MSC Cruises, Bygg nr. G34 & H34 ved Chantiers de l’Atlantique, 177.000 Gt Cruiseskip "MSC Grandiosa" & "MSC Virtuosa"

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MSC Cruises orders two Meraviglia-Plus ships from STX France

To be delivered in October 2019 and September 2020, the two Meraviglia-Plus newbuilds will be longer than the Meraviglia ships at 331 metres long and will feature an additional 200 cabins, enabling them to accommodate a maximum of nearly 6,300 guests. The vessels will also have boutiques, restaurants and a 111 metre long interior promenade with an extended LED sky screen above it, which will beam out visual events and vistas to animate the walkway. MSC will also collaborate with Cirque du Soleil to co-design and install a purpose-built dining and entertainment venue for guests.

In an industry-first, the Meraviglia-Plus ships will also feature a classic and contemporary fine art museum, which will showcase artwork from some of the world’s premier cultural centres, classic and modern art museums as well as public and private institutions. Like the Meraviglia ships, the new Meraviglia-Plus vessels will also be equipped with guest- and crew-facing technology from Samsung.

“Our long-standing cooperation with STX France and the continued growth of our business allows me today to confirm well ahead of time the existing options for two additional ships,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC’s executive chairman. “The two Meraviglia-Plus vessels will be even larger and longer as well as richer in features and amenities, thus confirming MSC Cruises as the industry’s boldest innovator when it comes to ship design and experiences we create for our guests.”

The two new ships will be worth €1.6 billion, bringing MSC’s investment for the two Meraviglia-class and the two Meraviglia-Plus ships to a total of €3 billion.

“This order extends a unique and remarkable partnership that we have built with MSC Cruises over the years that we have been constructing their ships,” said Laurent Castaing, president of STX France. “The proof lies in the quality of our relationship with a discerning client that trusts us and by the experience during the projects by our respective teams, who have learned to innovate together to give the MSC Cruises fleet outstanding levels of modernity, performance and safety. We are very proud to contribute to the development and success of our client, whose ambitions have already made them one of the world's leading ship owners.”

MSC’s news was revealed during the coin ceremony for MSC Meraviglia, which took place at the STX France yard in Saint-Nazaire, France on 1 February. During the ceremony, Vago also said that the ship will be christened in Le Havre, France on 1 June 2017.

“Standing here at the STX France shipyard for the coin ceremony for the 11th time is a reflection of how strong our ties are with France, which is where all the ships of our current fleet were built,” said Vago. “ This makes MSC Cruises, when it comes to export contracts, the number one foreign private investor in France – having invested over €8 billion over the period - and one of the leading overall investors. For this reason, I am proud to announce that MSC Meraviglia could not but be christened in France, in the beautiful UNESCO-listed port of Le Havre on 1 June 2017. From there, it will then set forth for its inaugural season to be spent in the Mediterranean, homeporting in another French port, Marseille.”

Kilde: Cruise and Ferry

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MSC Cruises is to add two more cruise ships to its new Meraviglia class after extending its existing contract with STX France to cover four newbuilds.
 
MSC Cruises celebrates acceleration in investment plan with key building milestones for two of the four new ships currently under construction

First Meraviglia-Plus ship is named MSC Grandiosa at steel cutting ceremony

MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately owned cruise line and market leader in Europe and South America, celebrated today a further acceleration in its industry-unprecedented ten-year investment plan. Under the €9 billion plan, six of a total of 11 new ships will have come into service between June 2017 and November 2020, resulting in a doubling of the MSC Cruises fleet capacity in just three and a half years.

In connection with this, today the Company held at STX France the ceremonies of the coin for MSC Bellissima as well as the cutting of the first steel for its first Meraviglia-Plus class ships, representing key building milestones for two of the four new MSC Cruises ships currently and simultaneously under construction (the other two ships, MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview, are currently being built at FINCANTIERI, Italy.) MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, commented: “Today we are celebrating a truly unique moment, as it is the first time that key shipbuilding milestones for two different ships are celebrated on the same day. This is a testimony of the strength and ambition of our investment plan.

Additionally, at the cutting of her first steel ceremony Mr Vago revealed that the first of MSC Cruises two Meraviglia-Plus ships will be named MSC Grandiosa, commenting: “The Meraviglia generation of ships is already setting a new standard for the cruise industry and is just one of the three brand new prototypes that we have designed to bring the cruise guest experience to the next level. MSC Grandiosa is named to signify magnificence and grandeur, a fitting name for this even richer, ultra-modern mega-ship.”

