MSC Cruises has confirmed at its coin ceremony for MSC Meraviglia it intends to build a further two ships in the Meraviglia class. The two Meraviglia-Plus next-generation ships, as the new class of vessels is called, will feature increased tonnage and overall size, with a total of 2444 cabins and a maximum LSA of 8000. The two new units will now be due for delivery respectively in October 2019 and September 2020.
Held at the STX France shipyard, the coin ceremony presented the opportunity to showcase the progress made on the work of MSC Meraviglia, which will come into service in June 2017.
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman commented: “The two Meraviglia-Plus vessels will be even larger and longer as well as richer in features and amenities, thus confirming MSC Cruises as the industry’s boldest innovator when it comes to ship design and experiences we create for our guests.”
At 331 metres long and with the addition of 200 more cabins, the two ships will feature a maximum capacity of nearly 6300 guests. They will also be able to call at a wide range of cruise ports around the world.
In another MSC Cruises industry-first, the two Meraviglia-Plus ships will feature the first and only classic and contemporary fine art museum at sea.
MSC Cruises also announced that MSC Meraviglia will be christened in Le Havre, France.
Mr Vago added: “Standing here at the STX France shipyard for the coin ceremony for the 11th time is a reflection of how strong our ties are with France, which is where all the ships of our current fleet were built. This makes MSC Cruises, when it comes to export contracts, the number one foreign private investor in France – having invested over €8 billion over the period – and one of the leading overall investors.”
“For this reason, I am proud to announce that MSC Meraviglia could not but be christened in France, in the beautiful UNESCO-listed port of Le Havre on 1 June 2017. From there, it will then set forth for its inaugural season to be spent in the Mediterranean, homeporting in another French port, Marseille.”
The two new ships will be worth €1.6 billion, thus bringing MSC Cruises’ investment for the two Meraviglia plus the two Meraviglia-Plus ships to a total of €3 billion.
Comments are closed.