MSC Cruises
MSC Seaside
- Cruises
- 14
- From
- $159
Ship comparison
MSC Seaside vs Norwegian Bliss
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Bliss
- Cruises
- 23
- From
- $679
The verdict
Which should you choose?
MSC Seaside is a mega MSC Cruises ship carrying 4,132 passengers, in service since 2017. Norwegian Bliss is a mega Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 4,000 passengers, in service since 2018.
Choose MSC Seaside if you want a lower starting fare, a more family-friendly ship or more of a party: it outscores Norwegian Bliss for family friendly (8.0 vs 7.0) and party (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $159 (vs $679).
Choose Norwegian Bliss if you want more adventure and nature, more crew per passenger or a more active cruise: it outscores MSC Seaside for adventure & nature (10.0 vs 5.0) and active (10.0 vs 9.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has a crew member for every 1.9 passengers (vs 2.9).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| MSC Seaside | Norwegian Bliss | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | MSC Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Ship size | Mega | Mega |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2017 | 2018 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 154,000 | 167,800 |
| Passengers | 4,132 | 4,000 |
| Crew | 1,413 | 2,100 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.9 | 1.9 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 37.3 | 42.0 (better) |
| Decks | 19 | 20 |
| Length | 1,060 ft | 1,069 ft |
| Beam | 135 ft | 136 ft |
| Speed | 25 mph | 26 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 8 / 10 | 9 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 14 | 23 |
| Upcoming sailings | 262 | 85 |
| Cruise lengths | 3 to 14 nights | 5 to 22 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $159 (better) | $679 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. MSC Seaside leads on 2 of the ten, Norwegian Bliss on 3, with 5 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
MSC Cruises
MSC Seaside
Swiss-based MSC Cruises launched the next-generation smartship MSC Seaside in December 2017 to cruise the Caribbean. The megaship holds 4,132 passengers at double occupancy and 5,179 at maximum capacity.
Sailing now
14 cruises on sale, from $159.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Bliss
The first ship from Norwegian Cruise Line built specifically for Alaska cruises, Norwegian Bliss began seasonal sailings to Alaska in June 2018, and offers itineraries that call on the Mexican Riviera and Bermuda in the fall and winter.
Sailing now
23 cruises on sale, from $679.
Questions
MSC Seaside or Norwegian Bliss?
Which is bigger, MSC Seaside or Norwegian Bliss?
Norwegian Bliss is bigger at 167,800 gross tons, against 154,000 gross tons for MSC Seaside. MSC Seaside carries 4,132 passengers and Norwegian Bliss carries 4,000.
Which ship is newer, MSC Seaside or Norwegian Bliss?
Norwegian Bliss is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2018 against 2017 for MSC Seaside.
Which has more space per passenger?
Norwegian Bliss, with 42.0 gross tons per passenger against 37.3 on MSC Seaside. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Norwegian Bliss, with one crew member for every 1.9 passengers against one for every 2.9 on MSC Seaside.
Which is better for families?
MSC Seaside scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10, against 7.0 for Norwegian Bliss.
Still deciding?
Tell us what matters and we will match the sailing
Send your dates, budget and who is travelling, and our partner travel agency will come back to you about MSC Seaside, Norwegian Bliss or a ship that suits you better.