MSC Cruises and Fincantieri celebrate the cutting of the first piece of steel for their new generation of ships, MSC Seaside

MSC Seaside, “the ship that follows the sun,” will offer year-round cruises based in Miami starting in December 2017.

MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately owned cruise company and a leader in the Mediterranean, today cut the first piece of steel for its next-generation ship, MSC Seaside.
At a ceremony held in Monfalcone, Italy, at the Fincantieri shipyard, Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago and CEO Gianni Onorato cut the first piece of steel for MSC Seaside in the presence of Fincantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono.
“Today, we are gathered here to witness the start of construction on an extraordinary ship, MSC Seaside. This vessel will revolutionize industry standards, with a design that offers unprecedented entertainment and leisure experiences, while also setting a new benchmark in terms of environmental responsibility and safety. It is a testament to MSC Cruises’ ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises.
Vago added: “We chose a name that embodies our vision of sailing the oceans and warm climates, the connection to the sea, and the feeling of traveling and discovering unique environments. We also call it ‘the ship that follows the sun,’ and it will be a truly memorable experience for the whole family.”
Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, stated: “This ceremony is unique for our Group and the Monfalcone shipyard. MSC Seaside will be the largest ship ever built in our shipyards, and the largest we have ever built for MSC Cruises, whose strength—like ours—lies in being a truly global player in its sector. With MSC Seaside, we have developed a new and ambitious project, and we are very much looking forward to building it. In two years, together with MSC Cruises, we will launch a magnificent ship of which we will all be very proud.”
MSC Seaside will operate year-round, based in Miami, sailing a wide range of Caribbean itineraries. Additionally, MSC Cruises' operations in Miami will include, starting in the fall of 2015, one of the company's flagship ships, the 139,072 GRT MSC Divina. This ship will benefit from the recently renovated and expanded berth at PortMiami, a testament to the company's significant ambitions in the North American market to offer its customers the highest quality of service.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, stated: “This event marks another milestone in the company's development plan, which will see MSC double its capacity by 2022 with seven new ships and a planned investment of €5.1 billion.” He added: “MSC Seaside demonstrates our willingness and long-term commitment to continue expanding our presence in North America.” MSC Cruises has a unique opportunity to offer North American passengers a “Mediterranean-style cruise experience” that no other cruise line offers, while at the same time, passengers from around the world will be able to enjoy a unique environment as they sail through the most sought-after destinations in the Caribbean.”
With a gross tonnage of 154,000 tons and a capacity to accommodate up to 5,179 guests, the new MSC Seaside will be the largest cruise ship ever built by the Fincantieri shipyard. Construction of the ship is scheduled to begin in November 2017, with its christening in Miami in December of the same year. Cruise sales for MSC Seaside will commence in November 2015, two years prior to its launch, to meet the high demand from the most enthusiastic cruisers.
Large, spacious, and designed for maximum comfort, MSC Seaside will boast a bold, state-of-the-art design and a 360-degree promenade. The ship will also feature the most interactive and original water park, with five water slides and attractions for all ages.
The ship will offer cabins for families and groups, luxury suites with private Jacuzzis and gardens, and the fantastic MSC Seaside experience. The Yacht Club features a private sun deck, lounge, and swimming pool. The ship's public spaces will offer breathtaking views from a two-story glass atrium and panoramic exterior elevators. This vessel will set a new standard for cruise holidays thanks to its outstanding elegance, its perfect blend of family-oriented offerings, and its wide selection of indoor and outdoor restaurants and bars, as well as entertainment venues.
MSC Seaside will be one of the most technologically advanced ships on the market and represents the company's commitment to providing memorable experiences for its guests. In this endeavor, MSC Cruises has formed partnerships with multiple global brands, all renowned for their excellence in their respective fields. This is evidenced by significant partnerships with global brands such as Lego and Chicco, demonstrating the company's commitment to creating wonderful holidays for children and their families. Another notable agreement is with the Italian brand Eataly, which adds high-end Italian cuisine made with exceptional ingredients to the existing international and Mediterranean restaurant offerings. Additionally, the company has formed a key partnership with Samsung for the development of of a pioneering virtual cruise experience, which will allow travel agents to use immersive technology to showcase a unique product to potential clients.
MSC Seaside is the first of two identical ships ordered by Fincantieri, the second of which will enter service in 2018. MSC Cruises has an option for the development of an additional generation of two more ships, which will be part of the “Vista” project, to be delivered in 2021.
MSC Seaside and its sister ship will set new standards for ecology with Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) systems to remove pollutants and hazardous substances from wastewater, garbage treatment plants for highly efficient solid waste management, scrubbers to reduce emissions, antifouling paints, optimized hull lines, propellers and rudders to reduce friction and fuel consumption, as well as LED lighting, which means lower energy demand and significantly lower fuel consumption, and advanced heat recovery plants to supply fresh water. Laundry facilities, swimming pools, and hot water are available. This ship will be fully compliant with the Safe Return to Port requirement.
The company, which has grown by 800% since 2004, carried 1.67 million passengers in 2014 and reported strong financial results with a turnover of €1.5 billion. MSC Cruises also anticipates an additional 10% growth for 2015.
Two years before its inaugural cruise, sales begin today for cruises aboard MSC Meraviglia, another state-of-the-art ship that will debut in the summer of 2017. MSC Meraviglia, MSC Cruises' most agile and innovative ship to date, will be the first ship to have three homeports during its inaugural summer season in the Mediterranean: Barcelona, ​​Genoa, and Marseille.