MSC Cruises

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MSC Cruises (Template:Langx) is a Swiss-Italian global cruise line based in Geneva, with operations offices in Naples, Genoa and Venice. It was founded in 1988 in Naples, Italy, as part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). In addition to being the world's largest privately held cruise company, employing about 23,500 people worldwide and with offices in 45 countries Template:As of,[1] MSC Cruises is the third-largest cruise company in the world, after Carnival Corporation & plc and Royal Caribbean Group, with a 10% share of all passengers carried in 2025.[2]

History

StarLauro Cruises

File:MSC Montery Kuşadası.jpg
MSC Monterey, one of the line's first ships

In 1988, Gianluigi Aponte, founder of the Mediterranean Shipping Company, decided to enter the cruise industry and purchased the Achille Lauro from Flotta Lauro Line. He retained "Lauro" in the company name in honour of his mentor, naming the new cruise line StarLauro Cruises.[3] The original Lauro Lines (Template:Langx) was originally founded in Naples, Italy by Achille Lauro in the 1940s.

In 1990, Mediterranean Shipping Co. purchased the Monterey to sail for their StarLauro Cruises brand. The ship retained the original name she had used while sailing with Matson Lines. Both the Monterey and Achille Lauro would sail under the StarLauro Cruises banner into the early 1990s. In November 1994, the Achille Lauro caught fire off the coast of Somalia while en route to South Africa, with 979 passengers and crew aboard, two of whom died during the evacuation.[4]

StarLauro line went on to acquire the Enrico C from Costa Cruises, renaming the ship Symphony, and the former Cunard Princess, renaming the ship Rhapsody to the fleet.[5]

MSC Cruises

In 1995, StarLauro Cruises was rebranded as MSC Cruises, with the livery changed from the blue funnel star logo to a white funnel with the MSC logo.[6]

File:MS Melody.jpg
Melody, purchased by MSC in 1997

In 1997, MSC purchased the Atlantic from Premier Cruise Lines, and renamed the ship Melody.

File:MSC Lirica IMG 8593.jpg
MSC Lirica, MSC Cruises' first purpose-built ship

In the early 2000s, MSC initiated a rapid expansion program, and placed its first new build orders with Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard, for 65,000-ton ships. Based on a similar design to the French yard's platform for Festival Cruises, the two-ship order started the aggressive expansion of the cruise line. The line's first new build, the MSC Lirica, debuted in 2003. The Lirica also became the first MSC ship to be christened by Sophia Loren, a tradition that has continued for all but one of the company's new builds.[7] The Lirica was followed by sister ship MSC Opera in 2004.

In 2004, MSC Cruises acquired the fairly newly built European Vision and European Stars from the bankrupt Festival Cruises, renaming the ships Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". and Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"..[8]

In 2006, the first of the four Musica Class debuted, also built at STX France. The MSC Musica was followed by the Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., and the final, slightly modified, Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". in 2010.

In 2015, MSC Cruises announced that the four Mistral class ships had undergone renovation under the Renaissance Programme.[9]

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 was scheduled to be completed in October 2022.[10]

In October 2018, MSC announced an order for four luxury ships of 64,000 gross tons each.[11] These ultra-luxury vessels were to be based on the cruise line's luxury concept, the MSC Yacht Club.[11]

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 new builds upon their delivery.[12][13]

In mid-2020, MSC Cruises suspended most (or all) of their operations for over six months during the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] On 7 January 2021, MSC announced it would restart cruises with the MSC Grandiosa and MSC Magnifica in the Mediterranean. Passengers were initially limited to residents of the Schengen Area.[14]

In June 2021, MSC announced a new luxury subsidiary brand named Explora Journeys, with four vessels planned, beginning with the Explora I.[15][16]

In March 2022, MSC Cruises signed a multi-year deal with Formula One to become their official cruise partner.[17] They were the title sponsor of the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix.[18]

In January 2023, MSC Cruises announced a new multi-year partnership agreement with the New York Knicks. The deal gets MSC promotion during Knicks home games, including LED signage, virtual-on-court signage, and the opportunity to serve as the presenting partner during in-game t-shirt tosses.[19]

