MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique have celebrated the float out of MSC Grandiosa at the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, where the ship is being built. The ship has now been moved to a wet dock, where work will continue until its delivery in October.
MSC Grandiosa will be the third Meraviglia ship to enter MSC Cruises’ fleet, and the first of three Meraviglia-Plus ships, which feature larger tonnage and guest capacity than the first two Meraviglia ships – MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima. It will also become the fifth ship to enter MSC Cruises’ fleet in two and a half years. As part of MSC Cruises’ fleet expansion plan, the company is currently due to take delivery of another 14 next-generation cruise ships, including MSC Bellissima and MSC Grandiosa, by 2027.
MSC Grandiosa will showcase a larger Mediterranean-style promenade, the signature feature on Meraviglia generation ships that serves as a social hub. Among other specialty restaurants, the ship will have a new bar and lounge, L’Atelier Bistrot, offering lounge seating with a stage and a dance floor, impressionist art on display and terrace seating with Parisian Bistrot tables and chairs. This promenade will host surprise performances, including flash mobs and themed parties, as well as projections on the longer 323-ft. LED Sky screen.
As other Meraviglia class ships, MSC Grandiosa will sail with two new, exclusive shows from Cirque du Soleil at Sea. This is part of a long-term partnership between MSC Cruises and Cirque du Soleil.
Following MSC Bellissima’s delivery in February, MSC Grandiosa will become the second MSC Cruises ship to feature Zoe, a digital cruise personal assistant, as a new feature of MSC for Me. This service will provide guests with a way to receive information that is traditionally provided at the Guest Relations desk.
MSC Grandiosa will be delivered to MSC Cruises on October 31, and will start regular sailings from Genoa, Italy, on November 16. Bookings for MSC Grandiosa cruises are already open.
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