Valletta Cruise Port has welcomed MSC Cruises’ latest flagship and its third next-generation mega cruise ship to enter into service in 12 months, the MSC Seaview.
The MSC Seaview, a ship bearing a Maltese flag registration, was named last week and is currently on its inaugural voyage.
In honor of the maiden call, a special event was held on board the 5,331-guest ship, where Prime Minister Joseph Muscat highlighted the significant collaboration between Malta and MSC: “Thanks to MSC we will see more guests visiting our Islands, where in 2018, MSC ships will be entering port over 70 times with nearly 300,000 passengers.”
“We are proud to welcome MSC Seaview on her maiden call to Valletta Cruise Port, and to be welcoming her on 22 other occasions in our scenic historic port, throughout her inaugural season in the Mediterranean this summer,” commented Valletta Cruise Port’s CEO and Global Ports Holding COO, Stephen Xuereb. “In the last five years we have hosted over 880,000 passenger movements in Valletta sailing on MSC vessels.”
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman, added, “Malta has always been important to us and we have been partners for many years. Our first cruise ship to call here was the Melody, back in the late '90s. Today, MSC Seaview, a next-generation cruise ship like no other, featuring some of the best and most innovative maritime and environmental technology at sea, will be calling Malta regularly in 2018.”
He continued, “Moreover, MSC Seaview will be our third ship to fly the Maltese flag. . . Today, MSC Seaview has for the first time arrived home, in her port of registry and many others ships will follow. All cruise ships that we have on order will also be registered here. In Malta we have found a home for our new fleet.”