The MSC Grandiosa is the fifth ship that MSC Cruises will receive between 2017 and 2020, four of them from the French shipyard Chantiers de l'Atlantique, and two from the Italian shipyard Fincantieri. They all correspond to three different designs: Meraviglia and Meraviglia Plus, the four French, and Seaview, the two Italian.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 51 – December 2019
Upon joining the fleet, these technological marvels each became flagship vessels of the MSC Cruises fleet, surprising everyone with their innovative design.
The MSC Grandiosa is the fifth ship in MSC Cruises' new generation: like its fleetmates, it is equipped with the latest technologies to enhance the cruise experience. The last one, the MSC Virtuosa, will be delivered in 2020.
A record-breaking construction.
On February 1, 2016, MSC Cruises ordered two Meraviglia Plus-class ships for €1.7 billion. The first was scheduled for delivery in October 2019, and the second a year later. On December 12 of that year, MSC Cruises confirmed the order to the STX France shipyard, which would later change its name to Chantiers de l'Atlantique following the crisis of its Korean parent company. The G34, as the ship is known at the shipyard, has become the 50th cruise ship built in Saint-Nazaire, following the Sovereign of the Seas, delivered in 1989, which, interestingly, will be one of its rivals next summer in the western Mediterranean, sailing from Barcelona.
MSC Cruises is the first carbon-neutral cruise line.
On November 15, 2017, construction began in Saint-Nazaire on the third largest ship ever built at that shipyard. With a revised tonnage of 181,000 GT, instead of the initially announced 177,100, it was also set to become the largest ship in the MSC Cruises fleet. During the cutting of the first steel for the G34 at STX France, PierFrancesco Vago announced that it would be named MSC Grandiosa.
In fact, the MSC Grandiosa was also built in Poland. The Crist shipyards in Gdansk delivered the complete engine room section to Chantiers de l'Atlantique in May. This section weighed 6,000 tons and measured 125 meters in length and 41 meters in beam. It arrived in Saint-Nazaire at the end of May, along with three other bow sections, including the bulbous bow, towed by the Bugsier 9. After arriving in Saint-Nazaire on May 30, this section entered construction dock B on June 16. Approximately four months later, on October 22, only eight of the ship's roughly fifty blocks remained to be assembled. Simultaneously, components are arriving on the banks of the Loire from all over the world: on April 11, 2018, the two Azipods arrived from Finland aboard a merchant ship; The lifeboats and tenders, for example, arrived from Cuxhaven (Germany) on May 31, 2019, aboard another merchant ship.
On September 25, the bow block with the four thrusters was installed, but without the bulbous bow. On October 1, 2018, the block with the two funnels was installed. On October 8, the bow fan with the stem was installed. On October 12, the block with the Carousel saloon was installed. By that day, all the panels had been cut, and cabin installation had begun two weeks prior. More than 1,000 workers were on board every day. On November 24, the ship was launched with 45 blocks. It was moved further upriver to create more space forward for the bulbous bow.
The shopping area, arranged around a central plaza, is larger than that of the MSC Bellissima. With more space, there are also more brands, including Beats, Sony, Apple, and Bose, while fashion lovers can visit Bally and Salvatore Ferragamo for the first time.
The size of the MSC Grandiosa has caused the shipyard some headaches. The funnel and mast couldn't be completed in dry dock B because the gantry crane closest to the sea wasn't tall enough. In any case, on January 5, 2019, the ship floated for the first time and was moved from the construction dock (or dry dock B) to the outfitting dock (Dock C) with the help of five tugboats from the Spanish company Boluda.
Its near-twin, MSC Bellissima, occupied dock C before its sea trials, but upon its return on December 19, 2018, it continued its outfitting in the Penhoet basin. The simultaneous presence of two MSC Cruises ships being outfitted afloat was an event that had not been repeated since 2008, when MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia were delivered just seven months apart (December 2008 and July 2009).
