MSC Seaside will homeport in PortMiami from December 2017 and will sail year round in the Caribbean, bringing the company's deployment in the region to five ships.
A sister ship, MSC Seaview, is set to enter service in the spring 2018 and will be based in the Western Mediterranean. There is also an option for a third vessel which, if exercised, would arrive by 2021.
At the float-out ceremony Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises executive chairman, commented: 'This is another exciting milestone in our ambitious expansion plans as we see the second of our 11 next-generation ships entering the final stages of her construction.
'MSC Seaside has been specifically designed to provide our guests with a unique onboard experience in warmer regions and boasts one the highest ratio of outdoor space in the industry so that guests can enjoy a range of open-air activities such as dining and drinking al fresco, strolling along the promenade or simply taking in the beautiful sea views from the privacy of one of the many balcony cabins.'
Antonio Paradiso, MSC Cruises md UK and Ireland continued: 'The Caribbean continues to be an ever popular destination for UK and Irish holidaymakers. With the addition of MSC Seaside, we are further strengthening our ability to serve the demand in this key region with five ships for winter 2017/18.'
Giuseppe Bono, ceo of Fincantieri, stated: 'Seeing this ship taking shape has a value which is not only symbolic for the group that I lead, and for me personally. 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. Being successful with a prototype and such a recognizable design, which confirms our commercial and technology leadership in this sector, makes us doubly proud of the result.'
MSC Seaside is the first of a new generation of cruise ships being built for MSC Cruises by Fincantieri. Another prototypendesig is being built at STX France. Special design features of the Italian-built ships include a 360° ocean level promenade, panoramic glass lifts, a 30mtr bridge on the top deck and 76% outside cabins.
Additionally, the MSC Yacht Club has been taken to the next level. Located on the foredecks offering a 1,600mtr private sun deck, a private lounge and restaurant, this ship-within-a-ship concept has been expanded over five decks and now features two apartment suites with a living room and a large balcony with a dining area and private whirlpool.
On board MSC Seaside, the dining experience is served in 11 different dining venues including five speciality restaurants. One is a Pan-Asian restaurant created in partnership with renowned chef Roy Yamaguchi and two are buffets serving food 20 hours a day with one designed specifically for families.
The onboard entertainment includes a 934 seat theatre offering four performances every night. The interactive aqua park boasts four slides and there is a120mtr long zip line.
The exterior of the 323mtr long MSC Seaside is complete and work now moves to complete interiors, fixtures and fittings.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited. Add Seatrade Cruise News to your Google News feed.
