MSC Seaview

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

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 Crociere is the world's largest privately-owned cruise company. By annual passenger shipping volumes, MSC is ranked world's 4th largest cruise company (after Carnival Corporation, RCCL-Royal Caribbean and NCL-Norwegian) with over 5% global market share.

In 2015, MSC ordered four new ships from STX France and Fincantieri Italy, with an option for three more. The first two liners were delivered in 2017 - MSC Meraviglia (May) and MSC Seaside (November). Seaview was delivered in June 2018. The 5300-passenger Seaside-Class ship design was developed for year-round operations in warm climates. It features many and large-sized outdoor areas, ropes course, 5-slide water park, 3 glass-floored catwalks, wraparound Promenade Deck (at sea level) lined up with shops, bars and restaurants (indoor-outdoor seating), glass-walled (sea view) elevators. Among the vessel's technological features are Advanced Water Treatment and garbage treatment plants, new-generation scrubbers, optimized hull, antifouling paints, LED lighting throughout, advanced heat recovery technology. The vessel is fully compliant with IMO's "Safe Return to Port" requirement (how long the cruise ship should remain safe for evacuation).

MSC Seaview is part of the "smart" ships' series to be built by MSC, part of line's EUR 9 billion, 10-year investment plan, including the creation of up to 11 new ships, due to come into service 2017-2026. Contactless payment is one of the technologies leaving dry land as a cruise ship company revealed plans for next-generation smart ships.

MSC Seaview is the fleet's 3rd ship (after Meraviglia and Seaside) fitted with new technologies specifically designed to improve the onboard digital experience for passengers. The company entered a partnership with Samsung to support NFC (near-field communication) technology onboard, enabling passengers to use smartphones, cruise card or bracelet to geolocate themselves or their kids, to access their stateroom or make onboard payments. Interactive screens are placed throughout the ship to enable passengers to make real-time bookings and reservations. Beacon technology is also used, sending location-based, customized notifications to users' phones as they move around the ship. Beacons are triggered whenever a connected device moves into their vicinity.

Cruise itinerary program

MSC Seaview itinerary program is based on Western Mediterranean cruises (7 nights / 8 days roundtrips) leaving from homeports in Spain, Italy, and France (Barcelona, Genoa, Marseille, Naples, Messina Sicily).

During winter months, the ship starts operations in South America on roundtrip cruises from Santos (Sao Paulo) Brazil. Ports of call are Ilhabela, Buzios, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador de Bahia. The ship offers repositioning cruises / Transatlantic crossings between South America and Europe (Mediterranean) in Spring and Fall.

Decks and Cabins

MSC Seaview staterooms (2066 total) are in 25 categories and include 1610 Outside and 454 Inside. The largest aboard MSC Seaside is the Yacht Club Royal Suite (670 ft2 / 62 m2 plus 355 ft2 / 33 m2 terrace with an outdoor whirlpool hot tub). The ship has 54 wheelchair-accessible cabins, 14 aft-corner suites, suites with outdoor Jacuzzis, terraced balcony staterooms (overlooking the Promenade) and cluster cabins (designed for families with children). About 73% of all staterooms are with private step-out balconies. Most cabin balconies are sized 45-95 ft2 (4-9 m2).

The boat has 18 decks, of which 14 are passenger-accessible and 10 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

New and creative dining options are available onboard MSC Seaview. Expect the Fusion Restaurant with specialty dining and VIP Fine Dining Restaurant. The nine eateries onboard MSC Seaview feature cuisines from all around the world including the Pan-Asian restaurant via the partnership with acclaimed chef, Roy Yamaguchi, world-class international steak house and luxury seafood restaurant with Chef's Table.

