On 21APR, MSC Cruises announced plans to hold the naming ceremony of its latest flagship, MSC Seascape, at New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal on 07DEC 2022. Academy Award-Winning star Sophia Loren carrying out her role as godmother to her 18th MSC Cruises ship, and the event will be attended by local dignitaries, important partners, celebrities, and international artists, according to the cruise line.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division of MSC Group, commented: “We are particularly pleased to celebrate this momentous milestone in New York City, which holds a special place in our Group’s history, having been served by ships from the MSC Group’s cargo division since 1985. Today, as MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company leads the container shipping sector globally as well as across North America, MSC Cruises has grown to become a major player in the U.S. cruise industry. ”
“Having developed a meaningful operation out of South Florida, we are now preparing a major strategic expansion across the East Coast that will see us launch year-round cruises out of New York in 2023. We could not think of a better way of celebrating such a significant milestone than holding MSC Seascape’s – our latest flagship - naming ceremony in this wonderful city that has been an important hub for MSC Group for over three decades.”
MSC Seascape will be the cruise line’s first ship to be named in New York, reflecting MSC Cruises’ commitment to the Canadian and North American cruise market. The ship pays tribute to New York City - representing the spirit of discovery and cultural experiences. It’s design features, public areas and venue names are inspired by NYC, including a three-metre-high replica of the Statue of Liberty in the casino and a newly designed retail and entertainment area, aptly named ‘Times Square.’ There is also a 8.5-metre-high LED wall spanning four decks with a visual projection of the Manhattan skyline’s entertainment hub that can change from day to night.
MSC Seascape’s upcoming expansion to New York and the Northeast with year-round cruises will be available from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal beginning in APR 2023. The line is continuing to grow with two new ships coming into service in 2022, MSC World Europa and MSC Seascape, and MSC Euribia coming into service in summer 2023.
MSC Seascape will sail to Miami immediately following the ceremony for an inaugural season in the Caribbean. The ship will be the second Seaside EVO class ship to enter MSC Cruises’ fleet, and the fourth vessel in the line’s Seaside class.
MSC Seascape will offer two different 7-night itineraries from Port Miami:
- Eastern Caribbean: Calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and Nassau in The Bahamas, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic
- Western Caribbean: Calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Cozumel in Mexico, George Town in the Cayman Islands and Ocho Rios in Jamaica
For more information on MSC Seascape's itineraries, visit its web site.
According to MSC, travel advisors from the Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia area, and across Canada should contact their MSC Cruises representative for an invite to the naming ceremony. The event includes live entertainment and performances, a gala dinner, and an opportunity to discover MSC Seascape’s onboard venues and experiences.
New Horizons at Sea
MSC Seascape intends to connect guests with the sea through its design and outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed for relaxation, dining, and entertainment. Some of the key highlights include:
- 2,270 cabins, featuring 12 different kinds of suites and cabins with balconies (including the aft suites featured on all Seaside class ships)
- 11 dining venues plus 19 bars and lounges, with options for ‘Al Fresco’ dining and drinking
- Six swimming pools, including an infinity pool with ocean views
- The largest MSC Yacht Club in MSC Cruises’ fleet, with approximately 32,000 square feet of space featuring ocean views from the front of the ship
- A 1,772-foot-long waterfront promenade
- A glass-floored Bridge of Sighs at deck 16 with a view of the sea
MSC Seascape’s environmental technologies will include selective catalytic reduction systems on each of its four Wärtsilä 14V 46F engines, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90 per cent and converting the gas into nitrogen and water. Separate hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems will remove 98 per cent of sulphur oxide from ship emissions, according to MSC.
The vessel is fitted with wastewater treatment systems with "purification standards that are higher than most wastewater treatment facilities on land." It will feature advanced waste management systems, ballast water treatment systems approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, systems for the prevention of oil discharges from machinery spaces, and various effective energy-efficiency improvements from heat recovery systems to LED lighting able to save energy. The ship will also feature an underwater radiated noise management system to reduce and isolate the potential effects on marine mammals.
For more information on MSC Cruises, visit its web site.
