MSC CRUISES AND FINCANTIERI CELEBRATE FLOAT OUT OF MSC SEAVIEW

The second ship in MSC Cruises’ innovative Seaside class enters the final phase of construction, ramping up for her inaugural season in the Mediterranean

MSC Cruises, the Swiss-based world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe and South America, and FINCANTIERI, heir to the great tradition of Italian shipbuilding and one of the largest shipbuilding groups in the world, today celebrated the float out of MSC Seaview. The ceremony, held at the Monfalcone shipyard in Italy, officially marked the first time that the vessel has touched water since beginning construction.

As the second of MSC Cruises’ Seaside generation of cruise ships, MSC Seaview is based on a highly-innovative prototype — bringing guests closer to the sea than ever before; designed specifically for warmer climates; and providing the ultimate sun and sea cruise experience. The revolutionary ship is set to come into service in June 2018, just six months after her sister ship MSC Seaside debuts and arrives in Miami in December 2017, following a Grand Voyage from Trieste, Italy to Miami, Florida.

MSC Seaview will sail her inaugural 2018 summer season in the Mediterranean, offering travelers dynamic itineraries and the chance to explore a variety of unique destinations, while only having to unpack once. Guests can discover seven lively ports from four different countries, including Genoa, Naples, Messina, Valetta, Barcelona and Marseille. Specific itineraries can be viewed here.

Following her inaugural season, MSC Seaview will follow the sun to Brazil and the Southern hemisphere for the winter 2018-2019 season, with ports of call in Santos, Ilha Grande, Buzios, Porto Belo and Camboriu.

“The float out of MSC Seaview is another significant milestone in the expansion of our fleet,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises. “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 travelers 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,” concluded Vago.

“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 from that of the prototype that launched this class of ships, MSC Seaside,” said Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. “These two beautiful ships require a real endeavor 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, marking the completion of the ship’s exterior. The dry dock is flooded and the vessel meets water for the first time before being moved to a wet dock. Now, in the final phase of construction, work begins to complete the interiors, fixtures and furnishings.

MSC Seaview is the second of two identical ships in the Seaside class — at 1,060 ft. long and 154,000 GRTs — and holding a maximum capacity of 5,179 guests (4,134 at double occupancy).

The launch of MSC Seaview will mark the third next-generation ship from MSC Cruises to come into service in just 12 months, following MSC Meraviglia (June 2017) and, her sister ship, MSC Seaside (December 2017).

Visit www.msccruisesusa.com to learn more about MSC Seaview.