Mr Vago continued: “Additionally, with MSC Grandiosa we also continue to innovate in product. Just as MSC Cruises “democratised” the luxury cruise experience when we were the first cruise brand to introduce a ship-in-ship luxury concept - the MSC Yacht Club, we are now doing the same for art and culture with the very first fine art museum at sea. Similarly,” he continued, “MSC Grandiosa will be the third of only four MSC Cruises ships to exclusively feature Cirque du Soleil at Sea, hosted in the uniquely complex, custom-built Carousel Lounge.

Mr Vago concluded: “Of course, over and above everything else, these ships will be once again at the forefront of environmental technology at sea. In fact, amongst other innovations, they will feature the latest hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems, SCR-Catalysts, state-of-the-art waste management and recycling capabilities, emission-reducing energy and heat recovery systems, and highly advanced wastewater treatment.

The second part of the proceedings was the traditional coin ceremony for MSC Bellissima where two commemorative coins were placed into one of the ship’s blocks as a sign of blessing and good fortune for the ship and her crew. The two mega-ships are due to come into service in March 2019 and November 2019, respectively.

Laurent Castaing, General Manager of STX France , commented: "Today as we celebrate a cutting of the first steel and then a keel laying in the same day, we are living an unprecedented experience that marks the beginning of a new era, both for our client and for our yard. For MSC Cruises, it is the realization of an extraordinary investment plan, which will elevate the Company to become one of the three largest players in the global cruise industry; for us, it is the illustration of our very healthy order book, which leads us to deliver two ships a year until 2022. We are partners in the same virtuous circle, where boldness and the performance of each is a benefit to the other."

The Meraviglia-Plus ships are a further evolution and enrichment of the highly successful Meraviglia prototype, which includes MSC Meraviglia – in service since June of this year – as well as MSC Bellissima. They feature 181,000 GRT’s, 331 metres in length and maximum capacity of 6,334 guests. The fact that this highly successful prototype can be extended is further proof of the engineering capabilities of the partnership between STX France and MSC Cruises and will bring guests an even more connected and rich cruise experience. In fact, the Meraviglia-Plus ships will feature the very first fine art museum at sea, with a collection of classic and contemporary art, elevating the entertainment experience on board to a whole new level and giving guests access to some of the world’s most beautiful works of art.

Another key highlight on board both MSC Bellissima and MSC Grandiosa will be Cirque du Soleil at Sea. The long-term exclusive partnership between MSC Cruises and Cirque du Soleil is setting new standards in live entertainment at sea and will see the world’s leader in artistic entertainment create a total of eight original shows that will be exclusively available on MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia and Meraviglia-plus generation ships. Each of the four ships will feature two brand new contrasting shows, the first two debuted on MSC Meraviglia in June this year and creative work is underway on two more shows for MSC Bellissima.

The two ships celebrated today are part of MSC Cruises’ existing investment plan, which includes the development of new prototypes for each of the three new classes of ships – the Meraviglia class, Seaside Class and World Class. This June, MSC Cruises launched the first of these new ships, MSC Meraviglia in Le Havre France and in December MSC Seaside will come into service in Miami. In June 2018 MSC Seaview will join the ultra-modern fleet. MSC Cruises is the first global cruise line brand to develop an investment plan of this length and magnitude, a testament to the Company’s ambition.

Sales are already open for MSC Bellissima’s inaugural summer season in the Mediterranean. The much-awaited opening of sales for MSC Grandiosa will be announced soon.

To find out more about MSC Cruises and its fleet click here.

Kilde: MSC Cruises
 
First Steel Cut for MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia-Plus II

French shipbuilder STX France has held a steel cutting ceremony for MSC Cruises’ newest Meraviglia-Plus II cruise ship.

The ceremony was held in Saint-Nazaire on June 14, 2018.

To be named MSC Virtuosa, the second Meraviglia-Plus ship is scheduled for delivery in 2020.

As its sister ship MSC Grandiosa, the newbuild will feature a length of 331 meters, a width of 43 meters and a maximum capacity of 6,300 passengers.

