MSC Cruises signed a contract with Fincantieri for the construction of two new cruise ships, with an option for another, who will join the MSC Cruises fleet, which currently comprises 12 vessels.

The signing took place at Palazzo Chigi in Rome between MSC Cruises and Fincantieri, in the presence of the Executive Director of MSC Cruises Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises, Gianni Onorato, as well as the CEO of Fincantieri, Giuseppe Bono.

The new prototype "Seaside" will be called and will be the largest cruise ship ever built by Fincantieri.

The two new ships will cost 700 million euros each, and will be funded with the support of financial and insurance company SACE. The two ships will be delivered to the company Gianluigi Aponte at different times:. The first in November 2017 and the second in May 2018 with a length of 323 meters, width of 41 meters and 70 meters high, the new ships will 154 thousand gross tons and capacity for 5,300 passengers and over 1,413 crew. Vessels present 2,070 passenger cabins, 759 cabins for crew members and 43,500 square meters of public areas available. Innovative in design and versatility, these new ships will be able to dock at any port in the world.

The prototype Seaside offers features such as a promenade at sea level, which goes around the entire ship with outdoor spaces, shops and restaurants. In addition, the ship will also feature a theater, a balcony with terrace and panoramic elevators overlooking the sea.