VESSEL REVIEW | MSC Seashore – MSC Cruises takes delivery of largest ship ever built in Italy

Swiss cruise operator MSC Cruises will soon begin operational sailings of MSC Seashore, its newest flagship.

Designed and built by Italian shipyard Fincantieri as an improvement over the operator's Seaside-class ships, the Maltese-flagged MSC Seashore is the first in the two-ship Seaside EVO-class as well as the largest ship ever built in Italy, boasting an LOA of 339 metres, a beam of 50 metres, a gross tonnage of 169,500, and space for up to 5,877 guests.

One of the notable differences in this improved variant of the two earlier Seaside-class ships is the extended hull length. Among other things, this enables the newbuild and sister vessel MSC Seascape to accommodate additional amenities and spaces for guests including a new two-deck lounge with panoramic windows, five specialty restaurants, four main dining restaurants, 18 bars, and six pools such as an aft infinity pool. The aft lifts also have panoramic windows.

Approximately 13,000 square metres of outdoor space with a broad selection of outdoor bars and dining options, pools, and a deck area for relaxing and sunbathing are available on the ship as well. There will also be a waterfront promenade close to the water.

The vessel boasts an onboard club spanning 3,000 square metres over four decks with two owners' suites. Other accommodation options include 11 different types of cabins and suites with balconies including aft suites, 50 terraced suites with extended balconies offering up to 15 square metres of private terrace space, and 32 different suites with outdoor private whirlpools. The different cabin classes also each have a small number of slightly larger suites for use by guests with disabilities or reduced mobility.

Entertainment and recreation options include an expansive area with numerous retail shopping establishments, a theatre, children's play areas, a Formula One driving simulator area, and a casino with an interior layout that MSC Cruises said was inspired by New York City. One of the prominent features in the casino is a 2.8-metre-tall scale replica of the Statue of Liberty.

All interior spaces have LED lighting. One of the more notable lighting fixtures is an eight-metre LED wall that spans four decks within the retail area. The lighting on this wall can be adjusted to reflect actual daytime or nighttime conditions depending on the ship's current location.

MSC Cruises added that MSC Seashore is also the first cruise ship in the world to feature a new air sanitation system developed by Fincantieri. The system uses UV-C lamp technology to eliminate 99 per cent of viruses and bacteria to guarantee clean and safe air for guests and crew as cruise sailings resume worldwide following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

Main power is in the form of four diesel engines driving two GE Marine 20MW electric motors and propellers to deliver a speed of 21.3 knots. To aid in manoeuvring, the vessel is fitted with seven 3.1MW thrusters, four forward and three aft. Emissions-reducing features include a selective catalytic reduction system as well as systems for heat recovery, water treatment, and active emissions control.

MSC Seashore will begin operational sailings this August. After spending an inaugural season in the Mediterranean calling at the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples, and Messina as well as Valetta in Malta, Barcelona in Spain and Marseille in France, the ship will head to the US where it will home port in Miami. Starting November 2021 after its formal US debut, it will sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries, including stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises' new private island in the Bahamas.

Meanwhile, Fincantieri recently laid the keel for sister vessel MSC Seascape, which is scheduled to enter service in November 2022.

Click here for the other news, features and reviews comprising this month's Passenger Vessel Week.