It will be available for purchase starting in June 2015 and will be based in Barcelona.
The work begun today is part of a $5.1 billion investment plan to build seven new ships, which will double the fleet's capacity by 2022.
MSC Cruises, the world's largest privately owned cruise company and a leader in the Mediterranean, South America and South Africa, today reached a milestone in its €5.1 billion growth plan with the first cutting of steel that will be used to build the new generation of "Vista" mega-ships at the STX France shipyards during a ceremony held in Saint-Nazaire.
At the aforementioned celebration, MSC Cruises CEO Pierfrancesco Vago announced to the press and dignitaries present that the state-of-the-art ship, to be delivered in May 2017, will be christened MSC Meraviglia and will go on sale from June 2015. The vessel, with a capacity for 5,700 passengers and a tonnage of 167,600 GRT, will spend its first summer sailing itineraries in the Western Mediterranean and will be the first to have three home ports: Genoa, Marseille, and Barcelona.
“MSC Meraviglia will be the largest and most innovative cruise ship ever commissioned by a global cruise company based in Europe,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises. “We chose this name to reflect the sense of awe and wonder that travelers are expected to feel when they experience firsthand all the amazing features that only an MSC Cruises ship, with its unique Mediterranean style, can offer. MSC Meraviglia combines the deep industry knowledge and expertise of MSC Cruises, a young company built on a foundation of 300 years of sailing experience, with the knowledge of one of the world’s most cutting-edge shipyards. Today, the construction of a true maritime marvel begins.”
STX France Managing Director Laurent Castaingadded: “Since March 2014, more than 400 members of our various teams have been working tirelessly to define the special characteristics of a ship that I am sure will be a benchmark for its generation. This extraordinary project highlights MSC Cruises’ visionary approach, and we are proud to be able to collaborate with them by making our capabilities and expertise available to them.”
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, highlighted: “The steel-cutting ceremony marks a decisive milestone in the company’s development plan, which will enable MSC Cruises to double its capacity by 2022 with the addition of up to seven new ships and an investment of €5.1 billion.”
He added: “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 to be able to offer our customers the opportunity to start booking their voyages on board this truly exceptional vessel in just a few weeks, allowing them to visit the most fascinating destinations around the world while enjoying extraordinary comfort and style.”
Designed to offer unparalleled agility, MSC Meraviglia and the other ships in the Vista project will be perfectly capable of docking at any port in the world, so passengers from all over the planet will be able to explore the best destinations aboard one of MSC Cruises' most cutting-edge ships.
Among the ship's numerous and varied features, highlights include "cluster" cabins specially designed for families and a larger MSC Yacht Club, the ship's most luxurious area. This completely independent space, located at the bow, will feature upgrades such as two-story suites, a spacious sun deck, a lounge , and a private restaurant. The new models will offer extraordinary amenities that will make them the ideal destination for both summer and winter cruises, including a wide range of dining and entertainment options, impressive panoramic spaces, a large theater, and a spectacular theme park connected to an outdoor water park, as well as two indoor promenades located on three different decks.
MSC Meraviglia will be equipped with numerous technological advancements, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), which will allow passengers to make onboard payments, access their cabins, and geolocate their children using their cruise card, wristband, or smartphone. Another stunning design feature will be the ship's interior promenade, which will boast a 480m² LED ceiling.Like a digital sky, this dome of LED lights will project captivating images and views day and night—including programmed visual events—creating powerful and varied atmospheres at all times.
MSC Meraviglia is the first of two identical ships ordered from STX France, the second of which will enter service in 2019. In addition, MSC Cruises has an option for two more units of the “Vista” project that should be delivered in 2022.
The “Vista” project is the result of a lengthy development process within STX’s ECORIZON® program to create cleaner, smarter, and more efficient ships. The new vessels will be emission-free, and their hull and propulsion system will be optimized for improved energy efficiency. The installation of purification systems will neutralize fumes and CO2 emissionsto comply with the latest international maritime regulations. Furthermore, the ship fully meets the Safe Return to Port.
MSC Cruises, which has grown by 800% in terms of onboard capacity since 2004, carried 1.67 million guests in 2014 and generated revenue of €1.5 billion. In 2015, MSC Cruises expects to grow by another 10%.
Meanwhile, MSC Cruises also recently announced that the first ship in its new generation of “Seaside” cruise ships—scheduled to debut in November 2017—will be named MSC Seaside. The ship will sail year-round in the Caribbean, departing from Miami. Furthermore, the company also revealed that its Miami-based operations will benefit from the renovation and expansion of its berth and terminal at PortMiami, reinforcing the company's growing interest in the North American market and enabling it to offer travelers the highest quality service.
