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 has announced it is to add four ultra-luxury ships to its ambitious ten-year expansion plan.

It means 17 ships will be constructed between 2017 and 2026.

Meraviglia, Seaside and Seaview have already been launched. Bellissima, Grandiosa and Virtuosa are under construction and there are 11 more in the pipeline.

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 in Hamburg
Tonnage: 177,000
Passengers: 4,888 (based on two per cabin)

2020

Name: MSC Virtuosa (second Meraviglia Plus ship)
Tonnage: 177,000
Passengers: 4,888 (based on two per cabin)

2021

Name: MSC Seashore (first Seaside EVO class)
Tonnage: 169,380
Passengers: 4,540 (based on two per cabin)

2022

Name: MSC Europa (first World-class ship)
Tonnage: 200,000
Passengers: 5,520 (based on two per cabin)

2023

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

Name: MSC Seaside EVO 2
Tonnage: 169,380
Passengers: 4,540 (based on two per cabin)

Name: Ultra-luxury ship (unnamed)
Tonnage: 64,000
Passengers: 1,000

2024

Name: MSC World 2 (second ship in World class)
Tonnage: 200,000
Passengers: 5,520 (based on two per cabin)

Name: Second ultra-luxury ship (unnamed)
Tonnage: 64,000
Passengers: 1,000

2025

Name: MSC World 3
Tonnage: 200,000
Passengers: 5,520 (based on two per cabin)

Name: Third ultra-luxury ship (unnamed)
Tonnage: 64,000
Passengers: 1,000

2026

Name: MSC World 4
Tonnage: 200,000
Passengers: 5,520 (based on two per cabin)

Name: Fourth ultra-luxury ship (unnamed)
Tonnage: 64,000
Passengers: 1,000

Dave Monk (Shipmonk) has been nominated as favourite blogger in the Wave Awards 2020. To vote, please click here

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for updates