MSC Preziosa
 MSC Preziosa | |
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Name: | MSC Preziosa |
| Operator: | MSC Cruises |
| Port of registry: |
 Panama |
| Route: | Mediterranean |
| Cost: | $550 million |
| In service: | March 2013 |
| Identification: | IMO number: 9595321 |
| Status: | Operational |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type: | Fantasia-class cruise ship |
| Tonnage: | 139,072 GT |
| Length: | 1,092.5 ft (332.99 m) |
| Beam: | 124.7 ft (38.01 m) |
| Height: | 219.2 ft (66.81 m) |
| Draft: | 27.2 ft (8.29 m) |
| Decks: | 18 total, 13 passenger decks |
| Installed power: | Diesel (40,000kW) |
| Propulsion: | Twin propellers |
| Speed: | 23.7 knots (43.9 km/h; 27.3 mph) |
| Capacity: | 3,959 passengers |
| Crew: | 1,370 crew |
| Notes: | 17 elevators, post-Panamax |
MSC Preziosa is Fantasia-class cruise ship owned and operated by MSC Cruises. She entered service in March, 2013. The ship is an enhanced version of her running mates, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia, and is identical to MSC Divina.
History
On June 4, 2010 a letter of intent was signed between STX France and Libyan state-owned company General National Maritime Transport Corporation (GNMTC), to build one cruise ship similar to Fantasia and Splendida. Nominally named Phoenicia the vessel was to have a 120-ton shark aquarium integrated into the design, as specified by Hannibal Gaddafi, son of Libya's leader at the time.[1] During construction, the Libyan civil war broke out on 15 February 2011. In June 2011, STX France canceled the contract, and began looking for a new buyer of the hull.[2][3] On March 13, 2012, MSC announced it had reached an agreement to buy the ship for 550 million euros, and named the vessel Preziosa.[4] A year later, the Preziosa was delivered to MSC Cruises.[5]
Equipment and dimension
The ship is 333.3 meters in length and is 38 meters in width. It can travel at a speed of up to 23.7 knots (43.9 km/h; 27.3 mph). With 1739 staterooms, she has over 100 more staterooms than her sister ships. Naval architect De Jorio Design International also introduced a completely redesigned deck, in addition to a new restaurant. The MSC Yacht Club has been enlarged. Preziosa has a revised rear-lounge, casino and disco in addition to a new "infinity pool" for adults only. The Aurea Spa has Balinese massage, saunas, and a Turkish bath. The ship also has Aurea Spa Suites for Yacht Club members. Other features include the new "4D" cinema along with a Formula 1 simulator.[citation needed]
Destinations
The pre-inaugural voyage will start from St. Nazaire and end in Genoa. She will call in Lisbon, Portugal, Cadiz, Spain, Casablanca, Morocco, Valencia, Spain, and Marseille, France, before arriving in the port of Genoa on Friday 22 March.[5] Between March and October, MSC Preziosa is scheduled to operate on Mediterranean cruises from Genoa. Between winter 2013 and spring 2014, MSC Preziosa will operate on South America cruises from Santos.
References
- ↑ Graham Smith (16 March 2012). "Gaddafi son was building luxury cruise liner with glass tank big enough for six sharks to swim in". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
- ↑ "Libya’s GNMTC confirms cruise ship order". Bairdmaritime.com. 2010-07-01. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
- ↑ "STX France cancels Libya cruise ship contract". Marine Log. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
- ↑ "MSC Cruises-UK News: MSC Cruises Welcomes MSC Preziosa". Msccruises.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "MSC Flag Ceremony in Saint-Nazaire". Cruise Industry News. 2013-03-14. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to MSC Preziosa (ship). |
- Official website
- "On board: verdict on Gaddafi's $697 million luxury liner" – review in The Sydney Morning Herald of a cruise on the MSC Preziosa.
- "Tasting plate of the Med" – review in The Australian of a cruise on the MSC Preziosa.
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