MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises (Italian: MSC Crociere) is a global cruise line registered in Switzerland and based in Geneva. It was founded in Naples, Italy, in 1989. It is part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (MSC), the world's second biggest container shipping operator. In addition to being the world's largest privately held cruise company, employing about 23,500 people worldwide and with offices in 45 countries as of 2017,[1] MSC Cruises is the fourth largest cruise company in the world, after Carnival Corporation & plc, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, with a 7.2% share of all passengers carried in 2017.[2]

MSC Cruises
TypePrivately held company
IndustryTransportation
Founded1989
HeadquartersGeneva, Switzerland
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsCruises
Number of employees
23,500
ParentMediterranean Shipping Company
Websitemsccruises.com

History

MSC Cruises was founded as Lauro Lines (Italian: Flotta Lauro) in Naples, Italy by Achille Lauro in 1960. The company entered the cruise business operating two ships, MS Angelina Lauro and MS Achille Lauro. Angelina Lauro burnt in the port of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands in 1979 and Achille Lauro was hijacked by members of the Palestine Liberation Front in 1985. In 1989, the Mediterranean Shipping Company bought Lauro Lines and renamed it StarLauro Cruises.[3] In 1994, Achille Lauro caught fire and sank. In 1988, the company name was changed to MSC Cruises.[3]

Recent developments

In 2014 MSC Cruises announced that the four Lirica'-class ships underwent renovation under the "Renaissance Programme".[4]

In July 2018, the company announced that it would build a second cruise terminal at PortMiami for its World-class cruise ships as an expansion of its North American program. It is scheduled to be completed in October 2022.[5]

In October 2018, MSC announced an order for four luxury ships of 64,000 gross tons each.[6] These ultra-luxury vessels will be based on the cruise line's luxury concept, the "MSC Yacht Club."[6] The first ship will arrive in the spring of 2023.[6] All ships will be built at Fincantieri.[6]

In January 2019, MSC Cruises unveiled the world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant - ZOE, an artificial intelligence device designed by Harman International. It is currently featured on MSC Bellissima and MSC Grandiosa and will be featured on future newbuilds upon their delivery.[7][8]

Suspension of operations during the pandemic

All cruise lines suspended most (or all) of their operations in mid 2020 for over six months during the COVID-19 pandemic. A report on 9 January 2021 stated MSC was hoping to resume some cruises in Europe in the near future but added that "it remains to be seen whether this will go ahead with much of the continent still in lockdown". On 7 January, MSC had released a plan for MSC Grandiosa to start its 7-night cruises on 24 January 2021 and for MSC Magnifica to start its 10-night cruises on 14 February 2021, both in the Mediterranean. Only passengers who were residents of Schengen countries would be accepted until further notice, however.[9]

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

In December 2015, MSC Cruises signed a 100-year lease on land in the Bahamas to develop the land for an exclusive island experience.[10] The project was named the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and was set to open in mid-November 2019, but weather delays pushed the date to 5 December 2019.[11]

Fleet

Current fleet
ShipBuiltBuilderEntered service
for MSC		Gross tonnageFlagNotesImage
Lirica class
MSC Armonia2001Chantiers de l'Atlantique(St. Nazaire)May 200465,542 tons PanamaPreviously European Vision for the failed Festival Cruises.
MSC Sinfonia2002Chantiers de l'Atlantique(St. Nazaire)March 200565,542 tons PanamaPreviously European Stars for the failed Festival Cruises.
MSC Lirica2003Chantiers de l'Atlantique(St. Nazaire)March 200365,591 tons PanamaModified ex Festival's European class.
MSC Opera2004Chantiers de l'Atlantique(St. Nazaire)March 200465,591 tons PanamaModified ex Festival's European class.
Musica class
MSC Musica2006Aker Yards(St. Nazaire)July 200692,409 tons Panama
MSC Orchestra2007Aker Yards(St. Nazaire)May 200792,409 tons Panama
MSC Poesia2008Aker Yards/STX Europe(St. Nazaire)Oct. 200892,627 tons Panama
MSC Magnifica2010STX Europe(St. Nazaire)March 201095,128 tons PanamaModified Musica class
Fantasia class
MSC Fantasia2008Aker Yards/STX Europe(St. Nazaire)Dec. 2008137,936 tons Panama
MSC Splendida2009Aker Yards/STX Europe(St. Nazaire)July 2009137,936 tons PanamaOrdered as MSC Serenata and renamed MSC Splendida in 2008.
MSC Divina2012STX Europe(St. Nazaire)June 2012139,400 tons PanamaModified Fantasia class. Ordered as MSC Meraviglia and renamed MSC Divina in 2010.
MSC Preziosa2013STX Europe(St. Nazaire)March 2013139,400 tons PanamaModified Fantasia class. Originally ordered for Libyan-based General National Maritime Transport.[12]
Meraviglia class
MSC Meraviglia2017STX Europe (St. Nazaire)May 2017171,598 tons MaltaLargest ship to have been built for MSC Cruises.[13]

Current flagship vessel[14]
MSC Bellissima2019 Chantiers de l'AtlantiqueMarch 2019171,598 tons  Malta Sister ship to MSC Meraviglia
Meraviglia Plus class
MSC Grandiosa2019Chantiers de l'AtlantiqueNovember 2019181,541 tons MaltaSlightly larger than the Meraviglia class; lead ship of Meraviglia Plus class.[15]
Christened on 9 November 2019 in Hamburg[16]
Commenced operations on 10 November 2019[17]
MSC Virtuosa2021Chantiers de l'Atlantique181,541 tons MaltaSlightly larger than the Meraviglia class.[15][18]
Keel-laying performed on 28 February 2019.[19]
Seaside class
MSC Seaside2017FincantieriNov 2017153,516 tons MaltaMSC Cruises' first purpose-built ship for the North American market.
MSC Seaview2018FincantieriJune 2018153,516 tons MaltaMSC Seaside's sister ship

