Aft Section of MSC Magnifica Completed

The aft section of MSC Cruises' MSC Magnifica has been completed. This is the fourth ship in the cruise line's "Musica" class of ships and has been posed in drydock at Aker Yards in St. Nazaire, France. The aft panel has been completely fitted with water pipes, electrical cables, air conditioning tubes, and steam piping for heating. When it enters service in 2010, Magnifica will be the 12th ship in MSC Cruises' fleet. The cruise ship will be 964 feet long, 164 feet high and 105 feet wide. Eighty percent of the 1,275 cabins will be outside staterooms, and 65 percent of those will have balconies. Other notable amenities to the ship will include 236,800 square feet of public space, the Aqua Spa well-being center, restaurants and a thematic children's play area. Other MSC ships currently under construction at the Aker Yards include MSC Poesia, to be delivered in April 2008; MSC Fantasia, in December 2008; and MSC Splendida in June 2009. Visit [http://www.msccruises.com]. (MA)