Saturday, 16 June 2018

MSC Seaview is named in glittering ceremony in Genoa, Italy



  • The striking ship has been designed for the Mediterranean to create a very special connection between guests and the ocean
  • Godmother Sophia Loren cut the ribbon on her 13th MSC Cruises ship
  • MSC Seaview became the third MSC Cruises ship to be launched in just 12 months 
The newest addition to the ever-growing MSC Cruises fleet and new flagship MSC Seaview was christened in true MSC style in the presence of a suite of stars, VIPs, key travel partners and international media as well as top management from MSC Cruises and its parent company MSC Group. Gianluigi Aponte, MSC Group's founder and executive chairman as well as the ship owner, attended together with the Aponte and Aponte-Vago families.

The christening ceremony was hosted by Italian TV star, Michelle Hunziker who welcomed to the stage 'father of Italian blues' Zucchero Fornaciari. TV star Lorella Cuccarini hosted a special moment on stage and Italian children's choir Piccolo Coro Dell'Antoniano performed as the UNICEF ambassadors, to acknowledge the important partnership that seeks to improve the lives of children and their families in developing countries and those affected by crises. Also taking to the stage was Matteo Bocelli, son of the world-famous Andrea Bocelli.  Matteo Bocelli sang during the Officers' Parade, an important tradition to honour the crew from the ship.

Finishing off the traditional proceedings, Godmother Sophia Loren cut the ribbon to launch the bottle of champagne to name MSC Seaview.

Also present at the ceremony was Ramon Freixa, the Spanish two Michelin-starred chef who has now extended his partnership with MSC Cruises to develop his first restaurant at sea on board MSC Seaview. Pan-Asian chef Roy Yamaguchi attended his second MSC christening along with other stars such as Spanish model and actor Jon Kortajarena, Brazlian presenters and actors Giovanna Ewbank and French television personality Ariane Brodier.

Described as a game-changing cruise ship, the vision was to create something truly unique that would enable guests to enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean sea. The ship is designed to enhance the enjoyment of the open water and sunshine, specifically intended to cruise in warmer climates and to create a very special connection between guests and the ocean.

Most cruise ships are planned and engineered to offer entertainment, dining and other experiences inside the ship whilst MSC Seaview is designed to bring guests to the outside of the ship to the open decks and walkways. Featuring the highest ratio of outdoor spaces of any MSC Cruises ship every element of the ship enables guests to enjoy the outdoors in every aspect of their life on board, from cabins and suites with outdoor spaces such as terraces and balconies, eating and drinking in true Mediterranean style "al fresco" through to outdoor fitness and luxury spa cabanas in the open air.

MSC Seaview is the 15th addition to the MSC Cruises fleet and the third ship to come into service just 12 months under the Company's industry-unprecedented €10.5 billion investment plan.

MSC Seaview commenced her maiden voyage from Genoa on June 10 offering six embarkation ports in the Western Mediterranean including the popular ports of Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona as well as other much sought after Mediterranean destinations including Naples, Messina in Sicily and Valetta in Malta.