MSC Seaview

The 2018-built MSC Seaview cruise ship is the second SEASIDE-class MSC vessel, with sistership MSC Seaside (2017).

The vessel (IMO 9745378) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 248717000) and registered in Valletta.

History – construction and ownership

MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere) is a passenger shipping company headquartered in Genoa and Naples. Founded in 1960, MSC Crociere is a subsidiary of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) – the world’s second-largest container shipping company and the world’s largest privately owned cruise company.

By annual passenger shipping volumes, MSC ranks as the world’s third-largest cruise shipowner, following only Carnival Corporation and RCG–Royal Caribbean Group.

In 2015, MSC ordered four new ships from STX France and Fincantieri Italy, with an option for three additional vessels. The first two liners were delivered in 2017 – MSC Meraviglia (May) and MSC Seaside (November). MSC Seaview was delivered in June 2018. The 5300-passenger Seaside-class ship design was created for year-round operations in warm climates and features extensive outdoor areas, a ropes course, a 5-slide water park, three glass-floored catwalks, and a wraparound sea-level Promenade Deck lined with shops, bars, and indoor-outdoor restaurants, plus glass-walled elevators. Key environmental and technical features include an Advanced Water Treatment System, waste-processing plants, next-generation scrubbers, optimized hull, antifouling paints, LED lighting, and advanced heat-recovery systems. The vessel is fully compliant with IMO’s “Safe Return to Port” requirements.

MSC Seaview is part of MSC’s series of “smart ships,” developed under the company’s EUR 9-billion, 10-year investment program for up to 11 new vessels entering service between 2017 and 2026. Among the onboard innovations is contactless payment technology and enhanced digital capabilities.

MSC Seaview is the fleet’s third ship (after Meraviglia and Seaside) fitted with new digital technologies designed to enhance the passenger experience. In partnership with Samsung, the ship supports NFC (near-field communication), allowing passengers to use smartphones, cruise cards, or bracelets to locate themselves or their children, to access cabins, or to make onboard purchases. Interactive screens throughout the ship enable real-time bookings and reservations, while beacon technology provides customized, location-based notifications to guests’ devices.

Decks and Cabins

MSC Seaview staterooms (2066 total) are available in 25 categories and include 1610 Outside and 454 Inside cabins. The largest accommodation is the Yacht Club Royal Suite (670 ft² / 62 m² plus a 355 ft² / 33 m² terrace with outdoor whirlpool). The ship has 54 wheelchair-accessible cabins, 14 aft-corner suites, suites with outdoor Jacuzzis, terraced balcony staterooms overlooking the Promenade, and cluster cabins for families. Approximately 73% of all staterooms have private step-out balconies. Most balconies range between 45–95 ft² (4–9 m²).

The ship has 19 decks, 16 of which are passenger-accessible, and 10 contain passenger cabins.

MSC Seaview’s decks are named after oceans and seas.

Shipboard dining options – Food and Drinks

MSC Seaview offers a wide range of dining choices, including the Fusion Restaurant for specialty cuisine and a VIP Fine Dining Restaurant. The nine onboard eateries represent global cuisines, among them a Pan-Asian venue developed in partnership with Roy Yamaguchi, a world-class steakhouse, and a luxury seafood restaurant with a Chef’s Table.

Below is the full list of MSC Seaview restaurants and food bars:

