As of December 1, 2017, MSC Cruises' MSC Seaside has officially launched. I had the pleasure of being one of only three American journalists to get an early first look of the ship fresh out of the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy before disembarking in Trieste.
It now sets sail briefly towards Barcelona before crossing the Atlantic for its year-round homeport of Miami, Florida. There it will be christened by godmother Sophia Loren on December 21, 2017, and I will be onboard again to cover the festivities.
I'm pleased to report that the ship lives up to the hype, though I have yet to experience everything it has to offer. Heavy rains kept the outer decks and its al fresco attractions off limits. So, I'll have to save my thoughts on the water slides and zip-lines for later.
Nonetheless, the outdoor deck space is already a clear winner. The sheer amount of it is astonishing, and the promenade promises to better connect guests with the ocean. Positioning the ship's main buffet on this deck brilliantly bucked the status quo with seating much closer to the sea. Plus, there's still a secondary buffet on the higher pool deck to cleverly offset crowds.
The aft Bridge of Sighs-a nomenclature nod to Venice and one of three glass-floored suspended catwalks onboard-is a deck feature that immediately impresses. From here, guests can catch a unique view over the stern's condo-like cabin tower and South Beach pool below.
As a ship that follows the sun, the interiors make a point of drawing the outside in.
The stunning design frequently employs glass enclosures and mirrored surfaces for an intended prismatic effect. Just how well it works will have to be seen when Seaside reaches the non-dreary Caribbean, but even at night, the shiny atrium is a beauty. All the venues apply such well-crafted Italian design that the ship resembles a sporty Ferrari of the seas.
Among the purity of atmospheric concept is the entirely non-smoking Miami Casino. It should actually be called the Chocolate Casino, in my opinion, because the chocolate fall wall-imagine a fondue fountain dripping from a vertical surface-from the Venchi Coccogelateria & Coffee Bar one open level below ensures a sweet smell in the air.
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Of course, the MSC Aurea Spa is also just as pristine. A thermal area features seemingly every kind of contrasting temperature and light experience-from toasty saunas and a chilly snow room to a bright sensory steam bath looking like something out of Disney's sci-fi flick "TRON."
MSC's homage to Disney continues with its entertainment during stage shows like "The Dream."
The abstract performance combines wonderful Italian operatic vocals and ace acrobatics to reinterpret the likes of "The Phantom of the Opera" but mostly classic and modern Disney musicals. ("Aladdin," "Beauty and the Beast," "Mary Poppins" and "Frozen" are all in the mix.)
The production quality and arrangements are superb. However, the spectacle is so close to what competitor Disney Cruise Line itself already presents that it would be great to see how MSC could spin more original material.
Accommodations offer a cozy private retreat, and the best are those of the MSC Yacht Club ship-within-a-ship. Guests occupying certain inside and outside suites get exclusive access to an enhanced dedicated area.
A double-decker, forward-facing venue is wrapped in scenic glass to encompass an observation lounge and attached terraced restaurant.
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The only downside is that the Top Sail Lounge is not available to all guests when the space usually is if featured on other vessels. In different categories, it's harder to accept tiny entry-level cabin bathrooms and showers nowadays, especially from an otherwise very space-efficient ship.
Elsewhere, the Seaside is a marvel, including dining and service-both of which have improved substantially since the MSC Divina first started servicing the North American market. Sure to be a favorite is Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi where even just a small sampler of the fine food shined during our preview sailing. Crew members are additionally friendlier and more attentive.
MSC's efforts to greatly enhance its product have not gone unnoticed, and the MSC Seaside is the next major step towards a much bigger and brighter future in the Caribbean.
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