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

• Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi includes Pan Asian restaurant by Roy Yamaguchi (12-seat, size 100 m2, Deck 16), Sushi Food Bar by Roy Yamaguchi (32-seat, size 170 m2, Deck 16), Teppanyaki restaurant by Roy Yamaguchi (72-seat, size 100 m2, Deck 16)
• Butcher's Cut (72-seat American steakhouse with exclusive Chef's Table, size 225 m2, Deck 16)
• Golden Sand (922-seat Main Restaurant, size 1670 m2, Deck 5)
• Main dining rooms (restaurants) 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 that also includes vegan and vegetarian meals.
• L'Atelier Bistrot (77-seat Bistrot with dedicated food and drinks, size 670 m2, Deck 8)
• Marketplace Restaurant and Buffet (1.000-seat Main buffet with outdoor promenade areas, size 2071 m2, Deck 8)
• Ocean Cay by Ramon Freixa (40-seat seafood specialty restaurant, size 130 m2, Deck 16)
• Ocean Point Restaurant and Buffet (450-seat buffet restaurant dedicated for families and kids, size 1050 m2, Deck 16)
• Silver Dolphin (806-seat Main restaurant, size 1475 m2, Deck 6)
• Champagne Bar (94-seat champagne bar with cold precious food, size 670 m2, Deck 7)
• Garage Club (35-seat discotheque, bar, hot dogs, size 181 m2, Deck 7).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MSC Seaview is specifically designed for warm climates. The concept behind MSC Cruises Seaview ship is to "bring the sea closer to passengers. The beach-condo-inspired concept focuses on the outdoor space of suites and cabins, many al fresco eating options (20 bars), outdoor spa and fitness facilities, two wellness cabins with advanced Kinesis Technogym fitness equipment and private MSC Yacht Club, with a restaurant, lounge, and solarium.

Signature activity areas include Adventure Trail outdoor playground (rope courses, bridges, crawl-through slides) and Zip-Line (length 130 m / 430 ft). The aqua park has 5 waterslides, an interactive Slideboarding tube (combining video games, music, lights, 112-m water slide), Aquatube (innertube slide), 2x high-speed racing slides and 1x family flume-type slide. The waterpark also has 2 separate kids' playgrounds (AquaPlay and AquaSpray).