• Main dining rooms serve classic Italian cuisine and wines. They are open for Breakfast (7:00–9:30 am), Lunch (12:00–2:00 pm), and Dinner with two fixed seatings (7:00 pm and 9:30 pm). The 7-course dinner menu includes vegan and vegetarian options.
• Golden Sand Restaurant (922 seats, 1670 m², Deck 5) serves breakfast, lunch (sea days only), and dinner with three fixed seatings, as well as My Choice Dining (5:30–9:30 pm). Tables accommodate 2–10 guests.
• Silver Dolphin Restaurant (806 seats, 1475 m², Deck 6) serves dinner only with three fixed seatings. Tables accommodate 2–10 guests.
• L’Atelier Bistrot (77 seats, 670 m², Deck 8) offers either a fixed menu charge (EUR 23) or à-la-carte pricing. Tables are arranged around the Atrium.
• Marketplace Buffet Restaurant (1000 seats, 2071 m², Deck 8) includes outdoor seating along the Promenade. Food stations offer carvery, pizzeria (including made-to-order pies), fast food (panini, wraps, burgers, hot dogs), salad bar, fruit, vegan dishes, fresh-baked bread and pasta, and a beverage bar. It operates from 6:30 am to 2:00 am. The ship’s second buffet venue is Ocean Point Restaurant on Deck 16.
• Top Sail Lounge (174 seats, 377 m², Decks 16/18) is a two-deck complex exclusive to MSC Yacht Club guests, featuring an indoor lounge, restaurant (upper level), and outdoor sundeck area. Food and beverages are complimentary.
• MSC Yacht Club Restaurant (128 seats, 630 m², Deck 18) offers complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner with open dining times. Menus vary daily to match the ship’s itinerary.
• L’Enoteca (59 seats, 211 m², Deck 16) is a wine and cocktails bar with a dedicated tasting area.
• Ocean Cay by Ramon Freixa (40 seats, 130 m², Deck 16) offers a seafood menu at a fixed charge (EUR 49) or à-la-carte pricing.
• Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi includes:
  • Pan Asian Restaurant (12 seats, 100 m², Deck 16)
  • Sushi Bar (32 seats, 170 m², with outdoor seating)
  • Teppanyaki Restaurant (72 seats, 100 m², dinner-only, with live cooking stations)
• Butcher’s Cut (72 seats, 225 m², Deck 16) serves a steakhouse menu at a fixed price (EUR 49) or à-la-carte. Brunch is offered on sea days.
• Ocean Point Restaurant & Buffet (450 seats, 1050 m², Deck 16) is the second buffet venue, open 8:00–10:00 pm and offering themed dinners, kids’ meals, pizzeria, fast-food stations, salad bar, fresh bread, fruits, and vegan options.

Shipboard entertainment options – Fun and Sport

MSC Seaview is purpose-built for warm-weather cruising. The design philosophy focuses on bringing guests closer to the sea, featuring expansive outdoor areas, al fresco dining (20 bars), outdoor spa and fitness facilities, two wellness cabins with Kinesis Technogym equipment, and a private MSC Yacht Club complex with its own restaurant, lounge, and solarium.

Signature activity areas include the Adventure Trail playground (rope courses, bridges, crawl-through slides) and the 130-m / 430-ft Zip Line. The Aqua Park features five waterslides, an interactive Slideboarding tube (a 112-m slide incorporating video games, music, and lights), Aquatube (inner-tube slide), two high-speed racing slides, and a family flume slide. The waterpark also includes two children’s areas – AquaPlay and AquaSpray.

Additional amenities include complimentary 24-hour room service, supervised children’s programming, Internet/WiFi access, and laundry services. Below is the full list of MSC Seaview lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults:

