Earlier this week, construction crews from Fincantieri cut the first section of steel for MSC Cruises’ newest ship, MSC Seaside.
The ceremony, which traditionally marks the launch of construction, was held at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard. Executives from both the shipyard and MSC Cruises, including MSC’s Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago and Chief Executive Officer, Gianni Onorato, were on site for the milestone event.
“Today, we have witnessed the beginning of the work on an extraordinary new ship, MSC Seaside,” said Executive Chairman Vago. “It is a ship that revolutionizes industry standards, with an audacious and innovative design that brings guests and sea closer. It is also a testament to MSC Cruises’ constant focus on innovation, as it is the fifth prototype ship we’ve designed.”
The new MSC Seaside, the first ship in a revolutionary new class for MSC, will accommodate approximately 4,140 guests and feature a number of unique “warm weather” features. Most prominently, the ship will feature an encompassing waterfront promenade, offering guests waterfront dining and leisure opportunities throughout their sailing. The ship will also introduce expanded staterooms for families and groups, in addition to an expanded and redesigned MSC Yacht Club.
The new ship, once completed in 2017, will be christened in Miami and launch a collection of Caribbean sailings from PortMiami starting in December 2017.
The MSC Seaside is part of an aggressive expansion project launched by MSC Cruises targeting the North American market. In addition to the introduction of MSC Seaside to North America, the MSC Divina will resume year round Caribbean sailings from a refreshed terminal at PortMiami beginning in November 2015.
