Why MSC means More Ships Coming – a look at the cruise line’s huge order book

Editor’s note: This is an updated version of a story originally published on November 13, 2017.

MSC Cruises, the world’s largest family-owned cruise line, continues on its ambitious expansion course.

On January 20, 2020, it announced another new class of four LNG-powered ships as well as a project to build sail-assisted vessels. All these new ships are expected to be introduced after 2030.

Previously, the cruise line has unveiled plans for 17 ships to be built between 2017 and 2027.

Of these, MSC Meraviglia, Seaside, Seaview, Bellissima, Grandiosa and Virtuosa have already been launched. Seashore is due to enter service on August 1, 2021, World Europa is under construction and there are more in the pipeline until 2027.

Confused? Here’s a ship-by-ship rundown.

2017

Name: MSC Meraviglia
Christened: June 3, 2017, in Le Havre
Tonnage: 171,598
Passengers: 4,490 (based on two per cabin)

Name: MSC Seaside
Christened: December 21, 2017, in Miami
Tonnage: 154,000
Passengers: 4,130 (based on two per cabin)

2018

Name: MSC Seaview (second Seaside-class ship)
Christened: June 9, 2018, in Genoa
Tonnage: 154,000
Passengers: 4,130 (based on two per cabin)

2019

Name: MSC Bellissima (second Meraviglia-class ship)
Christening: March 2, 2019, in Southampton
Tonnage: 171,398
Passengers: 4,490 (based on two per cabin)

Name: MSC Grandiosa (first Meraviglia-Plus ship)
Christening: November 9, 2019, in Hamburg
Tonnage: 177,000
Passengers: 4,888 (based on two per cabin)

2021

Name: MSC Virtuosa (second Meraviglia Plus ship) – delayed from 2020
First sailing: May 20, 2021, from Southampton
Tonnage: 177,000
Passengers: 4,888 (based on two per cabin)

Name: MSC Seashore (first Seaside EVO class)

First sailing: August 1, 2021
Tonnage: 169,380
Passengers: 4,132 (based on two per cabin)

2022

Name: MSC World Europa (first World-class ship)
Tonnage: 205,000
Passengers: 5,520 (based on two per cabin)

Name: Third Meraviglia-Plus ship
Tonnage: 177,000
Passengers: 4,888 (based on two per cabin)

Name: MSC Seascape (Second ship in the Seaside EVO class)

First sailing: November 2022
Tonnage: 169,380
Passengers: 4,132 (based on two per cabin)

2023

Name: Explora I (Ultra-luxury ship)
Tonnage: 64,000
Passengers: 922 (based on two per cabin)

2024

Name: Explora II (second ultra-luxury ship)
Tonnage: 64,000
Passengers: 922 (based on two per cabin)

2025

Name: MSC World 2 (second ship in World class)
Tonnage: 205,000
Passengers: 5,520 (based on two per cabin)

Name: Explora III (third ultra-luxury ship)
Tonnage: 64,000
Passengers: 922 (based on two per cabin)

2026

Name: MSC World 3 (option)
Tonnage: 205,000
Passengers: 5,520 (based on two per cabin)

Name: Explora IV (fourth ultra-luxury ship)
Tonnage: 64,000
Passengers: 922 (based on two per cabin)

2027

Name: MSC World 4 (optional)
Tonnage: 205,000
Passengers: 5,520 (based on two per cabin)

2030-2050

Four vessels in a new LNG-powered class

‘Innovative prototype’ ship class using wind power

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