MSC confirms order of new ship

MSC Cruises has finalised the order for its new flagship, MSC Fantastica.

The order was finalised on Friday following the conclusion of a lengthy legal process, which began in March. The ship will be the 12th in the MSC Cruises fleet.

The announcement was made jointly with shipbuilding group, STX France. Following the press conference, French president Nicolas Sarkozy visited the STX France ship yards, along with the French minister of economic affairs and the minister of industry.

The project has received financial backing from French financial institutions, which the line said made it possible for the vessel to be delivered by the end of spring 2012.

Commenting on the news, chief executive of MSC Cruises, Pierfrancesco Vago, said: “MSC Fantastica will build on the success of the ‘Fantasia’ prototype, appreciated by more and more guests as unique its class thanks to innovate features like the MSC Yacht Club, the ship within a ship offering unprecedented levels of privacy and personalized service.”