MSC Cruises announces two Seaside Evo ships in €1.8bn order

MSC Cruises has today announced plans to build two more ships as it officially took delivery of its new flagship, MSC Seaside.

At the ceremony, which took place in the presence of Sergio Mattarella, president of Italy, MSC Cruises and Fincantieri signed firm orders for the construction of two Seaside EVO ships for a total investment of €1.8 billion. 

MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: “MSC Seaside coming into service marks another key milestone in the history and future of our Company, but she also embodies a pivotal moment for the industry.

“In fact, she is the first ship of the fifth new prototype that we bring into service and introduces a wholly-innovative product that sets a new standard for the industry to follow. The Seaside Class of ships is designed to bring guests closer to the sea and to operate in sunny waters, while continuing to push the boundaries of maritime and guest-centric technology.”

He added: “As we are nearing the end of 2017, we can look back on a year when we enjoyed unprecedented capacity growth. With two of the more innovative new ships in the industry having come into service in the past six months and now with the addition of two Seaside EVO ships to our investment plan, we are now even better positioned to further extend our global footprint.

Salut! What a perfect place for a Prosecco @Starhotels grand Savoia Excelsior Palace #Trieste ahead of @MSC_Cruises_UK Seaside delivery @CruiseAdviser @CLIAUK pic.twitter.com/nXeIUExNZy

— Jeannine Williamson (@J9_Williamson) November 28, 2017

Art on a plate at first lunch on @MSC_Cruises_UK #MSCSeaside buon appetito! @CruiseAdviser @CLIAUK @TravWriters pic.twitter.com/uC9Jsfvqu3

— Jeannine Williamson (@J9_Williamson) November 29, 2017

“We are expecting the delivery of at least one new ship each year through 2026, with six to have come into service between 2017 and 2020. ”

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, stated: “We are proud to have accomplished such an important project: a ship, for a new customer, the largest one ever built in Italy. This demonstrates not only our ability to satisfy the needs of the shipowners, but also the extraordinary operational level which Fincantieri has achieved.

“In fact, I would like to highlight that “Seaview”, the sister ship of “Seaside”, will be delivered in just 6 months in this same shipyard”. Bono added: “we believe we have built a highly innovative ship with MSC. She marks a further technological quality leap. Such a milestone has allowed us to gain the customer’s loyalty with another order for two new ships, which will [again] represent a real evolution.”