Royal Caribbean International (RCL) and Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) dominate the family cruise market in the United States by building bigger, more beautiful ships with activities no one would expect at sea. Carnival has added roller coasters to its latest ships, while Royal Caribbean has ice skating rinks, bumper cars, skydiving simulators and its signature Flowrider surfing simulators.
Both cruise lines have decided that their newest ships will pack in activities, restaurants, bars and shows to make their ships more of a draw than anywhere else they might go. The two companies have been in an arms race trying to make each ship newer and better.
This makes it a challenge for any cruise line to compete with Royal Caribbean and Carnival for family customers. New rivals like Virgin Voyages have emerged, but that cruise line has decided to compete by doing something completely different — going adult-only and creating a family business entirely.
MSC, a line that has had successful sailings in Europe. has set its sights on the American market. So far, this has included mid-sized ships sailing similar Caribbean routes such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean. That’s a tough way to compete for MSC when your two biggest rivals have an edge in marketing, brand awareness and own ships with more bells and whistles.
Now, however, MSC has a new American ship set to sail, and it could be a game changer.
High tail
MSC Seascape sets its sights on the US coast
While MSC won’t rival Carnival and Royal Caribbean when it comes to size, its next flagship in the US, Seascape aims to offer experiences that are on par with its two rivals, which includes Robotron, “a fun thrill ride coming to the seas for the first time and combining the dizzying rush of a roller coaster with personalized music and lighting.”
While it’s not a classic coaster like Carnival’s Bolt, which is offered on its flagship Mardi Gras and its upcoming sister ship, Celebration, it aims to offer a roller-coaster-like experience in a very unique way. Robotron doesn’t have a runway. Instead, it’s a robotic arm with an attached gondola that lowers three guests — flying them nearly 175 feet above the sea.
“The adrenaline pumping experience gives riders a seamless 360° view of the skyline as they hang over the edge of the deck, flip upside down and move in all directions,” the company shared in a press release.
Scroll to Continue
Robotron riders will also be able to choose their desired thrill level – from family-friendly to high-intensity – something you can’t do on a traditional roller coaster.
“They can also set the mood with colored lights, music preferences and more. Together with the adjacent video screen, the Robotron acts as a moving DJ booth, with the beat and bass visualized as colorful patterns and pulsations of light as the robotic arm is jumping and twisting to the beat,” MSC shared.
MSC seeks to rival Carnival, Royal Caribbean
Seascape represents a major launch for MSC. The cruise line sails many ships from US ports offering an elegant, family-friendly but not family-focused experience. Seascape will continue to offer the European-style dining experience offered on its other ships, but will also add excitement with more than just Robotron.
The cruise line shared some of what the ship will offer in a press release:
- VR 360° flight simulator: This ride offers the ultimate virtual motion experience, complete with VR headset and impressive special effects. Guests can choose from different worlds to immerse themselves in an exciting journey like no other.
- VR Motorcycles: Guests with a need for speed will love it MSC Sea‘s new VR motorcycles, where players will be transported to the race track with wind and water effects to complete the experience.
- MSC Formula Racer: Perfect for car racing enthusiasts ready to get their high-speed fix, this activity puts guests in the driver’s seat for an exciting racing simulation game with realistic effects that will get their heart rate up.
- Immersive Cinema XD: The moment guests put on their 3D glasses, they are immersed in alternate worlds where players will battle zombies, skeletons and more. Only one player can be crowned the winner, so the guests will have to prove their sharpshooting skills against each other for the ultimate bragging rights.
Seascape’s maiden voyage will be a 17-night voyage departing from Rome on November 19 with stops in Spain, Portugal and Bermuda before arriving in New York City on December 5. Following a naming ceremony in New York on December 7, the ship will make its way to its home port in Miami, where it will sail eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.