On July 12, 2019, the Forme C dry dock was emptied for two weeks to allow the MSC Grandiosa's hull to be cleaned and painted before its first sea trials.
The first and only sea trials took place between August 28 and 31, 2019, during which it sailed 939 nautical miles and reached a top speed of 23.4 knots. After the trials, it returned to Forme C for further outfitting.
And finally, on October 31, 2019, it was delivered to its owner by Chantiers de l'Atlantique. Following MSC Cruises' tradition, the godmother at this ceremony was a member of the family. In this case, it was Alexa Aponte, the daughter of owner Gianluigi Aponte. This date means that less than two years elapsed between the steel cutting of the MSC Grandiosa and its delivery, a true record for a ship of this size. Furthermore, this unparalleled achievement was accomplished without shortcuts, with a remarkable level of finish thanks to the collaboration between owner and shipyard, to the point that it received unanimous praise upon its delivery.
The Meraviglia-Plus. An evolution in imitation of an outstanding design.
This behemoth, 331 meters long and 43 meters wide, has approximately 2,450 cabins, with a maximum capacity of 6,334 passengers. Initially, upon its delivery in November 2019, it was intended to be the seventh largest cruise ship in the world, behind only the four sister ships of the Oasis of the Seas and Carnival Corp.'s two Helios-class ships, the AidaNova and the Costa Smeralda. However, the delay in the delivery of the latter has made it the sixth largest cruise ship afloat.
The MSC Grandiosa is the first of the Meraviglia-Plus series, which was initially planned to have only two units: the second (H34) will be delivered in November 2020 as the MSC Virtuosa, whose unfinished silhouette is already a prominent feature in the Saint-Nazaire construction dock. However, a fifth ship (V34), whose propulsion system will run on LNG, was ordered on June 14, 2018, the date on which a letter of intent was signed between MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l'Atlantique, and will be delivered in 2023.
These ships are an enlarged version of the MSC Meraviglia (E34) and the MSC Bellissima (F34), vessels measuring 316 meters in length, 171,000 GT, and with 2,246 cabins. The former was delivered in May 2017 in Saint-Nazaire (see article in CN42). The latter, the MSC Bellissima, was delivered in March 2019 (see CN48), meaning the MSC Grandiosa followed just seven months later. This feat represented a monumental undertaking for the shipyard and its partners and subcontractors.
Christening in Hamburg and Presentations Across Europe
: Following its delivery, MSC Cruises showcased the ship to key European markets. On November 1st, it arrived in Le Havre eleven hours ahead of schedule to avoid Storm Amalie, exhibiting very stable seas, where it remained until midday on November 3rd. On the 4th, it arrived in Rotterdam, and on the 6th, it reached Hamburg, where it was christened on Saturday, November 9th, sailing on the waters of the Elbe River. As always, MSC Cruises chose Sophia Loren for this event, which included a cruise on the Elbe, a light and sound show, and fireworks.
Images are projected into the digital dome 24 hours a day, along with special changing image shows scheduled three times a day.
On Sunday, November 10, the ship embarked on its first commercial cruise from Lisbon, continuing its promotional activities. All its ports of call (Southampton, Barcelona, and Genoa) included two-day stays to showcase the vessel to travel agents and specialized press from Britain, Spain, and Italy, respectively. The Lisbon stop was ultimately canceled due to a gale. The ship made its debut in Barcelona on Tuesday, November 19, and two days later in Marseille. Finally, the ship arrived in Genoa on November 22, under the command of Captain Marco Massa, becoming the largest cruise ship to call at the Ligurian capital. This tour marks the culmination of the ship's promotional activities, which began on March 18, 2018, the date on which cruise sales commenced. MSC Cruises estimated that around 14,000 travel agents would have seen the MSC Grandiosa after this tour, in the form of familiarization tours, events, awards ceremonies, etc.
