By
Alex Smith |
MSC Cruises is to launch its next US flagship MSC Seascape with a christening ceremony at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in New York on 7 December 2022.
The event will be attended by local dignitaries, MSC’s partners, travel advisors and the global media. Oscar-winning actress Sophia Loren will serve in the role of godmother for her 18th MSC Cruises ship.
“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,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of the cruise division of MSC Group. “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 naming ceremony in this wonderful city.”
Following the ceremony, MSC Seascape will sail to Miami, Florida, to offer two seven-night itineraries from PortMiami sailing to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
“We are very excited to showcase to New Yorkers our European heritage and the unique international character we bring to cruising, matching the city’s multi-cultural flair,” said Rubén Rodríguez, president of MSC Cruises USA. “This is the latest example of the significant investment we’re making in the US and the Caribbean, which includes building the largest cruise terminal in North America and offering Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve as both a stunning tropical destination and a reflection of our commitment to the environment.”
MSC Seascape will be the second Seaside EVO-class ship to enter the cruise line’s fleet, featuring 2,270 cabins, 11 dining venues, 19 bars and lounges, and six swimming pools. She will be fitted with selective catalytic reduction systems on each of her four Wärtsilä 14V 46F engines, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90 per cent and converting the gas into nitrogen and water. The ship will also be equipped with heat recovery systems, ballast water treatment systems, and an underwater radiated noise management system to reduce its effects on marine mammals.
MSC Cruises will take also take delivery of MSC World Europa later in 2022, followed by MSC Euribia in summer 2023.