Words by Benjamin Russell
At over 339 metres long and 20 decks tall, the first thing that strikes you about the MSC Seashore is its size. It is longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall, three times the length of a football pitch and capable of carrying more than five thousand passengers. When you first arrive it doesn’t fail to impress.
Launched in 2021, the Seashore spent its first year sailing the Bahamas and Caribbean, including MSC’s private island Ocean Cay, out of its base in Miami, but has now been moved to Brazil serving South American routes.
Of course, modern ships have to be at the forefront of the industry’s sustainability goals, and the Seashore is no different. It has some interesting environmental technologies, including vastly improved air emissions, a range of energy saving measures to improve efficiency, and wastewater purification systems to protect the marine environment.
As a nod to all this, it recently received the classification of Sustainable Ship from Italy’s RINA — a body that assesses the green credentials of vessels. The MSC Seashore is also the first cruise ship to feature advanced air sanitation technology. According to MSC, the Safe Air system reduces the risk of catching viruses on board.
In terms of décor, the vessel has a New York theme running through it, and it encompasses all the glitz and glam of the big city. The main performance space is called the Madison Theatre, and there are bars and restaurants with names such as Central Park or the Brooklyn Jazz Café. This concept also manifests itself in more obvious ways like the three-metal-tall Statue of Liberty in the casino, or the ship’s very own Times Square retail and entertainment hub — complete with an 8.5 metre high LED wall engulfing four decks.
However, all this doesn’t feel overly gimmicky. The ship’s size accommodates the Big Apple style organically, and when you’re sipping a Manhattan and enjoying a performance by a pianist it all makes sense.
Accommodation
The ship has more than 2,000 well appointed cabins to suit all budgets. The most luxurious accommodation is found in MSC’s Yacht Club, where members can also enjoy private pool facilities, bars and dining, not to mention 24-hour butler service.
Elsewhere, the ship also has coveted aft suites with views over the infinity pool, 50 terraced suites with extended balconies, and 32 suites with their own private outdoor whirlpools. For larger families, there is the option of booking balcony cabins that have adjoining doors, the largest of which can accommodate 10 people.
Dining
There is a lot of choice for food on board MSC Seashore, so you will never be bored. The main dining option is split between four restaurants offering Mediterranean and international fine dining; 5th Avenue, Tribeca Restaurant, Central Park and Manhattan. Dividing the offer up, rather than having one larger room, gives a more intimate dining experience, where you will be served by the same members of the waiting team each night at your allotted time.
You’ll start your morning in the Marketplace Buffet, which serves a huge breakfast with choices for everyone, and then an impressive mix of food throughout the day until the early hours when they serve MSC’s famous late night pizza.
If you fancy splashing out, there is also the option to try something a little different during your cruise in one of the speciality restaurants, the Butcher’s Cut, Ocean Cay fish restaurant, HOLA! Tacos and Cantina and Kaito Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar.
On deck
Cruises are always great for amazing ocean views, but the Seashore takes this to the next level. On deck eight, the ship is flanked by two glass infinity bridges, arching out over the ocean where you can look down and see the waves beneath your feet. At the rear of the Seashore you will find the Bridge of Sighs, a similar structure on deck 16 that this time allows you to watch the ship’s wake stretching into the distance.
Below your feet is the adults-only infinity pool, just one of many you are able to enjoy. There are also four large whirlpools situated on either flank of the ship with uninterrupted sea views, as well as other hot tubs at the top of the ship. Children will love the Jungle Pool and Pirates Cove Aquapark, while the top deck is home to the Long Island pool, which has more of a party vibe with a bar and loungers.
Wellness facilities
Everyone knows that food and drinks are in abundance on a cruise but some people may want to offset their calorie intake. Luckily, the MSC Seashore has a well appointed gym and a range of daily classes, with some held outside on the deck. If you’re feeling competitive, head up to deck 20 where you’ll find the MSC Sports Arena offering tennis, five-a-side football, volleyball and basketball.
For those wanting to take health and wellbeing a step further, a trip to the Aurea Spa is a must. There is a wide range of Balinese massages on offer as well as an impressive thermal area with a range of rooms simulating weather from summer showers, storms, and even one containing a simulated snow covered park, complete with bench and tree. But fear not, there are also plenty of saunas, steam rooms and whirlpools to heat up in as well. There are beauty treatments to keep you looking your best, including a barber shop, salon and nail bar.
Entertainment
If it’s excitement rather than relaxation and pampering you’re after, head to the 5D cinema, where you can get stuck into a selection of interactive experiences, including shooting your way out of a zombie attack. Outside the cinema there is more fun to be had, and you can get behind the wheel of an F1 car, sail through rapids on a rafting simulator. And if there are children among you that get a thirst for stimulation, there’s also the MSC Seashore Kids Club that caters for ages 0-17.
The ship genuinely has the feel of a bustling mini-city where you can browse shops and stroll from bar to bar. From the Brooklyn Café, a laid back cocktail bar where you can soak in some live Jazz in an Art Deco setting, to the sports bar, where you can grab a beer and watch the game, there’s something for everyone.
Personal favourites were the Uptown Lounge, where there’s a dance floor and regular musical performances including things like name that tune, and the Seashore bar, right in the centre of the ship’s glass atrium. Also not to be missed is the Sky Bar, where you can take in some sea air and enjoy panoramic views of the ocean.
However you choose to spend your evenings, be sure not to miss the amazing show at the 1,200 seat Madison theatre. Over the course of a week there are four full-scale theatrical productions, with three performances each night. There was also a night paying tribute to the cruise line’s Italian heritage and an end of cruise variety performance by the entertainment staff.
After the show, party people will want to make a beeline to Le Cabaret Rouge, a night spot inspired by French cabaret lounges of the 1920s, where there’s everything from comedy, to dancing competitions and silent discos.
Factbox
The MSC Seashore has Itineraries in the Caribbean, South Africa and the Mediterranean. For more information visit msccruises.co.uk
