MSC Cruises names its new mega ship
MSC Cruises has revealed its new ‘Vista project’ mega ship will be called MSC Meraviglia, meaning wonderful in Italian.
MSC Cruises executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said bookings for the ship — due to be delivered in May 2017 – would open in June this year.
The work on MSC Meraviglia marks the start of MSC Cruises seven-ship, €5.1 billion investment plan which will double the cruise line’s capacity by 2022.
The ship will carry up to 4,500 passengers and will spend its first summer sailing the western Mediterranean.
It will have three home ports – Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona – giving UK guests the flexibility to choose where they start and finish their cruise holiday.
"MSC Meraviglia will be the biggest and most innovative cruise ship ever built by a global European-based cruise line," said Vago.
Among the features planned for the ship are ‘cluster cabins’ which will allow up to three cabins to be opened up to accommodate larger family groups.
Communication technology. By using the latest technology – Near Field Communication wristbands – cruise cards or their smartphone, guests will be able to make payments, book spa treatments and speciality restaurants, access their cabin and safe, and even geo-locate their children.
Entertainment options will include a large outdoor waterpark connected to a double-deck indoor amusement park.
The ship will also feature an extended MSC Yacht Club area which will be a ‘ship within a ship’ area to include the option of duplex suites and its own solarium, lounge and fine-dining restaurant.
MSC Meraviglia is the first of two identical ships on order from STX France, the second of which is scheduled to be delivered in 2019.
In addition, MSC Cruises has options for two further Vista project ships to be delivered by 2022.
Diane
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