Today, the traditional keel-laying ceremony for MSC Cruises' second Seaside EVO-class ship took place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The new ship's name, MSC Seascape, pays homage to the beauty of the ocean and reflects how passengers will be able to enjoy breathtaking sea views from the ship, thanks to its innovative design features.
The traditional maritime ritual, where two coins are inserted into the keel of the ship as a historical sign of blessing and good fortune for the construction of the ship and its future life at sea, was performed by two long-serving employees of both companies as godmothers: Monica Somma, Category Manager for Retail at MSC Cruises, and Jolette Vincenzi, Production Supervisor at Fincantieri.
Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises, said: “The coins we are placing today to mark a key milestone in the construction of one of our ships are an important symbol of our confidence in the cruise industry, the future of travel, and tourism. As a family-owned company, we are able to plan for the long term and make these commitments despite the challenges we all face in the short term. When she joins our fleet, MSC Seascape will generate a significant economic impact not only for the shipbuilding industry and its entire supply chain, but also for all the ports and destinations she visits, strengthening coastal tourism and supporting the economic recovery of local communities.”.
MSC Seascape, like its sister ship MSC Seashore, is a further evolution of the already revolutionary Seaside class: the Seaside EVO ships are enhanced and expanded with new features, spaces, and experiences for passengers. The ship is designed to connect passengers with the sea through its innovative design, which includes 13,000 m² of outdoor space. Scheduled to enter service in November 2022, the 169,400 GT ship will be able to accommodate 5,877 passengers.
Mr. Vago added: “Furthermore, MSC Seascape represents our continued investment in this shipyard and region, as well as a new impetus for our vision of achieving long-term zero-impact cruise operations. Like every new ship we build, we are equipping MSC Seascape with some of the latest environmental technologies and solutions, including state-of-the-art wastewater treatment and emissions reduction systems. It will also open up new opportunities for passenger entertainment and will be our first ship to introduce the dynamic and exciting RoboCoaster experience.”.
Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, stated: “The coin-welding ceremony is one of the oldest maritime traditions and always represents a special moment for the shipbuilder as well. By welding the coin together, we extend our best wishes to the future passengers and crew, who are symbolically embarking for the first time. I am confident that travelers will soon be able to sail the seas again as before, and they will do so on this splendid ship that is taking shape in our shipyard.”.
The ceremony was a private event attended in person by MSC Cruises' CEO, Pierfrancesco Vago, and Fincantieri's CEO, Giuseppe Bono, as well as members of the management and MSC Seascape project teams from both companies, and was carried out in full compliance with current health regulations.
MSC Seascape's environmental credentials include selective catalytic reduction systems on each of the ship's four engines to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90% and hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems to remove 98% of sulfur oxides from the ship's emissions. The ship will feature advanced wastewater treatment systems with higher purification standards than most land-based wastewater treatment facilities, advanced waste management systems, ballast water treatment systems approved by the United States Coast Guard, state-of-the-art systems for preventing oil spills from machinery areas, and various energy efficiency improvements, from heat recovery systems to LED lighting. The ship will also feature an underwater radiated noise management system to reduce potential effects on marine mammals.
Like its sister ship, 65% of the public spaces on MSC Seascape have been redesigned, improving the passenger experience and offering them different places to connect with the sea:
- 2,270 cabins spread across 12 different types of cabins and suites with balconies, including the coveted aft cabins
- 11 restaurants, 19 bars and lounges, with ample options for dining and drinking outdoors
- Six swimming pools, including a stunning infinity pool at the stern with incredible sea views
- An even better MSC Yacht Club, which will be the largest and most luxurious in the MSC Cruises fleet, with almost 3,000 square meters of space with panoramic ocean views from the ship's bow decks
- An extensive seafront promenade 540 meters long
- A spectacular Bridge of Sighs with a glass floor on deck 16 with an ocean viewpoint
