MSC Cruises signed a contract with Fincantieri for the construction of two new cruise ships with an option for one more. The two ships will join MSC Cruises’ fleet, currently counting 12 ships.
The deal took place at the Palazzo Chigi in Rome between MSC Cruises and Fincantieri in the presence of the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, MSC Cruises executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago and CEO Gianni Onorato and Fincantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono.
"From the moment we started talking with Fincantieri, we had in mind to design and build two completely new ships, revolutionary in their structure, unlike anything that exists on the market today," said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises. "Seaside is a futuristic prototype because of its structure, shape and versatility. Working closely with Fincantieri we are getting ready for the new and compelling challenge that the construction of these ships represents. It will be a real revolution in the world’s cruise market, an excellent product for its unique and innovative architectural features and cutting-edge technology.”
The two new ships will cost $957 million each, and will be funded with the support of the insurance and financial company SACE. The two ships will be delivered to MSC Cruises, owned by Gianluigi Aponte, at different times. The first ship will be delivered in November 2017, and the second in May 2018. With a length of 1060 feet, a width of 135 feet and a height of 230 feet, the new ships will have a gross tonnage of 154,000 tons and will accommodate up to 5,300 passengers plus 1,413 crew members. The ships will have 2,070 guest cabins, 759 for crew members, and 468,230 square feet of public areas available. Innovative in design and versatility, the new ships will be able to dock in any port around the world.
The Seaside prototype has a sea-level promenade that circumnavigates the sides of the ship with outdoor spaces, shops and restaurants. In addition, Seaside will also have a theatre, a terraced balcony and panoramic lifts with sea views.
The ship will also have numerous technological innovations that will further reduce fuel consumption by 25, and advanced safety systems. The ships will sail to destinations in the Mediterranean, South America and Caribbean.
For more information, visit www.msccruisesusa.com.