The MSC Seaside is the first ship of the Seaside class, a new generation of innovatively designed cruise ships.
Article from CruisesNews magazine
With its 43,500 m² of indoor and outdoor common areas, the MSC Seaside's main innovation is a significant increase in outdoor deck space, enhancing the connection with the sea. As MSC Cruises explains, with its outdoor promenade terrace on deck 8, the MSC Seaside is the ship that follows the sun.
According to Gianni Onorato, with this ship, MSC Cruises will be the leader in onboard leisure and entertainment, and will be the spearhead of the conquest of the Caribbean by the transalpine shipowner, which will have five ships in that destination this winter: MSC Seaside, MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, MSC Opera and MSC Armonia.
Delivery Ceremony. Commissioning of Two New Ships.
The MSC Seaside was delivered by Fincantieri in Monfalcone on November 29, 2017, in the presence of the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, and Graziano Delrio, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport. Asia Aponte, the shipowner's granddaughter, acted as godmother for the delivery. Approximately ten million hours of work were invested in its construction. The director of the Monfalcone shipyard, Roberto Olivari, presented the captain of the MSC Seaside, Pier Paolo Scala, with a bottle containing the first water that had touched the ship's hull a year earlier.
The ship then sailed to Trieste under the command of Captain Pier Paolo Scala, where it was presented to the press and travel agents on November 30, 2017. It then embarked on its first cruise to Miami, where it will be christened by Sophia Loren on December 21.
The MSC Seaside is the ship with the most modern and fresh design on the market.
At the ceremony, MSC Cruises CEO Pierfrancesco Vago Sr. said: “The delivery of the MSC Seaside marks a new milestone in our company’s history, looking toward the future, and also represents a key moment for the entire industry. In fact, it is the first ship in a series of five new prototypes to enter service and introduces a major innovation to the tourism industry. The Seaside class was designed to bring guests closer to the sea and operate in warm climates, setting new standards in maritime technology and placing our guests at the heart of the experience.”
At the ceremony, Giuseppe Bono, Chairman of Fincantieri, emphasized that “we are proud to have completed a project of this magnitude: a ship for a new client and the largest ever built in Italy. This demonstrates not only our ability to meet the needs of shipowners, but also the extraordinary operational level achieved by Fincantieri. In fact, I would like to emphasize that MSC Seaview, sister ship of MSC Seaside, will be delivered in just six months by these same shipyards.”
New Order for Two Seaside EVO Ships:
During the MSC Seaside delivery ceremony, MSC Cruises and Fincantieri signed a firm order for two new ships called Seaside EVO, an evolution of the Seaside prototype, with a total investment of €1.8 billion. This agreement converts the option to build a third Seaside into the first of two Seaside EVO ships. These ships will enter service in 2021 and 2023.
The Seaside EVO ships will be 339 meters long, 41 meters wide, have a gross tonnage of 169,380, and will carry 7,280 passengers and crew.
The construction of the MSC Seaside has involved 10 million hours of work
In addition to being even more spacious, the Seaside EVO twins will feature more cabins, an expanded MSC Yacht Club (with an additional deck and larger cabins), and will accommodate up to 5,646 passengers. Like the other ships in the Seaside class, the Seaside EVO ships will be at the forefront of environmental technology, including Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems, emissions control systems that reduce nitrogen oxides, hybrid exhaust gas scrubbers, state-of-the-art waste recycling and treatment systems, high-performance wastewater treatment facilities, and advanced heat recovery systems. They will also incorporate energy-saving devices, including LED lighting. The hull lines will be further optimized, which, combined with an antifouling paint that reduces drag, will significantly lower fuel consumption. With these two additional ships, the company's unprecedented investment plan now includes 12 new vessels between 2017 and 2026, for a total of €10.5 billion. Between 2017 and 2026, MSC Cruises will receive at least one additional ship per year.
The
MSC Seaside's Atrium extends along the sides of the ship, seamlessly blending with the sea through large, curved glass walls. This atrium can also be enjoyed from the outside, as its intersection with the promenade on Deck 8 is constructed of glass, sharing the same material as the windows and creating the impression of walking on water.
