A little over a year from now, what could be one of cruising’s most unique and innovative ships will enter service in the Caribbean. In December of 2017, MSC Cruises will introduce the 4,140-guest MSC Seaside to the world when she arrives in her home port of Miami — and it looks like this 323-metre-long behemoth will be worth the wait.
Operating year-round cruises to the Caribbean, MSC Seaside is the largest ship that the family-friendly MSC Cruises has ever built, and the first ship in the line’s history that it has based in North America for its inaugural season.
If you’re thinking that 4,000 people is a lot, it is. The reason I’m excited about MSC Seaside is that, unlike other ships that carry that number of guests, MSC has made showcasing the sea of primary importance aboard MSC Seaside.
On other megaships, cruise lines do their best to hide you from the sea, creating inward-facing public rooms with few windows and increasingly scarce open deck space. MSC has designed Seaside from the ground up to showcase the ocean and the ports of call, with a revolutionary new 360-degree wraparound promenade deck that curves attractively in and out with the ship’s superstructure. The ship will also feature a two-story, glass-walled promenade deck, and glass elevators running up the outside of the ship.
MSC is also moving the traditional buffet and pool down to this wraparound space on Deck 8, freeing up space for additional open decks and pools high atop the ship. Most of the ship’s accommodations will feature private balconies, while MSC’s luxury ship-within-a-ship concept, known as the MSC Yacht Club, will be among the largest and most luxurious that the line currently offers. For those who want to hop onboard for the least amount of money, it’s refreshing to know that standard inside staterooms and traditional ocean-view rooms with a fixed window are still offered.
“The bold, groundbreaking design of MSC Seaside speaks of our company’s commitment to innovation and our desire to continue to introduce both experienced and first-time cruisers to experiences that will make their holiday unforgettable,” said Gianni Onorato, chief executive of MSC Cruises. “We’ve seen tremendous enthusiasm and strong demand from travellers around the world interested in experiencing MSC Seaside and are thrilled to be able to open sales for this revolutionary ship two years ahead of its debut.”
When she enters service in December 2017, MSC Seaside will sail three basic itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, complementing the Caribbean cruises already offered by her smaller fleetmate, MSC Divina. Ports of call on MSC Seaside’s Caribbean cruises vary by itinerary but can include Nassau, Bahamas; St. Thomas, USVI; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
One of the best things about MSC is how family-friendly the line is, with activities and programs designed for kids of all ages. MSC Seaside promises to be one of the most family-friendly ships afloat, with special modular staterooms that can accommodate families of up to 10; one of the largest and most interactive aqua parks at sea, and even kids-only restaurants. What’s more, MSC frequently offers some amazing deals on its Caribbean sailings, like kids 11 and under sail free as the third or fourth guest in a stateroom with two paying adults.
MSC is also developing its own private island in the Caribbean, known as the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. The island will feature its own dock (say goodbye to time-consuming tender rides ashore), which allows guests to step off the ship and directly onto the island. The Island will feature a 2,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre along with live music, numerous restaurants and bars, and a special dedicated section for MSC Yacht Club guests.
MSC Seaside will be getting a sister in 2018, which the line recently revealed will be named MSC Seaview. She’ll start her maiden season in the warmth of the Western Mediterranean, with voyages departing from Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona. Although these departures are still nearly two years away, these voyages are now open for booking.
Happy cruising.