MSC Cruises and Fincantieri shipyard have marked a key milestone in the building of one of their next ships, through the celebration of the coin ceremony for MSC Seaview, sister of MSC Seaside currently under construction.
The coin ceremony is a historic tradition that marks the first step in a ship’s construction. The ceremony consists of welding coins to the ships keel and affords good fortune. When complete MSC Seaview will be 160,000 GRT and carry 5,179 passengers, offering western Mediterranean itineraries from June 2018.
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman commented: “MSC Seaview is one of the four MSC Cruises’ ships currently under construction, as part of an industry-unprecedented ten-year, €9 billion investment plan that underpins the next phase of our global growth as the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line. She will also be a reflection of our unique and ongoing commitment to each time bringing to market the most innovatively conceived cruise ships, as the Seaside generation of MSC Cruises ships – of which MSC Seaview is part – introduces yet another game-changing prototype.”
Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, said: “We always celebrate every stage of progress of this project with satisfaction. The MSC Seaview order, as the one for its sister ship MSC Seaside, which was floated out in November 2016, is one of those which has allowed the crucial relaunch of the cruise market. Our group has shown to fully match this important opportunity, which has helped to make Fincantieri the acknowledged leader in this industry, both in terms of volume and product diversification.”
MSC Seaside will come into service in December 2017 and dares to turn cruise ship design on its head, with a bold design incorporating a spacious 360-degree seafront promenade, as well as open public spaces with panoramic views. Dubbed ‘the ship that follows the sun’ she will be one of the largest ships to operate year-round from Miami, Florida. She will build on the facilities provided for by the line such as the Aurea Spa and the ultra-exclusive MSC Yacht Club, but will also debut a number of firsts for the line, including a number of new eateries and public spaces. Many of the cabins have been designed to be modular, able to support groups and multi-generational families, and the ship will also debut condo-style suites overlooking the wake of the ship. Seaside will be first ship in the fleet with an English name and will be the first ship for MSC to be Christened in the USA.