MSC Cruises has revealed that MSC Seashore will be officially named at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas on Nov. 18, making this the first Naming Ceremony for a cruise ship to be held at a private island. Departing Miami on Nov. 17, invitees will be able to get a first look at the new ship before she starts her inaugural 7-night cruise and U.S. season on November 20.
As with every new MSC Cruises ship, Hollywood star Sophia Loren will perform the important role of Godmother as she officially names her 16th MSC Cruises ship. The festivities will take place both on board and on the island as the ship will remain docked throughout the night, with a gala dinner, live entertainment and more.
The naming of MSC Seashore will see the formal inauguration of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which opened in late 2019 and closed shortly thereafter due to the pandemic. The island has since gone through further work and significant improvements.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to launch our newest ship in Miami and celebrate it’s naming in Ocean Cay, as a further demonstration of our commitment to and investment in the U.S. market. Not only have we expanded our footprint in Florida by now offering two homeports with PortMiami and Port Canaveral to make our cruises even more accessible, but we’re also elevating the U.S. guest experience by bringing some of our best and most innovative ships for our North American guests,” said president of MSC Cruises USA, Ruben Rodriguez in a press statement. “It is also no coincidence that Ocean Cay will be central to our celebrations next month. We can’t wait for more guests to see firsthand what makes the island so special.”
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve opened at the end of 2019 and the former industrial sand extraction site was restored to a an island with a 64-sq. mile marine reserve. This private island destination exists in harmony with the local ecosystem and is founded on a strong commitment to the restoration of marine resources and the ongoing conservation of existing marine life, including habitats and species present in the area.
This includes the restoration of endangered corals, and the implementation of other conservation and educational programs.
All MSC Cruises ships out of Miami and Port Canaveral call at Ocean Cay and often remain at the island until late in the evening or overnight, giving guests plenty of time to discover everything that the island has to offer.
During the day there are plenty of ways to make the most of the island, guests can relax on the beach in a private cabana or indulge in a treatment at the spa, try some watersports or other activities as part of the shore excursions program, browse the shops or spend time in the different bars and food venues around the island. As the ships dock directly at the island, guests can easily go back on board at their leisure and come back in the evening to enjoy the nighttime festivities that include a beach party with a DJ as well as a traditional junkanoo parade topped off by a light show from the Lighthouse.
MSC Seashore
MSC Seashore is the first Seaside EVO ship and is designed in the style of Miami beach-front condos. MSC Seashore offers a host of brand-new features, venues and experiences for guests as 65 percent of the public areas have been reimagined. The ship offers 140,000 sq. ft. of outdoor space (the most of any ship in the fleet) with a whole host of ways to enjoy the outer decks whether lounging by a pool, sipping on a cocktail in one of the bars or simply sitting on the balcony of the cabin.
Some of the key highlights include:
- The largest MSC Yacht Club – the all-inclusive ‘ship within a ship’ premium concept
- Five specialty restaurants housed in the Chef’s Court on deck 8 with two bars for pre- and post-dinner cocktails plus al fresco dining for The Butcher’s Cut
- A brand-new lounge, Cabaret Rouge, spanning two decks with panoramic views of the sea, offering new entertainment experiences
- Six pools with an enlarged indoor pool, a new interactive waterpark and a new aft Infinity Pool
- The exclusive Top 19 Solarium with an outdoor lounge area and bar for Aurea guests
- A 12,215-sq.-ft. casino with 182 slot machines, 12 tables and the latest gaming technology
- Times Square with an LED wall spanning four decks with a projection of this iconic Manhattan attraction. Dueling pianos bring the area to life, playing popular hits as guests join in the countdown to watch a New Year’s Eve-inspired ball drop spanning a different decade every night
MSC Seashore is the first cruise ship in the world to feature a new air sanitation system developed by Fincantieri. ‘Safe Air’, uses UV-C lamp technology eliminating 99 percent of viruses and bacteria to guarantee clean and safe air for guests and crew. In addition, 100 percent fresh air is used on board and there is no recirculation of air.
MSC Seashore is offering a range of different length cruises from mini cruises, regular 7-night sailings through to longer cruises of 8-night and 11-nights. New for this season is Port Canaveral where MSC Divina began operating in September. This new homeport is close to popular attractions and major cities like Orlando, Tampa and South Florida. When MSC Seashore arrives, MSC Meraviglia will move to Port Canaveral for the rest of the season and MSC Divina will move to PortMiami.
For summer 2022, MSC Seashore will remain in Miami offering cruises for summer 2022, along with MSC Divina out of Port Canaveral.
Health & Safety Protocol
Over the last 12 months, MSC Cruises has implemented an industry leading health and safety protocol across the fleet and this continues to protect the wellbeing of the guests, crew and communities that the ships visit. For the cruises from PortMiami and Port Canaveral, all guests 12 years and above need to be fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine. Residents of the U.S need to provide proof of a negative antigen or RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours of their cruise departure, while non-residents of the U.S will need a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of their cruise departure. All guests aged from 2 to 11 years will need to provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of their cruise departure.
For more information, visit msccruisesusa.com.
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