NEWS YOU CAN USE — CRUISE NEWS
CRUISE NEWS YOU CAN USE
Hollie-Rae Merrick reports from Sicily
MSC stretches Lirica-class ships to compete with rivals’ newer vessels
MSC Cruises believes its investment in lengthening four of its older ships will enable them to compete with the newer and bigger vessels of rival lines. The changes to the Lirica-class ships will reflect the line’s commitment to “technology, high standards and continual product innovation”, said Emilio La Scala, general manager of MSC Cruises’ technical department. MSC Armonia is in dry dock in Sicily, where it has been cut in two and will have a new section inserted between the halves, increasing capacity by more than a fifth.
The project is part of the line’s €200 million Renaissance Programme, which will add more cabins and enhance facilities on Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica. When the work on Armonia is completed on November 17, the ship will be able to accommodate 2,679 passengers, compared with 2,199 before the extension. La Scala said the changes were
the result of customer feedback. “We think we will be competitive with the newer ships in the market,” he added. The insertion of a 24-metre
La Scala (inset) is overseeing the stretching of MSC Armonia
section into Armonia will result in the addition of 193 cabins. The ship will also gain more public spaces, a lounge and library area and a larger area for teenagers. Four kids’ club areas are being introduced, including one for
babies, as part of MSC’s tie-up with baby-care brand Chicco. Armonia’s buffet area is also
being revamped, while the pool is being fitted with water cannons and tipping buckets.
mscbook.com
24 •
travelweekly.co.uk — 18 September 2014
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