MSC Seascape

The 2022-built MSC Seascape cruise ship is Italy-built (by Fincantieri), MSC's 21th liner, and also the second SEASIDE EVO-Class vessel in the fleet - preceded by sistership MSC Seashore (2021).

The vessel (IMO number 9843807) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 256059000) and registered in Valletta.

History - construction and ownership

MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere) is a passenger shipping company headquartered in Genoa and Naples. It was established in 1960. Today, MSC Crociere is a subsidiary of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) - the world's 2nd largest containership company. MSC is the world's largest privately/family-owned cruise company. By annual passenger shipping volumes, MSC is ranked the world's 4th largest cruise company - after Carnival Corporation, RCG-Royal Caribbean Group and NCLH-Norwegian.

In November 2017 MSC ordered 2x "Seaside EVO" class ships from Fincantieri (contract value EUR 1,8 billion). The new vessels are bigger (16 m longer, 17330 GT-tons larger, with 200 more cabins / 467 more passengers) in comparison to Seaview and Seaside. Newbuilds' deliveries were scheduled for 2021 (Seashore) and 2023 (Seascape). With Seaside EVO, MSC had a total investment of EUR 10,5 billion into 12 new vessels with scheduled deliveries by 2026.

The 4500-passenger "Seaside EVO" ship design is an enlarged version of MSC's Seaside-Class. Both classes were developed for year-round operations in warm climates. This explains signature features like large-sized outdoor areas, top-deck ropes course, 5-slide water park, 3x glass-floored catwalks, glass-walled (oceanview) elevators, wraparound Promenade Deck (lined with shops-bars-restaurants with both indoor-outdoor seating). Seaside-EVO ships have larger MSC Yacht Club (Suite-only complex), larger public areas, more outdoor whirlpools, more specialty restaurants with alfresco dining areas (on Promenade Deck 8), more staterooms.

Among vessels' technological features are advanced water- and garbage treatment plants, latest-generation scrubbers (pollution control technology removing particulates some gases from ship's exhaust streams), optimized hull, anti-fouling paints (specialized underwater hull coating), advanced heat recovery system, LED lighting (throughout). The vessel is fully compliant with IMO's "Safe Return to Port" requirement (how long the cruise ship should remain safe for evacuation).

Seascape is also one of the "smart ships" series and part of MSC's EUR 13,6 billion (10-year / 2017-2027) fleet expansion program that includes 17 newbuilds - up to a combined fleet of 29 liners.

MSC Seascape is fitted with new technologies specifically designed to improve passengers' onboard digital experience. MSC partnered with Samsung to support NFC (near-field communication) technology enabling passengers to use digital devices (smartphones, cruise card, bracelets) to geolocate themselves (and their relatives, kids, travel companions), to access their staterooms or make onboard payments. Interactive screens throughout the ship allow real-time booking (cruise and tours) and making reservations (dining, spa, beauty treatments). Beacon technology sends location-based, customized notifications to passengers' phones as they move around the ship. Beacons are triggered whenever a connected device moves into their vicinity.

Decks and Cabins

MSC Seascape staterooms (2270 total) are in 34 categories. The largest category is the YC Royal Suite (615 ft2). Seascape's cabins and suites include 14x aft-facing corner suites, 28x suites with outdoor jacuzzi (on the balcony), 6x bow-facing Grand Suites (2-bedroom, with swimming pools on the balcony), terraced suites (overlooking Promenade Deck), cluster cabins (for large families), 75x wheelchair-accessible cabins for disabled passengers (including 43x Inside, 8x Oceanview, 26x Balcony, 4x Suite).

Family staterooms' max occupancy varies between 6 (SUPERFAMILY) and 10 (SUPERFAMILY PLUS) passengers.

The boat has 19 decks, of which 12 are passenger-accessible and 11 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

New dining options on MSC Seascape include the Fusion Restaurant (specialty) and VIP Fine Dining Restaurant. Ship's eateries offer cuisine specialties from all around the world, including Pan-Asian (premium steakhouse and seafood restaurant via a partnership with chef Roy Yamaguchi, with Chef's Table experience).

