MSC Cruises Orders Two New Ships

On November 22 Italian cruise line MSC Cruises announced in Paris that it's adding two 133,500 ton ship's to the fleet accoring to the line's website. MSC signed a nearly $1.2 billion contract for the two ships which will be delivered in 2008 and 2009.

The MSC Fantasia is scheduled to join the MSC fleet in June 2008 and the MSC Serenata is expected to join the fleet in March 2009. With the addition of the MSC Fantasia and MSC Serenata the MSC fleet will grow to 11 ships making MSC the largest European cruise line.

According to MSC CEO Pierfrancesco Vago, once the MSC Fantasia and MSC Serenata are delivered MSC expects to carry more than 900,000 passengers worldwide by 2010.

The two new ships will be 1,092 feet long, and 124 feet wide. They will accomodate 3,300 passengers in 1,650 staterooms of which 1,260 will have private balconies. With their crew of 1,313 MSC will have a higher crew to passenger ratio than competing European lines.

In addition the ships will feature a 23 knot cruising speed, over 21,000 square feet of spa facilites and a special two-deck section of VIP suites with butler service an exclusive restaurant, pool and sun deck, as well as other amenities.

For more information or to book an MSC cruise please visit www.mycruiseplanner.net