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So it seems that next year or 2010 will see an MSC ship based out of Shanghai, well Costa better move their tonnage around because MSC will wipe the floor with them if they continue to base Marina and Allegra there against what assumes will be an Opera class ship. This could turn out to be one that gets shared with South Africa, summer here then summer there, although rumour has it we are to get one year round.
I wonder how long before we might see MSC cruising out of the US year round, perhaps Alaska and the Caribbean with one ship and the Caribbean / South America / Panama with another which would appeal to the South American market as well ?
I would like to see them update the 4 Opera class ships to include alternative restaurants and some fo the newer features from the Musica class. Would make them very competitive.
As for upgrading the Opera-class ships with additional restaurants, I'm not sure there's much room - space is pretty tight, they're under 60,000 tons. Although I do remember that the Sinfonia Lounge, a lounge forward of midships but not completely forward (i.e. no forward observation windows) was nearly always empty and I believe there's an equivalent lounge on each of that class. Trouble is, it's a long way from any kitchens....
Mind it may not be long before they stretch them.
But eventually I won't be surprised to see an MSC (cruise!) ship here in Asia some time in the future, probably a seasonal deployment is ok.
I personally don't really like the interior design of the MSC ships, particularly the Opera-class ships. The Musica-class ships looks better. Their pricing is quite high and with the same pricing, I would have sailed Princess or Royal Caribbean.
quote:Originally posted by mike sa:Mind it may not be long before they stretch them.
The Lirica class? Those ships are already lengthened versions of the Mistral. They really can't be lengthened any further.
quote:mike sa wrote:I was actually thinking of stealing part of the disco which is very large for the ship and perhaps a bit of the deck space forward, it is then immedaitely above the galley for the lido.
This would be above the La Brasserie Cafeteria. There's a bit of deck space forward of the video games and teenage areas. The whole thing would have to be remodelled. I would say not impossible, but would it be worth it?
quote:Or do away with the very ugly basketball court on top of the disco and build a proper restaurant / galley there. Anyway where there is a will ......
This would entail the covering of that deck and extending the elevator (lift) shaft. Isn't there a deck lower down where they play minigolf and you can go aft? I remember this when I cruised on Festival's EUROPEAN VISION (MSC ARMONIA). I don't have deck plans so I don't know what's in that space. You probably can't do anything with that top deck without major work.
quote:Please NOT Tex Mex. Why a tex mex on Fantasia ? On an Italian ship based year round in the Med ? And Italians love TM ?
We don't know what Italians love these days. They'll try anything that's not pasta. Plus you'll have French, German, Spaniards and other Europeans onboard.
quote:Mind it may not be long before they stretch them.
If this class of ship was wider maybe. They are not at (the current) Panamax width. Let's say they could. Would they go the whole hog to Panamax length or would a 20 or 30 metre section be enough? I don't think a 10 metre section would be worth it.
******
Cheers
[ 04-07-2008: Message edited by: bulbousbow ]
quote:...maybe on a one-off cruise from Hong Kong to test the waters...
That should have been Shanghai if they homeport from there. They'll probably call at Hong Kong.
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