MSC Cruises has ordered two brand new mega cruise ships.
The contract with Italian shipyard Fincantieri, which includes the option for a third ship, will see the creation a new class of 154,000-tonne ships, each with a capacity of 5,300 passengers.
The ships, which have the project name ‘Seaside’, will be the largest cruise ships ever built by Fincantieri. And according to MSC’s executive chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, the vessels will offer a range of new design features.
“From the moment we started talking with Fincantieri, we had in mind to design and build two completely new ships, revolutionary in their structure, unlike anything that exists on the market today,” said Vago. “Seaside is a futuristic prototype because of its structure, shape and versatility. We are getting ready for the new and compelling challenge that the construction of these ships represents. It will be a real revolution in the world’s cruise market, an excellent product for its unique and innovative architectural features and cutting-edge technology.”
The two new ships will each cost EUR700 million (GBP567mn), with the first scheduled for delivery in November 2017 and the second arriving in May 2018. Measuring 323 metres long, 41 metres wide and 70 metres high, the new ships will be among the largest cruise liners in the world. They will be accommodate up to 5,300 passengers in 2,070 cabins and will offer 43,500m² of public areas. New features will include a glass lifts with sea views and a sea-level promenade that circumnavigates the ship, with outdoor spaces, shops and restaurants.
Due to their “design and versatility”, MSC says the new ships will be able to dock “in any port around the world”.
Earlier this year, MSC placed an order with France’s STX shipyard for two 167,000-tonne ships, which are due for delivery in 2017 and 2019. These contracts form part of MSC’s overall plan to double its fleet capacity by 2022.
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