MSC Seascape

The 2022-built MSC Seascape cruise ship is Italy-built (by Fincantieri), MSC’s 21st liner, and the second SEASIDE EVO-Class vessel in the fleet, preceded by the 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. Established in 1960, MSC Crociere is a subsidiary of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) — the world’s second-largest container shipping company. MSC is also the world’s largest privately/family-owned cruise company and, by annual passenger volumes, the world’s 4th-largest cruise operator, following Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

In November 2017, MSC ordered two “Seaside EVO” class ships from Fincantieri (contract value EUR 1.8 billion). The new EVO vessels are larger (16 m longer, 17,330 GT more, with 200 additional cabins / 467 more passengers) compared to the Seaview and Seaside. Deliveries were scheduled for 2021 (Seashore) and 2023 (Seascape). With the Seaside EVO class, MSC reached a total investment of EUR 10.5 billion across 12 newbuilds with deliveries through 2026.

The 4500-passenger “Seaside EVO” ship design is an enlarged version of MSC’s Seaside class. Both classes were developed for year-round warm-climate deployment, which explains signature elements such as extensive outdoor areas, top-deck ropes courses, a five-slide waterpark, three glass-floored catwalks, glass-walled elevators, and a wraparound Promenade Deck lined with shops, bars, and restaurants featuring indoor-outdoor seating. SEASIDE EVO ships also include an enlarged MSC Yacht Club, larger public areas, more whirlpools, additional specialty restaurants with outdoor terraces (Deck 8), and more staterooms overall.

The vessel’s technological features include advanced water and waste treatment plants, next-generation scrubbers (exhaust gas cleaning systems), optimized hull shape, anti-fouling hull coatings, advanced heat recovery systems, and LED lighting throughout. She is fully compliant with IMO’s “Safe Return to Port” requirements (ensuring the ship remains safe for evacuation after damage).

Seascape is one of MSC’s “smart ships,” part of the company’s EUR 13.6 billion (10-year / 2017–2027) expansion program involving 17 newbuilds and growing the fleet to 29 vessels.

MSC Seascape is equipped with new technologies to enhance the onboard digital experience. MSC partnered with Samsung to implement NFC (near-field communication) technology, enabling passengers to use smartphones, cruise cards, and bracelets to geolocate themselves and their companions, access staterooms, and make onboard payments. Interactive screens throughout the ship allow real-time booking of excursions, shows, dining, spa, and beauty services. Beacon technology delivers location-based, customized notifications to passengers’ devices as they move around the ship.

Decks and Cabins

MSC Seascape staterooms (2270 total) are available in 34 categories. The largest is the YC Royal Suite (615 ft²). Accommodation options include 14 aft-facing corner suites, 28 suites with outdoor Jacuzzis (on the balconies), six bow-facing Grand Suites (two-bedroom, with plunge pools on the balconies), terraced suites (overlooking the Promenade Deck), modular cluster cabins for families, and 75 wheelchair-accessible staterooms (43 Inside, 8 Oceanview, 26 Balcony, 4 Suite).

Family cabin occupancy ranges from 6 (SUPERFAMILY) to 10 (SUPERFAMILY PLUS) passengers.

The ship has 19 decks, of which 12 are accessible to passengers, and 11 contain staterooms.

Shipboard dining options – Food and Drinks

New dining venues on MSC Seascape include the Fusion Restaurant (specialty) and the VIP Fine Dining Restaurant. Culinary offerings span international cuisines, including Pan-Asian dishes and a premium steakhouse and seafood venue developed in partnership with chef Roy Yamaguchi (with a Chef’s Table experience).

The ship features 10 large-capacity eateries: five select restaurants (three MDRs/main dining rooms, The Green Wave Restaurant, Aurea Restaurant, Yacht Club Restaurant) and five themed venues (Seafood Restaurant, Steakhouse, Teppanyaki, Sushi Bar, Bistrot), plus 20 specialty bars and lounges.

Below is the complete list of MSC Seascape restaurants and food bars.

• Three main restaurants (complimentary MDRs) offering traditional Italian cuisine and wines. They operate for Breakfast (7–9:30 am), Lunch (12 noon–2 pm), and Dinner with two fixed seatings (7 pm and 9:30 pm) and a 7-course dinner menu (including vegan and vegetarian options).
• Aurea Restaurant (Suite-only)
• Yacht Club Restaurant (YC guests only)
• Marketplace Buffet & Restaurant (complimentary), redesigned from previous fleetmates, divided into Il Mercato, La Piazza, and La Trattoria sections, featuring a new alfresco Sky Bar. Total indoor capacity: 1100 seats.
• Kaito Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar (specialty Japanese restaurant) with conveyor-belt service.
• Butcher’s Cut (specialty steakhouse with alfresco seating on the Waterfront Promenade)
• Ocean Cay by Ramon Freixa (specialty seafood restaurant)
• HOLA! Tacos & Cantina (Latin American/Mexican specialty venue)
• Fusion Restaurant (specialty)
• Bistrot (specialty)
• Chef’s Court (Deck 8) with 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 design emphasizes outdoor spaces, with 11 alfresco dining venues, 19 bars and lounges, 12 restaurants, an outdoor wellness complex (spa and fitness with advanced Kinesis Technogym equipment), and an expanded MSC Yacht Club with its own restaurant, lounge, solarium, sundeck, and pool.

The high-tech Chora Theatre hosts evening Broadway-style productions supported by advanced media equipment. Additional attractions include the 5D Cinema, VR Maze, Rafting simulator, and Formula 1 racing simulator.

