Newbuild currently under construction at Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard and will debut in December 2017
By
Rebecca Gibson |
MSC Cruises held a traditional coin ceremony for its first Seaside-class newbuild, MSC Seaside, at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard in Italy on 21 April.
Expected to enter service in December 2017, the 160,000gt MSC Seaside is the first of two identical ships in the Seaside-class. Her sister is set to enter service in 2018, while a third vessel – an existing option for one additional Seaside generation ship – will be delivered by 2021. All three ships are part of MSC’s ten-year, €9 billion investment plan, which includes building and launching up to 11 next-generation ships between 2017 and 2026.
“MSC Seaside, the biggest ship ever built in our shipyards, will strengthen our leadership as the most innovative shipbuilder in the cruise industry,” said Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. “This new concept will provide MSC Cruises with more revenue-generating solutions; more cabins than a comparable, contemporary design; more open-deck space and more efficiency in the way that it runs.”
Inspired by a ‘beach condo concept’, MSC Seaside is designed to ‘bring guests closer to the sea’ and features multiple outdoor spaces. These include cabins and suites with balconies, al fresco dining venues, outdoor fitness facilities, open-air cabanas providing spa treatments, and panoramic elevators with sea views.
“This ship is significantly different to anything we have ever built before as it is dedicated to cruising in warm climates,” said Gianni Onorato, MSC’s CEO. “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 cabins, sea views and public areas.”
MSC Seaside will have a 30m walkway with a glass floor and glass balustrades on the top deck, as well as two 40m glass walkways on deck eight, which are part of the 360-degree open air promenade. This will circle the ship and feature various bars and restaurants.
“An important feature of an MSC Cruises holiday is the dining experience, which is distinguished by the extensive variety of Mediterranean and international cuisines on offer and the wide range of dining formats available,” said Onorato. “Specifically for MSC Seaside, we are developing exciting new dining options for our guests. Among others there will be nine eateries featuring cuisines from around the world including a Pan-Asian restaurant in partnership with acclaimed chef, Roy Yamaguchi, a luxury seafood restaurant with a chef’s table and a world-class international steak house.”
The ship’s 5,179 guests will be accommodated in various staterooms and suites including 14 exclusive aft corner suites, balcony cabins with private terraces, modular cabins for families and groups, suites with a two-person private outdoor whirlpool bath, and two exclusive Wellness Cabins featuring fitness equipment from Technoygm. MSC Yacht Club suite guests will have access to a private whirlpool bath in their rooms, as well as an exclusive MSC Yacht Club solarium and a lounge and restaurant.
Onboard entertainment will include a theatre and comedy club, a full-sized bowling alley, an aqua park with four interactive slides, a 5D cinema, a ropes course and a 130m zipline – the longest at sea.
MSC Seaside will sail year-round from Miami to destinations in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Jamaica and Puerto Rico from December 2017. In addition the ship will call at MSC Cruises’ new Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.