Today marks exciting time cruise fans as MSC Cruises, and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, float out MSC Seaview. The ceremony, which precedes the ship's fitting out phase, took place earlier today at the Monfalcone shipyard, in Italy, where the ship is being built.
MSC Seaview is the second of MSC Cruises' Seaside generation of cruise ships, based on a highly-innovative prototype designed to bring guests closer to the sea than ever before, for warmer climates and the ultimate sun and sea cruise experience.
She is set to come into service in June 2018, just six months after MSC Seaside will first come into service, in December 2017 with her Grand Voyage from Trieste, in Italy to Miami, in the USA.
MSC Seaview will sail her inaugural 2018 summer season in the Mediterranean where guests will discover seven different lively ports in four countries, all without unpacking a suitcase. These are Genoa, Naples, Messina, Valetta, Barcelona and Marseille.
Following her inaugural season, the ship will follow the sun to Brazil and the southern hemisphere for the winter 2018-2019 season, with an itinerary which includes Santos, Ilha Grande, Buzios, Porto Belo and Camboriu.
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises' executive chairman, said: "The float out of MSC Seaview is another significant milestone in the expansion of our fleet. She is part of a ten year investment plan that will have already seen the delivery of six new ships by 2020.
"At MSC Cruises, we are truly leading the way with our ship designs, as each new class of ships that we bring into service is rooted in meeting the needs of holidaymakers of different ages, demographics and holiday desires.
"With MSC Seaview, in particular, our vision has been inspired by our passion for the sea and we are appealing to guests who are seeking the classic elements of a holiday – sun and sea - taken to the next level with a one-of-a-kind fully immersive and interactive seaside experience even whilst cruising at sea.
"We are already the market leading cruise brand in the Mediterranean and Europe and the deployment of MSC Seaview in this key region will help us further push boundaries by bringing one of the most innovative cruise ships to an area that we are deeply committed to and is a cornerstone of our business.”
Giuseppe Bono, chief executive of Fincantieri, said: "MSC Seaview is a challenge that Fincantieri is proud to carry out successfully, as demonstrated by the milestone reached today. She is a spectacular ship, the second of a new generation which is testing all of our best technical and managerial skills, considering that the float out takes place less than nine months away from that of the prototype that launched this class of ships, MSC Seaside."
The float out is a key milestone in the construction of a cruise ship, as it is the moment when the vessel is first touched by water as her dry dock is flooded and the ship is moved to a wet dock for the final phase of her construction. The exterior of the ship is now complete and work moves to complete interiors, fixtures and furnishings.
At 323 metres long with a 154,000 GRTs, the ship will feature a maximum capacity of 5,179 guests. MSC Seaview is the second of two identical ships in the Seaside class. Her sister ship – MSC Seaside – is set to enter service later this year in November.
MSC Seaview will be the third next-generation ship coming into service in just 12 months, following on from MSC Meraviglia (June 2017) and MSC Seaside (December 2017). Visit the website to find out more about MSC Seaview or call 020 3426 3010.