On November 23, the ship embarked on its first regular Mediterranean cruise from Genoa, offering six departures before the end of the year. The itinerary includes stops in Civitavecchia, Palermo, Valletta, a full day at sea, Barcelona, Marseille, and a return to Genoa on November 30. This itinerary will continue with stops in Barcelona every Thursday until March 26, 2020.
From that rotation onwards, the MSC Grandiosa will call at Barcelona every Friday between April 3 and October 23, 2020, with an identical itinerary, except for the change of the port of call in Sicily: Messina instead of Palermo.
The MSC Meraviglia Plus
The delivery in Saint-Nazaire of the MSC Grandiosa allowed the discovery of the new flagship of MSC Cruises, the first of the series of three Meraviglia +, a 15-meter lengthened version of the MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima, which entered service in May 2017 and last February, respectively.
The MSC Grandiosa bears a striking resemblance to the first two ships in the series, although it offers some new features, such as variations in the decor and other improvements. This enlarged vessel pushes the physical limits of the prototype, as it can accommodate 400 more people without significantly increasing the installed power (and therefore fuel consumption) or the crew size.
MSC Europe's SOFC fuel cell powered by LNG would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30%.
The design is elegant, perhaps more understated than MSC Cruises' ships of a few years ago, but always marked by the brilliant touches of Jorio's Italian interior design studio. This cruise ship, like the MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima, features a grand interior promenade, the Galleria Grandiosa, whose length has increased from 96 to almost 112 meters. It is topped vertically by an LED dome that forms a vast digital screen whose projections evolve throughout the day, creating different atmospheres. This Galleria is undoubtedly the ship's central artery, the epicenter of all its activity.
Spread across two levels, the ship features several restaurants, including a French bistro, a British pub, a sushi bar, a teppanyaki restaurant, and a steakhouse, as well as bars and lounges, two shopping arcades, a television studio, and a chocolate factory run by French pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury. This promenade ends at the bow at the Comedy Theatre (Deck 6) or the Spa (Deck 7), while at the stern is the imposing atrium, adorned, like all MSC Cruises ships, with a dazzling staircase of 96 steps constructed with 61,000 Swarovski crystals.
A new addition to Galleria is the MSC Foundation shop, which showcases the work carried out by the Foundation in partnership with UNICEF, the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, and Mercy Ships. It also highlights the coral restoration efforts around the private island of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas and offers a selection of gift items related to the organization.
The Grandiosa Bar, with its gear-themed decor, is the go-to spot for theatergoers. It's always packed. The dance floor is shaped like a gear, the bar also has gears, its cubic seats are very comfortable, and so on. It shares the same central light fixture design as the Champagne Bar.
The Atrium
The atrium extends over three decks (5, 6, and 7) and includes the reception area on its lower deck, the Edge Bar on the middle deck, and the Champagne Bar on the upper deck, as well as a jewelry store, a digital photography area, etc. On the sides of decks 6 and 7, there are two large windows offering beautiful views of the sea.
The MSC Grandiosa will offer cruises from Barcelona with stops in Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Palermo and Valletta.
The Champagne Bar is decorated in shades of gray and violet, with ice as its central theme. The Edge Bar, located directly below, is decorated in shades of green and gray and serves as a meeting point for the main restaurants.
The theater, with a capacity of one thousand people, occupies two decks forward of the Galleria. Decorated in shades of blue and gray, it offers a different show each night, all comparable to anything currently playing on Madrid's Gran Vía. These include a tribute to ABBA, "Dancing Queen," and "Love Me," a version of "La Traviata." Reservations are required via the app.
The Carousel Lounge, located at the aft end of Deck 7, features a central rotating stage with a new two-meter elevator in the center, specially designed by Cirque du Soleil. It offers two shows on each cruise, created specifically for the ship. New to the MSC Grandiosa are eighty kinetic LED spheres distributed throughout the lounge to enhance perspective and depth of field for the audience. These enhancements allow Cirque du Soleil to highlight the juggling in "Cosmos – Journey to the Unbelievable" and the contortionist performance in "Exentricks," the two new shows designed specifically for the ship. This 1,200-square-meter venue maintains its capacity for 413 passengers (120 of whom can dine) and took six months to build.
