A traditional coin ceremony for the second Seaside EVO class ship of MSC Cruises was held on Thursday, June 24, at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone Shipyard (near Trieste Italy) where the vessel's keel was laid.
The name of the newbuild was revealed – MSC Seascape. It pays homage to the ocean's beauty and demonstrates the ways in which passengers will be able to enjoy the sea views from the liner due to the innovative design features.
Long-standing employees Jolette Vincenzi (Production Supervisor from Fincantieri) and Monica Somma (Category Manager – Retail, MSC Cruises) performed the maritime ritual as godmothers when they placed a couple of coins within the keel as a historical sign of blessing and good fortune for the building of the ship and her life at sea.
Seascape, like the sistership MSC Seashore, is an evolution of the Seaside-class (Seaside EVO). The larger ships are enhanced and extended with new spaces, features, and experiences for passengers. The liner is designed to connect vacationers with the sea via innovative design features like 13,000 m2 (139,930 ft2) of outdoor space.
The 169400 GT-ton vessel is scheduled for delivery and inauguration in November 2022. Seascape will have max passenger capacity 5877.
The environmental credentials of Seascape feature selective catalytic reduction systems on each of the 4 Wartsila 14V 46F engines to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90% via converting the gas into harmless nitrogen and water and hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems to remove 98% of sulphur oxide from ship emissions.
The new ship will also feature advanced wastewater treatment systems with purification standards higher than most wastewater treatment facilities on land, advanced waste management systems, the latest-technology systems for the prevention of oil discharges from machinery spaces, ballast water treatment systems approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, and a variety of effective energy-efficiency improvements – from LED lighting to heat recovery systems.
The newbuild will also boast an underwater radiated noise management system reducing the potential effects on marine mammals.
As with her sistership, 65% of the public spaces aboard MSC Seascape have been re-imagined, enhancing the passenger experience and offering different venues and locations:
- 2270 staterooms with 12 types of cabins and suites with private balconies including coveted aft suites
- 11 dining venues, 19 bars and lounges with a wealth of options for al fresco dining and drinking
- 6 swimming pools including an aft infinity pool with ocean views
- The MSC Yacht Club will be the biggest and most luxurious in the fleet, with ~3,000 m2 (32,292 ft2) of space with ocean views from the foredecks of the liner
- A 540-m (1772-ft) waterfront promenade close to the water
- A glass-floored "Bridge of Sighs" (Deck 16) with a vantage point of the ocean.
MSC Seascape is one of 3x ships currently under construction as part of MSC's long-term fleet growth plan.