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MSC, Fincantieri sign 4 new luxury cruise ships

15 Mar 2019

MSC and Fincantieri have announced the signing of the final contracts for the construction of four new luxury cruise ships. Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC's cruises division, said: "With this now firm order, MSC is entering a new segment that bears potential globally. While we already serve the premium market with the MSC Yacht Club featured on MSC Cruises' fleet, our new true luxury brand will deliver to this separate and fast-growing segment with super-yacht."

"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."

Image via MSC Cruises

As per the terms of the agreement, the first of the four ships will be delivered by Spring 2023. The remaining three will come into service one per year over the following three years through 2026.

Giuseppe Bono, Fincantieri’s chief executive officer, commented: "The signing confirms our group’s ability and strength to convert the soft backlog into backlog.

"We are proud to have achieved this important goal in less than five months from the preliminary agreement. 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."

All four vessels will have a gross tonnage of approximately 64,000 GT and will feature the latest maritime and environmental technologies available. Each equipped with 481 guest suites, they will also showcase a highly-innovative design and introduce ground-breaking options for guest comfort and relaxation.

This announcement follows the initial signing of a memorandum of agreement between the two parties in October 2018. The contracts, subject to shipowner financing, have a total value exceeding EUR 2bn.