cruise ship will offer onboard, the company revealed that it will feature an interactive water park with an original design, including five water slides and attractions for all ages. The park is being built by WhiteWater West Industries of Canada, a multi-award-winning designer and manufacturer of water attractions worldwide.
Following the revealing announcement made by the company for its MSC Seaside cruise ship, this adds to the list of new products announced to expand its offerings beyond its leadership in the Mediterranean. MSC Cruises recently increased its Long Cruises and Grand Tours. With Long Cruises, travelers can choose from a range of itineraries lasting between 8 and 11 nights, or opt for a Grand Tour, which offers excellent opportunities to combine up to three different Mediterranean itineraries. This could result in a cruise lasting up to 28 nights, or two return cruises and 14 nights in Northern Europe.
The Most Interactive Water Park at Sea
Built to sail to warm-weather destinations, the MSC Seaside will feature one of the most interactive water parks, with an original design including five water slides and attractions for all ages. Some of the park's highlights include:
Slideboarding™
For the first time in the industry, MSC Seaside will add to the thrilling fun of its traditional water park the opportunity for its guests to participate in “Slideboarding™,” a unique water slide with interactive video games (all in one). Guests will slide down two decks on a 112-meter slide with a stylishly designed raft that includes an integrated gaming device with colored buttons. The goal is to match the color of the flashing strobe lights seen in various sections during the slide with the colored buttons on the raft. The slide uses a smart gaming system that recognizes riders and tracks their progress and scores on their descent.
High-speed duel in AquaTubes™
In a high-energy, competitive environment, guests race against other guests by sliding through 160 meters of twists, turns, and slopes that partially extend over the side of the ship, giving participants a quick glimpse of the sea below.
AquaPlay™ & AquaSpray™
To cater to younger guests, there's a section of the MSC Seaside's water park designed specifically for children. It will feature a vibrant and colorful water play structure that will be an experience in itself. The AquaPlay™ area will include water buckets, several water spray cannons, floor-mounted water jets, a rain tree-shaped misting system, and a mini-slide.
In addition, AquaSpray™ has various interactive activities, such as jets, waterfalls, forts and other fun features that you will find in the water park for all ages.
Adventure Trail
The Adventure Trail is directly connected to the water park. It's a ropes course that allows guests to crisscross between tall towers, rope bridges, climb, crawl, and slide for an incredible bird's-eye view of the water. Trail explorers will need to move quickly, as guests below can use the water spray cannons to soak their friends and family.