The Piazza Grande is a monument to modern Italian design… and shopping.
One of the most significant new features of the MSC SeaSide will be its open-air promenade, a true deck promenade that encircles the ship. This already renowned, uninterrupted walkway, above the lifeboats and tenders, allows passengers to walk around the ship on Deck 8. Here you'll find the terraces of several bars, complete with sofas, chairs, and other amenities, as well as the outdoor section of the Aurea Spa, which, unlike the typical MSC fleet, is not located on the upper deck.
The interior spaces open onto the promenade and also to the sea through large viewing platforms found in the Spa, gym, Atrium, and other areas. In addition to being known as the "sun-following" ship, it is also a ship of transparency towards the sea. Besides the glass bridges in the Atrium, there is a third one aft on Deck 18 overlooking the South Beach pool, offering breathtaking views of the ship's wake.
The pools:
Despite being the ship that follows the sun, the MSC Seaside, like all MSC Cruises ships since the MSC Fantasia, has a pool with a retractable roof on deck 18 in case of clouds. It's themed like a jungle (it's called the Jungle Pool), surrounded by plenty of sun loungers, and has two jacuzzis for relaxing.
The 2,555 m² Miami Beach pool is located on deck 16, aft of the water park; it is the main pool on the MSC Seaside. It features a giant screen and two zip lines, the longest in the world afloat, that run from bow to stern. It also offers a large jacuzzi, ample sunbathing areas, and a stage. By day, the MSC Seaside follows the sun, and by night it will host a party under the stars. As an innovative feature, the Miami Beach pool transforms into a dance floor at night for the Sailaway Party. Gianni Onorato emphasized that the idea was to make the most of the outdoor spaces throughout the day. This pool is directly connected to the Biscayne Bay Buffet.
The cabins are generously sized, well-designed, and conveniently equipped.
The South Beach pool boasts the most innovative location on the MSC Seaside, situated on a sunshade at the stern of deck 7, though it effectively returns to the traditional pool layout found on classic ships like the QE2 and the Sagafjord. The sea feels right at pool level, while still maintaining direct access to the upper decks via two panoramic elevators. This pool, so close to the ocean, evokes Miami's Art Deco district, and its offerings are complemented by Venchi Gelato & Crêperie to port, the onboard ice cream parlor, and the Miami Beach Bar to starboard, both featuring round tables and wicker-style chairs under canopies, creating a distinctly beachy atmosphere.
Just above the pool, which is connected by two side staircases, there are two terraces on the sides directly connected to the Market Place Buffet, offering tables and seating by the sea.
The
MSC Seaside boasts one of the most interactive water parks on a cruise ship. Perfectly integrated into the funnel, from which the slides emerge and then extend along the sides of the ship, it features several levels, again with a tropical theme, as in the indoor pool. Treehouses, Tibetan bridges, splash pools, one end of the zip lines, and more are all designed for family fun. Following in the footsteps of the MSC Preziosa, the MSC Seaside offers up to five slides, two of them parallel racing slides that let you experience the thrill of heights as they jut out from the side of the ship. Aft of the funnel, on deck 20, there is an outdoor multi-sports court, which doesn't quite reach the brilliance of the one on the MSC Meraviglia.
The Atrium:
After the impressive volume of the Galleria on the MSC Meraviglia last summer, MSC Cruises faced a real challenge in aweing passengers on the MSC Seaside. But the Atrium is the perfect answer. It's a kind of vertical gallery, spanning four decks, whose greatest innovation is the atmosphere created by a giant LED screen spread across three decks. Here, the impact is vertical, in contrast to the horizontal design of the Meraviglia. When a waterfall is projected, for example, which is also reflected on the stainless steel ceiling, the impression of volume is striking. Furthermore, the Atrium has a life of its own thanks to the Seaside Bar, located at its base on deck 5, above which is a small stage offering live music in the evenings. There is also live music in front of the bar, usually during the day, played on the piano. And, of course, no MSC Cruises Atrium would be complete without the Swarovski crystal staircase, always a popular backdrop for evening photos before heading to the main restaurants, located aft of the Atrium. The two panoramic elevators are located to the side and lose the prominence (compared to the LED screen) they had in the Fantasia series. The Atrium is the meeting point for dinner, either at the Seaside Bar or the Shine Bar, located on deck 6, to port of the Atrium, which stands out for its illuminated bar.
