MSC Cruises today announced a multi-million dollar program that will involve all four of its Lirica class ships over the next two years.
The $273 million ārenaissanceā has been commissioned from Fincantieri in Italy, one of the worldās leading shipbuilding companies, and will be completed by 2015. The upgrades of MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Opera will add exciting new entertainment options, technological advancements, expanded shopping options and up to nearly 200 new cabins per ship.
The ships will boast a completely new splash park, with an exhilarating pathway of water features and water cannons. The impressive onboard boutiques will be enhanced with new interiors, more space and an all-new perfumery with display corners dedicated to leading brands, such as Dior, LancƓme and Dolce & Gabbana.
āWhen our four Lirica class ships return to the seas after a total of 38 weeks in dry dock, they will be entirely new ships with additional amenities and comfort for our travelers, allowing them to reach sophisticated and refined destinations around the world,ā said MSC Cruisesā Chief Executive Officer, Gianni Onorato, during a press conference in Rome. āThe extensive renovations represent a huge investment, and reaffirms, once again, our companyās dedication to high standards, cutting-edge technology and continuous product innovation. MSC Cruisesā ships are works of art in their own right. With these exciting upgrades to our fleet – already renowned for its unrivalled style and elegance ā we will be even more competitiveā.
The MSC Lirica class ārenaissance programā will follow the dry dock schedule below:
MSC Armonia August 31 to November 17, 2014
MSC Sinfonia January 12 to March 16, 2015
MSC Opera May 2 to July 4 2015
MSC Lirica August 21 to November 9 2015
The four Lirica class ships were built between 2003 and 2005 at the STX yards in Saint-Nazaire, France. They are currently 251 meters long, weigh 60,000 tons and carry 2,069 travelers. After the renovations, the ships will be 275 meters long, weigh 65,000 tons and carry 2,680 travelers, boasting 193 additional cabins (plus 59 new cabins for crew members).
