MSC Cruises – Here They Grow Again!

MSC Cruises announces new, bigger ships starting in 2017.

Today in Paris, executives from MSC Cruises signed an agreement with STX France to build two new ships for delivery in 2017 and 2019, with an option for two more. The first two yet-unamed mega-cruisers will be a new class of ship for MSC. With a crew of 1,526 and 5,700 passengers, these ships will be the largest yet for MSC and similar in size to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis and Allure of the Seas.

According to reports, these will be the biggest cruise ships ever built by a European ship company. Plans include more dining options, a larger theater, an amusement park that connects to an outdoor aqua park and two-story indoor promenade.

The new ships will continue with the Yacht Club, an exclusive forward section of the ships that features suites, butler service, private dining an a panoramic lounge. Special family cabins will also be added.

This new ship prototype, with a long-term focus on the environment, will be built with scrubbers to allow fumes to be neutralized and keep C02 emissions in accordance with the latest international maritime regulations.

Building is scheduled to begin in Spring 2015.