The two Meraviglia-Plus units are part of the company’s EUR 9 billion investment plan for eleven new next-generation cruise ships that will come into service by 2026. The Meraviglia-Plus ships are a further evolution of the Meraviglia class prototype, increasing their GRT to 177,000 with 2,450 guest cabins.

The Meraviglia-Plus class is said to be the next-level generation of ships for all seasons. Thanks to their “innovative maritime technology”, together with their Meraviglia class sister ships, they will be the only ones in their class able to call at all world cruise ports, according to the company.

Kilde: World Maritime News

MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago and CEO of STX France Laurent Castaing cut the first steel of the newly named MSC Virtuosa
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Image Courtesy: Ivan Sarfatti as shared by MSC Cruises.
 
French Shipyard Hosts Delivery, Coin Ceremonies for MSC Cruises’ Newbuilds

French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique held today delivery and coin ceremonies for two newbuilds owned by Switzerland-based cruise company MSC Cruises.

At the event held in Saint-Nazaire, the shipyard delivered MSC Bellissima, the second of the Meraviglia generation of cruise ships and the sixteenth vessel to join the MSC fleet.

Following the delivery, the 167,600-ton newbuilding will set sail for Southampton, where it will be named on March 2. With a capacity for more than 5,700 passengers, the new addition to the MSC Cruises’ fleet will become the largest ship to be launched in this UK city.

MSC Bellissima will depart Southampton on March 4 to commence its 10-night inaugural cruise to Genoa. From March 17, the vessel will commence 7-night itineraries in the Mediterranean calling Genoa, Naples and Messina in Italy, Valetta in Malta, Barcelona in Spain and Marseille in France.

Also on February 27, the coin ceremony was held for MSC Virtuosa, the company’s second Meraviglia-Plus ship. The coin was placed in the keel block by MSC Virtuosa’s godmothers as a symbol of good luck.

As its sister ship MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa will feature a length of 331 meters, a width of 43 meters and a maximum capacity of 6,300 passengers. It will be one of the two largest ships in MSC Cruises’ fleet when it enters service in 2020.
The newbuilds are part of the company’s EUR 11.6 billion investment plan under which the MSC fleet is set to expand to 25 mega cruise ships by 2026.

Kilde: World Maritime News
 
Big H34 bottom block (124 m long) floated out very soon after Nat Geo Endurance and awaiting tug since.

Tow to France to commence probably on April 30
 
MSC Grandiosa Completes Sea Trials

MSC Cruises’ first Meraviglia-Plus class ship, the MSC Grandiosa has successfully completed her first intensive systems tests at sea during a three-day trial in the Atlantic Ocean at the end of August.

The ship will next receive her finishing touches at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France before being officially delivered to MSC Cruises on Oct. 31, according to a statement.

The christening for the MSC Grandiosa is set for Nov. 9 in Hamburg ahead of an inaugural season in the Western Mediterranean with from her Genoa homeport to Civitavecchia, Palermo, Valletta, Barcelona and Marseilles.

Kilde: Cruise Industry News

"MSC Grandiosa"
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Foto: Ukjent via Chantiers de l’Atlantique
 
"MSC Virtuosa" slept ut av dokka på Søndag ved hjelp av sju slepebåter
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Alle foto: Bernard Biger
 
Solnedgang i Palma


MSC Grandiosa
by Tom Gulbrandsen, on Flickr

Soloppgang i Barcelona


MSC Grandiosa
by Tom Gulbrandsen, on Flickr

Morgenstund i Marseille


MSC Grandiosa
by Tom Gulbrandsen, on Flickr


MSC Grandiosa
by Tom Gulbrandsen, on Flickr


MSC Grandiosa
by Tom Gulbrandsen, on Flickr


MSC Grandiosa
by Tom Gulbrandsen, on Flickr


MSC Grandiosa
by Tom Gulbrandsen, on Flickr


MSC Grandiosa
by Tom Gulbrandsen, on Flickr


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MSC CRUISES TAKES DELIVERY OF MSC VIRTUOSA AS COMPANY TURNS ITS ATTENTION TO THE FUTURE

Traditional flag ceremony held today in person at the shipyard to welcome the newest member to the MSC Cruises fleet

Ship to become one of the most environmentally-conscious ships at sea when she comes into service in April

MSC Virtuosa’s offering continues to push boundaries in terms of guest experience all-around

Geneva, Switzerland (February 1, 2021) — MSC Cruises today took delivery of MSC Virtuosa, the latest highly-innovative, environmentally-conscious ship to join its fleet.

