MSC SEAVIEW – A HANDFUL OF COINS FOR A €9bn INVESTMENT
Seaview will be the highlight of next year for MSC Cruises, as she will begin sailing in June 2018 in the western Mediterranean for her first summer season. Then, the 5,179-guest capacity ship will continue to Brazil in November. She will be the second of two sister ships in the Seaside generation to be built by Fincantieri. Sister ship MSC Seaside is set to enter service later this year, and will be christened in her homeport of Miami.
The “Coin Ceremony” held on February 2nd marked a milestone in the construction of MSC SEAVIEW giving a clear sign of MSC Cruises’ serious intention to triple its fleet by 2023. The “coin ceremony”, at the FINCANTIERI shipyards in Monfalcone, is an age-old tradition carried out in the early stages of the building of a ship to bring luck to the vessel during its future voyages.
The coin ceremony for a vessel takes place when its keel is laid, in the early stages of the construction process. Tradition says that two long-standing employees representing the shipyard and the shipowner act as godmothers for the ceremony, placing two coins under the new ship’s keel block as a sign of good fortune and blessing. Michela Bullo from Fincantieri and Loredana Giammusso from MSC had the honour of performing the task at the beginning of February.
MSC Seaview will come into service in June 2018, sailing the Western Mediterranean in her inaugural summer season visiting the ports of Genoa, Naples, Messina, Valletta, Barcelona and Marseille. In November the ship will then sail on to Brazil with as transatlantic cruise that will give some lucky voyagers the chance to have a two week cruise across the ocean. Like its sister ship MSC Seaside, this vessel has taken ship design to a whole new level. With its 323 metre length and impressive 160,000 tonnes, MSC Seaview will accommodate over 5,000 guests.
Such a massive undertaking will ensure MSC Cruises will continue to be the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line as well as market leader in Europe, South America and South Africa. But one cannot count exclusively on heavy investments, long term marketing plans, technological advancements and ever more modern and safer ship designs to get by, we also need a little luck!
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ executive chairman commented: ‘MSC Seaview is a reflection of our unique and ongoing commitment to each time bring to market the most innovatively conceived cruise ships, as the Seaside generation of MSC Cruises ships introduces yet another game-changing prototype.’
Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, said: ‘We always celebrate every stage of progress of this project with satisfaction. The MSC Seaview order, as a sister ship to MSC Seaside, which was floated out in November 2016, is one of those which has allowed the crucial relaunch of the cruise market. Our group has shown to fully match this important opportunity, which has helped to make Fincantieri the acknowledged leader in this industry, both in terms of volume and product diversification.’
Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises CEO added: ‘MSC Seaview will bring guests and the sea closer to each other, with a pioneering beach condo concept and other unique design and product elements that allow to make the most of the warmer weather. With one of the highest ratios of outdoor spaces at sea, guests will also enjoy an increased number of balcony cabins, sea views and outdoor public areas, with every element carefully planned to allow to make the most of the sea and the sunshine.’
Antonio Paradiso, country manager of MSC Cruises UK & Ireland commented: ‘MSC Seaside has seen a 46% increase in UK sales for the same itinerary compared to last year, with an overall increase of 69% year-on-year increase in the Caribbean – helped by our Fly&Cruise package to the region, with charter flights with Virgin Atlantic.’ In the Mediterranean, Paradiso said, ‘MSC Meraviglia (debuting thsi summer) is currently our most booked ship in this region and represents 20% of our volumes for 2017, with the Med seeing a 30% YoY increase in guests. We expect to see this trend continue with MSC Seaview (in 2018) and MSC Bellissima (arriving in 2019).’
With a breathtaking 360° ocean level promenade it will allow guests to experience the sea and not just float above it, while enjoying mesmerising views even while dining, shopping or just walking around. Technology-wise, MSC Cruises is creating the Seaside class of ships as “next-generation smart ships” and they will employ the latest and snazziest technology afloat. The line has formed a partnership with Samsung, and the tech will include everything from the latest displays and mobile solutions, to virtual reality. Specifically, this will include:
- Near Field Communication (NFC), using a cruise card, bracelet or smartphone for a range of different options including geo-location of children, cabin access and onboard payment.
- Interactive screens to make it simple to select excursions as well as booking shows and restaurants.
- iBeacon technology that is customized to each passengers’ specific preferences so that they will never miss their favourite experiences, can communicate with mobile devices and send push notifications about relevant information and offers
For those who can’t wait to experience the best in cruising or who wish to be among the first to sail on such a marvel, these ships have been bookable since 4th July 2016!
Leonard Miron 