The new MSC Seashore was recently christened, with Italian actress Sophia Loren serving as godmother (her 16th MSC Cruises ship). The first Seaside EVO-class ship is an evolution of MSC Seaside’s design — lengthening it, adding a deck and making several other modifications. Altogether, MSC claims 65% of the public areas have been reimagined.
Seashore highlights include the line’s largest MSC Yacht Club ship-within-a-ship complex, as well as the biggest children’s spaces (totaling 7,567 square feet) in the fleet. But the most noticeable difference to any cruiser who has sailed on Seaside previously are the substantial improvements to the ship’s layout and flow, thanks to the repositioning of several venues.
The welcoming Waterfront Promenade is now a contiguous alfresco deck that extends to the newly expanded Infinity Pool overlooking the stern. (Don’t miss the pedestrian path that crosses the water for awesome aft views.)
Conveniently consolidated on the same level is the Chef’s Court collection of specialty restaurants. On Seashore, there’s also now only one larger Marketplace Buffet & Restaurant.
One thing missing from the top decks, however, is the once-touted pair of ziplines. Instead, guests will find a trio of waterslides for all ages, a sports court, an Adventure Trail ropes course and a pirate-themed kids’ aqua park.
Locating specialty restaurants and additional main dining rooms below has also displaced the Hall of Games arcade, with the interactive XD cinema and F1 simulator adjacent to the upper-deck action.
There is still no publicly accessible observation lounge (outside of the private Top Sail Lounge for MSC Yacht Club guests), but nestled below the aft Infinity Pool is Le Cabaret Rouge entertainment venue. The new double-decker space is flanked by windows and cozy seating that serve scenic purposes rather well when not in use for live performances.
Main productions continue to be hosted in the forward Madison Theater, and shows such as “Coast to Coast” spotlight talented renditions of Americana with European flair. In fact, Ruben Rodriguez, president of MSC Cruises USA, considers the ideal client for the line to be those who appreciate the brand’s international character, adding that “they tend to be explorers.”
MSC entertainment features international flair.
Credit: 2021 Jason LeppertTo that end, Seashore strikes a perfect balance for U.S. customers by presenting beautiful Italian design and artistic heritage throughout (just take a stroll along the buffet to peruse tons of vintage posters and other ephemera), as well as offering international flavors, from the line’s signature pizza and Hola! Tacos & Cantina to teppanyaki and the Kaito Sushi Bar.
If there’s one European-style element that is out of place, though, it’s the very small standard bathrooms carried over from the original Seaside staterooms. Showers feature fixed enclosures over flimsy curtains, but they are claustrophobic compared to the competition.
Otherwise, cabins are comfortable and well appointed with USB charging (only at one nightstand plus desk) in addition to a handy induction charger at the vanity area, and MSC Yacht Club suites marvelously increase proportions, especially in bathrooms.
Still, the standout feature of Seashore is the enormous amount of outdoor deck space, including the Bridge of Sighs, a glass-floored catwalk dramatically cantilevered high above the stern and pool below.
Seashore is MSC Cruises’ third ship to be based in the U.S., departing from Miami on five- to 16-night voyages to the Caribbean. Its sister ship — MSC Seascape — will be based out of PortMiami come November 2022, as well.
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