GENEVA — Buzz over MSC Cruises’ new mega-ships is building, after the MSC Seaside was successfully floated out last week in Monfalcone, Italy.
As one of the cruise line’s two new groundbreaking mega-ships that will begin service between June and December 2017, MSC Seaside will homeport in PortMiami as of December 2017 and will sail year round in the Caribbean. This brings MSC Cruises’ total ships in the region to five.
“This is another exciting milestone in our ambitious expansion plans as we see the second of our 11 next-generation cruise ships entering the final stages of her construction,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman. “MSC Seaside has been specifically designed to provide our guests with a unique onboard experience in warmer regions and boasts one of the highest ratios of outdoor space in the industry so that guests can enjoy a range of open-air activities such as dining and drinking al fresco, strolling along the promenade or simply taking in the beautiful sea views from the privacy of one of the many balcony staterooms.”
Vago added that the company is “delighted with the strength of sales for MSC Seaside” so far, from both American and European guests.
“The Caribbean continues to be an ever popular destination for travellers. We are further strengthening our ability to serve this demand in this key region with five cruise ships from the winter 2017/18 season.”
Water entering the dry dock where MSC Seaside is being built at Fincantieri
Water filling up the dry dock and MSC Seaside to touch the water for the first time.
MSC Seaside being transferred to the wet dock at the Float Out event.
MSC’s new mega-ships were inspired by an ‘elegant beach condo’ and feature a unique 360-degree ocean level promenade, panoramic glass elevators and a breathtaking 98-foot bridge on the top deck. And with 73% of the staterooms featuring balconies, guests will never be too far from the ocean.
In addition, MSC Cruises has taken its MSC Yacht Club — a unique ship-within-a-ship concept first introduced by MSC Cruises — to the next level. Located on the prestigious foredecks of the ship and offering a private sun deck, a private lounge and private restaurant, the MSC Yacht Club has been expanded on MSC Seaside to now be over five decks. The MSC Yacht Club will also feature two coveted apartment suites that include a living room and a large balcony with a dining area and private whirlpool.
Other features onboard MSC Seaside include 11 dining venues, five of which are specialty restaurants, a 934-seat theatre offering four performances each night, an interactive aqua park with four slides, and a 394-foot-long zip line.
MSC Seaside will feature a maximum capacity of 5,179 guests (4,140 double occupancy), and is the first of two identical ships in the Seaside generation. Her sister ship – MSC Seaview – is set to enter service in Spring 2018 and will be based in the Western Mediterranean. A third Seaside ship will be delivered by 2021.
