MSC Cruises has announced that its latest flagship, MSC Seashore, will be officially inaugurated at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas on November 18, making it the first cruise ship inauguration ceremony to take place on a private island. The event will be attended by travel agents and media, as well as other key guests of the Company. Departing from Miami on November 17, guests will get a first look at the new, state-of-the-art ship, which will be based in Miami next season before its inaugural 7-night cruise and US season begins on November 20, offering a wealth of onboard entertainment, diverse activities, and an incredible array of bars and restaurants.
As with all new MSC Cruises ships, Hollywood star Sophia Loren will play the important role of Godmother, officially naming MSC Cruises' sixteenth ship. The events will take place both on board and on the island, as the ship will remain docked overnight, with a gala dinner, live entertainment, and much more.
The opening of MSC Seashore will also serve as the formal inauguration of the private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which opened in late 2019 and closed shortly afterward due to the pandemic. Since then, the island has undergone further significant work and improvements, and this is an opportunity for MSC Cruises to showcase the island to all its guests on this special occasion.
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve opened in late 2019 as a paradise island with a 64-square-mile marine reserve. This private island destination lives in harmony with the local ecosystem and is based on a strong commitment to restoring marine resources and the ongoing conservation of existing marine life, including the habitats and species found in the area. This includes the restoration of endangered corals and the implementation of other educational and conservation programs.
All MSC Cruises ships departing from Miami and Port Canaveral stop at Ocean Cay and remain on the island until late into the night, allowing passengers ample time to discover all that the island has to offer. During the day, there are many ways to make the most of the island: relax on the beach in a private cabana or enjoy a treatment at the spa, try some water sports or other activities as part of the shore excursion program, visit the shops to buy a unique souvenir, or spend time at the various bars and restaurants around the island with the best backdrop: the ocean.
MSC Seashore is the first Seaside EVO ship, an evolution and enhancement of the pioneering and revolutionary Seaside class, designed in the style of Miami beachfront condominiums. This class of ship is renowned for its innovative design features and is intended to connect passengers with the sea. MSC Seashore offers a wealth of entirely new features, venues, and experiences for passengers, as 65% of the public areas have been reimagined to take the passenger experience to a whole new level. The ship boasts 13,000 square meters of outdoor space (the most of any ship in the fleet) with countless ways to enjoy the outdoor decks, whether relaxing by a pool, sipping a cocktail at one of the bars, or simply taking in the views from your stateroom balcony.
MSC Seashore will become MSC Cruises' third US-based ship, and the company will offer a variety of cruises of different lengths, from 3- or 4-night mini-cruises and regular 7-night cruises to longer 8- and 11-night cruises. New this season is Port Canaveral, where MSC Divina began operating in September. This new homeport is easily accessible and close to popular attractions and key destinations such as Orlando, Tampa, and South Florida for those wishing to make the most of their pre- or post-cruise vacation. When MSC Seashore arrives, MSC Meraviglia will relocate to Port Canaveral for the remainder of the season, and MSC Divina will move to Miami.
For the summer of 2022, MSC Seashore will remain in Miami offering cruises for the summer of 2022, along with MSC Divina from Port Canaveral.
The latest environmental technology. MSC Seashore features the latest environmental technology, including hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) and state-of-the-art selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, achieving a 98% reduction in sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions and a 90% reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Its wastewater treatment systems have been designed in accordance with International Maritime Organization Resolution MEPC 227(64) and achieve purification standards that are higher than most land-based wastewater treatment facilities. The new flagship is also equipped with shore-to-ship power connectivity, allowing it to connect to local electricity grids while docked in ports where this infrastructure is available.
Health and Hygiene Protocol. For the past 12 months, MSC Cruises has implemented an industry-leading health and hygiene protocol across its fleet, and this continues to protect the well-being of passengers, crew, and the communities our ships visit. For cruises departing from PortMiami and Port Canaveral, all passengers aged 12 and older must be fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson). U.S. residents must provide a negative antigen or RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure, while non-U.S. residents will need a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure. All passengers aged 2 to 11 must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure.
