4 ultra-luxury cruise ships ordered by MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises has unveiled plans to enter the ultra-luxury cruise market with four brand new 500 cabin ships.

Modelled off MSC Cruises respected Yacht Club 'ship-within-a-ship' experience, the first of the groundbreaking new ships will debut in spring 2023, followed by the launch of a new ship each year until 2026. Each ship will have a gross tonnage of around 64,000 GT and will feature “the best and latest environmental technology and other cutting-edge maritime solutions at sea”. The four ships which will cost a combined total of €2 billion to construct, will be built by Fincantieri, who are also building the line's Seaside, Seaside-Evo, and Meraviglia-Plus class ships.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises' executive chairman, said: "These ships will be able to offer unique itineraries, thanks to their size, and the guest services will be taken to another level, including our personalised MSC Yacht Club butler service, available 24/7," said Vago. "I am especially pleased to be able to further extend our partnership with Fincantieri through this new order. The award-winning Seaside and Seaside-Evo class have already been recognised as ground-breaking and innovative designs. We are now introducing another new class, which will establish a new standard of ultra-luxury at sea with ships that will showcase the quality and highest standards that are associated with Made in Italy."

Antonio Paradiso, managing director, MSC Cruises UK & Ireland, said: "Entering into the ultra-luxury segment, is yet another exciting development in our offering. In addition to our Yacht Club experience, which is very popular among our UK and Irish guests, from 2023 onwards guests will enjoy an even wider choice of five-star cruise experiences in the highest segment of the market. Accessible luxury is something that from our research we know there is significant demand for from the UK market, and our new offering will allow guests to visit some of the most beautiful destinations in the world whilst holidaying in luxury."

MSC Cruises has not revealed any further design details or destinations about the new ships at this stage.