MSC Cruises announced today that cabins for the inaugural summer 2017 cruises of MSC Meraviglia, its first next generation of ship, are now on sale.

Sales of cruises on this ground-breaking, 315m-long ship will initially be open exclusively to MSC Club members, with the ship going on general sale on July 5.

MSC Meraviglia will be the biggest and most innovative cruise ship ever built by a global European-based cruise line. The cutting-edge 5,700-guest, 167,600-GRT ship — due to be delivered in May 2017—will spend its first summer sailing the western Mediterranean and will be the first to have three homeports: Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona. Ideally designed for all seasons, MSC Meraviglia will be able to call at any cruise port in the world, allowing guests from more than 150 countries to explore some of the world’s most beautiful destinations.

On board, guests will be able to access a whole range of facilities via the latest Near Field Communication technology. By using NFC wristbands, cruise cards or their smartphone, guests will be able to make payments, book spa treatments and speciality restaurants, access their cabin and safe, and even geo-locate their children.

The sales announcement came as MSC Cruises celebrated another milestone event – the start of building of its new ‘Seaside-class’ ship MSC Seaside, which was marked with an official steel-cutting ceremony at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

The ship is set to debut in November 2017, and will be christened the following month in Miami – the first time an MSC Cruises’ ship is christened in the USA. In addition, MSC Cruises’ Miami-based cruise operations – with the addition of MSC Divina in Autumn 2015 – will benefit from a newly renovated dedicated berth and terminal at Port Miami, further signifying the Company’s strong ambitions in the North American market.

Large, spacious and designed for the utmost comfort, MSC Seaside will benefit from leading-edge technology while boasting a 360° seafront promenade. In addition, the ship will be characterised by the most interactive and originally-designed aqua park at sea with five water slides and attractions for all ages.

The ship will feature cluster cabins for families and groups and luxury suites with private whirlpool baths. MSC Seaside will also boast an enhanced MSC Yacht Club with private sun-deck, lounge and pool. The public spaces of the ship will feature breath-taking views with a two-deck glass-walled atrium, panoramic exterior lifts and a wide choice of indoor/outdoor dining and bars and beautifully designed entertainment spaces.

View the itineraries on the MSC Cruises website.

Info courtesy of MSC Cruises.