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[ 03-26-2014: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

That's bigger than 'Quantum' (167,000 gt) so these new MSC ships will be the Second biggest class in the world!

Quantum will move into third place with the Norwegian Breakaway+ ships in fourth.

Each of the ships will be 167,600 gross tons are just slightly smaller than Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class ships which will measure 167,800 gross tons.

However the MSC ships will hold more passengers (at double occupancy) than Quantum and Anthem (4,180 passengers), with 2,250 cabins (4,500 double occupancy) and a maximum capacity of 5,700 passengers and 1,536 crewmembers.

Malcolm says: If they are 167,600 this makes them third biggest class of ship in the world: Oasis, Quantum, MSC and Breakaway+

[ 03-20-2014: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Originally posted by sea4me:
She looks beautiful. After sailing on the spectacular DIVINA this one will definitely be on my list of must do ships. It's funny though...MSC signs a LOI and immediately publishes a rendering. Where is the rendering of the Carnival Vista?

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Originally posted by PamM:
I still wonder why all these new ships continue to have rows of lifeboats? Are they really needed as tenders on ships this size?

Pam

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[ 03-21-2014: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

MSC Cruises signed a letter of intent (LOI) with STX France this week for the construction of two new cruise ships, with an option for two more. The two ships will join MSC Cruises’ fleet, currently counting 12 ships, all built in the Saint-Nazaire yards. The signature took place at the Hôtel de L’Industrie, in Paris in the presence of Gianluigi Aponte, President of MSC group, Laurent Castaing, General Manager of STX France and Pierre Moscovici, French Minister of Economy and Finance. Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, and Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises were also in attendance.

“Growth and development have always been the characteristics that have defined MSC since the very beginning of our journey into the world of cruising. The launch of this prototype and the building of these two new ships confirm our commitment to further growth and to further development. MSC Cruises will expand its capacity by 31%: we will incredibly enrich our offer on board and we will broaden our horizons to ensure we meet the growing global demand in every region” said MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago. “Once again our longstanding partnership with the STX yard has proved key for these plans”.

“We are really proud of building this new generation of ships for MSC Cruises, a long-time appreciated partner. We invested a lot of R&D and design efforts to make sure that MSC Cruises’ new flagship would truly be unmatched. The latest commercial negotiation was particularly challenging in the light of today’s global competitive landscape in the shipbuilding industry. I would like to point out that the competitiveness agreement signed with our trade unions has been decisive to reach this LOI signature” said Laurent Castaing, STX France General Manager. The two units are due for delivery respectively in 2017 and 2019. 1,033 feet long and 141 feet wide, with a gross tonnage of about 167,600 tons, boasting 2,250 cabins for guests, nearly 820 crew cabins, and accommodating 5,700 passengers and 1,536 crew members.

“The new prototype will be the biggest cruise ship ever built by a European ship owner and the most versatile and flexible of the world: not only will it be able to call in most of the ports and destinations on earth, without compromise, but it will have extraordinary features that will make it the perfect choice at sea, in summer and in winter. The two new ships will reaffirm MSC Cruise’s dedication to outstanding and genuine dining options and out-of-this-world entertainment with new panoramic spaces, a bigger theatre and a spectacular amusement park connected to an outdoor aqua park as well as a two-deck “inside promenade” explained Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises.

Among the new features of the ships there will be specially designed cabins for families and an “extended” MSC Yacht Club, the entirely self-contained private club on the prestigious foredecks that will now be completed with a vast solarium, a private lounge and restaurant and duplex suites.

The new prototype is the result of a long development process, conducted in the framework of STX’s ECORIZON ® programme, leading to the creation of a new generation of ships that are cleaner, more efficient and more technological. They will be water emission free, while its hull and propulsion system will be optimised for better energy efficiency. The installation of scrubbers will allow for fumes to be neutralised and CO2 emissions to be in accordance with the latest evolutions of international maritime regulations.

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Originally posted by timb:
Pam what would the alternative be? Just rafts? I suspect they like to have self sufficient powered craft that can maneuver in rough seas. When we traveled on pride of America there was a port they couldn't dock in so they rotated the lifeboats as tenders that way they each get use and it can be ensured that they are functioning properly

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Yes.. watch the Mein Schiff 3 clip. Small fast craft will still be needed and a few lifeboats as tenders. But there would be no need to rotate as above.

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Originally posted by Dack:
Sorry Pam, you are quite wrong on this one. The Tenders and Life Boats are needed for evauation of the passengers, whereas the Rafts are used for the Crew.
happy Cruising

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That might be the case on many ships but it's not 'state-of-the-art' anymore - there are many passenger ships that have rafts for passengers too and the trend is definitely to replace boats with rafts.

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Originally posted by Dack:
Sorry Pam, you are quite wrong on this one. The Tenders and Life Boats are needed for evauation of the passengers, whereas the Rafts are used for the Crew.
happy Cruising

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I was really asking just why is that so? Why are tenders and lifeboats needed for passengers? They can use MES just as easily. The MarinArk MES are on some cruise ships, along with endless lifeboats/tenders. Many overnight ferries don't have any lifeboats, just MES and a fastboat or 2 for towing them.

I was curious.

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Originally posted by PamM:
none of these life saving rafts/boats/Arks *should* ever be required for an evacuation,

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Other than that Mrs. Astor how did you enjoy your crossing?