Additional amenities include complimentary 24-Hour Room-Service and Supervised Children Program, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry. Follows the complete list of MSC Seaview lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Seaview Atrium (served by Atrium Bar in the Lobby area)
• Medical Centre (16-seat Infirmary, size 251 m2, Deck 4)
• MSC Excursions Point (size 54 m2, Deck 8)
• MSC Excursions Office (74-seat, size 400 m2, Deck 6)
• MSC Future Cruise ( 19-seat cruise consultant office, size 126 m2, Deck 5)
• Reception, Guest Service (32-seat, size 270 m2, Deck 5)
• Business Centre (21-seat, size 47 m2, Deck 6)
• Haven Lounge (212-seat, stage/dance floor surface 63 m2, size 820 m2, Deck 7)
• Haven Lounge (187-seat lounge and bar, size 820 m2, Deck 7)
• Odeon Theatre (934-seat theatre, shows, conferences, size 1313 m2, stage/dance floor surface 190 m2, Deck 6 / 7). Odeon Theatre hosts live classical concerts, operas and 7x Broadway-style show productions on a rotating basis. Of those 7, 4 are performed nightly, each including 5 singers, 15 dancers, 14 variety artists.
• Seaside Lounge (95-seat, stage/dance floor surface 16 m2, size 301 m2, and 97-seat cocktails and drinks, size 47 m2, Deck 8)
• Jungle Beach Bar (210-seat indoor pool bar, size 950 m2, Deck 18)
• Platinum Casino (35-seat casino lower bar, size 120 m2, and 237-seat casino and bar, size 1150 m2, Deck 7)
• Seaview Bar (77-seat Pre-dinner cocktail bar, size 508 m2, Deck 5)
• Shine Bar (143-seat pre-dinner cocktail bar, size 600 m2, Deck 6)
• Sports Bar (160-seat drinks and finger food bar, size 425 m2, Deck 8)
• Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar (90-seat chocolate factory and coffee bar with an open kitchen by Venchi, size 520 m2, Deck 6)
• Venchi 1878 Gelato and Creperie (66-seat ice cream bar and creperie by Venchi, Deck 7)
• Wine and Cocktails (59-seat welcome bar with wine tasting area, size 211 m2, Deck 16)
• Aurea Bar (80-seat sundeck bar, Deck 19)
• Miramar Bar (78-seat bar with panoramic sea view, Deck 19)
• Panorama Bar (156-seat ice cream bar, dance floor on the pool, Deck 16)
• Sunset Beach Bar (75-seat outdoor poolside bar, Deck 7)
• Accessories (fine bags, accessories, size 64 m2, Deck 6)
• Art Gallery (8-seat, size 200 m2, Deck 5)
• Boutique Monobrand (fashion shop for men, women and kids, size 64 m2, Deck 6)
• Bridge of Sighs (bridge with glass balustrades, Deck 16)
• Broadcasting Room (4-seat recording room, size 14 m2, Deck 8)
• Emotions-Immersive Gallery (50-seat emotional photo gallery, size 218 m2, Deck 5)
• Fashion Jewellery Shop (jewellery and watches, size 55 m2, Deck 8)
• Fine Watches and Jewellery Shop (jewellery and accessories, size 67 m2, Deck 6)
• Garage Club (35-seat disco nightclub and bar, size 181 m2, Deck 7)
• Infinity Bridge (outdoor glass bridge, size 106 m2, Deck 8)
• Mini Mall (duty-free shop for tobaccos, liquors and snacks, size 110 m2, Deck 6)
• MSC Shop (logo shop, size 67 m2, Deck 8)
• Panorama Pool (Sundeck, Deck 16)
• Perfumes and Cosmetics Shop (size 104 m2, Deck 6)
• Piazza Grande (square with live music, pastry and ice cream bar, Deck 6)
• Seaside Lounge (97-seat cocktails and drinks, size 301 m2, Deck 8)
• The Billiard Room (24-seat library with pool table, Deck 7)
• The Gallery (Jewellery Gallery, size 26 m2, Deck 8)
• The Piazza (indoor square with bars and shops, Deck 8)
• Watches and Sunglasses Shop (size 60 m2, Deck 7)
• Waterfront Boardwalk (Waterfront Promenade, Deck 8)
• Zip Line (2 separate zip lines of 105 m each, Deck 19)
• Adventure Trail (hanging bridge, Deck 20)
• Arcade Games (virtual games arcade, size 73 m2, Deck 7)
• Bowling (2 full-size bowling alleys, size 100 m2, Deck 7)
• Baby Club CHICCO (dedicated area for babies by Chicco, under 3 years, size 80 m2, Deck 18)
• Doremi Studio (100-seat kids and families cinema theatre, size 130 m2, Deck 18)
• F1 Simulator (Formula 1 virtual simulator, Deck 7)
• Interactive XD Cinema (8-seat Interactive XD Dark Ride Cinema 5D, size 64 m2, Deck 7)
• Junior Club LEGO (LEGO play area, 7-11 years, size 70 m2, Deck 18)
• Mini Club LEGO (LEGO play area, 3-6 years, size 100 m2, Deck 18)
• Teen Club (teenagers playroom, 15-17 years, size 28 m2, Deck 18)
• Young Club (dedicated area for young, 12-14 years, size 56 m2, Deck 18)
• MSC AUREA SPA and FITNESS (size 2300 m2)
• Barber Shop (men's wellness and male grooming treatments, size 2300 m2, Deck 8)
• Beauty Parlor (makeup-waxing-nail services, Deck 8)
• Jean Louis David Hair Salon (cut, colour, style and other treatments, Deck 8)
• Nail Salon (from a quick touch-up to luxurious relaxing treatments for hands and feet, Deck 8)
• Massages and Treatments (treatment rooms, Deck 8)
• Medi SPA (botox, filler, anti-ageing facials and body treatments, acupuncture, Deck 8)
• Reception (reception desk and welcome area, Deck 8)
• SPA Gym and Shop (Tailored shopping for haircare, skincare, and beauty products from premium brands, as well as sportswear from Emporio Armani, Deck 8)
• Solarium (cutting-edge equipment provides safe tan with a golden, deep and lasting colour, Deck 8)
• Thalasso Room (signature thalasso body treatments, Deck 8)
• Thermal Area (dark/bright sensory steam bath, Finnish Sauna Room, emotional showers, geyser Kneipp, salt relax, snow room, blower pool, heated benches, Deck 8)
• TOP 19 Exclusive Solarium (solarium, whirlpool bath, kids not allowed, Deck 19)
• Yoga (Deck 8)
• MSC Gym Powered by Technogym (fitness centre, size 870 m2, Deck 8)
• MSC Sports Arena (100-seat, with tennis, five-a-side football, volleyball, basketball, size 450 m2, Deck 20)
• Forest Aquaventure Park (aquapark with water play area, size 970 m2, Deck 18 / 19)
• Jungle Pool Lounge (240-seat pool deck with Magrodome / sliding glass roof, size 1500 m2, Deck 18)
• Panorama Pool (550-seat pool deck, size 2555 m2, Deck 16)
• Sunset Beach Pool (168-seat lower pool, size 1045 m2, Deck 7)
• Concierge Area (Reception with 24-hour concierge service, Deck 16)
• MSC AUREA SPA (Priority lift access to MSC Aurea Spa, two dedicated massage rooms, size 2410 m2, Deck 8)
• 86 Suites with 24-hour butler service (Deck 16 / 18)
• Top Sail Lounge (174-seat panoramic lounge, with an indoor and outdoor bar, size 377 m2, Deck 16)
• MSC YACHT CLUB Restaurant (128-seat exclusive restaurant, size 630 m2, Deck 18)
• MSC YACHT CLUB Sundeck and Pool (112-seat TOP 19 Solarium, size 1600 m2, Deck 19) is an exclusive sundeck area with Swimming Pool, 2 Jacuzzis (outdoor whirlpool hot tubs), Grill (buffet restaurant) and Bar (beverages).

