At the christening ceremony in New York City MSC Cruises welcomed MSC Seascape, the 21st cruise ship to its fleet of innovative and glamourous ships. The naming ceremony took place at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in recognition of New York becoming MSC Cruise's newest U.S. homeport in April 2023, offering wider variety of North American itineraries for guests.
At the event Godmother Sophia Loren virtually blessed MSC Seascape with the assistance of Alexa Aponte-Vago who cut the ribbon and the Master of the Vessel, Captain Francesco Di Palma.
Loren shared her wishes for the ship's good luck and commented: "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."
At the ceremony, MSC Cruises honored Sophia Loren with a video showing all the naming ceremonies of the iconic and unrivaled actresses of all time.
More than 3,000 guests attended the event, including VIPs, travel partners 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 stunning performance from international singer-songwriter Matteo Bocelli, hot on the heels of his performance at the naming ceremony for MSC World Europa last month in Doha, Qatar.
"As the first MSC Cruises ship to be named in New York City, MSC Seascape represents a pivotal moment for the brand as we commit to further growing our presence in North America. Our latest flagship will serve as a great representation for all that we stand for at MSC Cruises, including sustainability, ground-breaking technology and modern design combined with an immersive and enriching guest experience delivered with European flair. Our guests will enjoy all of these wonderful amenities when she begins her sailings from Miami after the naming ceremony," said Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said.