• Medical Center (16-seat infirmary, 251 m², Deck 4) staffed by resident doctors and nurses on 24-hour duty. Payments are charged to the cruise card. Standard health insurance policies generally do not apply, so cruise health insurance is recommended.
• Photo Shop and Art Gallery (8 seats, 200 m², Deck 5)
• Emotions-Immersive Gallery (50 seats, 218 m², Deck 5)
• Atrium Lobby Lounge with MSC Future Cruise Office (19 seats, 126 m²), Reception/Guest Services (32 seats, 270 m²), Atrium Bar (77 seats, 508 m²)
• Odeon Theatre (Decks 6–7), the main show lounge (934 seats, 1313 m²), hosting classical concerts, operas, and seven Broadway-style productions rotated nightly.
• Retail Shopping Area (Deck 6) with boutiques including Fine Watches & Jewellery (67 m²), Boutique Accessories (64 m²), Boutique Monobrand (64 m²), Perfumes & Cosmetics (104 m²), Mini Mall (110 m²)
• Piazza Grande (630 m², Deck 6) with live music, pastry and ice cream bar
• Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar (66 seats, 520 m², Deck 6)
• Business Centre (21 seats, 47 m², Deck 6)
• Shine Bar (143 seats, 600 m², Deck 6)
• MSC Excursions Office (74 seats, 400 m², Deck 6)
• Promenade Atrium Lounge (Deck 6)
• Platinum Casino (237 seats, 1150 m², Deck 7) with Casino Bar (35 seats, 120 m²)
• Galleria Shops, Watches & Sunglasses Store (60 m², Deck 7)
• Champagne Bar (94 seats, 670 m², Deck 7)
• Garage Club & Bar (35 seats, 181 m², Deck 7), a retro-themed venue that transforms into a disco at night
• Interactive XD Cinema (8 seats, 64 m², Deck 7)
• F1 Simulator (Deck 7)
• Arcade Games Lounge (73 m², Deck 7)
• Bowling Alley (two full-size lanes, 100 m², Deck 7)
• Entertainment Area (Deck 7)
• Haven Lounge & Bar (187 seats, 820 m², Deck 7) hosting daily entertainment activities
• Library & Billiard Room (24 seats, Deck 7)
• Venchi 1878 Gelato & Creperie (66 seats, Deck 7)
• Sunset Beach Pool (168 seats, 1045 m², Deck 7) with Sunset Beach Bar (75 seats)
• Waterfront Boardwalk (Deck 8), an outdoor Promenade with seating and two 40-m glass-bottomed catwalks extending beyond the ship’s sides
• MSC Aurea Spa (2300 m²) with extensive wellness, beauty, and spa facilities, including thermal suites, treatment rooms, solarium, MediSpa, and Technogym fitness centre
• The Piazza (Deck 8) with shops including Fashion Jewellery (55 m²), MSC Logo Shop (67 m²), and The Gallery (26 m²)
• Broadcasting Room (4 seats, 14 m², Deck 8)
• Sports Bar (155 seats, 425 m², Deck 8)
• Seaside Lounge (95 seats, 301 m², Deck 8) and Seaside Bar (97 seats, 47 m²)
• MSC Excursions Point (54 m², Deck 8)
• Panorama Pool Deck (2400 m², Deck 16) with swimming pool, LED screen, Jacuzzis, Panorama Bar, Siesta Beach Sun Deck, Panoramic Lift, and Bridge of Sighs
• Magrodome Area with Jungle Pool (retractable roof, 950 m², Deck 18), Jungle Bar (210 seats), Jungle Pool Lounge (240 seats)
• Children’s facilities (Deck 18), including Forest Aquaventure Park, Teen Club, Young Club, Junior Club LEGO, Mini Club LEGO, Baby Club CHICCO, Doremi Land, and Doremi Studio
• Forest Aquaventure Park – children’s water playground with slides, water cannons, fountains, and climbers
• Doremi Studio – TV-studio-style venue with LED screen, tiered seating, and interactive programming
• Baby Club CHICCO – nursery for ages 6–36 months, offering free baby products and supervised programming
• Mini Club LEGO (ages 3–6) with LEGO and DUPLO bricks and supervised activities
• Junior Club LEGO (ages 7–11) with games, toys, cinema, and structured programming
• Young Club (ages 12–14) with gaming, sports tournaments, and multimedia features
• Teen Club (ages 15–17) with dance floor, video games, lounge seating, and competitions
• MSC Yacht Club Open Area (112 seats, 1600 m², Deck 19) – exclusive sundeck with pool, bar, Jacuzzis, cabanas, and sunbathing areas
• Sports Court – multisport area (Deck 19) and two zip lines (105 m / 344 ft each)
• Miramar Bar (78 seats, Deck 19)

Itineraries

MSC Seaview operates Western Mediterranean cruises (7-night / 8-day roundtrips) from homeports in Spain, Italy, and France (Barcelona, Genoa, Marseille, Naples, Messina).

During the winter season, the ship repositions to South America for roundtrip cruises from Santos (São Paulo), Brazil, calling at Ilhabela, Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador de Bahia. The ship also operates seasonal repositioning / Transatlantic voyages between South America and Europe (Mediterranean) in Spring and Fall.

