MSC Cruises
Type | Privately held company |
---|---|
Industry | Transportation |
Founded | 1989 |
Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
Area served | Worldwide |
Products | Cruises |
Number of employees | 23,500 |
Parent | Mediterranean Shipping Company |
Website | msccruises |
MSC Cruises (Italian: MSC Crociere) is a global cruise line registered in Switzerland and based in Geneva. It was founded in Naples, Italy, in 1989. It is part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (MSC), the world's second-biggest container shipping operator. In addition to being the world's largest privately held cruise company, employing about 23,500 people worldwide and with offices in 45 countries as of 2017,[1] MSC Cruises is the fourth-largest cruise company in the world, after Carnival Corporation & plc, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, with a 7.2% share of all passengers carried in 2017.[2]
History[]
Lauro Lines[]
Lauro Lines (Italian: Flotta Lauro) was founded in Naples, Italy by Achille Lauro in 1960. The company entered the cruise business operating two ships, MS Angelina Lauro and MS Achille Lauro. Angelina Lauro burnt in the port of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands in 1979 and Achille Lauro was hijacked by members of the Palestine Liberation Front in 1985 which put the company in financial difficulties.[3]
MSC Cruises[]
In 1988, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) enter the cruise business by buying the liner Monterey.[4]
In 1989, MSC bought Lauro Lines. The new company was named StarLauro Cruises and had 2 ships, Monterey and Achille Lauro.[5]
In 1995, StarLauro Cruises was renamed MSC Cruises.[5]
In 2014, MSC Cruises announced that the four Lirica'-class ships underwent renovation under the "Renaissance Programme".[6]
In July 2018, the company announced that it would build a second cruise terminal at PortMiami for its World-class cruise ships as an expansion of its North American program. It is scheduled to be completed in October 2022.[7]
In October 2018, MSC announced an order for four luxury ships of 64,000 gross tons each.[8] These ultra-luxury vessels will be based on the cruise line's luxury concept, the "MSC Yacht Club."[8] The first ship will arrive in the spring of 2023.[8] All ships will be built at Fincantieri.[8]
In January 2019, MSC Cruises unveiled the world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant - ZOE, an artificial intelligence device designed by Harman International. It is currently featured on MSC Bellissima and MSC Grandiosa and will be featured on future newbuilds upon their delivery.[9][10]
In mid 2020, all cruise lines suspended most (or all) of their operations for over six months during the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]
In 7 January 2021, MSC had released a plan for MSC Grandiosa to start its 7-night cruises on 24 January 2021 and for MSC Magnifica to start its 10-night cruises on 14 February 2021, both in the Mediterranean. Only passengers who were residents of Schengen countries would be accepted until further notice, however.[11]
In 9 January 2021, a report stated MSC was hoping to resume some cruises in Europe in the near future but added that "it remains to be seen whether this will go ahead with much of the continent still in lockdown".[11]
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve[]
In December 2015, MSC Cruises signed a 100-year lease on land in the Bahamas to develop the land for an exclusive island experience.[12] The project was named the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and was set to open in mid-November 2019, but weather delays pushed the date to 5 December 2019.[13]
Fleet[]
Current fleet[]
Ship | Built | Builder | Entered service for MSC |
Gross tonnage | Flag | Notes | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lirica class | |||||||
MSC Armonia | 2001 | Chantiers de l'Atlantique(St. Nazaire) | May 2004 | 65,542 tons | Panama | Previously European Vision for the failed Festival Cruises. | |
MSC Sinfonia | 2002 | Chantiers de l'Atlantique(St. Nazaire) | March 2005 | 65,542 tons | Panama | Previously European Stars for the failed Festival Cruises. | |
MSC Lirica | 2003 | Chantiers de l'Atlantique(St. Nazaire) | March 2003 | 65,591 tons | Panama | Modified ex Festival's European class. | |
MSC Opera | 2004 | Chantiers de l'Atlantique(St. Nazaire) | March 2004 | 65,591 tons | Panama | Modified ex Festival's European class. | |
Musica class | |||||||
