By
Rebecca Gibson |
MSC Cruises’ MSC Armonia has entered drydock at Fincantieri’s Palermo yard in Italy.
Arriving on 31 August, MSC Armonia is the first of four Lirica-class ships to undergo renovations as part the line’s Renaissance Programme. The vessel will remain in drydock for 11 weeks to be extended with a prebuilt 24-metre section containing 194 extra cabins, which was constructed in May 2014 and will be inserted mid-ship in mid-September.
In addition to new cabins, the ship will be fitted with a new Mini Club and Young Club for children, a Teens Club and additional areas for the Baby Club, which were built in partnership with Chicco. The vessel will also offer a library and a refreshed spray park area, which includes a pathway of water features and water cannons.
Meanwhile, the operator has enhanced onboard services for its passengers. The buffet will be open for 20 hours per day, offering improved features, a new lounge area and an extended restaurant.
MSC Armonia will resume service on 17 November with an inaugural Mediterranean cruise from Genoa to the Canary Islands.
Built between 2003 and 2005 at the STX France shipyards in Saint-Nazaire, MSC’s four Lirica-class ships will be 275m long, weigh 65,000gt and carry up to 2,680 travellers each after the Renaissance programme is completed in 2015.
Next year, MSC Sinfonia will enter drydock from 12 January to 16 March, while MSC Opera will undergo renovations from 2 May to 4 July. MSC Lirica will be renovated between 31 August and 9 November 2015.