By
Elly Yates-Roberts |
MSC Cruises has confirmed that the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy will build its four new ultra-luxury cruise ships.
The cruise line, which initially signed a memorandum of agreement with the shipbuilder in October 2018, has ordered four 421-suite, 64,000gt cruise vessels to enter service between 2023 and 2026. They will be the first of MSC’s fleet to be classed as ‘luxury’ and will feature the latest in maritime and environmental technology.
“With this now firm order, MSC is entering a new segment that bears significant potential globally,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman at MSC Cruises. “While we already serve the premium market with the MSC Yacht Club featured on MSC Cruises’ fleet, our new true luxury brand will deliver super-yacht vessels and an experience to match [to this separate and fast-growing segment]. Additionally, we are proud to partner again with Fincantieri for the development and construction of yet again another highly-innovative and exclusive class of ships.”
According to Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, the contract shows the shipyard’s ability to turn prospective orders into firm commitments.
“We are proud to have achieved this important goal in less than five months from the preliminary agreement,” he said. “Fincantieri’s reputation in a complex market such as the cruise one is at an all-time high. Our leadership in the luxury segment, among the most active ones, grows even stronger with these four ships, alongside our relationship with MSC and its growth plans.”