MSC Seaside

MSC Seaside is a cruise ship operated by MSC Cruises and the lead ship of the Seaside class. Delivered by Fincantieri at Monfalcone, Italy, in November 2017, she measures about 153,500 gross tons and 324 metres, with 2,066 staterooms across 20 decks. She was the first of a design MSC built specifically with warm-weather, year-round Caribbean sailing in mind, and was marketed as the ship that follows the sun.

The design pushes public space outward and downward toward the water. A waterfront promenade encircles the ship low on the hull, lined with dining and bars; glass catwalks and outboard panoramic lifts expose the drop to the sea; and the stern steps down in terraces to an aft pool. The result is far more usable open deck than a conventional hull of the same size.

Onboard are a main theatre, a wide spread of specialty restaurants, a casino, an aqua park with several waterslides, a zip line, a full-service spa, and the MSC Yacht Club occupying the forward upper decks as a private enclave with its own restaurant, lounge and sundeck.

Seaside was christened in Miami in December 2017, the first MSC ship ever named in the United States, with Sophia Loren as godmother. The ceremony marked the line's serious entry into the North American market.

She sailed year-round Caribbean itineraries from Miami and later Port Canaveral, calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve once the private island opened, and has also undertaken seasons in Europe.