During the flag-raising ceremony for the MSC Meraviglia, CEO Pierfrancesco Vago confirmed an order for two more mega-cruise ships, along with an option for two additional ships, for MSC Cruises' World Class fleet. The first ship will be delivered in 2022, and the others in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Displacing 200,000 tons and equipped with a new generation of natural gas-powered engines, as well as a new wastewater treatment system, they will also be the largest ships ever built by a European company. They will be 335 meters long and 47 meters wide, with 2,760 cabins and a capacity for 6,850 passengers.
The Y-shaped design, with an open stern, will allow for an increased proportion of cabins with balconies, and the vertical bow has been designed to improve stability, hydrodynamics, and passenger comfort. Family villas and a "glass pool lounge" have also been confirmed.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, stated: “Today, as we unveil the MSC Meraviglia, a new ship that marks the beginning of the next phase of our growth, we are delighted to confirm another key component of our ten-year investment plan: the World Class. These new ships further confirm our commitment to STX France until 2026, with up to seven additional innovative ships to be built during this period.”.
