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 unveiled plans for 17 ships to be built between 2017 and 2027, including four ultra-luxury ones for a new brand, Explora Journeys. Even more orders have since been added.

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

2017

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

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

2018

Name: MSC Seaview (second Seaside-class ship)
Christening: 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
Christening: November 27, 2021, in Dubai
Tonnage: 177,000
Passengers: 4,888 (based on two per cabin)

Name: MSC Seashore (first Seaside EVO class)
First sailing: August 1, 2021
Christening: November 18, 2021, at Ocean Cay, Bahamas
Tonnage: 169,380
Passengers: 4,132 (based on two per cabin)

2022

Name: MSC World Europa (first World-class ship)
Christening: November 13, 2022, in Doha, Qatar
Tonnage: 215,000
Passengers: 5,520 (based on two per cabin)

Name: MSC Seascape (Second ship in the Seaside EVO class)
Christening: December 7, 2022, in New York
Tonnage: 169,380
Passengers: 4,132 (based on two per cabin)

2023

Name: Explora I (Ultra-luxury ship)

Christening: October 12, 2023, in New York
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 America (second ship in World class)
Tonnage: 215,000
Passengers: 5,520 (based on two per cabin)

2026

Name: MSC World Asia (third ship in the World class)
Tonnage: 215,000
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)

2027

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

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

Name: MSC World 4
Tonnage: 215,000
Passengers: 5,520 (based on two per cabin)

2028

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

TBC

Name: MSC World 5 (option)
Tonnage: 215,000
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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