In an ambitious move, MSC Cruises have suggested they may be tempted to sign off seven new-build ships in the next eight years. The cruise line currently has four ships on order and due to be delivered by 2019, but a statement today could see them opt to add another three ships to those orders.
In today’s MSC Sinfonia dry dock release, the cruise line revealed: MSC Cruises currently carries roughly 40,000 guests per day, but by 2022 will double its capacity to 80,000 guests a day – 3.4 million per year – once the Renaissance Program is completed and the last of seven planned ships is delivered.”
If the cruise line does go forward with the plans, it will represent a huge increase in number of ships and total capacity. Currently, MSC Cruises has 12 ships in operation, all of which entered into service for the fleet between 2003 and 2013.
The four confirmed new MSC Cruises ships are two as-yet-unnamed ships built by STX Europe, due to enter service in 2017 and 2019, and Project Seaside I and Project Seaside II, which are being built by Fincantieri and are expected to enter into service in November 2017 and November 2019 respectively.
The announcement by MSC Cruises suggests they are due to take up the options offered by STX Europe and Fincantieri. STX Europe presented MSC Cruises with the option for two additional ships when they placed the original order, and Fincantieri afforded MSC Cruises with the option for one additional ship.
Limited details have been announced about the upcoming MSC Cruises ships, except the as-yet-unnamed sisters from STX Europe are due to become the largest ships in the fleet – weighing in at 167,600 tons (just short of Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas).
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