MSC Cruises has begun work on its new fleet of “megaships” this week, marking the occasion with celebratory steel-cutting ceremony at the STX France Shipyard in Saint-Nazaire.
The cruise line have began work on the newly-named MSC Meraviglia – one of four potential new Vista-class ships that MSC is developing as part of a US$5.4 billion fleet expansion programme.
Once complete, MSC’s latest vessel will be one of the largest of its kind, weighing 167,600 tonnes and carrying 4,500 passengers. Meraviglia is set for delivery in May 2017, with bookings for its initial sailings being taken from June this year. The ship will spend its first season in the western Mediterranean, where it will have three homeports: Marseille, Genoa and Barcelona.
Key features of the vessel, as well as further Vista-class ships in MSC’s fleet, will include “cluster cabins” specifically designed for families; luxury duplex suites; on board amusement and water parks; and three-deck interior promenades.
Vista-class vessels will be equipped with state-of-the-art technologies too, including location tracking that will allow parents to locate their children using their smartphone or cruise card, as well as 480m2 LEDs that will form the promenade’s ceiling.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC, said: “This steel-cutting event marks a decisive milestone in the company’s development plan, one that will see MSC Cruises double its capacity by 2022 through up to seven new ships and a US$5.4bn investment plan.”
“MSC Meraviglia will be one of the greenest and safest ships in the industry, as well as one of the most technologically advanced. We are thrilled that in just a few weeks guests can start booking this truly remarkable ship, which will bring cruise travellers to the most exciting destinations around the world in outstanding comfort and style.”
An identical Vista-class ship will be launched in 2019, whilst two further Vista-class ships are expected by 2022.
Images sourced via Flickr Creative Commons and Pinterest. Credits: Gary Bembridge, Lego Gizmodo
