Fincantieri Floats Out MSC Cruises Newbuild
The second ship in the MSC Cruises’ Seaside class, MSC Seaview, has entered the final phase of construction at the Monfalcone shipyard in Italy, where MSC Cruises and FINCANTIERI celebrated the vessel’s float out.
MSC Seaview is the second of MSC Cruises’ Seaside generation of cruise ships, based on a prototype designed to bring guests closer to the sea, 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, Italy to Miami, U.S. in December 2017.
MSC Seaview will sail her inaugural 2018 summer season in the Mediterranean, offering holidaymakers the chance to experience the jewels of this region like never before on a cruise ship. Guests will discover seven different ports from four countries: Genoa, Naples, Messina, Valetta, Barcelona and Marseille.
Following this inaugural season, the ship will follow the sun to Brazil and the Southern hemisphere for the winter 2018-2019 season, with an itinerary that includes Santos, Ilha Grande, Buzios, Porto Belo and Camboriu.
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman, commented, “The float out of MSC Seaview is another significant milestone in the expansion of our fleet. She is part of a 10 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.”
Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, stated, “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 that 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. These two beautiful ships require a real Endeavour and our group will deliver them to meet the high expectations of the ship owner in terms of reliability and product quality.”
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 meters 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 in June 2017 and MSC Seaside in December 2017.