Today MSC Cruises and Fincantieri marked a key milestone in the building of MSC Seaview with the celebration of the coin ceremony for the MSC Seaview.

The coin ceremony takes place when a ship’s keel is laid, at the early stages of its construction. Tradition dictates that two long-standing employees representing the shipyard and the ship owner act as godmothers for the ceremony, placing two coins under the new ship’s keel block as a sign of blessing and good fortune.

Today Michela Bullo, from Fincantieri, and Loredana Giammusso, from MSC Cruises had the honor of performing this task.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman commented: “MSC Seaview is one of the four MSC Cruises’ ships currently under construction, as part of an industry-unprecedented ten-year, €9 billion investment plan that underpins the next phase of our global growth as the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line. She will also be a reflection of our unique and ongoing commitment to each time bringing to market the most innovatively conceived cruise ships, as the Seaside generation of MSC Cruises ships – of which MSC Seaview is part – introduces yet another game-changing prototype.”

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, said: “We always celebrate every stage of progress of this project with satisfaction. The MSC Seaview order, as the one for its sister ship MSC Seaside, which was floated out in November 2016, is one of those which has allowed the crucial relaunch of the cruise market. Our group has shown to fully match this important opportunity, which has helped to make Fincantieri the acknowledged leader in this industry, both in terms of volume and product diversification.”

MSC Seaview will come into service in June 2018, sailing the Western Mediterranean in her inaugural summer season. She will then continue her deployment in Brazil.

Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises Chief Executive Officer added: “MSC Seaview will bring guests and the sea closer to each other, with a pioneering beach condo concept and other unique design and product elements that allow to make the most of the warmer weather. With one of the highest ratios of outdoor spaces at sea, guests will also enjoy an increased number of balcony cabins, sea views and outdoor public areas, with every element carefully planned to allow to make the most of the sea and the sunshine.”