Page 27 - Travel Markets Insider October 2021 Final

INSIDER

MSC Cruises to hold naming ceremony for MSC Seashore at
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas

New flagship features a revolutionary open-space retail concept

MSC Cruises’ latest flagship, MSC
Seashore, will be officially named at
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The
Bahamas on November 18, making this the
first Naming Ceremony for a cruise ship
to be held at a private island. The event
will also offer the opportunity for a formal
inauguration of Ocean Cay.
Departing Miami on November 17,
travel advisors and other invitees will be
able to get a first look at the new ship - the
newest and most innovative vessel to be
deployed out of Miami this coming season
- before she starts her inaugural 7-night
cruise and U.S. season on November 20.
Hollywood royalty Sophia Loren will
perform the important role of Godmother
as she officially names her 16th MSC
Cruises ship. The festivities will take place New brands are featured in MSC Seashore’s open space retail concept.
both on board and on the island as the ship
will remain docked throughout the night, across the cruise there is always something element of our opening. Additionally,
with a gala dinner, live entertainment and happening, excitement to be found and we have created new positions for MSC
more. discoveries to be made from both our Seashore to enhance the guest experience.”
The naming of MSC Seashore will in-house retail and entertainment teams And finally, he points out that the
see the formal inauguration of Ocean Cay working together.” MSC retail family onboard will have over
MSC Marine Reserve, which opened in Pittaway says that MSC Seashore 100 years of combined MSC experience
late 2019 and closed shortly thereafter will showcase over 200 brands across 11 between them.
due to the pandemic. The island has since boutiques. New brand launches including “This service, commitment and
gone through further work and significant IWC, Cartier, Panerai, Breitling, Acqua di passion will be clear for guests to enjoy
improvements and this is an opportunity for Parma, Anastasia, Movado are at the heart when they visit all of our stunning new
MSC Cruises to showcase the island to the of retail spaces. onboard boutiques.”
invitees on this occasion. “MSC Seashore offers our widest
The latest ship will feature a product assortment to date with increased MSC innovations
revolutionary new open-space retail offerings for families and young travelers MSC Seashore is the first Seaside
concept, which MSC Head of Retail Adrian in particular,” he added. EVO ship, an evolution and enrichment
Pittaway describes as retail concept built In addition, he says that the presence of the game-changing and pioneering
from entertainment. of the MSC Foundation and associated Seaside class designed in the style of
“We initially created a multi- retail space, where all retail revenue goes Miami beach-front condos. This class of
dimensional space that will host shows, towards sustainability projects around ship is renowned for its innovative and
retail events, promotions, spectacular the world, is an ongoing commitment to glamourous design features and is intended
moments of excitement called Times educate, inspire and support many projects to connect guests with the sea.
Square,” says Pittaway. associated with the preservation of the sea. MSC Seashore is the first cruise
“The first ever 3-deck high ‘phygital “Likewise, with our MSC Cruises ship in the world to feature a new air
retailtainment’ space at sea, Times Square own brand, we have developed a set of sanitation system developed by Fincantieri.
is built around a set of open, connected principles and expectations for all new ‘Safe Air’, uses UV-C lamp technology
retail spaces which are 75% larger than products to reflect materials, sourcing and eliminating 99% of viruses and bacteria to
onboard MSC Seaside, and we used a product innovation. guarantee clean and safe air for guests and
large amount of this extra space to create “This change is now at the heart of crew. 100% fresh air is used on board and
spacious shopping and entertainment our buying and selling strategies to reflect there is no recirculation of air.
spaces that are seamlessly connected and the sustainability goals of the company,” MSC Seashore will become the third
presented with an innovatively created he says. MSC Cruises ship based in the U.S. When
strategy. MSC Seashore will be truly a service- MSC Seashore arrives, MSC Meraviglia
“Each shop contains demonstration based retail offering, says Pittaway. will move to Port Canaveral for the rest of
areas, presentation spaces, natural light, “We passionately believe that ‘people the season and MSC Divina will move to
stunning sea views and interactive buy people’ and the human power of our PortMiami.
moments so that during each day and night retail spaces is the single most important
27 October 2021