MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview
MSC Cruises' Seaside Class launched in late 2017 with the debut of MSC Seaside, a ship whose onboard experience is aimed squarely at the North American market. MSC Seaview, sister ship to Seaside, rolled out less than a year later as the second in its class and offers many of the same features, including an outdoor boardwalk-type space, where waterfront dining and sweeping views of the ocean are highlights. It is aimed at the South American market and homeports in Brazil.
Below, we break down the similarities and differences (of which there are only a few) to help you better decide which of these two near-twins is right for your next sailing.
On This Page
- What is the Dining Like on MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview?
- What Are the Bars Like on MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview?
- What Are the Cabins Like on MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview?
- How Do the Entertainment & Activities Compare on MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview?
- What is the Outdoor Fun Like on MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview?
- What is the Children's Programming Like on MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview?
- Itineraries and Pricing on MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview
- MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview: Stats
What is the Dining Like on MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview?
In terms of included dining, both MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview are broadly similar, with two main dining rooms, offering set-seating and anytime dining and two buffets, rare for a ship and a great help with overcrowding at peak times, featuring a main buffet and a more family-friendly one.
Both ships also feature the MSC Yacht Club Restaurant, also included – but only for Yacht Club guests.
In terms of specialty restaurants, for ships this size – and compared to their US counterparts – both only have four:
MSC Seaside was the first ship to feature Asian Market Kitchen, a trio of restaurants featuring Asian-fusion, sushi and Teppanyaki for a fee (originally conceived by Chef Roy Yamaguchi).
Butcher's Cut is an extra-fee steakhouse; and Ocean Cay specializes in fish dishes. All these restaurants are clustered in the same area on Deck 16 with a central bar.
Another difference is that MSC Seaview has a French restaurant, L'Atelier Bistrot; while this space on MSC Seaside will soon be given over to Hola! Tacos, a casual Mexican restaurant.
Both ships also feature: Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar, selling homemade chocolates, hot chocolate and other sweets for a fee and Venchi 1878 Gelato & Creperie at the aft, offering alfresco gelato and crepes.
What Are the Bars Like on MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview?
Passengers craving a cold one, a glass of wine or a cocktail won't have to venture far, no matter where they are on either of these ships. Here's a list of the onboard bars on both ships
Shine Bar: One of the atrium bars, perfect for people watching.
Champagne Bar: Champagne bar is great for a pre-dinner glass of bubbles on Gala Night.
Garage Club: Nightclub/disco bar is perfect for an after-hours drink.
Seaside Bar: The ideal spot for a pre-dinner drink or a mid-afternoon coffee.
Seaview Lounge: One of the only quiet spots onboard this megaship.
Sports Bar: Bar and lounge area featuring booze and televised sports.
Top Sail Lounge: Exclusive lounge and bar area for passengers booked in the MSC Yacht Club.
Chef's Court Bar: A large bar serving the specialty restaurants on Deck 16.
Aurea Bar: Pool bar serving Aurea spa passengers and those booked in the MSC Yacht Club.
Miramar Bar: Juice bar also offering ice cream sundaes and panoramic views.
In an effort to make Seaview a bit less North American than its sister, some of the pools and bars have different names:
MSC Seaside Bars
Miami Casino Bar: Casino bar
South Beach Bar: Outdoor bar serving the South Beach Pool, at the aft of the ship.
Miami Beach Bar: bar serving ice cream (and alcohol) by the Miami Beach Pool.
Jungle Bar: Jungle-themed bar serving the Jungle Pool.
MSC Seaview Bars
Platinum Casino Bar: casino bar
Sunset Beach Bar: bar serving the Sunset Beach Pool
Panorama Beach Bar: bar serving ice cream (and alcohol) by the Panorama Beach Pool
Jungle Beach Bar: jungle-themed bar serving the Jungle Beach Pool
What Are the Cabins Like on MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview?
In addition to standard cabin types like inside, outside, balcony and suite, both ships in the Seaside Class have added some twists.
Flexible Modular Cabins: connecting cabins ideal for families or groups traveling together
Terraced Balcony Cabins: cabins with balconies similar to terraces that overlook the promenade
Aft Corner Suites: beach condo-like suites, featuring large balconies with panoramic views
MSC Yacht Club: Exclusive-access suites with a private dining room and 24-hour butler service
How Do the Entertainment & Activities Compare on MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview?
Cruisers wanting to stay busy can check out a Formula One simulator, dual-lane bowling alley, 4D cinema and an arcade on both ships.
In addition, both vessels showcase the line's newfound commitment to technology with their stunning atrium areas and the MSCForMe app and wristband system, which functions like a room key and onboard charge card and even allows you to track your children and make reservations for shows and dinner.
What's different, though, are the ships' theater productions. Each vessel offers seven shows on a rotational basis; here's what you can expect.
MSC Seaside Shows
Peter Punk: a funky, updated spin on the classic "Peter Pan" tale
The Dream: a trippy steampunk-fairytale hybrid where performers sing Disney songs
My Life in Music: a compilation of famous movie soundtracks, performed on stage
The Wizard: stunning illusions, wrapped in a dark atmosphere
Timeless: travel to different eras, past, present and future via a mad scientist's time machine
Fly: rhythm and amazing music, accompanied by singing and dancing
Butterflies: abridge version of Puccini's "Madame Butterfly"
Starwalker: A tribute to Michael Jackson
MSC Seaview
Songbook Tina Turner: rock, pop and soul tribute to Tina Turner
Playlist: Best rock & pop hits
Bizarre: acrobatics meets singing, with a French flair
Animalia: an enchanting performance with an animal theme
Fantasia: a celebration of the imagination and all things dreamlike
The Magic of Emanuel: Magician show
What is the Outdoor Fun Like on MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview?
The ships feature five waterslides each, including two racing slides and one that offers slideboarding (where passengers use their boards to select colors that light up inside the slide as they glide through it, sort of like Guitar Hero or Dance Dance Revolution).
There's also a climbing structure for kids, similar to a ropes course; an outdoor movie screen; two of the four longest ziplines at sea (two on each ship); and the Bridge of Sighs, a viewing platform that looks out over the aft of the ship and ties in with the Seaside Class' high ratio of outdoor to indoor space.
What is the Children's Programming Like on MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview?
MSC Seaview has seen the continuation of MSC's partnership with children's brands LEGO and Chicco, which also appear on Seaside as the primary outfitters of onboard toys. Both ships' children's facilities feature colorful, modern spaces and activities (think scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, 3D printing, video games and dance parties) that rival what's offered by some of the cruise industry's most well-known cruise lines. MSC mascot Doremi and his family also make appearances on both ships.
Itineraries and Pricing on MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview
MSC Seaside sails Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages from Miami in the winter and Western Med cruises from Rome, Palermo (pictured), Ibiza, Valencia, Marseille and Genoa.
Seaview cruises to the Mediterranean from Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona in summer. In the winter, it travels to South America from Brazil.
Fares are reasonable for both ships, however, the final price tag will depend on itinerary length and where you live versus where you're hoping to sail from. For example, if you live in Europe, it will likely cost you more to fly to the U.S. go on a Seaside sailing in the Caribbean than if you were to book a Seaview sailing of comparable duration from the Med, even though Seaview is newer.
MSC Seaside vs. MSC Seaview: Stats
These mega-ships each have 20 decks, 2,066 cabins and share almost identical layouts with room for 4,132 passengers at double occupancy. Both vessels are registered in Panama.