In August 2024, Shipping Italy reported rumors that MSC was in talks with Meyer Turku to build a class of four ships with a gross tonnage of 270,000, which would make it bigger than any other cruise ship at the time.[20]

In April 2025, MSC Cruise Division inaugurated the new MSC Barcelona Cruse Terminal, the first fully owned MSC Cruse terminal the will serve MSC Cruises and MSC's Explora Journeys.[21][22]

In May 2025, MSC Cruise Division inaugurated the new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, the world’s largest cruise terminal.[23]

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

File:Lighthouse Bay, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas (December 31, 2019).jpg
The man-made lagoon located in the middle of Ocean Cay

In December 2015, MSC Cruises signed a 100-year lease for the private island of Ocean Cay in the Bahamas to develop the land for an exclusive island experience.[24] The site had previously been used to mine white Aragonite sand for decades. After the original owners abandoned the 95 acre island, the land had to be restored to remove all of the old mining equipment, with MSC Cruises committing $200 million for the project, involving restoration and conversion of the island into a private resort.[25]

The restoration required the work of many scientists to bring the area back into a functioning marine habitat. Once the Bahamian government granted the site marine reserve status, the project was officially named the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and was set to open in mid-November 2019. However, weather delays pushed the date to 5 December 2019.[26]

Fleet

Current fleet

Ship Built Builder Joined MSC Gross tonnage Flag Notes Image
Mistral-class
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2001 Chantiers de l'Atlantique May 2004 65,542 Script error: No such module "flag". Built as the MS European Vision for Festival Cruises File:Costa Fascinosa and MSC Armonia in Malta (MSC Armonia).jpg
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2002 March 2005 65,542 Script error: No such module "flag". Built as the MS European Stars for Festival Cruises File:20170617 MSC Sinfonia Venezia (49258415321)..jpg
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2003 March 2003 65,591 Script error: No such module "flag". First purpose-built new build for MSC Cruises File:Croisiére MSC LIRICA en quai.jpg
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2004 March 2004 65,591 Script error: No such module "flag". File:MSC Opera.jpg
Musica class
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2006 Aker Yards (Saint-Nazaire) July 2006 92,409 Script error: No such module "flag". File:MSC Musica at Pier 25 in Port of Tallinn Tallinn 1 May 2013.jpg
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2007 May 2007 92,409 Script error: No such module "flag". File:MSC Orchestra in Tallinn 2009 0028.JPG
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2008 Aker Yards/STX Europe (Saint-Nazaire) Oct 2008 92,627 Script error: No such module "flag". File:MSC Poesia departing Tallinn 11 July 2012.JPG
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2010 STX Europe (Saint-Nazaire) March 2010 95,128 Script error: No such module "flag". Modified Musica class File:MSC Magnifica (ship, 2010) 002.jpg
Fantasia class
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2008 Aker Yards/STX Europe (Saint-Nazaire) Dec 2008 137,936 Script error: No such module "flag". File:Msc fantasia.jpg
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2009 July 2009 137,936 Script error: No such module "flag". File:MSC Splendida Marseille.jpg
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2012 STX Europe (Saint-Nazaire) June 2012 139,400 Script error: No such module "flag". Modified Fantasia class File:MSC Divina in Malta.jpg
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2013 March 2013 139,400 Script error: No such module "flag". Modified Fantasia class[27] File:Croisière MSC PREZIOSA à quai (cropped).jpg
Seaside class
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2017 Fincantieri Nov 2017 153,516 Template:Country data Malta File:MSC Seaside docked at Ocean Cay.jpg
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2018 June 2018 153,516 Template:Country data Malta File:MSC Seaview leaving Kiel XIV (cropped).jpg
Seaside EVO-class
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2021 Fincantieri August 2021 170,412 Template:Country data Malta File:Msc seashore.jpg
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2022[28] November 2022 170,400[29] Template:Country data Malta File:MSC Seascape cruise ship 2.jpg
Meraviglia class
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2017 STX Europe (Saint-Nazaire) May 2017 171,598 Template:Country data Malta File:MSC Meraviglia Grand Harbour Malta 20180307 03 (cropped).jpg
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2019 Chantiers de l'Atlantique March 2019 171,598 Template:Country data Malta File:MSC BELLISSIMA.jpg
Meraviglia Plus-class
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2019 Chantiers de l'Atlantique November 2019 181,541 Template:Country data Malta [30] File:Vertrek MSC GRANDIOSA (49018550362).jpg
MSC Virtuosa 2021 May 2021 181,541 Template:Country data Malta [30] File:Msc virtuosa 2021.JPG
MSC Euribia[31] 2023[32] May 2023 184,011 Template:Country data Malta Second ship powered by liquid natural gas (LNG) to join the fleet. MSC Euribia - 3 juin 2023 - Saint-Nazaire, France
World Class
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[33] 2022[34] Chantiers de l'Atlantique December 2022 215,863[35] Template:Country data Malta Originally named MSC Europa.[36]

