MSC Seaside's innovative design will offer sun lovers one of the largest open-air spaces at sea.
MSC Cruisesand Fincantierihave marked a significant milestone with the construction of MSC Seaside. This was celebrated with the traditional coin tossing ceremony, held at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. This is the first of three next-generation MSC Seaside ships, a class of smart cruise ships that will join the rest of the fleet in December 2017 and sail year-round from Miami to the Caribbean.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, stated: “MSC Seaside combines Fincantieri’s Italian style and exquisite design taste with MSC Cruises’ global vision and focus on product innovation. This prototype is significantly different from any previous creation, as it is a cruise ship designed to sail warm seas. Its design embodies our passion for the sea and incorporates innovative elements to enhance our guests’ experience. With the largest proportion of outdoor space of any MSC Cruises ship, passengers will also enjoy a greater number of balcony cabins.” Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, stated: “MSC Seaside, the largest ship ever built in our shipyards, will strengthen our leadership as the most innovative shipbuilder in the cruise industry. This new concept will provide more cost-effective solutions, with more cabins, a modern design, and more outdoor veranda space. Overall, it will be significantly more efficient.”
MSC Seaside is the fifth consecutive prototype of MSC Cruises' new ships. Measuring 323 meters in length and displacing 160,000 tons, the ship will have a capacity for 5,179 passengers. It is the first of two identical ships in the Seaside generation; its sister ship is scheduled for 2018, while a third option for another MSC Seaside ship would be launched in 2021.
The Caribbean is an increasingly popular destination for cruise passengers and tourists from around the world. Starting in 2017, MSC Seaside will offer exciting itineraries to destinations such as the Bahamas, Mexico, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico, complementing the routes of other ships already sailing in the region, such as MSC Divina in Miami and the surrounding area, and MSC Opera and MSC Armonia in Havana, Cuba. In addition, the ship will call at Ocean Cay, a marine reserve owned by MSC Cruises.
This ship will feature a unique design with three walkways. Thanks to its glass floor, guests will have the sensation of walking on water. The walkway on the top deck offers 30 meters of panoramic views from the ship's highest point; the other two, located on the eighth deck, are 40 meters long and form part of a 360° open-air promenade, the longest ever built. This impressive public space surrounds the ship with a tempting array of bars and restaurants, allowing guests to enjoy al fresco dining or a leisurely stroll while soaking up the marine atmosphere.
The accommodations on MSC Seaside are specially designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of passengers, but particularly those of families with children, groups, sun worshippers seeking private outdoor space, and those who prefer the exclusivity and luxury of the MSC Yacht Club. They also offer fine dining at sea, featuring one of the most extensive ranges of indoor and outdoor restaurants on board, with dishes from around the world and 20 distinct bars, each with its own unique character. Through its partnership with pan-Asian chef Roy Yamaguchi, MSC Cruises will delight its guests with exclusive specialties on MSC Seaside.