The ship offers 10x large-capacity eateries - 5x select restaurants (3x MDRs /main dining rooms, The Green Wave Restaurant, Aurea Restaurant, Yacht Club Restaurant), 5x themed food venues (Seafood Restaurant, Steak House, Teppanyaki, Sushi Bar, Bistrot) plus 20x specialty bars and lounges.

Follows the complete list of MSC Seascape restaurants and food bars.

• 3 main restaurants (complimentary dining rooms/MDRs) offer traditional Italian cuisine and wines. Dining rooms are open for Breakfast (7-9:30 am), Lunch (12-noon - 2 pm) and Dinner with 2 fixed seatings (7 pm and 9:30 pm) with a 7-course dinner menu (always includes vegan and vegetarian dishes).
• Aurea Restaurant (Suite-only)
• Yacht Club Restaurant (YC-category staterooms only)
• Marketplace Buffet & Restaurant (complimentary) is completely redesigned (in comparison to other fleetmates), divided into three large sections (Il Mercato, La Piazza, La Trattoria) and has a new alfresco dining area (Sky Bar), with total indoor seats 1100.
• Kaito Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar (specialty Japanese restaurant/at surcharge) features conveyor belt food delivery.
• Butcher's Cut is new for MSC specialty Steakhouse restaurant with alfresco seating (on the Waterfront Promenade).
• Ocean Cay by Ramon Freixa (specialty seafood restaurant/at surcharge)
• HOLA! Tacos & Cantina (specialty restaurant offering traditional Latin American and Mexican food)
• Fusion Restaurant (specialty/at surcharge)
• Bistrot (specialty/at surcharge)
• Chef's Court (deck 8) is new for MSC restaurant with both indoor/outdoor seating (on the Waterfront Promenade).
• VIP Restaurant (exclusive)
• Cala Jondal Restaurant
• Aegean Restaurant
• Skyline Restaurant

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MSC Seascape's cruising concept focuses on outdoor spaces (public and cabin balconies), 11x outdoor/alfresco dining venues, 19x bars and lounges, 12x restaurants, outdoor wellness complex (spa and fitness with advanced Kinesis Technogym equipment), MSC Yacht Club (exclusive top-grade cabin complex with its own restaurant, bar lounge, solarium, sundeck, swimming pool).

The high-tech Chora Theatre (Theater Lounge) is the venue for evening Broadway-style production shows with compelling entertainment based on professional performers and top-notch media equipment. Passengers can also enjoy the ship's 5D Cinema, VR Maze, Rafting simulator, Formula 1 simulator (virtual-reality racing cars).

Family offerings onboard are expanded (compared to the SEASIDE-class MSC boats) with a bigger kids playground area and larger interactive waterpark (Pirate Cove-themed). The Seascape ship has one of the biggest water attractions at sea. To kids 1 to 3 years of age are offered supervised activities and games via MSC's partnership with Chicco. Children 3 to 11 years old can participate in numerous fun activities via MSC's partnership with LEGO. A dedicated LEGO Room is equipped with LEGO's trademarked brick toys available for MSC's Mini Club and Juniors Club (children-only lounges). Every voyage includes a special LEGO-themed event (named LEGO Experience On Board)  a full day at sea dedicated to LEGO-based family gaming.

MSC Seascape has two large teenager clubs - one for 12-14-year-olds and one for 15-17-year-olds. Depending on the time of day, a dedicated teens-only area serves as a PC/Playstation gaming room, disco, cinema.

Signature activity areas on MSC Seascape i

During MSC Seaside's delivery ceremony (November 29, 2017), MSC announced an order for two "Seaside EVO" ships from Fincantieri (contract value EUR 1,8 billion). The new ships are 17,330 GT-tons larger, 16 m (52 ft) longer and with 467 more passengers (capacity) in comparison to the sisterships Seaview and Seaside. Deliveries were scheduled for 2021 May (Seashore) and 2022 November (Seascape).