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in summer 2021 (July–August) MSC Seaview was homeported in Kiel, Germany and Copenhagen, Denmark for 7-day Baltic Sea itineraries to ports in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, and Russia. In November 2021 the ship repositioned to the Mediterranean, then crossed the Atlantic to the Caribbean. During the 2021–2022 winter Caribbean season, Seaview was homeported in Fort-de-France (Martinique) and Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe), operating 7-day roundtrips to St Lucia (Castries), Barbados (Bridgetown), Trinidad (Port-of-Spain), Grenada (St George’s), and St Vincent & the Grenadines (Kingstown).

The vessel (Fincantieri Monfalcone yard / hull number 6257) has a volume of 153,516 GT, a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 11,385 tons, and a maximum draught of 8 m. The power plant consists of four Wärtsilä marine diesel engines (2× 12V46F and 2× 14V46F) with a combined output of 62.4 MW (83,680 hp). Propulsion is provided by two Azipod thrusters with a combined output of 40 MW (53,640 hp). The registered shipowner is MSC MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING CO (via CNS COMPANIA NAVIERA SEASIDE 2 SA), and the registered manager is MSC CROCIERE S.p.A.

Seaview is the second Seaside-class MSC ship, preceded by MSC Seaside (2017), and is Fincantieri’s second-largest passenger ship ever built (after Seaside). There was an option for a third Seaside-class vessel with a scheduled delivery in 2021. Another MSC ship launched in 2017 (May) was MSC Meraviglia.

Samsung supported the installation of near-field communication systems that allow passengers to use a digital device (smartphone, cruise card, or bracelet) to locate themselves or their companions onboard. This technology also enables cabin access and onboard payments. Interactive screens throughout the ship provide access to shore excursion booking and restaurant reservations.

On July 5, 2016, MSC announced the name of the second Seaside-class ship — “MSC Seaview,” with a scheduled launch in June 2018. On February 1, 2017, the keel-laying (coin) ceremony took place at the Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard, attended by Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman).

On August 23, 2017, the vessel was floated out from drydock.

During MSC Seaside’s delivery ceremony (November 29, 2017), MSC announced the order of two “Seaside EVO” class ships from Fincantieri (contract value EUR 1.8 billion). The new ships are larger (16 m longer, 17,330 GT heavier, capacity increased by 467 passengers) than the Seaside-class sisterships Seaview and Seaside. Scheduled delivery dates were 2021 (MSC Seashore) and 2023 (yet unnamed). Seaview was officially delivered to MSC on June 4 in Monfalcone. The ceremony was attended by Gianluigi Aponte (MSC Group Executive Chairman), Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC Cruises Executive Chairman), Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri CEO), and the governors of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. The liner arrived in Genoa on June 7.

The christening ceremony took place on June 9, 2018, in Genoa. It was attended by MSC executives and key travel partners. VIP guests included the Aponte and Aponte-Vago families, as well as godmother Sophia Loren. The event was hosted by Italian TV star Michelle Hunziker and featured live performances by Zucchero, Piccolo Coro dell’Antoniano (children’s choir), and Matteo Bocelli (son of Andrea Bocelli).

The new ship design features two engine rooms (forward and aft). Advanced safety systems and modern marine technologies were implemented for improved efficiency and reduced fuel consumption. The ship is powered by all four Wärtsilä diesel engines (model 12V46F), delivering a total output of 62.4 MW.

MSC Seaview refurbishments review

The ship’s first drydock refurbishment took place from March 31 through April 15, 2023, at MSC’s shipyard in Valletta, Malta. This routine drydocking included scheduled maintenance and classification works, technical overhauls, and hull cleaning/painting.

Inaugural Cruise Itineraries 2018

MSC Seaview spent her inaugural cruise season in Europe (Western Mediterranean). The ship was homeported in Barcelona, Genoa, Marseille, Naples, and Messina (Sicily, Italy), offering roundtrip itineraries from each turnaround port.

The table below shows the ship’s inaugural cruise itineraries with ports of call (date sequence and port times).

3-day Inaugural Cruise from Genoa

2-day from Marseille to Genoa

7-day Mediterranean - prices started from USD 1800 pp

17-day repositioning cruise to South America (from Barcelona to Santos Brazil) - prices started from USD 1960 pp

4-day Inaugural South America cruise - prices from USD 1260 pp

7-day South American cruise - prices from USD 1240 pp

Godspeed to the new ship!