MSC Cruises today announced that MSC Seaside, the first ship of the cruise line’s Seaside generation of ships, is now open for booking.

MSC Seaside — dubbed “the ship that follows the sun” – is currently under construction at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy and is set to debut in December 2017 offering year-round seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries from Miami. Guests sailing to the eastern Caribbean will visit popular destinations such as St Thomas, the Bahamas and Puerto Rico, while those heading to the western Caribbean will have the chance to explore Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Cozumel and the Bahamas. The first sailing will be the Christmas cruise, starting on December 21, 2017.

To reward past guests and give them the chance to be among the first to experience MSC Seaside, MSC Cruises has opened sales exclusively to members of its MSC Voyagers Club loyalty programme until December 29, 2015. Members who book within the special two-week window will receive an additional 5% bonus discount, on top of the standard 5% discount that Voyagers Club members receive on all cruises. General sales to the public open on December 29, 2015 with a special 5% discount for all bookings before June 1, 2016.

Offering a cruise concept that will bring guests closer to the sea, the 323-metre long MSC Seaside breaks from established cruise ship design. A unique ocean-level promenade around Deck 8 will boast indoor/outdoor shops and restaurants, as well as a full buffet area and a pool, which are traditionally located on a cruise ship’s higher decks. In addition, the ship’s public spaces will feature breath-taking views with a two-deck glass-walled atrium and panoramic exterior elevators.

Docking at a newly renovated and expanded ‘MSC’ berth and terminal at PortMiami, MSC Seaside will join MSC Divina in servicing the North American market. In addition, the 4,140-guest (double occupancy), 154,000-GRT ship will be the first MSC Cruises ship to head directly to the US from the shipyard, and the first to be christened in the US. By 2017, MSC Cruises will have five ships serving various Caribbean itineraries, including two from Cuba.

MSC Seaside will feature open modular cabins that can accommodate groups or families of up to 10 people, as well as luxury suites with private hot tubs. MSC Seaside will also have a larger MSC Yacht Club area with private solarium, restaurant, lounge and pool.

Entertainment onboard will be available for all ages. Highlights include a full-sized bowling alley, a dedicated children-only restaurant and the most interactive, multi-storey water park at sea with five different water slides. There will also be an AquaPlay area designed for tots and a roped adventure trail. MSC Seaside will also have dedicated LEGO and Chicco designed play areas.

MSC Seaside is the first of two identical ships in the Seaside generation. The sister ship is due to enter service in 2018 with the option for a third Seaside-generation ship to be delivered by 2021.