The MSC Seaside offers an authentic promenade deck around the ship.
The information desk is located at the base of the Atrium on Deck 5. It's spacious, decorated in black, and has a very similar layout to the one on the MSC Meraviglia. On the MSC Seaside, you can use the "MSC for me" app, which, along with NFC technology, makes life easier for passengers. Reservations can be made directly via smartphones or interactive terminals on board. Restaurant reservations are available at any time, as are reservations for optional excursions. If passengers prefer a more traditional method of booking, they can go to the two desks for optional excursions, one in the Atrium on Deck 6 and the other on Deck 8. The Art Gallery, where various works of art are available for purchase, is also located at the base of the Atrium, in the forward passageway on Deck 6.
Bars and Lounges:
For a pre-dinner drink or a cocktail in the evening, the MSC Seaside offers a wide selection of bars and lounges. Each has its own unique atmosphere and offerings. One of the most impressive is the Garage Club bar, located aft on deck 7. This nightclub features a blue-toned decor inspired by American drive-in clubs. It's the perfect place to spend a great evening. The DJ spins records from a Cadillac, and the ambiance also includes a jukebox, an old-fashioned gas pump, neon lights, and a vintage scooter. The upholstery is gray, and the bar is stainless steel. Forward of the Garage Club are the bowling alley, the 3D cinema, and the F1 simulator.
The MSC Seaside was built in just 29 months, a record for a prototype.
The Champagne Bar is another design highlight of the MSC Seaside. Located on Deck 7 in the Atrium, its ice bar concept, which extends to two elliptical tables positioned along the Atrium's glass walls, is spectacular. Bright and airy, in white and gray tones, it undoubtedly improves upon the already remarkable result achieved for this purpose in the MSC Meraviglia's Atrium. The sinuous design of the gray chairs and stools is highly original. Furthermore, the sparkling wines, oysters, prawns, clams, and other seafood served there are exceptional.
The Haven Lounge is the MSC Seaside's cabaret. With a capacity for 187 passengers, it is located aft on Deck 7 and decorated in shades of green and gray. It features a lighted bar aft, specializing in cocktails, while the stage is to port, where live music is offered every night. Next to it is the pool table… and also the library, furnished with a comfortable L-shaped sofa.
The News Café is located opposite the Sports Bar, forward of the Atrium on Deck 8. It's decorated in shades of red and brown, in a classic style dominated by the wood used on the ceiling and flooring. The striking element is the yellow bar at the stern. It's another ideal café-theater for enjoying a comedy show or simply having a drink with friends. Next to the News Café is a recording studio for live broadcasts or showing on a giant screen. It's also very useful for presentations. The Sports Bar offers the typical decor of its kind, filled with monitors displaying sports broadcasts (including a giant one forward) and memorabilia, such as a panel with boxers' trunks. Its elliptical bar with a white marble countertop is spectacular, as are the beanbag chairs shaped like soccer balls.
A wide range of dining and leisure options awaits
on the MSC Seaside, which offers numerous restaurants and dining venues: two main restaurants, two buffets, a Yacht Club restaurant, and four themed restaurants. From 8:00 PM onwards, MSC Seaside passengers can truly enjoy a wide selection of dining choices.
