Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri organized a steel cutting ceremony for MSC Seaside at its Monfalcone shipyard today, the first of two ”Seaside” class ships ordered by MSC Cruises.
MSC Seaside is expected for delivery in late 2017, and will be homeported in Miami.
With a gross tonnage of 154,000 tons and the ability to accommodate up to 4,140 guests at double occupancy, MSC Seaside will be the largest cruise ship ever built by Fincantieri shipyards.
”The Seaside class of ships is part of MSC Cruises’ USD 5.3 billion fleet expansion plan that will allow the company to double its capacity by 2022,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises.
MSC Cruises currently operates a fleet of 12 cruise ships which carried 1.67 million guests in 2014.
MSC Cruises ordered two ”Seaside” class ships from Fincantieri in 2014, with an option to build one more.
MSC Seaside has a planned delivery for November 2017, and the second ship in the class will be delivered in May 2018.