One of Royal Holiday cruise line affiliates, MSC Cruises, recently announced that they will be adding two advanced new ships to their growing fleet. On March 20, representatives from MSC signed a letter of intent with shipbuilder STX France to construct the first of an entirely new class of cruise ships featuring dramatic innovations in accommodations and technology.
Still to be named, these next-generation ships will be the largest ever contracted by a European company, and will dwarf even the immense Fantasia-class liners that currently head MSC’s fleet. They will also be the second-largest cruise ships in the world in terms of passenger capacity, with accommodations for 5,700 cruisers and over 1,500 crewmembers. Despite their great size—about 1,025 feet from bow to stern—the ships’ flexible design will allow them to visit nearly any port in the world.
MSC representatives said the ships will feature a range of upgraded options for dining and entertainment, including an amusement park/aqua park complex, expanded theater space, and a vast two-deck promenade. Cabin spaces will also be redesigned, including special accommodations for families. The luxurious MSC Yacht Club will be extended, as well, to include new private lounge and dining spaces, expansive duplex suites, and an exclusive solarium.
In addition to the many new features benefiting MSC passengers, the ships will also take advantage of advanced engineering for improved fuel efficiency and decreased ecological impact. The design incorporates cutting-edge technologies into the hull, propulsion, and exhaust systems. With these pollutant-reducing technologies in place, the new vessels will become flagships for environmental responsibility.
Construction of the two ships will begin in 2015, with delivery currently scheduled for 2017 and 2019. While the company has not yet announced what itineraries the vessels will sail, industry watchers have speculated that one will operate in the Mediterranean and the other in North America.
Wherever MSC’s newest ships end up going, passengers will be certain to enjoy all the memorable fun and relaxation that they have to offer.