On deck 16, around the funnel, the ship offers a steakhouse to port, the Butcher's Cut, with a Midwestern theme (leather or cowhide upholstery, lamps resembling glasses and bottles), and an open kitchen where you can check if your chosen cut of meat from a glass shelf has been cooked to your liking. Forward of the steakhouse is a seafood restaurant, Ocean Cay, with nautical decor mimicking nets and lanterns, and mosaics depicting fish, where you can savor the finest Mediterranean seafood in the Caribbean. To starboard is the Teppanyaki restaurant, divided into three sections, all managed by Chef Roy Yamaguchi's team: a sushi bar, an Asian restaurant, and the Teppanyaki itself, all intimate spaces under 200 square meters, decorated in dark tones of brown and ochre, with a spectacular sinuous crystal chandelier guiding the flow of traffic. To access all these restaurants you have to go through the Wine&Cocktails Bar, decorated in green tones, the ideal place to meet and enjoy an aperitif before dinner.
MSC Cruises will receive twelve cruise ships between 2017 and 2016, with a budget of 10.5 billion euros.
Despite its entire fleet being of French origin, it was on the first ship built in Italy that MSC Cruises installed its first Bistrot, La Boheme. Located on Deck 8 in the Atrium, it offers 62 seats where guests can savor the finest French cuisine in a perfectly ambianced setting: wrought iron tables and chairs with marble tops, green upholstery, a classic wooden bar, and stunning views through the atrium's glass curtain walls.
Seashore and Ipanema Restaurants:
The two main restaurants on the MSC Seaside are located on decks 5 and 6, respectively, aft of the Atrium, which thus becomes a prominent meeting point before dinner. While the MSC Seaside is the first MSC ship built by Fincantieri, it follows the design of its French sister ships in terms of dining room layout. Both restaurants have a single deck, which is compensated for by the use of stainless steel ceilings. They also maintain the glass-fronted wine cellars at the entrances, a feature first introduced on the Meraviglia. Ipanema, located on deck 6, has a capacity of 740 passengers, a black and green color scheme, and a surface area of 1,475 square meters. The Seahorse restaurant, on deck 5, is larger and can accommodate up to 922 passengers.
The Marketplace Buffet:
While the layout of the main restaurants is similar on the Meraviglia and Seaside series, the buffet layouts, so closely linked to the location of the pools, are radically different. While the Meraviglia opts for a single mega buffet, the Seaside offers two. The Marketplace Buffet, located aft on deck 8, offers 2,071 square meters and seating for 1,106 people, both indoors and outdoors. The food is arranged in thirteen different areas, some designed as open kitchens, such as the pastry oven at the main entrance. Inside, it features low and high tables in dark tones.
The outdoor seating is the most innovative feature, located both aft and on both sides of the ship.
For a pre-dinner aperitif, or for a cocktail during the evening, the MSC Seaside offers a wide selection of bars and lounges.
The layout of these side areas creates a veritable terrace on the hull, which doubles as a promenade, above the lifeboats. This offers the opportunity to dine while enjoying the sea in a prime location very close to the ocean, with magnificent views. In addition, the Marketplace bar, with its beautiful white counter, located on this starboard promenade, allows guests to quench their thirst without entering the ship.
The Biscayne Bay Buffet is the second buffet, much smaller (half the size), and is located on deck 16, forward of the Miami Beach pool and directly below the water park. It has a Wild West saloon ambiance, with round tables and wood-look chairs, and spectacular views through the side glass panels. Naturally, it attracts a much younger crowd than the Marketplace.
Spectacular Combined Spa and Gym:
The Aurea Spa also changes location compared to the Fantasia and Meraviglia classes. On the former, it was forward, above the bridge; and on the latter, the spa and gym were separate, one above the theater, forward of deck 7, while the other was amidships, under the funnels.
On the MSC Seaside, both are integrated and occupy the forward portion of deck 8. They share a common corridor to starboard, providing access to both, with shared amenities such as a barbershop, a women's hair salon, a sports and cosmetics shop, and more.
MSC Cruises transported two million passengers for the first time in 2017.
The 2,410 m² Spa area offers the services of renowned Balinese massage therapists, with numerous massage rooms to starboard offering a wide range of treatments. The Spa to port also features a Thermal Suite, a thalassotherapy pool, steam rooms, saunas, a snow room, an aromatherapy room, and more. All these facilities are connected by a U-shaped corridor.
