UPDATE: We knew that there were options for a 3rd and 4th Meraviglia vessel. What this deal does is allow vessels 3 and 4 to be slightly larger versions of those vessels. I’m guessing an additional deck of cabins. The double occupancy rate goes from 4,500pax to 4,888pax. It also updates the delivery dates of those vessels pushing them forward a year.
Via MSC And STX France:
At the coin ceremony for MSC Meraviglia held in Saint-Nazaire, France, MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe, South America and South Africa, confirmed ahead of time the existing STX France options to build a further two ships in the Meraviglia class. Furthermore, the two Meraviglia-Plus next-generation ships, as the new class of vessels is called, will feature increased tonnage and overall size, with a total of 2,444 cabins and a maximum LSA (passengers + crew) of 8,000.
The two new units will now be due for delivery respectively in October 2019 and September 2020, thus anticipating by nearly two years the delivery of the last of the now four Meraviglia STX France-made ships.
In another MSC Cruises industry-first, the two Meraviglia-Plus ships will feature the first and only classic and contemporary fine art museum at sea.
Held at the STX France shipyard – also in the presence of the country’s Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Sector Mr Emmanuel Macron and of Mr Edouard Philippe, the Mayor of Le Havre and a Member of Parliament – the traditional, centuries-old coin ceremony presented the opportunity to showcase to media and other key stakeholders attending the progress made on the work of MSC Meraviglia, which will come into service in June 2017.