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

Samsung supported near-field communication systems allowing passengers to use a digital device (smartphone, sail card or bracelet) to locate themselves or their companions on the ship. The new technology also allows cabin access and making onboard payments. Interactive screens throughout the ship allow excursion booking and making 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, at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard was held the keel-laying (coin) ceremony. The special event was attended by Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC Cruises' Executive Chairman), On August 23, 2017, was the float-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 bigger (16 m longer, 17,330 GT tons heavier, capacity 467 more passengers) in comparison to the sister-ships Seaview and Seaside. Newbuilds' deliveries were scheduled for 2021 (Seashore) and 2023 (yet unnamed). Seaview's official delivery to MSC was on June 4, in Monfalcone. The ceremony was attended by Gianluigi Aponte MSC Group's executive chairman), Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC Cruises executive chairman), Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO) and two Italian governors (of Venetoa and Friuli Venezia Giulia).  The liner arrived in Genoa June 7.

The christening ceremony was on June 9, 2018, in Genoa. The naming ceremony was attended by MSC executives and the company's key travel partners. Among the VIP guests were the Aponte and Aponte-Vago families and the godmother Sophia Loren. The ceremony was hosted by Michelle Hunziker (Italian TV star) and included live performances by Zucchero, Piccolo Coro Dell'Antoniano (kids choir) and Matteo Bocelli (Andrea Bocelli's son).

The new ship design features 2 engine rooms – located forward and aft. Top-notch safety systems and new marine technologies were implemented for better efficiency, thus lowering fuel consumption. The ship is powered by all four / two pairs of Wartsila marine diesel engines (model 12V46F) with total power output 62,4 MW.

Inaugural cruise Itineraries 2018

The Seaview ship spends its inaugural cruise season in Europe (Western Mediterranean). The ship is homeported in Barcelona, Genoa, Marseille, Naples, and Messina (Sicily Italy), offering roundtrips from each of these turnaround ports.

Next table 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!