At the coin ceremony of »MSC Meraviglia« held in Saint-Nazaire, France, at the beginning of February, MSC Cruises has[ds_preview] confirmed the existing STX France options to build a further two cruise vessels. The new class of vessels is called Meraviglia-Plus next-generation ships and it will feature increased tonnage and overall size, with a total of 2,444 cabins and a maximum LSA (passengers + crew) of 8,000 persons. The 331m long vessels will be equipped with the first and only classic and contemporary fine art museum at sea the company stated.
The two new units will now be due for delivery respectively in October 2019 and September 2020, thus anticipating by nearly two years the delivery of the last of the now four Meraviglia STX France-made ships. The duo will be worth 1.6 bill.€, thus bringing MSC Cruises’ investment for the two Meraviglia plus the two Meraviglia-Plus ships to a total of 3 bill.€. According to MSC Cruises the »MSC Meraviglia« which should come into service in June 2017 will be christened in Le Havre, France.