MSC Musica | 2006 | Aker Yards(St. Nazaire) | July 2006 | 92,409 tons | Panama | ||
MSC Orchestra | 2007 | Aker Yards(St. Nazaire) | May 2007 | 92,409 tons | Panama | ||
MSC Poesia | 2008 | Aker Yards/STX Europe(St. Nazaire) | Oct. 2008 | 92,627 tons | Panama | ||
MSC Magnifica | 2010 | STX Europe(St. Nazaire) | March 2010 | 95,128 tons | Panama | Modified Musica class | |
Fantasia class | |||||||
MSC Fantasia | 2008 | Aker Yards/STX Europe(St. Nazaire) | Dec. 2008 | 137,936 tons | Panama | ||
MSC Splendida | 2009 | Aker Yards/STX Europe(St. Nazaire) | July 2009 | 137,936 tons | Panama | Ordered as MSC Serenata and renamed MSC Splendida in 2008. | |
MSC Divina | 2012 | STX Europe(St. Nazaire) | June 2012 | 139,400 tons | Panama | Modified Fantasia class. Ordered as MSC Fantastica and renamed MSC Divina in 2010. | |
MSC Preziosa | 2013 | STX Europe(St. Nazaire) | March 2013 | 139,400 tons | Panama | Modified Fantasia class. Originally ordered as Phoenicia for Libyan-based General National Maritime Transport.[14] | |
Meraviglia class | |||||||
MSC Meraviglia | 2017 | STX Europe (St. Nazaire) | May 2017 | 171,598 tons | Malta | ||
MSC Bellissima | 2019 | Chantiers de l'Atlantique | March 2019 | 171,598 tons | Malta | Sister ship to MSC Meraviglia | |
Meraviglia Plus class | |||||||
MSC Grandiosa | 2019 | Chantiers de l'Atlantique | November 2019 | 181,541 tons | Malta | Christened on 9 November 2019 in Hamburg[15] Commenced operations on 10 November 2019[16] Largest ship to have been built for MSC Cruises.[17] Current flagship vessel[18] |
|
MSC Virtuosa | 2021 | Chantiers de l'Atlantique | 181,541 tons | Malta | Slightly larger than the Meraviglia class.[19][20] Keel-laying performed on 28 February 2019.[21] |
||
Seaside class | |||||||
MSC Seaside | 2017 | Fincantieri | Nov 2017 | 153,516 tons | Malta | MSC Cruises' first purpose-built ship for the North American market. | |
MSC Seaview | 2018 | Fincantieri | June 2018 | 153,516 tons | Malta | MSC Seaside's sister ship | |
Seaside EVO class | |||||||
MSC Seashore | 2021 | Fincantieri | August 2021 | 170,412 tons | Malta | Slightly larger than the Seaside class.[22] |
Future ships[]
Ship | Will enter service for MSC |
Builder | Gross tonnage | Flag | Notes | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSC Seascape[23] | November 2022 | Fincantieri | 170,412 tons | Slightly larger than the Seaside class.[22] | ||
MSC World Europa[24] | December 2022 | Chantiers de l'Atlantique | 205,700 tons | Originally named MSC Europa.[25] LNG-fueled cruise ship.[26] Steel-cutting performed on 31 October 2019.[25] Coin and keel-laying ceremonies on 29 June 2020.[24] Originally planned for May 2022[27] |
||
Explora I | Spring 2023 | Fincantieri | 63,900 tons | Purpose-built based on "MSC Yacht Club" luxury concept[28] construction started on 10 June 2021.[29] |
||
MSC Euribia[30] | June 2023 | Chantiers de l'Atlantique | 183,500 tons | LNG-fueled cruise ship construction started on 28 June 2021[31] |
||
Explora II | 2024 | Fincantieri | 63,900 tons | Purpose-built based on "MSC Yacht Club" luxury concept[28] | ||
MSC World America | 2025[32] | Chantiers de l'Atlantique | 205,700 tons | LNG-fueled cruise ship [26] originally planned for spring 2021 |
||
Explora III | 2025 | Fincantieri | 63,900 tons | Purpose-built based on "MSC Yacht Club" luxury concept[28] | ||
World-class III | Spring 2025 | Chantiers de l'Atlantique | 205,700 tons | LNG-fueled cruise ship [26] | ||
Explora IV | 2026 | Fincantieri | 63,900 tons | Purpose-built based on "MSC Yacht Club" luxury concept[28] | ||
World-class IV | 2027[33] | Chantiers de l'Atlantique | 205,700 tons | LNG-fueled cruise ship [26] originally planned for 2026 |
Former ships[]
Ship | Built | Builder | Entered service for MSC | Gross tonnage | Year retired | Status Today | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Angelina Lauro | 1938 | 1965 | 24,377 tons | 1979 | Sank after catching fire in 1979. | ||
Achille Lauro | 1947 | Scheepsbouw-Maatschappij De Schelde, Vlissingen | 1965 | 23,629 tons | 1994 | Sank after catching fire in 1994. | |
1952 | Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp. | 1989 | 20,000 tons | 2006 | Scrapped in 2007. | ||
1951 | Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson | 1995 | 16,000 tons | 2000 | Scrapped in 2001. | ||
Rhapsody | 1977 | Burmeister & Wain | 1995 | 17,095 tons | 2009 | Laid up since 2017. | |
Melody | 1982 | CNIM (La Seyne-sur-Mer) | 1997 | 35,143 tons | 2013 | Scrapped in 2018. |
References[]
