MSC Seaside Marks Major Milestone
MSC Cruises and Fincantieri recently marked an important milestone in the building of MSC Seaside with the celebration of the traditional maritime coin ceremony held at the Monfalcone, Italy shipyard.
MSC Seaside, the first of up to three MSC Cruises’ next-generation “Seaside” class of new cruise ships, is set to come into service in December 2017 and will be the cruise line’s newest ship to sail year-round from Miami to the Caribbean.
Seaside forms a key pillar of the company’s 10-plus years US$10.2 billion investment plan, which includes the building of up to 11 next-generation smart ships coming into service between 2017 and 2026.
“MSC Seaside combines Fincantieri’s Italian flair and excellence in design with MSC Cruises’ global vision and focus on innovation for both hardware and product,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises. “This prototype is significantly different from anything we have ever built before as this is a ship dedicated to cruising in warm seas. The design of the ship embodies our passion for the sea with innovative features to enhance the enjoyment of the open water and sunshine for our guests. With the highest ratio of outdoor spaces on any of MSC Cruises’ ships, guests will also enjoy an increased number of balcony staterooms, sea views and public areas.”
The vision for MSC Seaside was to create something truly unique – bringing in to play the company’s focus on innovation, attention to detail, and the elegant side of the Mediterranean. Every element of the new cruise ship is designed to enable guests to enjoy the outdoors, from spacious staterooms and suites with outdoor spaces; to dining al fresco; to outdoor fitness facilities; to luxury cabanas for spa treatments in the open air.
At 1,060 feet long with a GRT of 160,000 tons, the ship will accommodate 4,140 guests at double occupancy. MSC Seaside is the first of two identical ships in the Seaside generation. Its sister ship is set to enter service in 2018, while a third one – reflecting an existing option for one additional Seaside generation ship – would be delivered by 2021.
Starting in December 2017, MSC Seaside will feature three Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries visiting ports in the Bahamas, Mexico, Jamaica and Puerto Rico – complementing the itineraries of MSC Divina, also sailing out of Miami.
In addition, the new cruise will call at MSC Cruises’ own Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. The private island will feature a purpose-built berth and pier right on the seafront, allowing MSC Cruises guests to step straight off the ship on to the island. The destination will be a true and unique extension of the ship itself, with all the same services from the ship also available on shore, including an exclusive MSC Yacht Club area. The nightlife on the private island will include live music and entertainment in a 2,000-seat open air amphitheatre, as well as many restaurants and bars.