As tradition calls, a small and private flag ceremony was held at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint Nazaire, France between the shipyard and MSC Cruises where MSC Virtuosa received her official flag and blessings for good fortune. The ceremony was attended in person by the Company’s executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, his wife Alexa Aponte-Vago and their children as well as representatives from MSC Cruises new builds team along with executives and workers from the shipyard.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman commented, “My family and I could not miss this opportunity to welcome in person the newest member to our fleet. The delivery of MSC Virtuosa at such a challenging time for our industry symbolizes how as a family company we continue to look at the longer term and build our future.”

“In doing so,” continued Mr. Vago, “we remain committed to building each time some of the most innovative ships in the world when it comes to their environmental performance, featuring nothing but the most advanced available technology at sea. Just as importantly, with each new ship we continue to push boundaries and innovate our product, offering new and unique experiences for our guests. On MSC Virtuosa, this includes the world’s first humanoid bartender at sea that will be the star of a futuristic, immersive experience using cutting-edge technologies. Our exceptional dining offering has been further enhanced with two new restaurant concepts that showcase popular international cuisines to take guests on a gastronomic journey of discovery. This is of course in addition to the richness of experience that already sets us apart, such as the grand-scale nightly theatrical shows, our award-winning family offering, industry-leading guest technology, the now iconic promenade with a stunning 301 ft. long LED sky dome that is the social heart of the ship and more.”

Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, stated: “I am proud of what our teams have accomplished together, despite a difficult sanitary context. With the construction of MSC Virtuosa, we have reached a level of finish and performance that will give future MSC Virtuosa guests the best that cruising has to offer. The sixteenth ship that the Chantiers de l'Atlantique has built for MSC Cruises is therefore an example that will be difficult to overtake!”

When it comes to the environment, MSC Virtuosa features some of the most advanced technology currently available, including: hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) and cutting-edge selective catalytic reduction systems (SCR); wastewater treatment systems in line with the International Maritime Organization’s MEPC 227(64) Resolution; shore-to-ship power connectivity; as well as, a underwater radiated noise management system, with hull and engine room designs that minimize acoustic sound impact, reducing their potential effects on marine fauna, amongst others.

She has also received 11 Golden Pearls from Bureau Veritas for her range of innovative aspects including environmental protection and health and safety. MSC Virtuosa is in fact the first cruise ship in the world to receive a BIORISK notation from Bureau Veritas in recognition of her ability to mitigate and manage infectious disease risk for passengers.

Pierfrancesco Vago concluded, “Our long-term goal is to achieve a zero-impact cruise operation and this is the journey we are on today. MSC Virtuosa represents another important step in this direction together with our other investments in the accelerated development of next-generation environmental technology. It also confirms our long-term firm commitment to achieving this ambitious goal.”

The Company’s new flagship MSC Virtuosa will come into service for the summer season from April 16, 2021 with four sailings in the Mediterranean before the ship moves to her new homeport of Kiel, where she will commence her Northern Europe itineraries from May 8, 2021.

The Meraviglia generation ships, to which ships like MSC Virtuosa belong, are characterized by their iconic 331 ft. long promenade with a stunning LED sky dome as the social heart of the ship. The two-deck space is lined with boutiques, restaurants and bars and is the ideal place for guests to enjoy their stay while shopping, eating and relaxing. And in the evening, the area comes alive with music, entertainment and more.

MSC Virtuosa is the sister ship of MSC Grandiosa, the first vessel of any major cruise line to return to the seas this summer, successfully hosting to-date nearly 40,000 guests under the protection of MSC Cruises’ industry-leading health & safety protocol and currently performing 7-night itineraries in the Western Mediterranean.

2021 will see the launch of two new MSC Cruises next-generation ships — the second one being MSC Seashore — bringing the fleet total to 19, with a further four to be launched by 2025. MSC Virtuosa and MSC Seashore — which will come into service in August 2021 and sail the Mediterranean before heading to Miami to sail the Caribbean in November 2021 will offer the very latest in environmental technology, cutting-edge guest technology and a whole range of new experiences and features. Every ship that MSC Cruises builds is different from the last, and these shipsare no exception as these ships represent a further evolution of their original prototype, allowing for more public areas, more staterooms, new bars and restaurants and more.

