MSC Fleet Expansion

MSC Cruises continued fleet expansion ensures they will have one of the world’s most modern fleets with a total of 12 ships by 2010. The construction of four new ships progress at a rapid pace at Akers Yard in St. Nazair, France.

Technical float outs have recently been completed for the MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica. This encompasses a complex technical transfer to new basins where the construction of the ships will continue. The basins were filled with water and then the ships were transferred by a system of cables to their final position.

MSC Splendida will be the sister ship to MSC Fantasia, which is due to launch in December this year. The new ships will be the largest ever built by a European ship owner and each will weigh 133,500 tonnes, offering a new concept for cruising with a reserved VIP area and a 24 hour butler service. MSC Splendida will be delivered in June 2009.

The fourth ship in the Musica class is the MSC Magnifica which will be the twelfth vessel in the MSC Cruises fleet. Built in the same style as the other three ships in this class, she will have 1,275 cabins, 80% will be external cabins and 65% of these will have a balcony, plus 22,000 square metres of public space. MSC Magnifica will be joining the fleet in 2010.

MSC Poesia is one of the two further ships which are currently under constructed at St. Nazaire, France. The third ship in the Musica class will be delivered on 2 April 2008 and is to have a spectacular pier-side christening event in Dover on 5 April 2008. To celebrate the launch MSC have launched a special ‘Christening Countdown’ promotion which offers a free one category upgrade if booked before the christening.

Also under construction is MSC Fantasia, the first of the large ships to be delivered, boasting a new VIP area – the “MSC Yacht Club”. She will be delivered and then christened at an impressive ceremony in Naples on 18th December 2008.