Italian cruise line MSC today signed a deal for two new megaships with shipyard Fincantieri.

The 154,000-tonne vessels, which will each carry 5,300 passengers, will cost 700m euro (£560m/$950m) each and be delivered in November 2017 and May 2018. There is an option for one more ship.

At first glance, the ‘Project Seaside’ ships are similar to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels.

The deal follows a letter of intent with STX France in March for another two ships with a further two optioned.

This means MSC Cruises is investing nearly 5bn euro in new craft.

The Fincantieri ships will be 323m long, 41m wide and 70m high and carry 1,413 crew. There will be 43,500 sq m of public space, including a sea-level promenade with shops and restaurants.

Despite their size, MSC claim the ships will be able ‘to dock in any port around the world’.

Chief executive Gianni Onorato said: ‘With…