DRGeneva, Switzerland and Trieste, Italy: MSC Cruises and Fincantieri recently announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the construction of four ultra-luxury cruise ships for a total value in excess of EUR 2 billion.
The first of this highly-innovative new generation of ships will come into service in Spring 2023.
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman, said, “It is off the back of the great success of our ship-within-a-ship luxury concept that our guests asked us to enter into the ultra-luxury segment, as a natural evolution of the MSC Yacht Club. These ships will be able to offer unique itineraries, thanks to their size, and the guest services will be taken to another level, including our personalised MSC Yacht Club butler service, available 24/7.”
Vago continued, “I am especially pleased to be able to further extend our partnership with Fincantieri through this new order. The award-winning Seaside and Seaside-Evo class have already been recognised as ground-breaking and innovative designs. We are now introducing another new class, which will establish a new standard of ultra-luxury at sea with ships that will showcase the quality and highest standards that are associated with Made in Italy.”
Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, stated, “It is with pride that two great brands – an Italian one and one with a strong Italian DNA, well-known all over the world, announce an important construction program. We are extremely satisfied that, to launch a new class of ships in the luxury segment, MSC Cruises has recognized that our design will help them create a new generation of ships that will be cutting edge both in terms of safety and technological content, and with particular attention paid to passenger comfort. With this project Fincantieri can count on 53 cruise ships in its order book, confirming its position as absolute market leader.”
Angelo Capurro, MSC Cruises’ Executive Director for India said, “Entering into the ultra-luxury segment, is yet another exciting development in our offering. In addition to our MSC Yacht Club experience, Indian guests will enjoy from 2023 onwards an even wider choice of five-star cruise experiences in the highest segment of the market. Our future ultra-luxury ships will come as close as it comes to a private yacht experience.”
The ships will have gross tonnage of approximately 64,000 GT and will feature 500 cabins. The remaining three ships will come into service one per year over the following three years.
The ships will feature, amongst other, the best and latest environmental technology and other cutting-edge maritime solutions at sea. They will also showcase highly-innovative design as well as introduce ground-breaking options for guest comfort and relaxation.
