Construction of the MSC Fantasia at Aker Yards in Saint Nazaire, France is proceeding at a fast pace and if the delivery date of November 2008 is met it will be a fantastic achievement.
MSC Fantasia, the biggest ship to be commissioned by a European ship owner, will be a new concept in cruise liners and an innovative way of cruising.
It will feature the most advanced building technology, using the most precious materials, and a new space concept will be introduced in order to satisfy client needs.
The Fantasia will be the first ship to introduce an exclusive VIP area, the ‘MSC Yacht Club’ with a seven stars service. There will be 68 luxury suites, which will range from 18sm up to 65sm, with a true English butler service, to assist the passenger in every possible way, starting from the check in, the 24 hours cabin service, excursion reservation, transfer, wine choices, champagne and cigars and so on. The MSC Yacht Club will also feature a private solarium, two Jacuzzis, one swimming pool skydome and the observation lounge (private bar area, conciergerie and panoramic view of the front of ship).
At 135,000 grt, MSC Fantasia will be 333 metres long, 38 metres wide and 60 metres tall – a giant of the seas! She will be six times the height of the Tower of Pisa, 10 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower, making it as tall as a 23-storey building. The ship will travel at 23.3 knots. It will have 1,800 kms of electric cabling, equivalent to the distance between Naples and Nantes!, and 65,000 light fittings.
Internally MSC Fantasia will have many features including:
1,637 cabins, to host 3,900 passengers and 1,300 crew members – 80 per cent outside cabins and 109 suites between 18 and 65 sm.
27,000 sq metres of public areas and a 3D theatre with a seating capacity of 1,700. A spa wellbeing centre with thermal caves (1,500 square metres), five restaurants (including a Tex Mex, open 24 hours daily and a panoramic restaurant), four pools with Jacuzzi hydro massage (three external and one with a crystal retractable roof), sports bar, shops, casino, disco and children’s area with the “water slide” (a unique water slide spanning two decks)
MSC Cruises has already confirmed the construction of the sister ship MSC Splendida, also at the Aker Yards, due to be delivered in April 2009.
MSC Cruises has received the ISO 14001 certificate from the Bureau Veritas Certification, in recognition of the management system, that MSC Cruises has implemented on board their ships as well as their offices, which monitor and reduce the environmental impact.
Hamilton Travel Co. Ltd. of 4, St Publius Street, Floriana, Tel: 2124-1242 are the exclusive general sales agents for MSC Cruises in the Maltese Islands.