To reach the Carousel Lounge, you must pass through the Casino, which involves crossing a glass bridge found on both Meraviglia and Seaview class ships. It is decorated in black and red tones, with a red carpet featuring Roman numerals, a feature also found on its predecessors. It offers ten tables to port and a multitude of slot machines.
Dining Options:
The MSC Grandiosa offers 20 bars and lounges, as well as thirteen different dining options, including the five main restaurants: Il Campo, La Perle Grise and its sister restaurant La Perla Grigia, the Purple Crab, and La Loggia aft. Dining room capacity has been increased to the limit, reducing the space between tables, which sometimes makes the waiters' work more difficult. Another new feature is the increased number of female crew members in the dining rooms (and also among the cabin staff), and not just at reception.
MSC Cruises' Yacht Club emphasizes service and treatment, not surface area.
Il Campo, the Aurea-class dining room, is located in the Galleria, on the Golden Mile. While perhaps not the most practical location for a space that isn't heavily used, its medieval-themed décor in greens, blacks, and grays creates an intimate and luxurious atmosphere. Situated on the upper level of the Galleria (deck 7), it serves the same menu as the main dining rooms. Aurea Experience passengers can make reservations at the restaurant instead of dining in one of the larger main dining rooms. It is also available to other passengers, subject to availability and on a first-come, first-served basis.
The 730-seat Loggia features a geometric décor in shades of gray and violet, its height increasing as you approach the aft windows. Also on deck 6, La Perle Gris and La Perle Grigia are arranged around a central glass wine cellar, which unfolds like a tree within both dining areas, decorated in shades of gray. Finally, Purple Crab is located on deck 5.
The buffet (which includes a mozzarella factory producing 300 kilos a day from buffalo and cow's milk) is located on deck 15, next to the swimming pools. Situated between the aft elevator block and the stern end, it features over 100 meters of counters (on each side) in a classic layout (facing inwards), offering a wide variety of dishes. It is decorated in brown tones and includes an outdoor section at the stern end.
Themed Restaurants
There are also the themed restaurants that carry a supplement: Hola Tapas Bar, by Spanish chef Ramón Freixa, which retains its layout around a central high table, with an olive tree in the background, while the size and location of the other restaurants have changed: the size of Kaito Teppanyaki is reduced (only 16 seats, plus 32 in the Sushi Bar) to port; Butcher's Cut, which was to starboard on the two Meraviglia ships, is reduced in size (58 seats) and moves to port; and the Aurea class dining room appears to starboard of the Galleria on deck 7. But the star of the paid dining on the MSC Grandiosa is, without a doubt, the 437m2 L'Atelier Bistrot, which doubles as an art gallery thanks to its collection of original Degas drawings. The first MSC Bistrot appeared on the MSC Bellissima in March 2019. In just a few months, the concept has evolved to double the size of the original, featuring a large open-plan lounge with a small stage for live music and a bar at the opposite end. This lounge surrounds the restaurant. The establishment offers the chic atmosphere of Parisian establishments, with waiters in aprons and vests, in a classic décor dominated by greens and browns.
Furthermore, its classic visor and green awnings project this atmosphere to the Galleria Grandiosa, creating a very French outdoor terrace that allows you to enjoy its entire ambiance.
shops
concentrate all the ship's boutiques in a single, 500m² space. This area retains the medieval façade of Il Campo, with its vaulted ceiling, and features Portuguese stone flooring. It houses up to twelve luxury brands, such as Bally and Salvatore Ferragamo, as well as an exclusive area dedicated to Elsewhere. Adjacent to it is the Shopping Gallery, offering a wide range of shopping options.
the
Yacht Club. This exclusive 1,200m² space, spread over three decks and located forward above the bridge, is only accessible to guests who book one of the 95 cabins and suites. It features a panoramic lounge and the Yacht Club restaurant, both enclosed behind a glass curtain wall offering spectacular views. Both spaces play with the color scheme of the carpeting and upholstery, using shades of red and gray. There is significantly more space between tables than in the main dining rooms.
