MSC Seashore

MSC Seashore is a large cruise ship operated by MSC Cruises and the lead vessel of the Seaside EVO class, an enlarged and extensively revised development of MSC's Seaside-class design. The ship was constructed by Fincantieri at Monfalcone, Italy, and entered service in 2021. Its design was intended to preserve the Seaside family's emphasis on outdoor space, sea views, balconies, and warm-weather cruising while increasing capacity, public areas, technical capability, and onboard amenities. MSC Cruises announced the construction program on 29 November 2017, when it disclosed an order with Fincantieri for two ships valued at €1.8 billion. The first vessel replaced an earlier plan for a third conventional Seaside-class ship and was conceived as a further evolution of the design represented by MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview. The program's second vessel ultimately became MSC Seascape, delivered in November 2022. At the time of its construction, MSC Seashore was described as the largest cruise ship built in Italy. The ship's name was announced on 26 November 2018, alongside its steel-cutting ceremony. Its keel-laying ceremony took place on 19 September 2019, when two coins were placed beneath the keel as part of a maritime good-luck tradition. MSC Seashore was floated out on 20 August 2020 and moved to a wet dock for completion and outfitting. It was delivered in July 2021. MSC Seashore measures approximately 339 metres in length, 41 metres in beam, and 74 metres in height. It has a gross tonnage of about 170,412 GT. The ship provides approximately 10,000 square metres of additional deck space compared with the earlier Seaside-class vessels and adds around 200 passenger cabins. Capacity is reported at approximately 4,540 passengers at double occupancy and up to 5,877 passengers at maximum occupancy. The larger platform supports additional restaurants, lounges, and outdoor areas, although the arrangement differs from the earlier ships and includes fewer whirlpools. The vessel's technical and environmental features include a selective catalytic reduction system intended to reduce nitrogen-oxide emissions, anti-fouling hull paint intended to lower resistance and improve efficiency, and MSC's Safe Air air-sanitation technology. MSC presented the system as an advanced air-treatment measure designed to reduce the risk of airborne virus transmission. The ship's commercial identity is therefore closely tied to resort-style Mediterranean cruising, a broad choice of dining and lounge venues, extensive open-air accommodation, and the amenities of a high-capacity contemporary cruise ship. MSC Seashore was originally scheduled to begin weekly Western Mediterranean cruises on 13 June 2021, calling at Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina, and Valletta. Construction delays associated with the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the debut to 1 August 2021. MSC Fantasia operated the planned route before MSC Seashore entered service. The ship remains part of MSC Cruises' active fleet and was joined by its Seaside EVO sister ship MSC Seascape in 2022.

MSC Seashore originated in MSC Cruises' effort to extend and enlarge the Seaside-class concept. MSC announced the order for two new vessels at the delivery ceremony of MSC Seaside on 29 November 2017. The contract with Fincantieri was reported at €1.8 billion and covered ships intended for delivery in 2021 and 2023. The first ship replaced an earlier order for a third conventional Seaside-class vessel and was designed as the first example of the Seaside EVO class. The Seaside EVO concept retained the earlier class's focus on outdoor living, balconies, sea-facing public areas, and warm-weather itineraries, but introduced substantially larger dimensions and a revised internal and external arrangement. MSC later stated that more than 65 percent of the design differed from the older Seaside-class ships. The new ship was also intended to become the largest cruise ship constructed in Italy. The name MSC Seashore was announced on 26 November 2018 during the steel-cutting ceremony at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard. The keel was laid on 19 September 2019, with two coins placed beneath it in accordance with a traditional maritime ceremony. The ship was floated out on 20 August 2020 and transferred to a wet dock, where its interior completion, technical installation, and outfitting continued. MSC Seashore was delivered in July 2021. The ship's original inaugural plan called for a 13 June 2021 start on weekly Western Mediterranean cruises. The proposed itinerary included Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina, and Valletta. Construction delays connected with the COVID-19 pandemic forced MSC to postpone the debut to 1 August 2021. MSC Fantasia temporarily operated on the route before MSC Seashore entered service. At approximately 339 metres long, 41 metres wide, and 74 metres high, MSC Seashore is larger than the preceding Seaside-class vessels. Its gross tonnage is approximately 170,412 GT, compared with 153,516 GT for the earlier ships. The ship adds around 10,000 square metres of deck space and approximately 200 passenger cabins. Reported capacity is about 4,540 guests at double occupancy and as many as 5,877 at maximum occupancy. The enlarged deck plan accommodates additional restaurants and lounge areas, while the distribution of recreational features differs from the earlier class. The ship also incorporates technical features intended to improve environmental performance and onboard air quality. These include selective catalytic reduction equipment for nitrogen-oxide control, anti-fouling paint intended to reduce hull resistance, and MSC's Safe Air technology, which the operator described as an advanced air-sanitation system. MSC Seashore was joined by its sister ship MSC Seascape, delivered in November 2022, establishing the Seaside EVO vessels as a distinct evolution within MSC Cruises' fleet.

