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| Return to MSC Cruises | | |  The Fleet
Onboard
| Itineraries
MSC Cruises
| | About MSC Cruises
Mediterranean Shipping Company's MSC Cruises may be a relatively new entrant in cruising's leisure travel niche - it was formed in 1987 - but the Geneva based firm is one of the leading global shipping lines of the world.
Subsidiary MSC Cruises, which is based in Naples, was conceived around the premise of offering Europeans an affordably priced cruise vacation. That's a concept that, in 1990, was fairly revolutionary.
At its inception, MSC Cruises was created when Gianlucci Gianluigi Aponte, owner of Mediterranean Shipping Company, acquired Starlauro, a one-ship cruise line. The company has built its fleet by acquiring mid-sized classic cruise vessels whose launch dates range from the 1950s to the 1980s. In recent years, however, MSC Cruises, in an effort to keep up with competitors like First European/Festival and Costa Cruises, has changed in strategy - embarking on a first-ever new build program in company history. MSC launched the 59,000-ton, 1,560-passenger MSC Lirica in 2003 and its sister ship MSC Opera in 2004, MSC Musica in 2006, and will debut their largest ship to date the MSC Musica in 2006 and its sister ship MSC Musica in 2006 and its sister ship MSC Orchestra in 2007. | |  top | | The Fleet
The MSC Cruises fleet can be divided into three categories Boutique, Large and Mega. In the former category are the 35,000-ton, 1,064-passenger MSC Melody (built 1982; formerly known as Premier Cruise Lines' Starship Atlantic); the 58,000-ton, 1,544-passenger MSC Armonia (built 2001); the 58,000-ton, 1,544-passenger MSC Sinfonia (built 2002); the 59,000-ton, 1,560-passenger MSC Lirica (2003); and the 59,000-ton, 1,712-passenger MSC Opera (built 2004).
MSC's Large Category includes the 92,400-ton, 2,550-passenger MSC Musica (built 2006); the 92,400-ton, 2,550-passenger MSC Orchestra (built 2007); the 92,400-ton, 2,550-passenger MSC Poesia (built 2008); and the 93,000-ton, 2,518-passenger MSC Magnifica (built 2010).
MSC's Mega Category includes the 133,500-ton, 3,659-passenger MSC Fantasia (built 2008); the 133,500-ton, 3,959-passenger MSC Splendida (built 2009); and the 139,400-ton, 3,500-passenger MSC Divina (build 2012). | | | top | | Onboard
Whether cruising on a new ship or old, MSC Cruises emphasized a very European-strongly influenced by its Italian roots - environment. Activities and entertainment, particularly on Mediterranean cruises, is geared to European travelers and passengers, whatever their language preference. Passengers should be prepared for announcements read in Italian, French, Spanish, German and English.
Life onboard, particularly when it comes to mealtime, follows a more traditional cruise schedule with scheduled dining times and seatmates.
On ships sailing in Canada/New England and the Caribbean during winters, the environment is more geared to North American passengers. | | | top | | Itineraries
MSC Cruises' main playground is, of course, the Mediterranean, and itineraries include stops in Italy, Greece, Malta, Canary Islands, Croatia, Finland, Portugal, Morocco, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Istanbul and even the Ukraine. MSC Cruises began serving the Caribbean in 1997 and has since added cruises to South Africa, South America and United Emirates. | | | top | | MSC Cruises
Experience the finest hospitality afloat. Seven-coursed dinners and midnight buffets honor the greatest traditions of Italy. Stay in shape at sea with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, then wind down with a rejuvenating massage. Lounge poolside after a challenging ground on the mini-golf course. In the evening, head to the theatre or try your luck at the casino. | | | top | | | | Return to MSC Cruises |
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