MSC Fantasia scheduled for November 2008 Delivery

Construction of MSC Fantasia at Aker Yards in Saint Nazaire, France is proceeding at speed. Delivery is scheduled for November 30, 2008. MSC Fantasia, one of the biggest ships to be commissioned by a European ship owner, will feature state of the art ship-building technologies and the highest quality materials, as well as new spatial design concepts.

MSC Fantasia will feature an exclusive VIP area, the MSC Yacht Club, featuring six-star service. It will also have 99 luxury suites, ranging from 18 square metres to 65 square metres, each offering a genuine English butler service to provide personalised assistance to the passenger in every possible way. From the moment of check-in, 24-hour cabin service will be available, including excursion reservations, transfers, and selections of wine, champagne and cigars. The MSC Yacht Club will also feature a private solarium, two Jacuzzis, one skydome swimming pool and an observation lounge with a private bar area, concierge services and panoramic views.

The 135,000-grt MSC Fantasia will be 333 metres long, 38 metres wide and 60 metres tall - a giant of the seas. She will be six times the height of the Tower of Pisa, and 10 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. Cruising at 23 knots, she will be powered by a propulsion force of 40 mega watts, the equivalent of 120 Ferraris or 1000 Fiat Puntos. She will have 1,800 kilometres of electrical cabling – the distance between Naples and Nantes – and 65,000 light fittings.

On board, MSC Fantasia will sport a number of features including:

- 1,637 cabins, hosting 3,900 passengers and 1,300 crew members

-  80% outside cabins and 109 suites ranging from 18 to 65 square metres.

- 27,000 square metres of public space, with entertainment facilities that include a 3D theatre with a seating capacity of 1,700, a spa wellbeing centre with thermal caves (1,500 square metres), five restaurants (including a Tex Mex, open 24 hours daily, and a panoramic restaurant), four pools with Jacuzzi hydro massage (three external and one with a crystal retractable roof), a sports bar, a jazz bar, shops, a casino and a disco.

- A Children’s area featuring the “Water Slide” (a unique water slide spanning two decks) and a high-tech 3D chute, similar to those in Walt Disney World.

MSC Fantasia will also feature technological innovations. AWT, or Advanced Water Treatment, is a system capable of treating both black and gray water to near potable quality. This system is designed to exceed the highest current standards in the maritime industry, and will be certified by a Bureau Veritas certificate of CLEAN SHIP 2AWT.

Use of a special polymer on the keel is an innovation in the paint used on the hull and other parts of the vessel that makes it impossible for marine vegetation to attach itself to any submerged part of the vessel. This innovation eliminates unnecessary friction on the keel, resulting in significant fuel savings.

Comfort Class is a special certification, providing greater comfort to the passengers and crew by eliminating excessive vibration and engine noise.

MSC Fantasia will be certified, as all MSC vessels are, with the ISO 14001, which is an internationally accepted environmental management  system accreditation, specifying the requirements for establishing sound environmental policies, and determining the environmental aspects and impacts of products and activities.

MSC Fantasia's twin, MSC Splendida, is expected to be completed in April 2009.

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