MSC Seaview launches in grand style

MSC Seaview

MSC Cruises has christened its newest ship, the 5331-passenger MSC Seaview in a glittering, star-studded ceremony in Genoa. And within hours, the aggressive European line announced a new Euro900 million investment on a newย  Meraviglia-class ship, bringing its fleet total to five of the new-style vessels. The Seaview will now spend the northern summer sailing … Read more

Big plans for MSC’s new Asian ship

Big plans for MSC's new Asian ship

MSC Cruises announced this week it would be sending a new build ship, the MSC Bellissima to sail around Asia by 2020. She will be the newest flagship for the region and will be tailored for the Asian market. The Bellissima will be launched in March 2019 and following her inaugural season in the Mediterranean, … Read more

MSC Seaside revealed at handover ceremony and the line announces environmentally friendly ships

MSC Seaside revealed at handover ceremony and the line announces environmentally friendly ships

MSC Cruises has revealed its high-tech new ship, the MSC Seaside at the official handover ceremony. The ship will be officially launched on December 21 Built with an innovative โ€˜beach condoโ€™ style structure, itโ€™s the first of its kind in the cruise industry. The ship was welcomed at a ceremony this week at the Fincanteri … Read more

MSC Cruises floats out its latest ship, the MSC Seaview

MSC Cruises floats out its latest ship, the MSC Seaview

MSC Cruises has celebrated the float out of the MSC Seaview, its newest ship.

MSCย Seaviewย is the second ofย MSCย Cruisesโ€™ Seaside generation of cruise ships, based on a highly-innovative prototype designed to bring guests closer to the sea than ever before.ย  Designed for warmer climates, she is the ultimate sun and sea cruise experience.ย MSCย Seaviewย is set to come into service in June 2018, just six months afterMSCย Seasideย will first come into service with her Grand Voyage from Trieste, Italy to Miami, USA in December 2017.

MSCย Seaviewย will sail her inaugural 2018 summer season in the Mediterranean, offering holidaymakers the chance to experience the jewels of this region like never before on a cruise ship. Guests will discover seven different lively ports from four countries, all without unpacking a suitcase – Genoa, Naples, Messina, Valetta, Barcelona and Marseille.

Following this inaugural season, the ship willย follow the sunย to Brazil and the Southern hemisphere for the winter 2018-2019 season, with an itinerary that includes Santos, Ilha Grande, Buzios, Porto Belo and Camboriu.

Pierfrancesco Vago,ย MSCย Cruisesโ€™ย Executive Chairman said, โ€œAtย MSCย Cruises, we are truly leading the way with our ship designs, as each new class of ships that we bring into service is rooted in meeting the needs of holidaymakers of different ages, demographics and holiday desires. With MSCย Seaview, in particular, our vision has been inspired by our passion for the sea and we are appealing to guests who are seeking the classic elements of a holiday โ€“ sun and sea – taken to the next level withย a one-of-a-kindย fully immersive and interactive seaside experience even whilst cruising at sea.โ€

Mrย Vago concluded: โ€œWe are already the market leading cruise brand in the Mediterranean and Europe and the deployment ofย MSCย Seaview in this key region will help us further push boundaries by bringing one of the most innovative cruise ships to an area that we are deeply committed to and is a cornerstone of our business.โ€

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, stated:ย โ€œMSCย Seaview is a challenge that Fincantieri is proud to carry out successfully, as demonstrated by the milestone reached today. She is a spectacular ship, the second of a new generation that is testing all of our best technical and managerial skills, considering that the float out takes place less than nine months away from that of the prototype that launched this class of ships,ย MSCย Seaside. These two beautiful ships require a real endeavour and our Group will deliver them to meet the high expectations of the ship owner in terms of reliability and product quality.โ€

Take a look inside the new contemporary MSC Meraviglia

Take a look inside the new contemporary MSC Meraviglia

In just a week, luxury brand MSC Cruises will be launching its largest ship, the MSC Meraviglia. Sheโ€™ll be christened on June 3 and will be sailing the Mediterranean for her inaugural season.

The ship will have a bunch of firsts, including the Super Amusement Park, which is perfect for the entire family. This includes a multi-purpose sports arena with sweeping sea views that converts to a dance space at night, a full-length bowling alley, two F1 Simulators and a Flight Simulator, a 5D cinema, as well as arcade games.

On the top deck at the Polar Aqua Park, there are three water slides, a splash pool as well as a champagne flute slide. For the adrenaline junkies, MSC has also installed a new activity called the Himalayan Bridge which is suspended 80 metres above the sea.

On the MSC Merviglia, there is also a fabulous 96-metre Promenade which has shops, bars and restaurants. The entire Promenade is covered by an 80-screen LED screen โ€“ the longest at sea โ€“ that displays visuals and special effects 24 hours a day.

Partnering with MSC is the renowned chocolatier, Jean-Philippe Maury. On the Promenade, guests will be able to watch chocolatiers at work and sample sweet treats at the atelier.

On the MSC Meraviglia, there are 20 bars and lounges as well as 12 casual fine-dining venues. The lineโ€™s specialty restaurants include Ristorante Italiano, which is a partnership with Italian company Eataly. Serving up traditional Italian dishes, while the exclusive Chefโ€™s Table offers a food-and-wine experience.

For Asian food lovers, MSC has expanded its Japanese offerings to also include the Kaito Sushi Bar as well as the new Kaito Teppanyaki restaurant.

The meat lovers will get their taste buds tingling at the Butcherโ€™s Cut, which is a modern steakhouse concept that celebrates American beef. The menu features craft beers, bold American wine,s as well as new cocktails.

The ship is the first of two Meraviglia-generation ships, and she will be christened in Le Havre in France.

Stairway to heaven

MSC Splendida features Swarovski crystal staircases

MSC Yacht Club is an exclusive all-suite ship-within-a-ship offering โ€“ complete with personal butler and private facilities where guests can escape the madding crowd. Natalie Oโ€™Brien joins the club. Matthew and Gabrielle Moss are making an entrance, sweeping down the Swarovski crystal staircase linking the suites on the 16th deck with the exclusive club lounge … Read more

Weekly travel roundup: MSC to launch new technology; P&O’s food and wine cruises; Silver Muse’s Australian/Italian captain

Weekly travel roundup: MSC to launch new technology; P&O's food and wine cruises; Silver Muse's Australian/Italian captain

New food themed cruises with P&O One of Australiaโ€™s favourite cruise lines, P&O has announced new Food and Wine cruisers where guests can stuff themselves silly on some amazing Aussie produce. The line is offering 21 food themed cruises this year which includes three-night itineraries from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Fremantle and Adelaide. P&O Cruises President … Read more

Cruise line scouts to buy private island

Cruise line scouts to buy private island

One of the worldโ€™ major cruise lines has approached the Philippines Government to buy a private island for its passengers. The move would be a first for the region โ€“ though it is not unusual in mature cruise areas of the Caribbean, where Royal Caribbean, MSC, Disney and others have bought properties so their passengers … Read more