MSC Cruises and the STX Europe ship yard in Saint-Nazaire, France, today began the countdown to MSC Divina’s long-awaited christening which will take place on 26 May 2012 in Marseilles, France.

As the third and latest addition to the MSC Cruises’ flagship Fantasia class, MSC Divina will become the 12th and most magnificent ship of the MSC Cruises’ fleet. The final stretch of construction, her ‘dressing up,’ is therefore a mammoth feat requiring immense dedication, technical expertise, attention to detail and craftsmanship.

At the STX Europe ship yard, where workmen have taken immense pride in building beautiful ships for the last 150 years, over 1,400 skilled professionals representing over 100 companies are working hard to get MSC Divina ready for her big debut.

Locksmiths, electricians, coppersmiths, mechanics, carpenters, decorators, marble fitters, light technicians, insulation and air-conditioning technicans, kitchen designers and supervisors represent just some of the many trades involved in the fitting and furnishing of the 333 metre long, 38 metre wide, 140,000 ton, 4,363 passenger luxury cruise ship.

When MSC Divina emerges for her debut ‘Grand Ball’ on 26 May 2012 in Marseille, over 2.2 million hours will have been spent on her construction and an extra one million hours of work will have been devoted to meticulously applying the finishing touches. MSC Divina will call at Malta on her maiden voyage, 4 days later, on the 30th May.