MSC Fantasia received by MSC Cruises

‘The most beautiful ship in the world’ was today handed over to MSC Cruises at a ceremony at STX France shipyard in St Nazaire, France. The ceremony saw the lowering of the French flag and the flag of STX France and the raising of the MSC Cruises flag, along with the flags of Italy and Panama.

MSC Cruises four year old godmother, Asia Aponte granddaughter of MSC Cruises owner Gianluigi Aponte, was there at the ceremony. MSC Cruises’ CEO Pierfrancesco Vago, and Jacques Hardelay, General Manager of the shipyard, were also present.

At the ceremony, Mr Vago said: “I am particularly proud to launch this new ship, which is a revolution in the cruising world, due to the technologically advanced systems on board. Not only does MSC Fantasia stand out for her technical innovations, but also for her environmentally-friendly systems and structure.

“This ship will capture the imagination of every single guest who comes onboard, as she is a destination in herself and so beautifully designed. She features the stunning MSC Yacht Club, which introduces a new concept in luxury sailing, and our signature MSC Aurea Spa, for the ultimate in well-being.

“With so much choice of activities and entertainment on board this visually stunning ship, I am sure you will agree MSC Fantasia truly is the most beautiful ship in the world,” Mr Vago added.

MSC Fantasia will be the largest ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, with a total capacity of 3,959 passengers. The ship will also launch the lines new MSC Yacht Club, a new class of cruising, with a luxury area with 24 hour butler service and concierge service. This is the sixth ship STX France has built for MSC Cruises and will be followed by her sister ship MSC Splendida in July 2009. There will be a further three ships - MSC Magnifica, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Favolosa – by 2012, giving MSC Cruises the fastest-growing and most modern fleet in the world.

MSC Fantasia will now sail to Italy via Lisbon, Gibraltar, Alicante, Barcelona and Marseilles, to reach Naples, where her christening will take place on December 18. Following her inaugural cruise, MSC Fantasia will be home ported in Genoa sailing the Mediterranean year round.

MSC Fantasia - the most beautiful ship in the world

The wait for MSC Fantasia is nearly over. In less than 30 days time, MSC Cruises newest and most beautiful ship will be christened in a stunning ceremony in Naples on December 18. MSC Fantasia is to be christened by Sophia Loren, the icon of Italian style worldwide, who is already the godmother of five other MSC Cruises ships.

MSC Fantasia is to feature a number of exciting new elements and at 133,500 gross tonnes, 1,092 feet long, 196 feet high and 124 feet wide, she certainly has the space for them! The public areas total 290,000 square feet and include 5 swimming pools (including “I Tropici” with a retractable roof), 12 whirlpool baths and 1 Aqua Park with 150 fountains. There are five restaurants on board including La Cantina Toscana serving the finest Italian food and wines, El Sombrero Tex Mex where guests can savour the taste of tacos and margaritas and the elegant a la carte French restaurant Belle Epoque.

On top of all this there are 19 bars for guests to choose from and the L’Avanguardia theatre with 1,650 seats, a casino, disco and a virtual area with a Formula 1 simulator and a 4D cinema. There is also a children’s play area dedicated to a North Pole theme.

MSC Cruises is to introduce MSC Yacht Club on board MSC Fantasia: 99 suites, between 247 and 570 square feet, furnished as a luxurious yacht with a large lounge with breathtaking views of the sea. Personal butlers are on hand to provide the most exclusive services and guests with have access to a number of private areas.

The tenth ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, MSC Fantasia will call at Genoa after its inaugural ceremony where it will depart from on December 20 for its maiden voyage 9 day Mediterranean cruise, calling in at Rhodes, Alexandria of Egypt, Messina and Naples. MSC Fantasia will be cruising 12 day Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean cruises all through winter 2009.

MSC Cruises placed order for two new ships

MSC Cruises are once more expanding their fleet with a new order placed with Aker Yards in St. Nazair France for two Musica class ships which will be due for delivery February 2011 and February 2012.

Aker Yards have produced many of the ships currently in MSC Cruises fleet, including the most recent additions MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia and the soon to be launched MSC Fantasia and Splendida.

MSC Cruises are looking to expand their fleet by one ship a year which considering the current economic pressure is a positive move. The new ships on order with Aker Yards will be for the Musica class and are approximately 89,000 tonnes and will carry 3000 passengers. The newest ships on order with be the fifth and sixth in the class, with MSC Magnifica due to launch in 2010 the fourth.

The most recent ships to be introduced to the fleet are MSC Fantasia due to be launched in Naples in December and MSC Splendida will be launching in 2009.

