MSC Cruises has 12 ships on order for deliveries through 2027, including its new luxury brand.
MSC is also among the industry leaders when it comes to LNG-fueled ships, with four World Class ships set to debut with LNG power, as well as one Meraviglia-plus class ship.
The company’s newbuild order book is valued at $11.3 billion covering approximately 44,500 new berths.
MSC Cruises Orderbook:
MSC Grandiosa
MSC Cruises has banned anyone who has travelled to, from or through any areas of Italy quarantined because of coronavirus in the last 14 days from boarding its ships.
Passengers and crew embarking and disembarking at ports of call will be “frequently checked by thermal cameras for fever symptoms”.
Sailings onboard MSC Grandiosa and MSC Opera, the line’s two ships in the Mediterranean, are going ahead as planned and the company stressed that the majority of its fleet is currently in South America and the Caribbean.
In a statement, MSC said it has “further enhanced our precautionary health measures for all guests and all crew who are due to travel on any of our cruises to ensure the health and well-being of everyone on board every one of our ships”
The quarantined areas in Italy are: Casalpusterlengo, Codogno, Castiglione d’Adda, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo, San Fiorano and Vò.
An MSC spokesperson added: “None of the ports visited by any of our ships in Italy nor any of the related excursion destinations is anywhere near these municipalities or neighbouring territories.”
The restrictions are in addition to those on people who have travelled from or through mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau.
“Everyone’s health and safety on our ships is our top priority and we have had no cases of coronavirus on board any of our ships,” the spokesperson added.
MSC Opera collides into the Uniworld River Countess.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection are suing MSC Cruise Management Ltd. for nearly $13 million in damages it says it incurred after one of MSC’s large ocean ships slammed into the River Countess while it was docked in Venice in June.
In a press release Tuesday, Uniworld CEO Ellen Bettridge said the company filed the lawsuit after extensive conversations with MSC proved unproductive.
“We are extremely disappointed with the unprofessional manner in which MSC has decided to ignore the gravity of the situation, which has disrupted our guests, our partners and our team,” said Bettridge. “Aside from the severe damage to our ship [River Countess], we were forced to cancel 14 voyages, frustrating our guests and travel partners during the peak summer season.”
Uniworld estimates its losses to be in excess of 11.5 million Euros, or $12.74 million. That number, the company said, includes passenger reimbursement, ship damage, lost revenue and the protection of travel agent commissions.
“We do not like to litigate but have been compelled to do so based on the stonewalling and delays by MSC and its representatives — even after receiving a letter of guarantee by their own insurance agency, West of England,” Bettridge said. “We expect more and better from a fellow member of the cruise industry and regret having to go to court to seek a fitting remedy.”
In a statement, MSC responded, “MSC Cruises has been working constructively with all parties and their legal advisors since shortly after the incident, and has been facilitating a close cooperation between those involved including their insurers. As liability in this matter is still under investigation by the responsible authorities, it is inappropriate to comment further at this stage. MSC Cruises is committed to continuing to cooperate fully in order to resolve this matter.”
The suit was filed in Admiralty Court in the Queen’s Bench Division of The English High Court Of Justice.
Uniworld declined to share a copy of the filing.
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