31st October 2019 is the date set for the steel-cutting of MSC Cruises‘ first MSC World-class vessel.
The steel-cutting, which marks the start of construction for the vessel will be held at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France where MSC Grandiosa is nearing completion and MSC Virtuosa is also currently under construction. MSC Grandiosa is due to be handed over officially to MSC Cruises on the same day.
MSC World-class ships are a new class for MSC Cruises and are approximately 205,000 GRT with a passenger capacity of 6,850.
The currently unnamed vessel will set sail in 2022 with a sister ship in 2024. Options for a third and fourth ship are available for delivery in 2025 and 2026 respectively.
The new class of ship will be LNG-powered which offers added environmental benefits and also include new enhanced waste-management features.
Other noticeable features of the ship are the unique ‘G-Bow’ which several other cruise lines have used in their new builds. This special type of bow looks like an inverted ship bow that you’d find usually – it offers a maximum length waterline, giving faster speeds, less pitching motions and fuel consumption is reduced by a significant factor.
At the rear of the ship, the aft is split into a Y shape, allowing guests to enjoy a full panoramic view of the ocean behind them.
More details soon! Continue the conversation over at the MSC World-Class Forum.