The 870 m² gym occupies the port side and offers a wide array of Technogym cardio equipment, with sea views through a glass curtain wall. The flooring is wood-effect. The promenade deck continues on both sides of the Spa/gym, complete with sun loungers, cabanas, and even two jacuzzis, providing magnificent sea views.
Casino
, which on the MSC Meraviglia occupies a prominent location next to the Cirque du Soleil Carousel Lounge, moves on the MSC Seaside to an equally privileged spot: the center of Deck 7, between the Atrium and the Theater. It spans 1,150 square meters and is decorated in shades of brown, red, and gold, with a striking orange ceiling. As on the Meraviglia, access from the aft atrium is via a spectacular glass bridge, but on the Seaside, it is situated between glass staircases connecting it to Decks 6 (Piazza Grande) and 8 (Sports Bar), effectively creating a second atrium. The fore-and-aft lines of the ceiling serve as the unifying element of this space. Reflecting its predominantly North American clientele, it features 146 slot machines and 10 gaming tables.
In just 29 months, Fincantieri has been able to deliver this innovative vessel, despite the complexity of building a prototype. The MSC Meraviglia took 27 months to complete.
The Metropolitan Theatre on the MSC Seaside, decorated in shades of blue and gray, seats 934 and occupies two decks. Having opted not to feature Cirque du Soleil on the Seaside series, MSC Cruises has adopted a new entertainment strategy: Broadway-style productions, a different show each night of the cruise. The shows include themes for film buffs, such as My Life in Music, based on the soundtracks of the most famous movies; and performances for vintage music lovers, like The Dream. Another show, The Wizard, will incorporate illusions, and Peter Punk aims to provide a fresh take on the famous Peter Pan story.
The American comedy troupe BeerProv, known for its improvisational style based on audience suggestions, will perform six nights a week in the theater, marking the first time the comedy show has graced the MSC Cruises fleet. This new 45-minute show concept features four comedians and encourages audience participation. Six original concerts, ranging from opera to piano solos, will also be presented in the theater. More flexible scheduling will be offered, with up to four Broadway-style shows starting at 6:00 PM. These shows will feature up to fourteen performers, fifteen dancers, and five singers.
Piazza Grande
Another of the MSC Seaside's standout features is the shopping arcade, arranged around the Piazza Grande on deck 6. While the Meraviglia's shopping area was located in the Galleria Meraviglia, the Seaside revives a concept from the Fantasia series—the Piazza—but in a futuristic, "groundbreaking" version, in the words of Emiliano González. Where there were once ceiling frescoes, wrought-iron tables, and arches, the MSC Seaside features sloping columns (everything is sloping in this environment), stainless steel ceilings and columns, marble and beige upholstery, linear lighting, and glass staircases connecting it to the casino on the upper deck, forming a second atrium. The starboard access to the Piazza from the Royal Atrium is particularly futuristic, with beige ribs that appear to support the upper deck, in an environment filled with glass and stainless steel.
“The MSC Seaside water park is not just another water park, it’s an interactive water park,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises.
Around the Piazza Grande are the ship's main shops: jewelry, fashion, duty-free, and, of course, the MSC store, which offers around 250 exclusive items in the shipowner's colors. But the star of this section is the Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar, located aft of the Piazza, where you can watch the creation of all kinds of chocolate sweets and figures. The flowing chocolate wall makes the experience even more immersive for those with a sweet tooth. Without a doubt, the Piazza is one of the triumphs of Studio de Jorio, the ship's interior designer.
Children on the MSC Seaside:
The MSC Seaside offers leisure activities for everyone, but as always, children receive special attention on board. Children can play in the AquaPlay area designed specifically for them. There are also dedicated children's areas according to age, with games and toys offered in partnership with leading brands such as LEGO and Chicco. All the children's and teens' areas are grouped together on Deck 18. The Baby Club is specially adapted for children aged 1 to 3, and the staff offer activities and light-up games developed in partnership with Chicco. The Baby Club also has an outdoor area.
