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MSC, Samsung develop virtual reality ship tours

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Samsung’s Gear VR headset and a purpose-built software application allow users to experience an MSC Cruises ship
MSC Cruises and Samsung have developed a tool they said creates fully immersive virtual reality tours of MSC ships.

Based on Samsung’s Gear VR headsets and a purpose-built software application, the tool enables cruisers to 'walk' through ship highlights including staterooms, pool areas and restaurants.

Viewers can even take a seat in the theater and watch one of the shows. In addition, the 360-degree sensory technology brings the user aromas from an MSC Cruises restaurant, such as fresh fruit, rosemary and basil, newly baked bread or chocolate.

The new device will be showcased before the millions of expected visitors at Expo 2015 in Milan, where MSC Cruises is the Official Cruise Carrier. Expo 2015 runs from May through October.

MSC Cruises’ stand will feature a range of virtual experiences using Samsung Gear VR, powered by Oculus, and software and hardware specially developed by the AxedGroup. The virtual ship tour application, running on the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, immerses viewers in a dazzlingly real experience.

Other experiences being developed include tours of MSC Cruises’ newbuilds. These include MSC Meraviglia, a versatile, all-weather ship due to enter service in 2017 from the triple homeports of Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona; and MSC Seaside, a 'follow-the-sun' ship that will sail year-round from PortMiami to the Caribbean starting in winter 2017.