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 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 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 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.