Future ships
ShipWill enter service
for MSC		BuilderGross tonnageFlagNotesImage
MSC SeashoreAugust 2021Fincantieri169,380 tonsSlightly larger than the Seaside class.[20]
Steel-cutting performed on 26 November 2018.[21]
MSC World Europa[22]2022Chantiers de l'Atlantique205,700 tonsOriginally named MSC Europa.[23]
LNG-fueled cruise ship.[24]
Steel-cutting performed on 31 October 2019.[23]
Coin and keel-laying ceremonies on 29 June 2020.[22]
Project Seaside Evo II2023Fincantieri169,380 tonsSlightly larger than the Seaside class.[20]
Ultra Luxury-class ISpring 2023Fincantieri64,000 tonsPurpose-built based on "MSC Yacht Club" luxury concept[25]
Meraviglia-plus-class IIIMay 2023Chantiers de l'Atlantique183,500 tonsLNG-fueled cruise ship
Ultra Luxury-class II2024Fincantieri64,000 tonsPurpose-built based on "MSC Yacht Club" luxury concept[25]
World-class IIMay 2024Chantiers de l'Atlantique205,700 tonsLNG-fueled cruise ship [24]
Ultra Luxury-class III2025Fincantieri64,000 tonsPurpose-built based on "MSC Yacht Club" luxury concept[25]
World-class IIISpring 2025Chantiers de l'Atlantique205,700 tonsLNG-fueled cruise ship [24]
Ultra Luxury-class IV2026Fincantieri64,000 tonsPurpose-built based on "MSC Yacht Club" luxury concept[25]
World-class IV2027[26]Chantiers de l'Atlantique205,700 tonsLNG-fueled cruise ship [24]
originally planned for 2026

Former ships
ShipBuiltBuilderEntered service
for MSC		Gross tonnageYear retiredImage
Symphony1951Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson199416,000 tons2000
Monterey1952Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp.199420,000 tons2006
Rhapsody1977Burmeister & Wain199517,095 tons2009
MSC Melody1982CNIM (La Seyne-sur-Mer)199735,143 tons2013
Angelina Lauro1938Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw-Maatschappij196524,377 tons1979
Achille Lauro1947Scheepsbouw-Maatschappij De Schelde, Vlissingen196523,629 tons1994

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Curise Market Watch - Market Share". Cruise Market Watch. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  3. "About MSC History". MSC Cruises USA. MSC Cruises. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  4. "MSC Renaissance Program Begins with Laying Out of Armonia's New Section". cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  5. "MSC Cruises to Build Second Cruise Terminal in Miami - MSC Cruises". www.cruisecritic.com. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  6. "MSC places order for four luxury vessels: Travel Weekly". www.travelweekly.com. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  7. "MSC Cruises Officially Unveils "Zoe" the World's First Personal Cruise Assistant". www.cruisecritic.com. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  8. Mathisen, Monty (1 February 2019). "MSC Unveils Zoe Virtual Personal Assistant". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  9. "CRUISE & ITINERARY UPDATES". MSC. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021. For all cancelled cruises please refer to the FAQ Which cruises benefit from the compensation packages policy?
  10. Staff, C. I. N. (17 December 2015). "Confirmed: MSC Closes Deal on Private Island in Bahamas". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  11. "MSC Cruises Announces New Opening Date for Ocean Cay Marine Reserve". TravelPulse.
  12. "MSC Cruises-UK News: MSC Cruises Welcomes MSC Preziosa". Msccruises.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  13. "MSC Confirms Fincantieri Order for two Seaside-Class Ships". cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  14. "MSC Cruises Newsletter: MSC Meraviglia New MSC Cruises Flagship".
  15. "MSC Cruises to Build Two More Mega Ships". Cruise Critic. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  16. Staff, C. I. N. (2 September 2019). "MSC Grandiosa Completes Sea Trials". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  17. "MSC Grandiosa's Maiden Voyage Now Open For Booking". Travel Agent Central. 10 October 2018.
  18. "TTG Media - Travel industry, travel agent and tourism news, events and jobs - News - MSC Cruises confirms return to UK – and two new builds". TTG Media - Travel industry, travel agent and tourism news, events and jobs. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  19. Gibson, Rebecca (28 February 2019). "MSC Cruises takes delivery of MSC Bellissima". CruiseandFerry.net.
  20. "MSC Releases Video Detailing New Ship Features". cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  21. Kalosh, Anne (26 November 2018). "Fincantieri cuts steel for MSC Seashore, first Seaside EVO ship". Seatrade Cruise News.
  22. Kalosh, Anne (29 June 2020). "Chantiers de l'Atlantique lays keel for LNG-powered MSC World Europa". Seatrade Cruise News. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  23. "Msc guarda all'ambiente, ecco 'Europa': a Saint Nazaire il taglio della prima lamiera". Primocanale.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  24. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. "MSC Cruises to Launch Yacht Club-Style Luxury Ships". Travel Agent Central. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  26. https://chantiers-atlantique.com/en/msc-cruises-extends-fleet-expansion-plan-up-to-2030-with-focus-on-next-generation-enviromental-technology/
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