The construction of MSC Fantasia is making rapid progress at the Aker Yards in St Nazaire, France. This ship is due to be delivered to the MSC Cruises fleet in December 2008. The ship was transferred to the lower dry dock on 1 September. This stage of her construction will be completed in February 2008.
MSC Fantasia is the largest ship to be commissioned by a European ship owner and will introduce a new concept to cruising, making MSC Cruises a pioneer of the new trend for holidays on the sea. After the coin ceremony for MSC Splendida, a visit has been organised at the three mock-up cabins of MSC Fantasia.
The most modern technology and the best material will be used in the construction of MSC Fantasia in order to meet all the needs of the passengers. A new philosophy for the design of elegant and understated public spaces has been adopted. For example, in the suites, the walls and furniture will be mahogany while the headboard will be made of alcantara with luminous inlays. The bathrooms will be marble and with a full-length bath. In all the cabins with a balcony, the furniture and entrance door will be in wengè wood.
MSC Fantasia will be the first ship with an exclusive VIP area called “MSC Yacht Club”, with a restricted access and personal service. The “MSC Yacht Club” comprises a total of 99 spacious suites (a maximum of 65 square metres to a minimum of 18 square metres) and a butler for every five cabins. The butler will help guests at check-in, offer a 24-hour room service, pre-book excursions and transfers, choose wines, champagne and cigars, plus oversee an English high tea service. “MSC Yacht Club” will offer other special areas including a bar, a solarium, two hot tub spa, a pool with a retractable sky dome, an observation lounge with its own bar, concierge and panoramic views over the bow of the ship.
MSC Fantasia will be 133,500 grt, 333 metres wide, 38 metres wide and almost 60 metres in height i.e. six times as tall as the Tower of Pisa, nine metres taller than the Eiffel Tower, and as high as a 23-storey building with a maximum speed of 23 knots, and propulsion of 40 mega Watt, the equivalent of 120 Ferrari or 1000 Fiat Punto. There will be 1,800 km of electrical cable (the distance between Naples to Nantes!) and 65,000 light fittings.
Internally there will be:
1,637 cabins, for 3,959 passengers and 1,325 crew members; 80 per cent of the cabins will be outside cabins, with 107 suites. The cabins will range from 18 to 65 square metres;
27,000 square metres of public space with a theatre which can seat 1,700, a well-being centre “Aquae Spa” (1,500 square metres) with a thermal cave, five restaurants (6,000 square meters in total) including a Tex Mex with its own kitchen and a Panoramic Restaurant, four pools (three external and one with a retractable roof) with 12 hydro massage tubs, a wine bar, a coffee bar and another 20 bars among them the Sporting bar and the Jazz bar; as well as shops, a casino, a disco, Formula 1 simulators and interactive 4D cinema – all this will provide relaxation and enjoyment for the passengers.
The children’s area will be 400 square metres, dedicated to the younger guests, with a “Water Slide” (aqua- slide which straddles two decks to the side of the disco with amazing scenic views). This Aquapark will have 150 fountains that will light up at night to the rhythm of music. There will be three fun areas: Miniclub, Junior Club and Teenager Club.
After MSC Fantasia, the new era of cruising will continue with her sister ship MSC Splendida, due to be delivered in June 2009.
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.