MSC Cruises announces the Magnifica

MSC Cruises’ MSC Magnifica has been floated out of dry dock B and transferred to the Penhoet dock at the STX Europe shipyard, previously known as Aker Yards, in Saint Nazaire, France. MSC Magnifica is the latest MSC cruise ship to be built at STX Europe and sister ship to the acclaimed MSC Poesia, in MSC Cruises’ Musica class.

Approximately 40 STX Europe personnel and 6 tugs were involved in the operation, which took a total of 24 hours. Starting at 22.30 on Wednesday 14 January and using the rising tide together with pumps to flood the dry dock, it took just over five hours to float the new luxury cruise liner, which when completed will weigh around 93,300 tonnes and be 294 metres long, 50 metres high and 32 metres wide.

At 17.30 on Thursday the pumps were switched off, and a quarter of an hour later the tugs arrived to help the magnificent MSC Magnifica through the famous Joubert dry dock and out to the Penhoet dock, where it moored at 22.45.

Scheduled for launch in March 2010, MSC Magnifica will offer outstanding energy efficiency and environmental performance, together with the highest standards of luxury, innovation and variety of facilities. Built to a magnificently creative design, over 65% of all passenger cabins will have their own private balcony, while the public areas will extend over 22,000 square metres and include seven themed areas, two swimming pools, four hot tubs and a sumptuously-appointed 1,160 square metre MSC Aurea SPA wellness and spa treatment centre.

MSC Cruises currently has the most modern fleet in the world with nine ships: MSC Fantasia - the largest ship ever built for a European ship owner - MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia, MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Melody cruising in the Mediterranean all year round, Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Indian Ocean and South Africa. MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica will be respectively launched in 2009 and 2010. MSC Crociere is the only Company to receive the ‘6 Golden Pearls’ award from the Bureau Veritas in recognition of its high level of quality management and environmental protection.

For more information, log on to Msccruises.co.uk.