MSC MERAVIGLIA, MSC CRUISES FIRST NEXT GENERATION MEGA-SHIP WAS FLOATED OUT TODAY AS……
MSC CRUISES REVEALED THE NAME OF ITS SECOND MERAVIGLIA GENERATION MEGA-SHIP: MSC BELLISSIMA
MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe, South America and South Africa, revealed today, 3rd September 2016, the name of its second STX France-built Meraviglia-generation ultramodern mega cruise ship. She will be called MSC Bellissima and will come into service in Spring 2019.
Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises Chief Executive Officer, commented: “MSC Bellissima is a name that embodies the beauty and the magnificence of this entire next generation of MSC Cruises ultramodern mega-ships, so rich with new features and amenities for guests of all ages and interests. We are so pleased to be able to make this announcement on the very day that her sister ship MSC Meraviglia is touched for the first time by water, a moment that symbolises the real “birth” of a ship.”
The announcement, made at STX France’s shipyards in Saint Nazaire today, came as MSC Meraviglia was floated out from the shipyard. MSC Meraviglia, already selling worldwide, is on track to commence cruising in June 2017. The ceremony was attended by, esteemed MSC Cruises and STX France guests including Senator of Pays de la Loire Region, Bruno Retailleau, General Council President of Loire Atlantique, Philippe Grosvalet and the Mayor of Saint-Nazaire, David Samzun.
The “birth” or float out is a key milestone in the construction of a ship: the dry dock is flooded, the ship is moved to a wet dock, where she then enters the final phase of her construction. Today’s event presented a unique opportunity to showcase to guests and the global media alike, her cutting edge design, that makes the Meraviglia generation of ultramodern mega-ships uniquely innovative, and a true destination in themselves.
This includes, amongst her many on-board features, the specially designed Carousel Lounge created exclusively for MSC Cruises guests to enjoy performances from Cirque du Soleil artists. The 96 metre-long Mediterranean-style promenade encompassed overhead with an 80 meter LED Sky, runs through the centre of the ship. Growing MSC Cruises unique ship-within-a-ship concept, MSC Meraviglia will offer an enhanced MSC Yacht Club, with its own private facilities spanning three decks.
Mr Onorato concluded: “Since we opened sales last year for MSC Meraviglia’s inaugural season in the Western Mediterranean, demand has been extremely encouraging right from the release. This make us believe that this is a generation of ships with a bright future ahead, that has already caught the attention of holidaymakers from all markets.”
Laurent Castaing, President of STX France, commented: “We are extremely proud to design and build MSC Cruises’ next generation of cruise ships. We are aware and thankful for the trust this amazing company has in our innovation ability. Since commencing our industrial partnership more than 12 years ago, we are always excited by the challenges in fulfilling MSC Cruises’ ambitions.”
MSC Bellissima joins MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview and MSC Meraviglia as the beginning of MSC Cruises expansion plans to an unprecedented 11 new cruise ships and a total of 23 ships by 2016.
Be one of the first to experience this amazing new generation of mega-ships. Sales for summer 2017 on MSC Meraviglia are now open with Saver prices starting from $879*pp (AUD)/ $979*pp (NZD). To book your next cruise experience on MSC Meraviglia contact MSC Cruises on AU 1300 028 502 / NZ 0508 4278 473
SOURCE: MSC Cruises (Australia and New Zealand)