MSC Seascape christened in New York ahead of inaugural cruise season

MSC Cruises christened its new vessel MSC Seascape in a ceremony at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in New York City on Wednesday evening.

MSC Seascape is the 21st ship in the MSC fleet, and the latest in the cruise line’s Seaside class, which are specifically designed for warm weather cruising.

The naming ceremony took place in New York in recognition of the addition of the city as a new homeport in April 2023 for MSC Cruises to provide more choice to the North American market.

MSC Cruises has expanded its US embarkation ports and itineraries as part of its ongoing plans to grow market share in the world’s largest cruise market.

The christening ceremony was attended by more than 3,000 guests including VIPs, key travel partners and global media as well as top management from the entire Cruise Division of the company and its parent MSC Group.

One of the highlights of the traditional maritime ceremony was a performance from international singer-songwriter Matteo Bocelli, following his performance last month at the naming ceremony of MSC World Europa in Doha, Qatar.

International movie icon Sophia Loren reprised her long-running role as godmother to the MSC fleet by blessing the ship virtually whilst Alexa Aponte-Vago, daughter of MSC Group’s founder and executive chairman Gianluigi Aponte, performed the traditional cutting of the ribbon to officially name the ship.

“One of the highlights of the past 20 years has been to officiate the christening of MSC Cruises fleet not only because the Apontes have become like family to me but also because MSC has always occupied a special place in my heart. Let me bless the MSC Seascape, her great crew and all her passengers,” said Loren.

Following the ceremony, the guests enjoyed a gourmet gala dinner and standout performance by international Grammy Award winner singer and songwriter Ne-Yo.

At 169,400-gross tons, MSC Seascape is a similar size to MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia-class ships and will be able to accommodate up to 5,877 guests. What sets her apart in the fleet, however, is her 13,000 sqm of outdoor space.

The Seaside-class ships have been specifically designed for the temperate waters of the Mediterranean and Caribbean, with extensive outdoor promenades, ocean-facing restaurants and cafes and plenty of pool areas.

Although she’s a sister ship to MSC Seaside, Seaview and Seashore, MSC Seascape has seen nearly 70% of her public spaces completely re-designed.