22 DEC 2017: MSC Cruises had a Christmas present for Miami in a gala naming ceremony of its newest ship on Dec. 21. Ricky Martin did a set of his most popular hits and superstar tenor Andrea Bocelli filled a new cruise terminal in Miami with song. And then Sophia Loren, as the ship’s godmother, officially named MSC Seaside.
MSC Cruises has remained a niche line for most Americans and Canadians. Until now, the Italian-based line has concentrated on Europe and South America, with only one of its 16 ships doing cruises from U.S. ports and only during the winter months.
That’s changing in dramatic fashion with the coming of MSC Seaside. One of the company’s largest ships; with a capacity of 4,138 guests, and the only one with an English name, is taking up full-time residence in Florida to do year-round Caribbean cruises.