Family offerings are expanded compared to previous SEASIDE-class ships, with a larger kids’ playground and an upgraded Pirate Cove-themed waterpark. The vessel has one of the largest water attractions at sea. Activities for infants (1–3 years) are provided via MSC’s partnership with Chicco. Children ages 3–11 enjoy LEGO-themed activities, including a dedicated LEGO Room and the signature “LEGO Experience On Board” sea day event.

MSC Seascape has two teenager clubs — one for ages 12–14 and one for ages 15–17 — functioning as gaming rooms, discos, or cinemas depending on the time of day.

Signature activity areas include the Adventure Trail (outdoor ropes course, net bridges, crawl-through slides) and the Zip Line (130 m / 427 ft). The aquapark features five waterslides, including an interactive Slideboarding tube (112 m long), an Aquatube innertube slide, two high-speed racing slides, and a family flume slide. The park also includes the AquaPlay and AquaSpray kids’ areas.

Additional complimentary amenities include 24-hour room service, supervised youth programs, shipwide Wi-Fi, and laundry service. Below is the complete list of MSC Seascape’s lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for guests of all ages.

• Art Gallery, Photo Gallery & Shop
• Seascape Atrium (served by Atrium Bar)
• Two theaters, including the two-level Madison Theater
• Boulevard du Cabaret
• Le Cabaret Rouge (two-deck lounge)
• Shopping Arcade and duty-free shops, Boutique Monobrand, MSC Galleria Shopping Area
• Top Sail Lounge (YC)
• Uptown Lounge
• MSC Aurea Bar
• Piazza
• Chocolate Factory
• Venchi 1878 Gelato & Creperie
• Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar
• Casino & Casino Bar
• Cocktail Bar, Sky Bar, Shine Bar, Horizon Bar, Wine Cellar, Champagne & Wine Bar
• Times Square
• 5D Cinema
• Rafting Simulator
• Formula 1 Simulator
• Two bowling lanes
• Four twisting waterslides
• Zip Line (130 m)
• Disco Nightclub & Bar
• Creperie and ice cream venues
• Spa Wellness complex, Solarium, Yoga Studios, Nail Salon, Medi Spa, Beauty Salon, Barber Shop, Jean Louis David Hair Salon
• Top 19 Solarium (YC sundeck)
• MSC Gym by Technogym (with outdoor area)
• MSC Business Center
• Pool Room, Broadcasting Studio
• Sports Bar
• Liberty Plaza
• Brooklyn Cafe
• Comedy Club Bar
• MSC Yacht Club (Suite complex)
• VIP Bar Lounge, Family Lounge, Jungle Pool Lounge
• Six swimming pools, Spa Pool, Lido Pool, Raised Pool, Indoor Pool Bar
• Long Island Pool (main pool) with 360° fountain island, lounge area, and six Jacuzzis (including two Infinity)
• Pirates Cove Aquapark
• Jungle Pool with Magrodome (retractable roof)
• Jungle Pool Lounge & Beach Bar
• Aft Infinity Pool, two Infinity Jacuzzis, Infinity Bar, Infinity Bridge
• “Bridge of Sighs” panoramic catwalk (22 m / 72 ft above the aft pool)
• Children’s Area (Young Club, Teen Club, Junior Club LEGO, Mini Club LEGO, Baby Club Chicco, Doremi Land, Doremi Studio, VR Maze, Hall of Games, Reception)
• Adventure Trail (two-deck ropes course)
• MSC Sports Arena (volleyball, basketball, football, tennis) with stadium seating and outdoor movie screen

Seascape’s “MSC Yacht Club” is currently the fleet’s largest (32,000 ft² / 2973 m²). This all-inclusive suite complex spans four decks and features a three-deck Onyx Wall (backlit), Swarovski staircases, the Top Sail Lounge, an exclusive restaurant, and a poolside bar and grill. The private sundeck and pool area were expanded to more than 21,000 ft² (1950 m²) and include a larger pool and a panoramic Jacuzzi (8 seats). The YC complex has 131 Suites plus two Owners Suites (1054 ft² / 98 m²) with large terraces featuring hot tubs, dining areas, and sundeck space.

Seascape’s outdoor deck space is also the fleet’s largest (~13,000 m² / 140,000 ft²), including the 540 m (1772 ft) Waterfront Promenade lined with outdoor bars and dining venues.

Itineraries

MSC Seascape’s itinerary program (inaugural season 2022–2023) is based mainly on 7-day Western and Eastern Caribbean voyages roundtrip from the homeport of Miami (Florida, USA). The 7-day cruises can be combined into 14-day back-to-back (B2B) voyages. Special itineraries range from 6 to 15 days.

The Maiden Voyage is scheduled for November 19, 2022 — a 17-day Transatlantic crossing (RepositionCruises.com) from Italy to the USA (Civitavecchia/Rome to NYC), visiting Spain (Barcelona, Valencia, Cadiz), Madeira (Funchal), and Bermuda (Kings Wharf, overnight).

During the 2022–2023 winter season, sailings from PortMiami include:

• 7-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary to the Bahamas (MSC Ocean Cay, Nassau), Puerto Rico (San Juan), and the Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata)
• 7-day Western Caribbean itinerary to the Bahamas (MSC Ocean Cay), Mexico (Cozumel), Grand Cayman (George Town), and Jamaica (Ocho Rios)

In January 2024, MSC announced that starting November 2025, MSC Seascape will begin year-round homeporting in Galveston, Texas (USA), offering 7-night Caribbean roundtrips calling in Mexico (Costa Maya, Cozumel) and Honduras (Roatan Island). MSC’s maiden voyage from Texas is scheduled for November 9th.