By
Rebecca Gibson |
MSC Cruises celebrated the float out of its first Seaside-class vessel at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard in Italy on 26 November.
MSC Seaside’s float out ceremony marked the completion of all exterior work. The 160,000gt, 5,179-guest newbuild will now remain in wet dock until her interiors and fixtures have been fitted ahead of her December 2017.
“Seeing this ship taking shape has a value which is not only symbolic for the group that I lead, and for me personally,” said Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. “We acquired the order for the construction of it, along with a sister ship, in 2014, at the turn of an unprecedented crisis and an equally extraordinary explosion of the market. We placed such great ambitions for this order, undertaking to give the owner a state-of-the-art product, able to meet its vision of modern cruising. Being successful with a prototype and such a recognisable design, which confirms our commercial and technology leadership in this sector, makes us doubly proud of the result.”
According to MSC Cruises, every element of the Seaside ships is designed to bring guests closer to the sea, including the 360-degree ocean level promenade, the panoramic glass lifts, a 30m bridge on the top deck and 76% of the cabins which are located on the outside of the ship.
Onboard highlights will include various accommodation options, a 934-seat theatre, an aqua park with four slides, a 120m zipline, and 11 dining venues including five speciality restaurants.
The exclusive ship-within-a-ship complex, MSC Yacht Club, has also been expanded over five decks to offer a 1,600m sun deck and two new apartment suites with a living room and a large balcony with a dining area and private whirlpool.
MSC Seaside will homeport in PortMiami, US from December 2017 and sail year-round Caribbean itineraries to destinations like George Town, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and Nassau, the Bahamas. From October 2018, MSC Seaside will also call at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas, exclusively available for MSC Cruises guests.
A second ship – MSC Seaview – is expected to enter service in spring 2018 and will be based in the western Mediterranean. MSC Cruises also has the option to build a third Seaside vessel, which would be delivered in 2021.