Image via Ivan Sarfatti
MSC Cruises officially launched its latest ship at the weekend with a glittering christening ceremony for MSC Seaview in Genoa.
Hollywood icon Sophia Loren cut the ribbon on her 13th MSC ship at the event held in Genoa on Saturday.
More than 60 UK travel agents attended the ceremony along with local dignitaries, Italian celebrities and other cruise line bosses Arnold Donald, chief executive of Carnival Corporation and Silversea chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio.
Seaview takes MSC’s fleet to 15 and its third ship to come into service in 12 months. It is sister ship to MSC Seaside which launched last year.
Designed for warmer climates, it has the highest ratio of outdoor space of any MSC vessel and will be based in the Mediterranean before transferring to Brazil for winter.
MSC has more ships on order than any other line with 12 being built between 2017 and 2026.
Speaking on board chief executive Pierfrancesco Vago said there was “absolutely no risk” of over-capacity and suggested the European market had the potential to double in size.
Seaview began her maiden voyage from Genoa on Sunday on a western Mediterannean itinerary calling at six ports including Marseille, Barcelona and Naples.
Gallery: MSC Seaview christening