A concierge desk, facing a spectacular elliptical staircase, and an outdoor solarium with a pool, jacuzzi, rental cabanas, and a bar with a grill complete the facilities. The MSC Cruises sales team emphasized the success of this concept among their clients, which explains its expansion and refinement.
Cabins:
The MSC Grandiosa has 2,421 cabins, available in numerous categories, from interior cabins to suites. The two Royal Suites, located forward, are 57m² and include two balconies with a Jacuzzi, a dressing room, and more. It also offers eight duplex suites of 59m², which feature two bathrooms, a dressing room, a spacious living room, and a balcony with a Jacuzzi. However, these are located forward, albeit on a lower deck, which makes them less impressive compared to the duplex suites of competing ships, located on upper decks. The ship offers several cabins designed for families or groups, capable of accommodating up to 12 passengers by connecting two cabins—or rather, with beds for twelve passengers, as the wardrobes haven't increased in size proportionally. These are mainly located forward and aft, with and without balconies. At the other end of the spectrum, it offers single interior cabins. The MSC Grandiosa includes sixty cabins adapted for disabled guests, across all categories. The cabins also offer an increased number of USB ports for charging mobile devices. The 1,164 standard balcony cabins are well-designed, spacious, and comfortable, with amenities such as a hairdryer and interactive television.
All cabins are equipped with the Zoe voice assistant, which answers passenger questions and provides practical information about life on board. Zoe, the first virtual personal cruise assistant, was launched on MSC Bellissima and speaks seven different languages. Seven months ago, it was clearly still under development, in the early days of Bellissima, but it has evolved by leaps and bounds on MSC Grandiosa. This time, it can answer many more questions about life on board, restaurant reservations, leisure activities, and services. Zoe and the MSC Cruises app are essential, as everything on MSC Grandiosa is booked through the app. The app isn't an option; it's a necessity. The 94 interactive screens located throughout the ship also help personalize the onboard experience.
Another improvement is the new way the elevators are operated, from an external touchscreen control where the desired floor is selected. An overhead light indicates the next available elevator, and once inside, there are no buttons for different floors.
Outdoor Areas:
The ship's upper decks house a spectacular leisure complex, enhancing the already outstanding facilities of the fleet's latest-generation vessels. On deck 16, you'll find Sportplex, an indoor multi-sports court, along with a bowling alley, two Formula 1 simulators, the Teen Club, and the Attic Club for children and teenagers, designed in collaboration with Chicco and LEGO. The 1,000m² Wild Forest Aquapark, located around the funnel, offers a variety of activities such as water slides, tree climbing, a Tibetan bridge, and more.
The outdoor spaces are arranged around a large central swimming pool with two sections, covering 1,800 square meters and accommodating 851 people. A giant screen is located at the bow, all framed by a perimeter terrace with several jacuzzis. This area is bordered at the stern by a large glass structure that houses the gym and, on deck 19, the exclusive outdoor area for Aurea Experience guests, featuring a large jacuzzi. This pool area connects aft to the buffet and forward to the indoor pool.
A second outdoor pool is located aft on deck 16, with a terraced sun deck. And another signature feature of MSC ships, the 1,000m² Safari Pool, is located forward of the main pool and recreates an African savanna.
The ship also features a 1,100m2 Spa, the Aurea Spa, which includes twenty treatment rooms, a sauna, thermal baths, complemented by a beauty salon and a barbershop for gentlemen.
The world's most environmentally friendly ship
. In technical terms, the MSC Grandiosa virtually replicates the facilities of its two Meraviglia-class predecessors. Improvements in hull efficiency, propulsion equipment, comfort features, and lighting have resulted in no increase in installed power, despite the ship being 10% larger. Laurent Castaign indicated that the use of big data had helped improve the ship's operational efficiency.
