NEWS: The 5,700-passenger MSC Meraviglia was floated out for the next stage of its construction and more details reveal many fun virtual-reality features such as a flight simulator, two F1 race car simulators, a 5D cinema, augmented reality mirrors to try on clothes and more thanks to a partnership with Samsung.
Passengers on the MSC Meriviglia can use Near Field Communication (NFC) technology on their cruise card, smart bracelet or phone to know where their children are located, access their cabins or pay for items on board.
Guests can book excursions, shows and restaurants via 300 interactive screens located in different public areas. Through iBeacon technology, they can also receive information and offers to their mobile devices.
When shopping on MSC Meraviglia, guests can use the augmented reality mirrors to see how they would look in different clothes in 3D, without having to try anything on.
A tech first is the 315 foot Mediterranean-style promenade which features a 262-foot LED light dome – the world’s largest at sea.
The screen will be used to create light shows 24-hours a day while the promenade features pre-dinner parades.
One of the highlights on board the MSC Meriviglia will be the Cirque du Soleil show, which will be performed in the ship’s Carousel Lounge. The custom-designed performance space will feature a 180-degree circular glass wall that’s fitted with high-tech equipment. Â Guests can even enjoy dinner as they watch the performance.
There’s also a 10,760-square-foot theatre venue that hosts six different shows with three performances a day.
A TV studio will be used for broadcasts of games and talent shows. The same space is also used for karaoke and guests can record and purchase a copy of their performance.
The ship  has 10 different types of cabins to choose from. For those wanting luxury, the Yacht Club will have 78 suites, 15 inside cabins and two apartments available to choose from, all including 24-hour butler service. The apartments feature two balconies with enough room for a dining table and private whirlpool.  Guests will also have access to a private lounge and pool, as well as a private elevator accessing the exclusive yacht club massage and treatment room in the spa area.
Aside from the private pool in the Yacht Club, MSC Meraviglia has three pools available to all guests. The 82-foot long South Beach-inspired main pool, a smaller 33-foot indoor pool, with a sliding glass roof, and the aft pool on deck 16 which offers views from the front of the ship, and can be transformed into a dance area at night.
At the Aqua Park, the Himalayan Bridge is suspended 200 feet above the water. There are also three water slides.
Dining options include 12 different venues such as a teppanyaki restaurant, sushi bar, American-style steakhouse, and a branch of the Italian chain Eataly. The café on the promenade is open 24-hours a day and the main buffet features a variety of cuisines.
MSC Meraviglia is scheduled for delivery in June 2017. It is the first of a brand new class of ships. The second in the series will debut in early 2019 with a pair of larger “Meraviglia Plus” vessels coming in late 2019 and 2020.
At the time of her debut in 2017, MSC Meraviglia is expected to be the seventh largest cruise ship in the world. It will sail seven-night Mediterranean itineraries from Genoa, Italy starting on June 11, 2017.
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