MSC Cruises and Fincantieri cut the first steel for the audacious new generation cruise ship MSC Seaside. In a ceremony held at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy on 22nd June, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago and Chief Executive Officer, Gianni Onorato, along with Fincantieri’s Chief Executive Officer Giuseppe Bono launched the first cutting process.

The MSC Seaside will be based year-round in Miami to sail a wide range of Caribbean itineraries. In addition, MSC Cruises’ Miamibased cruise operations, which include from autumn 2015 the 139,072gt MSC Divina, will benefit from a newly renovated and expanded dedicated berth and terminal at Port Miami, signifying the Company’s strong ambitions in the North American market and to providing guests with a best-in-class quality of services. With a gross tonnage of 154,000gt and the capacity for up to 5,179 guests, the MSC Seaside will be the largest ever built by Fincantieri.

The ship is the first of two identical ships on order from Fincantieri, the second of which will enter service in 2018. In addition, MSC Cruises has an option for a third sistership to be delivered by 2021.