The Mini Club (100 m²) and Junior Club (70 m²) cater to the 3-11 age group and were designed in partnership with LEGO. Finally, the 56 m² Young Club is specially designed for teenagers aged 12-14, with video game consoles, a foosball table, and more. And the Teen Club, for passengers aged 15-17, can be transformed as needed into a cinema, games room, or exclusive disco.
The children's area has its own theater, the Doremi Studio. It's used for children's shows and self-directed activities with entertainers, featuring MSC's famous mascot, Doremi.
Yacht Club, the ultimate luxury retreat on the Seaside
. The Yacht Club is a ship within a ship. It's a haven offering top-tier service in reserved, private spaces accessible only to passengers in these suite categories, who, of course, also have access to all the facilities offered by the rest of the ship. Among the privileges of Yacht Club suite guests are a personal butler and 24-hour concierge service, the option to dine in a private restaurant, unlimited drinks in all MSC Yacht Club areas, and exclusive access to private outdoor spaces: swimming pool, jacuzzis, solarium, and more.
The MSC Seaside offers four themed restaurants.
At the bow, above the bridge, as on the Fantasia and MSC Meraviglia series ships, is the MSC Yacht Club, another hallmark of this cruise line. This concept has also been redesigned on the MSC Seaside. Its two Royal Suites, 74 exterior suites, and twelve interior suites, in addition to private areas, occupy three decks (16 to 18). The highest deck offers a solarium with a swimming pool, two jacuzzis, a bar, and a buffet.
The two lower decks feature a large panoramic lounge, the Top Sail Lounge, and a piano bar located forward on deck 16, offering breathtaking views of the sea. Decorated in black and burgundy, it is one of the most striking spaces on board, especially the lighting of its ceiling. It has an indoor area and an outdoor section, both reserved for Yacht Club guests. The interior area occupies two decks: on the highest is the MSC Yacht Club restaurant, with a capacity of 128 seats, a gourmet option for Yacht Club guests.
Cabins and Suites
Speaking of cabins, the MSC Seaside offers a wide selection, with ten categories available, ranging from luxurious suites with private Jacuzzis to connecting cabins for families or groups, which can accommodate up to ten people. In total, the MSC Seaside offers 2,066 cabins, 76.66% of which are outside cabins and 72% of which have a balcony. Generally, the cabins are spacious and well-equipped, with large bathrooms, including showers with glass enclosures. Regarding design and color palette, the use of brown and gray is prominent, and the overall style is more classic than on previous ships. The ship includes 108 connecting cabins for families or groups of friends, while others offer innovative features, such as sofas that convert into two single berths at night, thus eliminating the need to move furniture. The options for disabled guests are also extensive, with 52 cabins adapted for people with reduced mobility. It will also offer two Royal Suites and twenty-eight suites, all with a Jacuzzi on the balcony; two wellness cabins equipped with Technogym Kinesis fitness equipment; and cabins with extended balconies aft on deck 9, featuring artificial turf, just above the promenade. The more than 1,400 crew members will be accommodated in 759 cabins.
The Spa is seamlessly integrated into the promenade deck, adding new outdoor experiences.
Thanks to the agreement signed with Samsung, the MSC Seaside, like all the company's new ships, is a smart ship thanks to iBeacon technology, where, due to contactless cards, mobile phones, tablets and interactive screens arranged around the ship, many services are offered, from access to cabins and private areas such as the MSC Yacht Club, to access control for boarding, payment methods, reservations in restaurants and excursions, geolocation of children, etc.
Energy Efficiency and Environmental Responsibility on Board:
The MSC Seaside is powered by four Wärtsilä W46F diesel engines. It has a total installed capacity of 62.4 MW, of which 40 MW are always available for propulsion, 20 MW on each shaft line. The engines were selected for their performance and reliability based on experience gained on other ships. Two Wärtsilä hybrid scrubbers have been installed in the forward engine room. Both will operate in closed-loop mode while the ship is in port, and the scrubbing water will be treated and stored in tanks with a 14-day storage capacity. Fincantieri had not previously installed hybrid scrubbers, so arranging these storage tanks in the engine room's double bottom required additional effort. The vessel will use both light gas oil and heavy fuel oil, and has an automatic switching procedure when the ship enters an ECA zone, such as the North and Baltic Seas, the US coasts and in the future the Mediterranean Sea.
