MSC Cruises innovative vessel MSC Seaside named in Port of Miami
MSC Seaside was named in a ceremony by Godmother for all MSC Cruises’ ships, Sophia Loren. MSC Seaside, already being recognized as one of the more innovative cruise ships in the industry, is the second ship to be launched in the past six months by the leading European cruise line as well as of an industry-unprecedented 12 new mega-ships that MSC Cruises, the Switzerland-founded and - based world’s largest privately owned cruise line, will bring into service between 2017 and 2026, the cruise operator said in a press release.
MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: “MSC Seaside’s naming embodies a pivotal moment for MSC Cruises and the industry overall. She is the first ship of the fifth new prototype that we have developed since we entered this industry only in 2003 and she introduces a wholly-innovative concept that has already set a new standard for the industry to follow. The distinctive and unique Seaside Class is designed to bring guests closer to the sea to enjoy cruising in warm weather whilst pushing the boundaries of maritime and guest-centric technology – the way only a cruise line with over 300 years of maritime tradition could have done.”
Mr Vago added: “MSC Seaside has been designed to spearhead the next phase of our growth in North America, a cornerstone of our global strategy. She will be one of three MSC Cruises’-ships to homeport in Miami – MSC Seaside, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina, one from each of our newest classes of ship. She marks our ambition to establish a significant presence in North America, after firmly rooting our position as number one cruise brand in Europe and having established a leading presence in other key cruise markets globally.”
MSC Cruises announced two new partnerships specifically for MSC Seaside and relevant for the North American market. The first is with the Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF), where MSC Cruises’ guest donations will support ABF’s valuable work in Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world currently facing exceptional challenges.
MSC Cruises also announced a new partnership with Joe Bastianich the award-winning restaurateur, author and TV personality with thirty successful restaurants worldwide including New York City-based Babbo and Del Posto and Carnevino in Las Vegas. Bastianich will become the newest addition to the impressive line-up of internationally renowned chefs and restaurateurs partnering with MSC Cruises across its global fleet and will create a signature dish exclusively for MSC Seaside that will feature on the Elegant Night menu.
MSC Seaside will sail year-round from Miami to the Caribbean offering 7-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries starting December 23.