Largest ship built for MSC Cruises and first in the fleet powered by LNG with solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and having "G"-shape bow design.

File:MSC World Europa - Saint-Nazaire - June 2022.jpg
MSC World America[37][38] 2025[39] March 2025 216,638[40] Template:Country data Malta LNG-fueled cruise ship.[41]
Construction started on 22 October 2022.[42][43]
Sea Trials completed[44] and delivered in March 2025
File:MSC World America.jpg

Future ships

Ship Due to enter service Builder Gross tonnage Notes Image
World class
MSC World Asia[45][38] 2026[46] Chantiers de l'Atlantique 216,638[46] LNG-fueled cruise ship[41]
MSC World Atlantic[47] 2027[46] 216,638[46] LNG-fueled cruise ship[41]
World Class 5[48] 2029[48] 216,638[48] LNG-fueled cruise ship[48]
World Class 6[48] 2030[48] 216,638[48] LNG-fueled cruise ship[48]

MSC is also in negotiations with Finnish, Italian and French yards for new builds.[49][50][51][52]

Former fleet

Ship Built Builder In service for MSC Gross tonnage Notes Image
Template:MS 1947 Scheepsbouw-Maatschappij De Schelde, Vlissingen, Netherlands 1988- 1994 23,629 Built for Royal Rotterdam Lloyd as the MS Willem Ruys. Sank after catching fire in 1994. File:Achille39 b.jpg
Monterey 1952 Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Maryland, United States 1990- 2006 20,000 Originally known as SS Free State Mariner. Previously Monterey for Matson Lines and Monterey for Aloha Pacific Cruises. Scrapped in 2007. File:MSC Montery (cropped).jpg
Template:MS 1951 Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson, England 1994- 2000 16,000 Previously Provence for SGTM Line and Enrico C for Costa Cruises. Scrapped in 2001. File:"Ocean Glory I" - Dover, 2001 (cropped).jpg
Rhapsody 1977 Burmeister & Wain, Denmark 1995- 2009 17,095 Previously Cunard Conquest and Cunard Princess for Cunard Line. Scrapped in 2022. File:MS Rhapsody in Trondheim 2007.jpg
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1982 CNIM (La Seyne-sur-Mer), France 1997- 2013 35,143 Previously Atlantic for Home Lines and StarShip Atlantic for Premier Cruise Line. Scrapped in 2018. File:Melody.jpg

See also

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Sister project

Template:MSC Ships

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  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ https://chantiers-atlantique.com/en/news/msc-and-chantiers-de-latlantique-mark-a-major-step-forward-with-the-delivery-of-msc-world-europa/
  43. ↑ https://chantiers-atlantique.com/en/institutional/chantiers-de-latlantique-to-integrate-the-first-lng-operated-fuel-cell-onboard-an-msc-cruises-ship/
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  48. ↑ a b c d e f g h Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ https://www.ttgmedia.com/cruise/msc-cruises-confirms-talks-under-way-with-shipyards-over-new-ship-class-49216
  50. ↑ https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/cruise/msc-cruises-to-take-the-bar-higher-with-next-generation-of-ships
  51. ↑ https://cruiseweekly.com.au/news/msc-going-bigger/80807
  52. ↑ https://www.seereisenportal.de/news/kreuzfahrt-news-schifffahrtsnachrichten/msc-cruises-hebt-mit-der-naechsten-schiffsgeneration-die-standards-an/
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