MSC Seaside Named In Miami

Just days before Christmas, MSC Seaside - the ship that follows the sun - was named in a glittering ceremony in Miami by international screen legend and Godmother for all MSC Cruises’ ships, Sophia Loren. To add to the glistering occasion, the world-famous tenor Andrea Bocelli took to the stage during the naming ceremony with 30 children from the Voices of Haiti choir. Headlining the entertainment for the evening’s christening gala was Latino sensation Ricky Martin.

Already being recognized as one of the more innovative cruise ships in the industry, this is the second ship to be launched in the past six months by the leading European cruise line as well as of an industry-unprecedented 12 new mega-ships that MSC Cruises will bring into service between 2017 and 2026. The distinctive and unique Seaside Class has been designed to bring guests closer to the sea to enjoy cruising in warm weather thanks to a 360 degree promenade with glass balustrades that runs around the entire ship.

Quite unlike anything else at sea, the 5,179-passenger MSC Seaside is revolutionary in its design. Inspired by the architecture and lifestyle of Miami, the highly-innovative ship features include 2,066 terraced balcony staterooms – 111 of which are flexible modular cabins with inter-connecting doors that are perfect for multi-generation family holidays or groups of friends; suites have their own outdoor whirlpool baths. The ship-within-a-ship - MSC Yacht Club – for top of the range accommodation has a 24-hour concierge service, a private gourmet restaurant and lounge bar, a pool and large sun deck for the exclusive use of Yacht Club passengers, plus two dedicated massage rooms in the MSC Aurea Spa. 

There’s also more opportunities to eat outdoors than on previous MSC ships as well as a range of international dining concepts encompassing six speciality restaurants such as Bistrot La Bohème, offering French cuisine; Butcher’s Cut, for steak-lovers, and Ocean Cay, which has a seafood theme. The Metropolitan Theatre has four performances of a revue-style show each evening with seven brand new shows ranging from ‘Butterflies’ – an abridged production of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, to ‘My Life In Music’ – movie soundtracks inspired by composer Ennio Morricone performed live.

Cutting-edge attractions include an interactive XD cinema, a 5-D cinema with interactive movie games, a full-size bowling lane plus games including air hockey and MotoGP, while the F1 Simulator is so authentic that professionals use similar outfits to practice. MSC Seaside will sail year-round from Miami to the Caribbean offering 7-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries. Launching in June 2018, sister-ship MSC Seaview will offer 7-night Mediterranean cruises from Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona calling at Naples, Messina in Sicily and Malta. For more details of cruises aboard MSC Seaside call 0800 484 0370 or click on www.cruisedirect.co.uk.