1. 2022Seaside EVO sister ship joins the fleet

   MSC Seascape, the sister ship of MSC Seashore, was delivered in November 2022.

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2. 2021Delivered and enters commercial service

   Fincantieri delivered the ship in July, and MSC Seashore began operations on 1 August after a pandemic-related postponement.

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3. 2020Ship floated out

   MSC Seashore was floated out and moved to a wet dock for completion and outfitting.

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4. 2019Keel laid

   The ship's keel-laying ceremony took place, with two coins placed beneath the keel for good fortune.

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5. 2018MSC Seashore name and steel cutting announced

   MSC revealed the vessel's name and held its steel-cutting ceremony at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard.

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6. 2017Order for two Seaside EVO ships announced

   MSC Cruises announced a €1.8 billion order with Fincantieri for two new ships, including the future MSC Seashore.

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A large, contemporary MSC Cruises resort ship positioned around outdoor space, Mediterranean cruising, extensive onboard accommodation, and an evolved Seaside-class design.

• MSC Seashore cruise shipCruise ship2021

  MSC Seashore is the lead ship of MSC Cruises' Seaside EVO class. It offers passenger cabins, balconies, restaurants, lounges, outdoor decks, and other resort-style amenities for Mediterranean and other cruise itineraries. The vessel measures approximately 339 metres long, has about 170,412 GT, and carries approximately 4,540 passengers at double occupancy or up to 5,877 at maximum occupancy.

• 2021Postpone the inaugural voyageOther

  The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to construction delays at the shipyard, making the planned June 2021 debut impractical.

  What changed. MSC postponed the inaugural voyage from 13 June to 1 August 2021 and temporarily deployed MSC Fantasia on the intended itinerary.

  Aftermath. MSC Seashore entered commercial service on 1 August 2021.

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• 2017Develop the Seaside EVO classStrategy

  MSC Cruises sought to build on the Seaside-class platform while increasing ship size, capacity, outdoor space, and onboard facilities.

  What changed. The company ordered two substantially revised vessels from Fincantieri and replaced a planned third conventional Seaside-class ship with the first Seaside EVO vessel.

  Aftermath. MSC Seashore became the first Seaside EVO ship, followed by MSC Seascape in 2022.

  Announced order value. €1.8 billion (2017 order announcement)

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• 2021MSC Seashore enters service after pandemic-related delay

  The ship's planned June debut was postponed because of construction delays associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. MSC Seashore began operations on 1 August 2021 after MSC Fantasia temporarily covered the intended Western Mediterranean route.

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• 2021Passenger dies after falling from a balcony

  A 15-year-old passenger died on 22 December 2021 after falling from a balcony aboard MSC Seashore. MSC Cruises reported that the incident appeared to have been a suicide.

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• 2018MSC reveals the name MSC Seashore and begins construction

  MSC disclosed the name of the first Seaside EVO ship during the steel-cutting ceremony at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard.

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• 2017MSC announces the Seaside EVO shipbuilding program

  MSC announced an order with Fincantieri for two new cruise ships, including the vessel that would become MSC Seashore. The program was valued at €1.8 billion and represented an evolution of the Seaside-class platform.

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1. MSC Seashore