In early-August 2018, MSC signed an agreement for EUR 1,5 billion (USD 1,74 billion) for both "Seaside EVO" shipbuilding projects. The financing was via a partnership with a syndicate of three lender banks (Unicredit, BNP Paribas, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti). Fully backing the credit line was the Italian export credit agency SACE SIMEST. With the addition of Seaside EVO ships, MSC had an unprecedented total investment of EUR 10,5 billion into 12 newbuilds with scheduled deliveries by 2027.

The vessel's keel-laying ceremony (aka coin ceremony) was held on June 24, 2021, at Fincantieri Monfalcone Shipyard (near Trieste, Italy). The ceremony's godmothers (madrinas) were two employees - Silvia Bozzetto (Category Manager & Retail with MSC) and Jolette Vincenzi (Production Supervisor with Fincantieri). The godmothers placed 2 special edition coins under the keel block (hull's first block) for good fortune. The special event was attended by Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC's Executive Chairman) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO).

The vessel (yard/hull number 6307) was launched/floated out from drydock on November 18, 2021. The ceremony was attended by Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri) and Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC). Curiously, on the same day was officially named the sistership MSC Seashore. Seashore's christening was held at MSC Ocean Cay (Bahamas), making it the ever-first official ship naming ceremony held on a private island.

Fun fact is that the MSC EVO shipbuilding project (1 unit construction) involves 10+ million manhours of construction works and ~4000 shipyard employees. The ship design features large play areas for children, Adventure Trail ropes course, an interactive aqua park with 5x waterslides, 3x glass-floored catwalks, Promenade Deck (at sea level) lined up with shops-bars-restaurants (with both indoor-outdoor seatings), glass-walled (sea-view) elevators.

The company Shores Global LLC provided all the vessels' outdoor wicker furniture (on passenger cabin balconies and poolside) or 3000+ pieces (deckchairs and sun loungers per ship). The company is a major cruise ship furniture supplier, offering consulting (fabrics and materials) and production process management.

The ship was officially delivered to MSC from Fincantieri on November 16, 2022. The delivery ceremony (held at Monfalcone yard) was attended by Matteo Salvini (since 2022 - Italy's  Deputy Prime Minister of Italy and Minister of Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility), Anna Maria Cisint (Monfalcone's Mayor), Massimiliano Fedriga (Friuli-Venezia Giulia's President), Admiral Nicola Carlone (Port Authorities' Commandant), Zoe Africa Vago (ship's godmother), Captain Roberto Leotta (ship’s Master), Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC), Gianluigi Aponte (MSC Group's Founder and Chairman), General Claudio Graziano (Chairman of Fincantieri's Board of Directors) and Pierroberto Folgiero (Fincantieri's CEO), Luigi Matarazzo (Fincantieri's General Manager Merchant Ships Division), Cristiano Bazzara (Monfalcone shipyard's Director).

MSC Seascape's christening ceremony is currently scheduled for December 7, 2022, to be held dockside at Manhattan Cruise Terminal in NYC (New York USA). Untraditionally for MSC cruise ships, Seascape's godmother is not Sophia Loren (Italian film actress, who named each new MSC liner since 2003) but Zoe Africa Vago. Seascape will be MSC's first liner to be named in New York City. Starting in April 2023, the company will homeport at least one ship in NYC for year-round roundtrips leaving out of Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2022-2023

Next tables show the ship's first voyages by destination/region and length, all leaving roundtrip from PortMiami. Prices are in USD per person (based on double occupancy).

(MAYDEN VOYAGE 2022) 17-day Transatlantic crossing from Europe to the USA

The Transatlantic crossing (RepositionCruises.com) was also offered from Barcelona (15-days/Nov 21), Valencia (14-days/Nov 22) and Funchal Madeira (10-days/Nov 26).

(inaugural Caribbean cruise) 7-day Eastern Caribbean

(inaugural B2B) 15-day Eastern Caribbean from $1915 pp

(inaugural Western Caribbean B2B) 13-day, from $1460 pp

(inaugural 7-day Western Caribbean) from $780 pp

Godspeed!