the new MSC CRUISES mega cruise ship has now been delivered

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The brand new "MSC DIVINA" has now been delivered by STX shipyards at Saint-Nazaire, she is the largest of the MSC CRUISES fleet, currently the fourth biggest cruise operator in the World. "MSC DIVINA" at 139.000 GRT is the largest of the FANTASIA-CLASS cruise ships, she was originally meant to be called FANTASTICA but actress Sophia Loren expressed her will to the owners of MSC to have a ship named after her one day, so the chairman of the company personal friend of the actress fulfilled her wish by naming the new flagship "MSC DIVINA". The new mega cruise-ship has capacity for 3950 passengers and has a top speed of 23.7 knots, she is due to be named by Sophia Loren on the 26.5.2012 at Marseille and embark on her maiden voyage the day after, MSC CRUISES will operate the new ship in the Mediterranean. "MSC DIVINA" is seen above at Lisbon on her maiden call during her shake down cruise, photos copyright Rui Agostinho




During the past year I have paid a few visits to Saint-Nazaire to follow the building of the new ship, the photos above are from March, April and September 2011 showing the new mega cruise ship taking shape at one of the most prestigious shipyards in the World, responsible for the building of some of the most enchanting liners ever, to name a few, NORMANDIE, FRANCE and recently the new QUEEN MARY 2

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