MSC Seashore the first Seaside-EVO class ship from MSC Cruises undertook her traditional coin and keel-laying ceremony today at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.
The 169,500 GRT 5,877-passenger cruise ship started construction in November 2018. She will be the longest ship in the MSC fleet at 339 metres long.
When MSC Seashore enters service in June 2021 she will be the first of two Seaside-EVO class ships from MSC Cruises. The ships will have the latest available environmental technology, extended public spaces, more cabins and offer the highest ratio of outdoor space per guest of any ship in the company’s fleet.
Long-standing employees Marianna Cicala, Ground Services Planning Manager, MSC Cruises and Silvia Bozzetto, Production Planning & Control Commissioning of the Monfalcone shipyard, performed today’s ritual as godmothers when they placed two coins under the new ship’s keel as the historical maritime sign of blessing and good fortune.
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman, said: “Today’s ceremony marks another key milestone in the construction of one of our most innovative all-around ships yet. Most importantly, MSC Seashore – which will feature the latest and most advanced environmental technology currently available – represents another proof of our long-standing commitment to preserve the environment in our ongoing journey to minimise and continuously reduce the impact of our operations.”
Giuseppe Bono, Fincantieri CEO, commented: “The beginning of drydock works of MSC Seashore, the largest ship so far built in Italy, is for us a source of great satisfaction: she is the symbol of “Evo”, a successful project for our Group, innovating the already futuristic “Seaside” concept, that created two units highly welcomed by the market. It is a real challenge in terms of structural and managerial aspects, which powers the impressive workload for the shipyard and the local area. We, therefore, are very pleased for such a celebration which seals the fruitful partnership with MSC Cruises and we are confident that there will be other similar moments in the future”.
MSC Seashore is based on the ground-breaking “Seaside Class” prototype with a range of breathtaking design features enabling guests to connect with the ocean such as the spectacular Bridge of Sighs, stunning panoramic aft lifts and stylish glass catwalks. More than 40 per cent of the ship has been redesigned and enhanced, making MSC Seashore a significant evolution and improvement of sister ships MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview.
MSC Seashore will also feature new cabin designs such as cluster cabins for families and groups. The MSC Yacht Club will offer a new style of suite, featuring a walk-in wardrobe. In addition to this, there will be two more luxury suites with whirlpool baths and 28 more of the terraced cabins with their own private area for sunbathing.
MSC Seashore is currently one of three ships that MSC Cruises has under construction concurrently. MSC Grandiosa (due for delivery in November 2019) and MSC Virtuosa are both being built in Saint-Nazaire, France.
MSC Seashore will start her maiden voyage on 13th June 2021. Her yet unnamed sister ship will set sail 18 months later.
Continue the conversation over at the MSC Seashore Forum.