MSC Cruises body shaping treatment

MSC Cruises newest addition to its fleet, MSC Fantasia, will offer treatments in its magnificent new wellbeing centre Aurea Spa that will help reshape the body under medical supervision.

MSC Fantasia is due to be christened in December 2008 in Naples and will be the largest ever European built ship. MSC Fantasia promises a new concept of cruising for MSC Cruises and will weigh 133,500 tonnes.

Aurea Spa on board MSC Cruises new MSC Fantasia ship will offer body treatments within a special area of the spa. The spa is expected to be introduced on board all of MSC Cruises ships and will be the first of its kind that carry out treatments under medical supervision.

The most current medical equipment will be used to reshape the body in the Aurea Spa and one of the procedures is The Active Press which is one of the most effective ways to combat cellulite, eliminate water retention and the heavy feeling found in limbs. This treatment will involve the client wearing specially designed leggings that create a gentle pressure on the areas that need to be treated including thighs, buttocks, calves and ankles. To enhance the drainage action, the pressure will be applied with essential oils.

Another new luxurious amenity to be found on MSC Fantasia is the MSC Yacht Club, an exclusive VIP area with 99 spacious and extravagant suites, wonderfully furnished to the highest standards, with butler service included and private communal areas.

For further information and to be book a cruise on board the upcoming MSC Fantasia visit our website.

MSC Cruises MSC Splendida float out ceremony

A momentous floating out ceremony took place yesterday at the Aker Yards in St. Nazaire, France. MSC Splendida, the newest addition to the MSC Cruises fleet, was accompanied by a fleet of 8 tugboats at 06:45 when she was floated out. The ceremony lasted about 1 hour and resulted in MSC Cruises MSC Splendida docked half a mile away where she will remain until her construction has been finished.

MSC Splendida and her sister ship MSC Fantasia will be the largest ships ever built by a European ship company. The two ships will begin a new era for MSC Cruises. Both ships will be 133,500 tonnes and able to accommodate 3,274 guests.

The introduction of MSC Yacht Club will be an exciting feature, a VIP area with 99 elegant suites, dedicated butlers and communal spaces furnished to the highest standards. MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia will also feature the Aurea Spa, four pools, 12 hydro massage pools, jazz bar, 4D interactive cinema and a children and teenagers area of 400 square metres with a pool, waterslide and disco.

The countdown to MSC Cruises MSC Fantasia launch has begun with the christening due to be held in Naples on 18 December 2008, MSC Splendida will be christened in Barcelona during summer 2009.

MSC Cruises are showing a commitment to environmental protection with the introduction of these two new ships as both will use an innovative water treatment process and energy efficient technology.

MSC Cruises newest ship MSC Fantasia

MSC Cruises are a fabulous family owned and operated Italian cruise line, that provides only the finest service and true Italian hospitality, which is reflected in their authentic Mediterranean and International cuisine. MSC Cruises are also soon to be the new owners of the largest cruise ship that has ever been built by a European ship owner with the launch of MSC Fantasia.

MSC Fantasia will be an incredible ship weighing in a 133,500 tonnes, 333 metres long and 38 metres wide. With a guest capacity of 3,000, MSC Fantasia is actually nine metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. There will be a huge array of on board amenities, with six restaurants, eleven bars, three pools (one with a retractable glass roof), children’s pool, solarium, casino, fitness centre and jogging track to mention but a few.

Fantastic cuisine comes as standard with MSC Cruises and MSC Fantasia is no exception. Experience the festive Italian atmosphere as you take a walk through the outdoor Piazza San Giorgio and then enjoy the spicy flavours of El Sombrero or the romantic sophistication of a la carte French cuisine. Take in the panoramic views and international cuisine at Il Cerchio d’Oro and for families the relaxed pizzeria is perfect.

After your gastronomic experience in one of the glorious restaurants, relax in one of the lounges, piano or wine bars, enjoy 4D cinematic movies or take in one of the world class live entertainments acts and shows. If you are looking to jazz it up a bit, hit the casino or dance the night away at the disco.

For guests looking for something a little extra special, the MSC Yacht Club takes cruising to new heights and makes guests feel like superstars. MSC Yacht Club is available in 99 suites of up to 65 sq metres and includes on board priority check in with 24 hour concierge and butler service, exclusive VIP Top Sail Lounges with sky dome allowing midnight feats under the stars, exclusive swimming pool with hydro massage and solarium, dedicated menus in MSC Fantasia’s restaurants and reserved private lifts to the lounge and spa.

MSC Fantasia is set to be launched in January 2009.