MSC Cruises to welcome MSC Preziosa

It has been announced that MSC Crociere and STX France have signed a contract for the construction of a 140,000grt cruise ship that will be named the MSC Preziosa

The ship was originally ordered by GNMTC of Libya but the contract was rescinded by the ship builder Saint-Nazaire in June 2011. The reason for cancelling being the deal was a default of payment by GNMTC

The MSC Preziosa will fit smoothly into the line’s Fantasia Class of ship and will be the thirteenth addition to the MSC Cruises fleet

She will join MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida and MSC Divina, which is currently in the same shipyard having her final touches added before her christening in May. MSC Preziosa will be the fourth addition to the Fantasia Class

Mr Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO MSC Cruises said “The new ship represents an investment of 550 million Euros and will be delivered at the end of March 2013. Negotiations with STX France have lasted over nine months; a significant but understandable period of time considering the importance of the investment and the unexpected nature of the takeover”.

“When MSC Preziosa is delivered we will have four ships of every class, giving us a total capacity of over 40,000 berths and the strength to sail in all seas. MSC Preziosa herself will sail the Mediterranean, exploring the beauty of Greek Islands, which represents the highlight of European cruising.”

STX France General Manager, Laurent Castaing also commented on the negotiations: “STX France is delighted with this successful outcome after months of negotiations. The length of time necessary to settle them is the perfect illustration of the challenges faced by the cruise industry in terms of financing, which impact our industry directly. It’s the new Achilles’ heel, after competitiveness, on which our efforts are now focused. In this context, the integration of X32 into the prestigious MSC Cruise’s fleet is a relief and a real pleasure for STX.”