- Largest cruise ship in the world touches water for first time
- Two Irish agents among 100 from around the world
- Rebecca Kelly and Antonio Paradiso host the trade
MSC Bellissima is to be the name of its second Meraviglia-class ship, the cruise line revealed at the float out of Meraviglia, at the STX France shipyard in Saint Nazaire.
The ceremony marked the start of the final phase of construction of 5,714-passenger MSC Meraviglia. The ship will be the largest afloat when it launches in June 2017.
The MSC chairman made a short presentation, turned the wheel and the flooding of the dry dock began.
MSC hosted 100 agents from around the world at the event, including two from Ireland. Rebecca Kelly and Antonio Paradiso, MD for Britain and Ireland led agents through what will be the Promenade complete with changing roof, basketball arena, waterpark and future theatre for Cirque du Soleil.
Agents had an early start with a 6am departure by boat out onto the Loire river to watch MSC Meraviglia leave her dock for the first time ever on her float out. With the aid of seven tug boats she did a slow 360 degree turn before going back into dock to commence phase 2
Additional details were revealed of what passengers can expect onboard MSC Meraviglia:
- 2,244 cabins in 14 different types, 75 percent with balconies.
- Twenty bars and lounges and 12 dining options,
- Butcher’s Cut American steakhouse,
- a chocolate “atelier” and creperie by award-winning pastry chef Jean Philippe Maury;
- Kaito Sushi and Kaito Teppanyaki;
- a buffet restaurant that will be open 20 hours a day.
- Four swimming pools including the 25-metre atmosphere pool, the 10-metre indoor Bamboo pool and the Horizon pool at the back of the ship offering the most generous poolside space at sea.
- A dedicated Aqua Park, featuring the Champagne Bowl high-speed water slide and a Himalayan Bridge, spanning the width of the deck.
- Twelve weekly Cirque du Soleil shows in the purpose-built Carousel Lounge, which can accommodate 120 passengers for dinner, plus an additional 290 seated passengers for drinks.
- A 985-seat Broadway Theatre and 1,100-square-metre Balinese spa.
Gianni Onorato Chief Executive Officer of MSC Cruises said, “MSC Bellissima is a name that embodies the beauty and the magnificence of this entire next generation of MSC Cruises ultramodern mega-ships, so rich with new features and amenities for guests of all ages and interests. We are so pleased to be able to make this announcement on the very day that her sister ship, MSC Meraviglia, is touched for the first time by water, a moment that symbolises the real ‘birth’ of a ship.”