On the MSC Seaside, the Yacht Club reaches new heights of luxury and refinement
A key feature is the use of all the energy recovery systems that current technology offers. The boilers produce steam from the exhaust gases of the main engines, and there are also high- and low-temperature heat recovery systems connected to various plants to support water production for laundry and swimming pools. The vessel can produce 3,200 tons of fresh water per day on its own. It also features an advanced black and grey water treatment system from Wärtsilä and an Evac vacuum toilet system. There is extensive use of various types of LEDs throughout the public spaces, cabins, bridge, stairwells, and so on. In total, there are 40,000 LED lighting points. The ship's fiber optic network also uses LEDs. The technical rooms are equipped with high-efficiency, low-power lamps.
The central position of the engines also reduces fuel consumption, while the vessel's shape is optimized for easier gliding through the water and lower fuel consumption. The hull is coated with silicone paint to reduce drag, and the propeller design has been refined to increase the ship's propulsive performance, which is designed to exceed 21 knots. The MSC Seaside does not use propeller pods, instead maintaining traditional shaft lines with two fixed-pitch propellers. For maneuvering in port, it will have four bow thrusters and three stern thrusters.
New Terminal in Miami:
A ship of this magnitude needs a terminal to match. Thus, on November 30, 2016, the first stone was laid for the expansion of Terminal F at the Port of Miami, which will be the home port for the MSC Divina and, in 2018, the MSC Seaside. The MSC Seaside will arrive at the new terminal on December 21. The terminal was inaugurated on December 7, with the attendance of Miami Mayor Carlos Giménez, Port of Miami Director Juan Kuryla, MSC Cruises USA President Rick Sasso, MSC Cruises USA President Roberto Fusaro, and members of the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners. The new Terminal F, designed by Bermello Ajamil & Partners, will offer an improved check-in experience for passengers and also expands PortMiami with a new building capable of meeting the demands of the next generation of mega-cruise ships.
The new terminal includes:
- New two-story building, 3,556 square meters.
- Expanded waiting area with capacity for up to 1,500 guests.
- Check-in room with 60 counter positions.
- Upgraded private waiting area of over 100 m2 for MSC Yacht Club guests.
- Special room for groups of 300 m2.
- New check-out area, more flexible and efficient.
- High-speed Wi-Fi, to be able to connect to the smart ship technology available on MSC Seaside.
CruisesNews' opinion:
The MSC Seaside is the most innovative ship of its generation in terms of design. It will undoubtedly be much talked about in the coming months because it impresses with both its shape and layout. Among the most impressive features of the MSC Seaside is the Atrium with its giant LED screen, projecting aquarium scenes with rays, sharks, and jellyfish. The decor of venues like the Garage Club and the Piazza Grande will transport passengers to another world.
The outdoor platform on deck 8, the Waterfront Boardwalk, is undoubtedly more than just a walkway. It's a novel leisure option where you can relax, swim, or dine just fifteen meters from the sea, feeling the waves.
With the MSC Seaside, MSC Cruises has aimed to offer a new way of life for cruise passengers. Passengers are spread throughout the ship in fabulous locations: families in the water park or on the zip line; sunbathers with numerous solariums at their disposal; Those who prefer to play have bowling or an F1 simulator…
A ship absolutely worth discovering!
Construction chronology
- The construction of the MSC Seaside has been a real race against time, given that we are talking about a revolutionary prototype.
- May 22, 2014: The contract for the construction of the two Seaside ships was signed, with an option for a third, at a cost of 700 million euros each.
- June 22, 2015: The steel cutting began.
- March 2, 2016: Just eight months later, the coin ceremony took place in Monfalcone.
- November 26, 2016: After seventeen months of construction, the MSC Seaside floated for the first time.
