MSC Cruises has taken delivery of first Seaside EVO vessel MSC Seashore ahead of its maiden sailing next month.
The line’s executive chairman Piefrancesco Vago attended the ceremony at Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, alongside the shipbuilding company’s chairman Giampiero Massolo and chief executive Giuseppe Bono.
A container holding the water that first touched the hull of the ship (pictured) during its float out earlier this year was presented to the line at the event.
Giuseppe Galano, master of MSC Seashore, received a vessel containing water that touched the ship’s hull during its float out from Roberto Olivari, Fincantieri’s shipyard director
Despite being the first Seaside EVO class vessel, MSC Seashore has two sister ships – MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview. The ship has 13,000 square metres of outdoor space, with a choice of outdoor bars and dining, pools and deck area.
MSC Seashore’s inaugural itinerary next month will include calls at Genoa, Naples, both Italy; Valletta, Barcelona and Marseille in the western Mediterranean.
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On October 31, the ship will reposition to Miami, where it will operate seven-night Caribbean cruises, calling at Puerto Rico, St Thomas, Dominican Republic and MSC Cruises’ private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, in the Bahamas.
On the line’s latest flagship, Vago said: “The construction of MSC Seashore is an investment that generates a direct and indirect economic impact of almost €5 billion on the Italian economy.
“Our new flagship is further testament to our leadership in sustainability, with each new ship featuring the latest and most advanced environmental technology and solutions.
“Additionally, over and above our industry-leading health and safety protocol, MSC Seashore is the first cruise ship in the world to feature a new and ground-breaking air sanitation system.”
Safe Air uses UV-C lamp technology to eliminate 99% of viruses and bacteria to create clean and safe air for guests and crew on board the 5,179-passenger vessel.
Bono said: “MSC Seashore is the fourth cruise ship that we have delivered in Italy during this still extremely demanding year, demonstrating the effectiveness of our production and management system.
“All these milestones, and others to come, have been successfully achieved and this is never taken for granted.”
Sister ship MSC Seascape is currently under construction at the same shipyard and is due to come into service in winter 2022.