Fincantieri has officially delivered MSC Seaside to MSC Cruises at its yard in Monfalcone, Italy.
The 153,516WT MSC Seaside, which can host up to 5,179 guests, is the first in the Seaside Class for the world's largest privately-owned cruise line and will be christened in Miami, USA on December 21 before embarking on a series of Caribbean sailings.
Her sister, MSC Seaview, will be christened in Civitavecchia, Italy on June 2, 2018.
Fincantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono said the MSC Seaside was the largest ship ever built in Italy.
MSC Seaview is the second MSC Cruises newbuild to enter service in 2017 – MSC Meraviglia entered service in May.
MSC Cruises' Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said MSC Cruises was expecting the delivery of at least one new ship each year until 2026, with six to come into service between 2017 and 2020, in a €10.5 billion (US$12.4 billion) investment.