MSC Cruises has signed a letter of intent for four new ships.
They ‘World Class’ ships will have 2,700 cabins for 5,400 passengers.
The first will be delivered in 2022, then the others will follow in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
The new orders, with STX France, are worth €4 billion and bring the total value of the cruise line’s 10-plus year investment plan to nearly €9 billion.
"Today’s announcement is further proof of our view that this industry presents significant opportunities for additional growth going forward for both our brand and product," said Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises executive chairman.
"For this reason, our 10-plus year investment plan now encompasses up to 11 new MSC Cruises ships coming into service between 2017 and 2026.
"It is also a reflection of our constant commitment to innovation as we will partner with STX France to design yet again a completely new type of ship. The new MSC Cruise World Class prototype will feature – amongst other highly innovative elements – a futuristic design that will maximise the open space available to our guests."
He also promised ‘a ship for all seasons and all regions’.
Laurent Castaing, STX France CEO, added: "We have already designed four different classes for MSC Cruises – Opera, Musica, Fantasia and Meraviglia – each with four ships, and now we are working together on this new generation of ‘World Class’ ships."
