MSC Cruises' newest ship, MSC Seashore, sails inaugural voyage in the Med

MSC Cruises' newest ship, MSC Seashore, set sail on its inaugural voyage Monday, Aug. 9, marking the line's second new-build to debut this year.

Having departed from Barcelona, the ship will also visit Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina and Valletta during its seven-night Mediterranean itinerary.

With the capacity for 5,632 passengers, the vessel is the first in MSC's Seaside EVO Class, which is a new take on the line's popular Seaside Class of ships. Both types represent some of MSC's newest hardware, which focuses heavily on outdoor spaces that draw passengers closer to the sea.

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Although more than half of Seashore's onboard spaces differ from those found on Seaside-class ships, the vessel does boast 140,000 square feet of outdoor space; six swimming pools; 11 different stateroom types, including those found in the exclusive MSC Yacht Club, which now boasts 21,528 square feet of exclusive space for cruisers in suites; 18 bars and lounges; five specialty restaurants; and four main dining rooms.

Following a summer season in the Med, the ship will sail an 18-night transatlantic voyage to Miami, where it will homeport. From there, it will offer a series of Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises that include calls on Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, San Juan, St. Thomas and Puerto Plata, as well as Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, one of the line's private islands, located in the Bahamas.

The first MSC Cruises voyage from the U.S. in nearly 18 months departed Aug. 2 from Miami onboard MSC Meraviglia, but MSC has been sailing in Europe for the past year and was the first line to introduce the concept of bubble excursions -- those which must be purchased through the cruise line to ensure safety measures are upheld.

MSC Seashore is the 19th ship for the Geneva-based cruise line, which has four more vessels planned by 2025, plus the option for up to six more by 2030. The second ship in the Seaside EVO Class, MSC Seascape, is set to begin sailing for the line in November 2022. It is rumored that a roller coaster is planned for Seascape, but there's no word yet on whether it will be similar to the Bolt Sea Coaster on Carnival's new Mardi Gras.

Featured rendering courtesy of MSC Cruises.