Kilde: MSC Cruises


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Foto: via rederiet
 
MORE ABOUT MSC VIRTUOSA

Experience

Innovative Guest Technology

All MSC Cruises ships since 2017, feature MSC for Me —the connected cruise experience that is designed to seamlessly enrich the onboard experience and help guests get the most out of their vacation. This multi-channel digital offering— available via the MSC for Me app, in-stateroom TV, and interactive screens around the ship — provides guests with the information they need when and where they want it, helps them to plan and book the services they want and puts the guest in control of their personal cruise experience. The MSC for Me wristband means that guests can enjoy the ship without the need for their cruise card, providing a contactless and seamless experience whether that is paying for purchases, booking services, opening the stateroom door, as well as enabling contact tracing as part of the current health and safety measures.

MSC Yacht Club

MSC Virtuosa offers an enhanced MSC Yacht Club, the ship within a ship concept, that offers the luxury and exclusivity of a private club, while providing the recreation and entertainment possibilities that the rest of the ship has to offer. Guests benefit from 24-hour personal butler service and a dedicated concierge team, as well as luxurious private amenities including a gourmet restaurant, elegant lounge, spacious pool area and secluded sundeck.

Award-Winning Family Offering

As a family-owned company, MSC Cruises has always put the needs of families at the heart of the cruise experience. The award-winning family offering has plenty to keep the whole family entertained, with extensive dedicated facilities designed in collaboration with LEGO and Chicco, a range of clubs for kids of all ages, an action-packed program of activities every day and much more.

Inspiring Itineraries

The inaugural season for the Company’s new flagship will be spent in Northern Europe homeporting in Kiel, Germany with two stunning itineraries. For those wishing to experience the Norwegian Fjords, the ship calls Copenhagen, Denmark and then Hellesylt/Geiranger, Alesund and Flaam in Norway. For guests wishing to explore the Baltic capitals, the ship calls Copenhagen, Denmark then Helsinki, Finland before visiting St. Petersburg in the Russian Federation and Tallinn in Estonia.

From the end of November 2021, MSC Virtuosa will spend the winter season in the Gulf offering 7-night cruises calling Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Doha.

Environment

Air Emissions:MSC Virtuosa features hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems on all their engines. This technology achieves a 98 percent reduction of sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions. The ship is also equipped with cutting-edge selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems that reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 90 percent.

The ship is equipped with shore-to-ship power connectivity, allowing it to connect to local power grids while at ports where this infrastructure is available. This allows minimized engine use at berth, leading to a substantial emissions reduction when the ships are close to urban areas.

Wastewater: The ship will feature advanced wastewater treatment systems designed in line with the International Maritime Organization’s MEPC 227(64) Resolution, with purification standards that are higher than most wastewater treatment facilities ashore. Ballast water treatment systems will prevent the introduction of invasive species in the marine environment through ballast water discharges.

Protecting Marine Life:MSC Virtuosa is equipped with an underwater radiated noise management system, with hull and engine room designs that minimize acoustic sound impact, reducing their potential effects on marine fauna and, particularly, marine mammals in the surrounding waters.

Energy Efficiency: All MSC Cruises’ new builds incorporate a wide range of energy efficient equipment that help reduce and optimize engine use. These include smart ventilation and advanced air conditioning systems with automated energy recovery loops that redistribute heat and cold to reduce demand. The ships use LED lighting controlled by smart management systems to enhance further the energy saving profile. In partnership with the shipyards, all new builds are fitted with remote energy monitoring and analysis systems, allowing real-time shoreside support to optimize operational efficiency onboard.

Fast Facts – MSC Virtuosa
  • 19 decks named after famous composers
  • 1,086 ft. length, an additional 52.5 ft. over MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima with more public space and more staterooms
  • 21 bars, 4 main restaurants and 5 specialty restaurants with two brand new restaurants and one new specialty bar
  • A 945-seat theater offering different large-scale productions every night
  • 12 different stateroom types including 190 family staterooms that can be connected to create Super Family staterooms, accommodating up to six people or Super Family Plus accommodating up to 12 people
  • 5 pools including a magrodome pool with a retractable roof on deck 15
  • A Himalayan Bridge on deck 19 offering a fun rope course 262 ft. above the water
  • 12,572 sq. ft. of retail space with 11 different boutiques
 
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