Italian company MSC Cruises is the fastest-growing privately-owned European cruise line offering great value holidays.
Cruises run year-round in the Mediterranean in addition to itineraries in Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, South America and South Africa.
The fleet will rise from eight to 12 vessels by 2010 with the introduction of four new ships, two of which are the largest to be built for a European cruise line.
The company’s two new big ships – MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida – entered service this year.
As high as a 23-storey building, the 3,959-passenger sister ships both feature the ‘six-star’ MSC Yacht Club offering 99 suites with 24-hour butler service a dedicated bar, solarium, hot tubs, swimming pool and observation lounge.
As part of the ‘ship within a ship’ concept, Yacht Club passengers also benefit from having all drinks provided, giving a truly all-inclusive experience.
As on MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida features an Aqua Park main pool with 150 fountains and water jets, and North Pole-themed children's play centre.
MSC Splendida's amenities include two mini-bowling alleys in a high-tech Sports Bar and the signature L'Olivo restaurant, serving Mediterranean cuisine from couscous to paella.
Both vessels have 1,637 cabins, including 43 to accommodate special needs guests. Eighty per cent of the cabins and 107 suites have an ocean view.
A Formula 1 racing car simulator and an interactive 4D cinema are among the unique on board facilities.
MSC Splendida itineraries cover many of history's most famous sites such as Alexandria, Ashdod, Athens, Barcelona, Casablanca, Crete, Genoa, Madeira, Malta, Malaga, Naples, Olympia, Rhodes, Rome, Taormina, Tenerife, and Tunis.
The next ship to join the fleet in March 2010 will be the smaller MSC Magnifica which will carry 2,500 passengers. It will also feature 54 suites in the MSC Yacht Club.
MSC Magnifica will have a choice of five restaurants, numerous bars, an internet café, a cigar lounge, 1,200-seat theatre, cinema, casino, disco, spa, three swimming pools, tennis, basketball and jogging track. MSC will be offering cruises from Southampton with their Magnifica ship. Also see MSC cruises from Dover.