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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Mediterranean Marvels From MSC

Soak up the sun or sail through history – from just £599pp

MSC Cruises are highlighting another one of their Mediterranean summer series this week, with a great chance to sample both sun and history. Here are the details: 

From May to November, MSC Sinfonia will be setting off from Genoa on a series of 7-night cruises around the western Mediterranean, calling in St Tropez in France, Palma de Mallorca and Menorca in Spain, and Olbia and Salerno on Italy’s beautiful Emerald and Amalfi coasts. 

After glorious sandy beaches, endless cafes, bars and shops, and celeb spotting in yacht-filled marinas in St Tropez on the spectacular Cote D’Azur, next stop is the charming Palma de Mallorca, the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, where travellers can bask on beautiful beaches as well as enjoying the party island’s mythical day-to-night transformation during an overnight stay and full day in port. 

A visit to the island of Menorca, dotted with picturesque villages and an array of historical and cultural sights, would not be complete without a trip to one of the island’s more than 50 stunning beaches and the crystal clear waters which make it easy to adapt to the rhythm of Mediterranean life. From Spain to Italy’s unspoilt Emerald Coast, one of the most beautiful stretches of the Mediterranean coastline with its breath-taking mountainous, rocky landscapes and white sandy beaches with turquoise waters. 

Last stop Salerno in the Campania region is renowned for its vibrant and bustling Centro Storico and its lovely medieval churches, as well as its proximity to the famously picturesque Amalfi Coast, popular not only for its stunning scenery and beaches but also for its fantastic cuisine, where delicious fish and pasta dishes taste all the better with the backdrop of a breathtaking sea view. 

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

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