MSC Cruises has celebrated a major construction milestone for its new Seaside Evo-class cruise ship MSC Seashore, as she was floated out at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

She is the first of two Seaside Evo-class ships with newly designed public spaces, more cabins and the highest ratio of outdoor space per guest of any ship in the company’s fleet.

MSC Seashore is a sister ship to MSC Seaside and Seaview, but 65% of her has been enhanced

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While based on the same design as MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview, 65% of the ship has been enhanced, according to MSC Cruises, which says the float out is a sign of its commitment to its newbuild program despite the pandemic.

“We are committed to our newbuild program, which with each new class of ships sees us innovating and setting new standards in the industry,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises.

“MSC Seashore will in fact be the largest and most innovative cruise vessel ever built in Italy, featuring the latest and most advanced environmental technology currently available,” he added. “She will also be one of two new ships for which we will receive delivery in 2021, thus underlying our belief in the long-term growth prospects of the sector.”

The float out comes as MSC Cruises returns to service in a limited capacity in the Mediterranean, which Vago said was further evidence of MSC confidence in the viability of the cruise industry.

“The float out has always been one of the most satisfying moments for those involved in the construction of a ship,” said Giuseppe Bono, CEO, Fincanti. “It is also the occasion to further strengthen everyone’s commitment, because when the ship touches the sea a lot of work has already been done, but much more still lies ahead.”

MSC Seashore will now be moved to a wet dock for final fit out and finishing

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“This applies even more to MSC Seashore, which will become the new flagship of MSC Cruises: a record-breaking ship, that focuses on innovation, technology and design, and emphasizing the Fincantieri leadership,” he added.

MSC Seashore will be the cruise line’s longest ship at 339-metres and the largest and most innovative ever built in Italy, but she won’t be MSC’s largest cruise ship, a distinction that still belongs to MSC Grandiosa, until MSC World Europa is launched.

MSC Seashore has now been moved to a wet dock where final fit out will take place ahead of her delivery in July, 2021.

In summer 2021, all three Seaside class ships are scheduled to be deployed together in the Western Mediterranean if regulations around the coronavirus pandemic allow.

The MSC Seashore will offer the popular Six Pearls itinerary calling at the Italian cities of Genoa and, for visits to Pompeii, Naples; as well as Messina, Sicily; Valletta, Malta; Barcelona, Spain and Marseille, France.

MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview will cruise the popular 7-night itineraries in the West Mediterranean, homeporting in Genoa.