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "Curise Market Watch - Market Share". Cruise Market Watch. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
- ^ "Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ "MSC Cruises History". www.cruisecritic.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "About MSC History". MSC Cruises USA. MSC Cruises. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ^ "MSC Renaissance Program Begins with Laying Out of Armonia's New Section". cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
- ^ "MSC Cruises to Build Second Cruise Terminal in Miami - MSC Cruises". www.cruisecritic.com. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "MSC places order for four luxury vessels: Travel Weekly". www.travelweekly.com. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
- ^ "MSC Cruises Officially Unveils "Zoe" the World's First Personal Cruise Assistant". www.cruisecritic.com. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- ^ Mathisen, Monty (1 February 2019). "MSC Unveils Zoe Virtual Personal Assistant". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "CRUISE & ITINERARY UPDATES". MSC. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
For all cancelled cruises please refer to the FAQ Which cruises benefit from the compensation packages policy?
- ^ Staff, C. I. N. (17 December 2015). "Confirmed: MSC Closes Deal on Private Island in Bahamas". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
- ^ "MSC Cruises Announces New Opening Date for Ocean Cay Marine Reserve". TravelPulse.
- ^ "MSC Cruises-UK News: MSC Cruises Welcomes MSC Preziosa". Msccruises.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ Staff, C. I. N. (2 September 2019). "MSC Grandiosa Completes Sea Trials". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
- ^ "MSC Grandiosa's Maiden Voyage Now Open For Booking". Travel Agent Central. 10 October 2018.
- ^ "MSC Confirms Fincantieri Order for two Seaside-Class Ships". cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
- ^ "MSC Cruises Newsletter: MSC Meraviglia New MSC Cruises Flagship".
- ^ "MSC Cruises to Build Two More Mega Ships". Cruise Critic. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
- ^ "TTG Media - Travel industry, travel agent and tourism news, events and jobs - News - MSC Cruises confirms return to UK – and two new builds". TTG Media - Travel industry, travel agent and tourism news, events and jobs. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
- ^ Gibson, Rebecca (28 February 2019). "MSC Cruises takes delivery of MSC Bellissima". CruiseandFerry.net.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "MSC Releases Video Detailing New Ship Features". cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
- ^ "AT COIN CEREMONY MSC CRUISES NAMES SECOND SEASIDE EVO SHIP, ONE OF TWO VESSELS FINCANTIERI IS BUILDING TO SUPPORT THE LINE'S LONG-TERM GROWTH PLANS". 24 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Kalosh, Anne (29 June 2020). "Chantiers de l'Atlantique lays keel for LNG-powered MSC World Europa". Seatrade Cruise News. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Msc guarda all'ambiente, ecco 'Europa': a Saint Nazaire il taglio della prima lamiera". Primocanale.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 November 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/chantiers-de-latlantique-le-point-sur-lactivite-et-les-perspectives
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "MSC Cruises to Launch Yacht Club-Style Luxury Ships". Travel Agent Central. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
- ^ "Steel cut for Explora I, first vessel in MSC Cruises' luxury Explora Journeys fleet". 10 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
- ^ "MSC CRUISES BEGINS CONSTRUCTION OF MSC EURIBIA, ITS MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY ADVANCED VESSEL YET, MARKING ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN THE COMPANY'S COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY". 28 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ^ "MSC Begins Construction of Euribia, Its Most Environmentally-Advanced Ship". 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/chantiers-de-latlantique-le-point-sur-lactivite-et-les-perspectives
- ^ https://chantiers-atlantique.com/en/msc-cruises-extends-fleet-expansion-plan-up-to-2030-with-focus-on-next-generation-enviromental-technology/
External links[]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to MSC Cruises. |
- MSC Cruises
- Italian companies established in 1960
- Cruise lines
- Transport companies established in 1960