SAINT-NAZAIRE, FRANCE – A fifth Meraviglia class ship is coming to MSC Cruises, representing an additional investment of over US$1 billion.
The cruise line recently signed an order with STX France for the construction of the ship, set for delivery in 2023. It will be equipped with a new generation of dual-fuel engines designed to run on liquefied natural gas, as well as an advanced wastewater treatment system compliant with the *****’s most stringent regulatory standards. Upon completion, it will accommodate 6,774 guests and span over 1,000 feet.
Float-out of the MSC Bellissima
The announcement was made at a ceremony held at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard, where STX France and MSC celebrated three major ship building milestones: the steel-cutting ceremony of the 4th Meraviglia class vessel, the coin ceremony of MSC Grandiosa, and the float-out of MSC Bellissima. MSC Bellissima will be christened on March 2, 2019 while MSC Grandiosa will be christened in ******** 2019.
Steel Cutting Ceremony
For the first time in Saint-Nazaire’s history, three cruise ships belonging to a single cruise brand are under simultaneous construction at the shipyard.
“With the announcement of yet another new vessel, the 13th under our 10-year investment plan, we are affirming our commitment to sustainable growth for our company,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman. “Our fifth Meraviglia class cruise ship will bring a new generation of cutting-edge environmental technology to the market, benefitting from a new generation of LNG-powered engines.”
MSC Bellissima
Vago added that the ship will be joined at sea by up to four ***** Class LNG-powered ships as part of “our overall commitment to environmental stewardship through this and other next-generation technologies and solutions deployed fleet-wide.”
