One of the largest cruise ships to ever dock in Manhattan has arrived at its berth next to the Intrepid, ahead of a naming ceremony Wednesday evening. With the customary breaking of a bottle of champagne against her hull, MSC Seascape will be named by Hollywood legend Sophia Loren, who is “Godmother” to several MSC cruise ships.
MSC Seascape is the first of the company’s vessels to be named in New York. She arrived yesterday from the Italian shipyard where she was built, following a 17-day Transatlantic crossing. It’s just a fleeting visit to the neighborhood though — because after her naming ceremony, the 170,000 gross ton ship will head down to Miami to begin a year-round schedule of seven-night Caribbean cruises.
Featuring the latest in environmental-friendly technologies and solutions, the vessel can welcome up to 5,877 guests in 2,270 cabins, and boasts an impressive roster of eye-catching amenities, including staircases encrusted with Swarovski crystals; a Robotron amusement ride — a state-of-the-art robotic arm attached to a gondola with seating for three people, flying 53m above the sea, accompanied by a personalized DJ music experience; 11 restaurants and 19 bars and lounges; and six swimming pools.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division of MSC Group, told CruiseHive: “We are particularly pleased to celebrate this momentous milestone in New York City, which holds a special place in our Group’s history.
“We could not think of a better way of celebrating such a significant milestone than holding MSC Seascape’s – our latest flagship – naming ceremony in this wonderful city that has been an important hub for MSC Group for over three decades.”