Cruise ship sliced in two at start of £160 million Renaissance Project for MSC

Clean cut: MSC Armonia is sliced in two

Work has started on MSC Cruises’ €200 million (£160 million) project to stretch four of the line’s ships. The first, MSC Armonia, was cut in two in a dry dock in Palermo, Sicily, today; over the next few weeks a pre-fabricated 24 metre mid-section will be welded in place, adding extra cabins, public rooms, and crew space.

The Renaissance Project will then repeat the procedure on sister ships MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera, and MSC Lirica, all built between 2003 and 2005.  They are each 251 metres long, measuring 60,000 gross tons, and carrying 2,199 passengers.

After the lengthening, they will be 275 metres long, 65,000 gross tons, and with an extra 193 cabins, a total passenger capacity of 2,679.  The work involves each ship being cut in two just forward of the funnel, and then separated to make way for the new section.

Lift and separate: The two sections of the ship are slowly dragged apart

The modifications include installation of passenger cabins in place of a public lounge on Deck 7; installation of balconies for cabins on Deck 9; new lounge, library and teen club on Deck 6; children’s clubs and improvements to the buffet on Deck 11; and a refit of the pool area with a children’s water park on Deck 12.

Each ship will take approximately nine weeks to lengthen and refit. The new-look Armonia is scheduled to leave the dockyard on November 17. Work will start on Sinfonia in January, Opera in May and Lirica in August.

Ready to roll: the new 24-metre mid section 

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MSC To Increase UK Med Cruise Offers

MSC Cruises has announced a big increase in its Mediterranean fly-cruise capacity for the UK market in 2015 as part of its focus on its Mediterranean heritage next year.

However, the big Italian line will not operate any ex-UK sailings for a year from "early 2015," although it insists it WILL return to the UK after next year.

MSC Opera (above), which is currently sailing out of Southampton, will be out of action for part of summer 2015 as part of the company's two-year 'Renaissance Programme' to refurbish its Lirica-class ships in dry dock for 38 weeks.

The cruise line has already announced its redevelopment of MSC Armonia, Sinfonia, Opera and Lirica as part of its new Med voyage focus in 2015. And Giles Hawke, managing director for UK and Ireland, explained: "As market leader for Mediterranean cruises it is important that we work to reinforce this position by increasing our fly-cruise capacity, along with improving our ships to include more balcony cabins, more on board entertainment and additional technological advancements.

"We are considering various charter options and working with our air partners to come up with the best approach to keep up with the current customer demand for fly-cruises direct to the Mediterranean. We will also be introducing tools supporting travel agents in order to make the fly-cruise booking process easier than ever."

MSC Opera will be cruising from Southampton in 2014 on a selection of mini cruises, Baltic cruises, Fjord cruises and the 'Continental Discovery' cruise, while MSC Magnifica also starts a short programme of 7-night cruises in the autumn from Southampton, featuring an overnight stay in Amsterdam plus visits to Belgium, France and Hamburg.

More info: call 0844 561 1955 or visit www.msccruises.co.uk.

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Head For The Fjords With MSC

Here's a great little offer to start the month - set sail from Southampton to the Norwegian fjords with MSC Cruises in a balcony cabin from just £699 per person.

This early-summer offering is on board their chic MSC Opera, which provides the ideal balance between style, comfort and affordability. Featuring fine woodwork, marble floors and panoramic windows, allowing passengers to catch the spectacular views of the Nordic coastline, the ship has been conceptually designed to feature a wide range of options, from fine dining to exclusive entertainment and indulgent spa experiences.

 

Once ashore, guests can embark on a variety of cultural excursions, ranging from an insider tour of Oslo to an epic train journey on the Flaam railway through the spectacular Norwegian landscape.

The 7-night cruise departs from Southampton on June 8 and balcony cabin prices start from a bargain £699 per person (including cruise and transfers), as the ship calls at Ijmuiden (for Amsterdam), Flaam, Stavanger, Oslo and back to Southampton. Prices also include free car parking at Southampton Port or National Express transfers to Southampton.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's leading cruise-agent specialists.

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