- November 29, 2017: One year later it was delivered to MSC Cruises.
MSC Seaview. The sister ship of the Seaside, the MSC Seaview, will enter service in June 2018, beginning its inaugural season in the Mediterranean, just sixteen months after the coin ceremony, and ten months after its launch, which represents a reduction of two months in the time required for the outfitting of this second ship in the series.
Click on the image to enlarge it.
Technical specifications
- Built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone (Italy)
- Capacity: 5,179 passengers
- Capacity: 2,066 cabins (73% outside)
- 1,315 cabins with balcony – 2 Royal Suites with jacuzzi
- Length: 323 meters
- Gross tonnage: 153,516 gt.
- Indoor public spaces: 30,000 m²
- Decks: 18 – 13 of them reserved for passengers
- Dining options: 11 – Two main restaurants, two buffets and four specialty restaurants
- Bars and lounges: 20
- Theatre: 934 seats
- Swimming pools: 3 main pools – One with a retractable roof – An additional pool exclusive to the Yacht Club
- Water park – 1 with five slides
- Jacuzzis: 7 – Two of them in the Yacht Club and two in the Spa
INTERVIEW WITH ANDREA GANGALE, PRODUCT DIRECTOR OF MSC CRUISES
Andrea Gangale is MSC Cruises Corporate Product Officer. He is a naval engineer who worked for many years at Carnival Cruise Lines before joining MSC Cruises. His first responsibilities were related to the MSC Divina, and then to the MSC Preziosa from its inception.
CruisesNews had the opportunity to discuss his impressions of this ship in the Top Sail Lounge of the MSC Seaside. For Andrea, it is a ship whose design he did not hesitate to describe as “surprising and innovative, and one that will represent a turning point in the industry.” He added that it is a “winning design suitable for all destinations, not just those with warm climates, thanks to its interior lounges,” although its main quality “is being a ship capable of following the sun.” She also described the MSC Seaside as having the most modern and fresh design on the market.
Regarding the destinations where ships of this design will be deployed, Andrea commented that, “in addition to the Caribbean with the MSC Seaside, its sister ship, the MSC Seaview, will sail in the Mediterranean next summer for European passengers, and in the winter of 2018-2019 it will be in Brazil, where its large outdoor decks make it a winning ship.” Regarding the MSC Yacht Club, she highlighted the “two-deck lounge, with the exclusive restaurant occupying the top deck, creating a great sense of spaciousness and luxury. The exclusive outdoor space has also been greatly improved.”
MSC Cruises surpassed the two million passenger mark annually in 2017.
When asked about the ship's most important features, he highlighted "the Yacht Club, the outdoor areas, both in terms of location and size; and the atrium, which is taller and larger, with its own leisure and entertainment options." Regarding the culinary offerings, he emphasized that the MSC Seaside "has its own distinct offering, different from the Meraviglia, with Butcher's Cut, Roy Yamaguchi's Japanese restaurant, the Bistrot, and Ocean Cay, where Mediterranean fish will be served in the Caribbean, including sea bass baked in salt and flown in from Italy." Andrea stressed that this represents "a new concept for us."
On the subject of onboard entertainment, he commented that "the Seaside hasn't repeated the Cirque du Soleil show because each ship is different." He emphasized the commitment "to original productions in the theater and live music in the atrium."
Regarding the new SeaSide EVO ships, he noted that "they are larger ships, with greater length, based on the same design. The interiors will have the same layout, but certain areas will offer new leisure activities for passengers."
Regarding the company's expansion, he highlighted that "they will close 2017 with two million passengers." He emphasized "the presence of the MSC Divina and the MSC Seaside as a demonstration of their commitment to the US market." He also mentioned the increased offering from MSC Cruises in China "with the MSC Splendida, which has been redesigned for that market, transforming the Tex-Mex restaurant into a Teppanyaki. The evolution from the MSC Lirica to the Splendida has led to the creation of a dedicated office in China to directly manage our product. They will only collaborate with local partners on certain sailings."
The MSC Seaside is the ship with the most modern and fresh design on the market
