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Cruise: Miami, Montreal

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MSC Cruises’ First ‘Seaside’ Class Ship to Sail from PortMiami

MSC Cruises announced March 17 that the first of its next generation "Seaside" class will be named MSC Seaside and sail year-round Caribbean itineraries from PortMiami beginning in December 2017.

Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the 154,000 ton MSC Seaside will accommodate up to 5,170 passengers plus 1,413 crewmembers, with a length of 1,060 feet and beam of 135 feet.

"MSC Seaside is part of MSC Cruises’ $5.3 billion fleet expansion plan that will allow the company to double its capacity by 2022," said Gianni Onorato, the cruise line’s CEO. "Today is a very exciting day for the company as this is the first major announcement related to the company’s new models builds and demonstrates our enthusiasm and long-term commitment to continuing to expand our presence in North America. We are thrilled to continue our long-term relationship with PortMiami." 

"PortMiami welcomed MSC Cruises in November 2013, when the MSC Divina made her debut and became the line’s first ship dedicated to North America," said PortMiami Director and CEO Juan M. Kuryla, PPM®. "We are extremely proud to be the homeport of MSC Cruises’ first Seaside-class vessel. We are thankful to MSC Cruises for entrusting PortMiami with their innovative cruise ships, and we look forward to our continued long-term partnership."

PortMiami plans to welcome MSC Seaside with a dedicated berth and newly renovated cruise ship terminal.

Port of Montreal Receives Cruise Award

The Port of Montreal's cruise operations have again singled out for recognition by Cruise Insight magazine.  This time, the port received the Best Turnaround Destination award, during the Seatrade Cruise Shipping international convention and trade show in Miami.

This award recognizes cruise destinations around the world that offer disembarking and boarding passengers a superior welcome.

It is the 11th award the port has received from Cruise Insight since 2008. It received the Most Efficient Port Services award in 2013, Most Responsive Port in 2012, Most Efficient Terminal Operator in 2011, and 2012 and Best Turnaround Port Operations in 2008, 2009 and 2011.

"This award confirms Montreal's importance as a destination of choice for cruise passengers while drawing attention to the efforts of our personnel and our Montreal Cruise Committee partners, who are the keys to success in the steady expansion of the cruise market," stated Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority.

Montreal's cruise market has flourished in recent years, and continued growth is projected. In 2014, the port welcomed a record 71,044 passengers and crew members and is expecting more than 90,000 in the 2015 season, which begins May 7 and runs through Oct. 29.

To accommodate continued growth, the port authority is spearheading an extensive project to restore Alexandra Pier and Iberville Passenger Terminal. It is currently working to complete financial arrangements.

Information on the arrivals and departures of cruise ships is available at www.port-montreal.com/en/cruise-vessels-schedule.html.
 

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