Tag Archives: MSC Seaside

MSC Meraviglia Becomes Biggest Ship to Call in Manhattan

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MSC Meraviglia

The MSC Meraviglia made history in the early hours of Monday morning, October 7, as she became the largest cruise ship to dock in New York City as she berthed at the north end of Pier 88 at Manhattan Cruise Terminal. 

“We are so thrilled to welcome MSC Meraviglia, a truly beautiful ship, to the U.S. as she marks another major milestone for MSC Cruises in the North American market,” said Ken Muskat, EVP & Chief Operating Officer of MSC Cruises (USA). “Due to significant demand, for the first time in MSC Cruises history, we now have four distinct ships sailing in the region as MSC Meraviglia joins MSC Seaside, MSC Armonia and MSC Divina. With each ship offering its own unique design and guest experience inspired by our European heritage, we look forward to providing travellers with even more choice and variety to best fit their vacation needs.” 

Meraviglia in New York

Designed to sail in all seasons and climates, the MSC Meraviglia will begin her North America program with three cruises from New York, including two itineraries to New England and Canada and one repositioning to her new homeport in Miami.

On her first Caribbean sailing, departing from NYC on October 28, the MSC Meraviglia will be the first ship to call on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ new g private island destination in the Bahamas opening November 9, 2019.

From November 10, 2019, through April 5, 2020, MSC Meraviglia will sail two different seven-night western Caribbean itineraries visiting ports in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Belize, Honduras and The Bahamas. 

MSC Meraviglia

Following her inaugural season in Miami, MSC Meraviglia will then return to Northern Europe for summer 2020, from April to September.

Upon returning to the U.S. on October 2020, the MSC Meraviglia will once again do three 10-night sailings from New York to Canada & New England before then homeporting back in Miami for seven-night Caribbean sailings.

MSC Cruises receives approval for Miami double terminal

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MSC Cruises has received approval for its planned double terminal at PortMiami, the first such arrangement at the port.

Each terminal will be able to handle 7,000 guests, enabling MSC to berth two mega-ships at a time.

The AA and AAA terminals will be just to the east of Royal Caribbean’s new Terminal A that opened last year. Designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica, renderings show a ski-slope shaped building with cantilevered fins at the eastern end.

MSC plans to move in 2022, around the same time Carnival moves into its new Terminal F. MSC didn’t specify what ships will be using the terminal by then. 

This year, MSC is homeporting four ships across four different classes out of PortMiami — the MSC Seaside, MSC Armonia, MSC Divina and MSC Meraviglia. The Meraviglia will arrive in November.

Extended MSC Seashore to be the longest ship in MSC Cruises fleet

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Extended MSC Seashore to be longest ship in MSC Cruises fleet

More than 40% of new ship MSC Seashore has been redesigned and enhanced as a “significant evolution and improvement” over its two sister ships.

The differences to MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview include 200 extra cabins, a larger ‘ship within a ship’ MSC Yacht Club and an additional double-deck lounge at the rear.

The latest MSC Cruises’ vessel, due to enter service in June 2021, will have 10,000 square metres of additional deck space with a 16-metre extension to 339 metres, making it the longest vessel in the fleet.

Features include 28 more terraced suites and two suites with private whirlpools.

The expanded MSC Yacht Club will include two new cabin categories – 41 deluxe grand suites and two owner’s suites with whirlpools.

A ‘cluster cabin’ concept for families – where two or three adjoining cabins can be linked to accommodate between six and ten people – will be introduced, while 75 larger cabins for disabled passengers are added.

Image result for MSC seaside restaurant

Two new restaurants are planned alongside a new location for five speciality dining outlets to allow for al fresco waterfront seating on the ship’s boardwalk.

The interior has been redesigned with two central meeting points positioned at the middle and forward part of the ship, as well as specific measures to improve passenger flows.

MSC Seashore will have a bigger casino and 20 speciality bars.

The ship will feature a new design of its aft swimming pool, an enlarged indoor pool and a new waterpark. Clubs for young children and teenagers have been separated from a larger kids’ zone.

A range of environmental protection measures is to be installed including a selective catalytic reduction system designed to help cut nitrogen oxide by 90% through advanced active emissions control technology.

Wastewater will go through a purification and filtration process that transforms it to “near tap-water” quality.

The new-build will also be fitted with shore-to-ship power connections while in port to reduce emissions.

The details emerged at a keel-laying ceremony for the ship at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

MSC Cruises’ executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: “Today’s ceremony marks another key milestone in the construction of one of our most innovative all-around ships yet.

“Most importantly, MSC Seashore – which will feature the latest and most advanced environmental technology currently available – represents another proof of our long-standing commitment to preserving the environment in our ongoing journey to minimise and continuously reduce the impact of our operations.”

Fincantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono added: “The beginning of drydock works of MSC Seashore, the largest ship so far built in Italy, is for us a source of great satisfaction.

“It is a real challenge in terms of structural and managerial aspects, which powers the impressive workload for the shipyard and the local area.”