MSC Cruises’ MSC Magnifica is the eleventh ship in the cruise line’s fleet and the fourth Panamax cruise vessel in its Musica class. Built by STX Europe, it is a sister ship to the MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra and MSC Poesia. The Magnifica was delivered on 25 February 2010 and is scheduled to start its maiden voyage in March 2010.
The Magnifica has 1,259 passenger cabins, of which 80% are outside rooms. Around 236,000ft2 is dedicated to public spaces. The ship can accommodate 2,518 passengers and 1,027 crew members.
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The 93.330t cruise ship is 294m long, 32m wide, 59.6m high and complies with the Panama canal standard. It can sail at a maximum speed of 23kt.
Design
The Magnifica’s interiors are designed with wood and marble. The ship is powered by diesel motors driving electric generators to power conventional propellers.
The ship’s aft panel is fitted out with water and steam pipes, electrical cables and air conditioning tubes and is equipped with an energy monitoring system.
The Magnifica features a retractable dome over one of its swimming pools, allowing for year-round use.
Construction
In March 2007, MSC Cruises signed a €410m shipbuilding contract with STX Europe. The first steel for the vessel was cut at Saint-Nazaire, France, in September 2008. The Magnifica successfully completed sea trials in January 2010.
Staterooms
The ship offers a range of stateroom categories including deluxe suites with balcony, family-size suites with balcony, outside cabins with balcony, outside cabins with a porthole, and inside cabins. The rooms range from 14m2 to 42.06m2.
The staterooms feature double beds that can be converted into two single beds, a wardrobe, a bathroom with shower, air conditioning, a mini bar and safe, interactive TV and a telephone.
Dining facilities
The cruise ship has five restaurants: L’Edera, Quattro Venti, L’Oasi, Shanghai and Sahara. L’Oasi, located on deck 13, is an a la carte restaurant, while Shanghai, on deck 7, serves Chinese cuisine.
Entertainment facilities
The Magnifica features lounges, a discotheque, casino, children’s areas and a games zone. Bars include the Tiger Bar, Le Gocce Bar, the Sequoia Bar, the Ruby Bar, the Topazio Bar, L’Olimpiade and La Barchetta Bar. The ship has sound and light systems, video projection equipment and a computer-operated plasma wall.
The 1,200-seat theatre hosts a variety of entertainment shows and events. The indoor and outdoor children’s areas offer karaoke, video games, board games and puppet shows.
The ship has a solarium and three freshwater pools. A sports and Capri deck feature tennis and basketball courts, a jogging track and a mini golf course.
Other facilities include an internet café, a cinema, library, card room, poker room, an art gallery, a cigar room, photo gallery, shopping area and duty free shops.
Spa facilities
The MSC Aurea spa on deck 13 is spread over 1,160m2 and offers Balinese massages, saunas, Turkish baths, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, chromotherapy, yoga and a variety of beauty treatments. The spa features a fitness centre, beauty salon, Thalassotherapy room, relaxation area and massage rooms.
Propulsion
The ship is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system. The ship is powered by five Wärtsilä W16V38B diesel engines driving two propellers. The engines provide a total output of 58,000kW.
Itinerary
The MSC Magnifica will commence operations with a maiden voyage from Amsterdam on 9 March 2010. Following the inaugural voyage, the ship will operate on a series of seven-day cruises in the western Mediterranean.
