What is the giant cruise ship in Newport Harbor? What to know about the MSC Meraviglia

Monday may not have been the nicest day to gaze out upon Newport Harbor, but there was an eye-catching feature that was hard to miss.

The MSC Meraviglia arrived in Newport Monday morning on its inaugural Canada and New England itinerary, marking the first time she has ever visited Rhode Island.

Complete with a variety of restaurants, shops and entertainment options, the cruise ship is the largest to come to port in Newport this year while carrying the most passengers to arrive in Newport on one vessel.

Here's a look at what to know about the MSC Meraviglia.

How big is the MSC Meraviglia

MSC Meraviglia sails from her homeport in New York City and is one of the world’s largest cruise ships at 1,036 feet long and 171,598 gross tons. The ship is 213 feet tall, with 19 decks and a capacity of more than 5,700 guests.

What types of features are included on the MSC Meraviglia

According to a press release from MSC Cruises, the following can be found on the MSC Meraviglia:

• 10 different types of staterooms to choose from, including solo cabins, popular balcony cabins, and stylish suite accommodations in the MSC Yacht Club.

• Galleria Meraviglia, a promenade lined with shops, restaurants and bars that stretches more than 315 feet and is lined with an LED sky screen.

• 20 bars and 12 restaurants, including Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Ocean Cay, HOLA! Tacos and Cantina, and Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki.

• Indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, together with one of the most intricate water parks at sea, featuring three twisting slides and an intricate ropes course – the Himalayan Bridge.

• Seven different shows in the 985-seat Broadway Theatre and the Carousel Lounge.

• The extensive MSC Aurea Spa, providing massage therapy, body treatments, facial treatments and a dedicated thermal area.

• The 6,000-square-foot gym features state-of-the-art equipment from Technogym framed with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, overlooking the main pool deck.

• Entertainment area including the MSC Formula Racer, a full-sized bowling alley with two lanes, an interactive XD cinema, a flight simulator and a video games arcade.

• Sportsplex with facilities for basketball, tennis, squash, volleyball, Pickle Ball, mini golf and five-a-side soccer.

• MSC Kids’ Club for children 0-17 years old, with dedicated areas for babies, toddlers, children and teenagers, plus the Lego Experience.

How much economic impact is the MSC Meraviglia expected to generate

According to data from Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), her new Canada & New England itineraries are expected to generate a significant economic impact for the region, including approximately $2 million in local Newport spending.

What they're saying

“MSC Meraviglia’s inaugural visit to Newport is a great milestone for MSC Cruises as we continue expanding our presence in the North American market," Rubén A. Rodríguez, president MSC Cruises USA, said in a statement. "When we launched year-round cruises from New York City, one of our goals was to allow guests to visit a wider variety of destinations, and Newport is a perfect example. The response to these itineraries has been strong, which means we’ll bring thousands of visitors to Newport this season. We look forward to continuing to work with leaders here to provide our guests with a distinctive and immersive cruising experience.”

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“This is not only the largest cruise ship to make a port call in Newport this season, but also the most guests arriving on one vessel to this city," Evan Smith, CEO and president of Discover Newport, said in a statement. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase our coastal destination, Newport, Rhode Island to the MSC Meraviglia guests and to be part of this memorable coastal Canada and New England itinerary. For our hospitality partners; retail shops, restaurants and attractions, the economic impact from this one-day visit will be significant, and a welcome boost going into the fall months.”

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: MSC Meraviglia cruise ship visits Newport Harbor, largest ever in Newport