The MSC Preziosa is completing ten years this month. Built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, the 140,000-ton vessel was delivered to MSC Cruises on March 13, 2013.
After leaving the French facility, the vessel offered a pre-inaugural cruise to the Mediterranean. Sailing to Portugal, Spain, France, Morocco and Italy, the one-way voyage ended in Genoa – where the ship was christened before officially entering service.
The ship was joined by the MSC Lirica and the MSC Splendida during the ceremony, which took place on March 24, 2013, and was attended by Sophia Loren, the Italian actress that served as godmother of the Preziosa and most of MSC’s newbuilds.
According to MSC, the event also included a high-profile gala dinner, and entertainment from top Italian and international performers in the company of celebrities, media, authorities and the company’s top management.
Following the ceremony, the MSC Preziosa kicked off its inaugural season in the Western Mediterranean.
Sailing from Genoa through the end of the European summer, the vessel offered a series of weeklong cruises during its maiden program.
Visiting Italy, Tunisia, Spain and France, the itinerary featured Naples, Messina, La Goulette, Barcelona and Marseille as ports of call.
In November, the MSC Preziosa crossed the Atlantic for the first time ahead of a winter season in Brazil.
Sailing from the Port of Santos during the entire 2013-2014 season, the vessel became the biggest and one of the newest cruise ships ever to sail from the South American country.
Completing MSC’s Fantasia Class, the MSC Preziosa offers most of the amenities of its sister ships, including a three-deck theatre, three pool decks, five restaurants, a complete wellness centre and more.
The MSC Seashore is currently in the final stages of construction at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard. The third ship in the Seaside Class, its scheduled to enter service on August 1.
MSC Virtuosa Year Built: 2021 Capacity: 4,888 guests Location: United Kingdom
One of the MSC ships in service, the MSC Virtuosa is currently cruising in the United Kingdom.
MSC Virtuosa arriving in Liverpool, photo by Dave Jones
MSC Grandiosa Year Built: 2019 Capacity: 4,888 guests Location: Western Mediterranean
Like the MSC Virtuosa, the MSC Grandiosa is back in service. The vessel is presently offering a 7-night itinerary to Italy, Spain and Malta with calls in ports such as Naples, Civitavecchia, Barcelona and La Valletta.
MSC Seaside Year Built: 2017 Capacity: 4,140 guests Location: Western Mediterranean
Another MSC ship back in service, the MSC Seaside is presently sailing in the Western Mediterranean. The vessel offers seven-night cruises in the region, visiting Italy and Malta.
The MSC Preziosa remains docked in the Port of Naples, Italy. Until late 2020, the Fantasia-class ship was spending the operational pause in the Bahamas, along other U.S.-based MSC ships.
The MSC Magnifica welcomed the passengers back on June 20, offering cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean. The vessel is currently sailing from Venice, on a seven-night itinerary with calls in Bari, Piraeus, Mykonos and Split.
Sailing from Trieste, the MSC Splendida resumed service on June 12. The Fantasia-class ship is now offering seven-night cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean, with calls in Greece, Croatia and more.
MSC Fantasia Year Built: 2008 Capacity: 3,300 guests Location: Malta
The MSC Fantasia is presently in Malta. The vessel recently docked in the port of La Valletta, near the Palumbo Group Shipyard, which was partly acquired by MSC in 2020.
On June 5, the MSC Orchestra became the first MSC ship to resume service in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Musica-class ship is currently sailing from Venice, offering a seven-night itinerary to Greece and Croatia.
MSC Musica Year Built: 2006 Capacity: 2,550 guests Location: Genoa, Italy
After some time in Augusta, in Southern Italy, the MSC Musica recently arrived in Genoa. The vessel is currently docked at the Ponte dei Mille Cruise Terminal.
MSC Opera Year Built: 2004 Capacity: 1,712 guests Location: Augusta, Italy
The MSC Opera is anchored off the Port of Augusta, in the island of Sicily, Italy.
MSC Lirica Year Built: 2003 Capacity: 1,560 guests Location: La Valletta, Malta
Along with the MSC Poesia, the MSC Sinfonia is docked in Trieste. The vessel arrived in Italy in December, from Brazil.
MSC Armonia Year Built: 2001
Capacity: 1,554 guests Location: Ocean Cay, the Bahamas
The MSC Armonia is currently near Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island in the Bahamas. As the other U.S.-based vessels of the fleet, it has been spending the operational pause in the region.
Cruiser MSC Lirica is pictured on fire, while docked in the port of the Greek island of Corfu on March 12, 2021.
According to Marine Traffic, a ship-tracking service, the ship was positioned at the port of Corfu and had been there since March 1.
Facebook user Μαρια Σκουρτη streamed a live video of the ship as it was going up in flames.
In the near hour-long stream, huge black plumes of smoke can be seen billowing from the middle of the ship’s starboard, or right, side. Later, a close-up short reveals orange flames and rescue teams arriving on the scene.
MSC Lirica can carry up to 2,548 passengers and 752 crew members when in full operation, according to the cruise line. The ship is 902 feet long and weighs 65,591 tons.
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