MSC Cruises announces fleet renovation into true works of art

MSC Cruises announced an impressive plan that over the next two years will involve its fleet of four ships named after classic music.

MSC Cruises announced an impressive plan that over the next two years will involve its fleet of four ships named after classic music.

The program, originally named “Renaissance,” will affect MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia, and MSC Opera, and will be completed by 2015.

The contract has a total value of nearly 200 million euros and has been entrusted to Fincantieri, one of the world’s largest ship-building groups. The program includes the addition of new spaces dedicated to entertainment, the adoption of cutting-edge technology, renovation, spaces, and decor, the on-board boutiques, and the addition of approximately 200 new cabins to each ship.

The vessels will be equipped with a new aqua park with water games and water cannons. Even the spaces for onboard shopping will be expanded and renovated, with the opening of new corners and a perfume shop proposing exclusive brands such as Dior, Lancome, and Dolce & Gabbana.

During a press conference in Rome, CEO of MSC Cruises, Gianni Onorato, said: “When our four-unit class Lirica will return to sea after 38 weeks of dock, they will be totally new ships with the latest facilities and equipment that will allow them to continue to call at destinations more sophisticated and refined in the world.

“The program ‘Renaissance’ is a huge investment and reaffirms, once again, the vocation of our company to a high standard, cutting-edge technology, and a continuous search for innovation of our product. The ships of MSC Cruises’ fleet are true works of art, and the Renaissance program will make our fleet – already famous throughout the world for style and elegance – unmatched [and] even more competitive.”

Giuseppe Bono, Fincantieri’s Chief Executive Officer, commented: “The acquisition of this contract is a matter of great satisfaction for us in many respects. First, because it binds us to an important partner as MSC Cruises with a highly-ambitious program both from a technical point under the management side. It also allows us to strengthen our position in the segment of the refitting and refurbishment, including those considered in continuous expansion. In fact, in the international scenario of increasing competitiveness, an order like the one articulated today will allow us to confirm as one of the leading players in this sector.”

The transaction will be financed with the support of insurance and financial backing from SACE, which will ensure the line of credit in favor of MSC Cruises. “We are pleased to confirm once again alongside Fincantieri in a transaction that represents a recognition of the quality of our ship-building industry and allows us to look with renewed optimism to the future of this important industrial sector,” said Alessandro Castellano, CEO of SACE. “We shall proudly contribute to the financing of the plan announced by MSC Cruises, aware that a win will be the thousands of workers from Fincantieri and the large induced SMEs of its subcontractors.”

The “Renaissance” of the Lirica class will follow the following schedule: MSC Armonia (2004): From 08/31/2014 to 11/17/2014; MSC Sinfonia (2005): From 01/12/2015 to 16/03/2015; MSC Opera (2004): From 02/05/2015 to 07/04/2015; and MSC Lirica (2003): From 31/08/2015 to 09/11/2015.

The four ships were built between 2003 and 2005 at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. The ships are currently 251 meters long, a tonnage of 60,000 tons, and can carry up to 2,200 passengers each. At the end of the program “Renaissance,” the ships will be 275 meters long, have a gross tonnage of 65,000 tons, and accommodate 2,680 travelers in degrees, with 193 new cabins to the ship and 59 new cabins for the crew members.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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