MSC Cruises announced the first of many interesting features of its new Admiral Ship MSC Preziosa, which will be christened in Genoa, Italy, on March 23rd, 2013, before setting sail on her first Mediterranean adventures. This 13th addition to the MSC Cruises fleet, MSC Preziosa boasts the Doremi Castle Aqua Park and Vertigo, the longest water slide ever built on boat.
Doremi Castle Aqua Park, located in a prime space on deck 16, will have a pathway of water featuring sprays, fountains, water pistols and valves, each designed to splash, soak and delight in equal measures. A drenching bucket slowly fills until it spills its water on people below. Doremi Castle is the perfect place for MSC Preziosa’s smallest guests to splash on a double and single slides, since children under 47 inches (120 cm) are not permitted to ride the Vertigo waterslide.
Vertigo waterslide is over 42 feet (13 m) high and 394 feet (394 m) long, with a diameter of 3 feet (0,9 m). Riders will travel at an average speed of 20 feet (6 m) per second. The slide shoots out over the edge of the ship for 30 feet (9 m), so riders can experience “flying over water” with unobstructed views of the ocean below. Certain sections of the slide feature translucent bands of color which catch the light, creating a strobe effect as guests zip through. The maximum weight of each rider is 330 pounds (150 kg).
As a family-owned company, MSC prides itself in ensuring that there’s never a dull moment for families on board, with abundant features that appeal to children, teenagers and the young at heart.