The greater length of the MSC Grandiosa is most evident in the Galleria Grandiosa, the main street full of shops, bars and restaurants and topped by a spectacular 93-meter LED dome, the largest afloat.
One of its main innovations is the SCR system for reducing nitrogen oxides. To simplify, a series of reactions take place in the SCR catalyst. Essentially, dilute urea is injected, and when it reacts with the catalyst elements and the NOx particles in the engine's exhaust gases, a 90% reduction in NOx occurs. After this reaction, the only particles emitted are nitrogen, water, and carbon dioxide (N2, H2O, and some CO2). For the SCR catalyst to function correctly, the exhaust gases entering it must be at a specific temperature, meaning the chimney must be sufficiently hot. Together with the scrubber, which reduces sulfur oxides by 97%, they form a set of installations crowned by the three paired chimneys. The MSC Grandiosa also has the option of being powered electrically from shore. Mr. Vago criticized the fact that while a growing percentage of ships have this capability, very few ports offer the necessary infrastructure. Hamburg, Marseille, Scandinavia, Alaska, etc. "Ports need to increase their investment," concluded the CEO of MSC Cruises, who also indicated that electricity in ports was expensive, making connecting to their electrical grid unprofitable.
Despite the severe storm between Saint-Nazaire and Le Havre, the ship did not move, nor did the increase in speed cause vibrations.
In Hamburg, Pierfrancesco Vago announced that MSC Cruises will become the first fully carbon-neutral cruise ship owner
MSC Cruises will offset all direct carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from its fleet's marine operations through a combination of carbon offset projects developed in accordance with the highest standards set by leading international organizations that measure greenhouse gas emissions. All costs associated with these offsets will be paid directly by MSC Cruises and will not be passed on to its passengers.
MSC Cruises' carbon offset portfolio includes projects that protect and restore coastal and ocean habitats while absorbing more CO2 than currently exists. One example is the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve restoration plan.
Steel cut of the MSC Europa.
Following the MSC Grandiosa will come its twin MSC Virtuosa (H34), whose construction began in June 2018, with a view to delivery in November or December 2020.
On October 31st, the first steel cutting took place for MSC Cruises' new generation of ships: the MSC Europa. For the shipyard's CEO, Laurent Castaing, it is "the ship of the future." Its construction will last "around two and a half years," and "it makes us happy and proud to offer our clients cutting-edge solutions that significantly reduce the environmental impact of ships." It will be the first gas-powered vessel built at their shipyard, which nevertheless has extensive experience in constructing LNG carriers.
Emilio La Scala, technical manager of MSC Cruises, announced that the MSC Europa will have a fuel cell that uses LNG instead of nitrogen. Castaing indicated that “low-power fuel cell applications already exist,” and that the new technology fuel cell will have a power output of 50 kW. This technology will be developed with a partner and with Bureau Veritas, the classification society for the entire MSC Cruises fleet. This announcement is another step in MSC Cruises' zero-emissions strategy, based on the maritime tradition of the Aponte family and their passion for the sea.
The integration of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology on board a cruise ship is a world first. This technology operates at a very high temperature (around 750°C) and is more efficient for high-power marine applications than low-temperature hydrogen-based proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) solutions. SOFC technology offers good electrical efficiency (60%), and since the heat produced can be used on board, its overall efficiency (heat and electricity) is much higher, resulting in a direct reduction in energy consumption and, therefore, greenhouse gas emissions.
New Wave of Megaships Now in Service.
As proof of the cruise industry's strength, four cruise ships were delivered this fall to leading cruise lines, increasing capacity by more than 16,000 berths. With the Carnival Panorama, Norwegian Encore, Sky Princess, and MSC Grandiosa, the industry will increase passenger numbers by more than 800,000 in 2020, sailing to destinations such as the US East Coast, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. Each ship can carry more than 4,000 passengers and further demonstrates the popularity of megaships among cruise liners.
