MSC Splendida
MSC Splendida is a large cruise ship of the Fantasia class, owned and operated by the Switzerland-based MSC Cruises.[1][2] Constructed by STX Europe at the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, with delivery in July 2009, the vessel measures 137,936 gross tons and features 1,637 passenger cabins accommodating a lower-berth capacity of 3,274 and a maximum of 4,363 guests, serviced by approximately 1,370 crew members.[3][4][1] The ship is distinguished by its expansive deck layouts across 18 decks, including innovative amenities such as the exclusive MSC Yacht Club with private suites and dedicated service, a Balinese-inspired spa, multiple swimming pools under a retractable magrodome roof, a sports complex with a Formula 1 racing simulator and squash courts, and entertainment venues like the Strand Theatre.[1][5] Since entering service, MSC Splendida has primarily operated itineraries in the Mediterranean Sea, Northern Europe, and occasionally extended voyages to regions like the Red Sea and India, positioning it as one of the larger vessels in MSC's fleet for high-volume passenger transport.[4][5] Notable for its scale at launch—among the largest passenger ships built in Europe at the time—MSC Splendida underwent a refurbishment in 2017 to update interiors and facilities, maintaining its role in MSC Cruises' expansion of mega-ship offerings without major incidents affecting operations.[6][5]Design and Construction
Technical Specifications
MSC Splendida, a Fantasia-class cruise ship built in 2009, has a gross tonnage of 137,936 GT.[1][7] The vessel measures 333.3 meters in length overall, with a beam of 37.92 meters and a draft of 8.29 meters.[3] It accommodates up to 4,363 passengers at maximum capacity, with 3,274 lower berths, supported by a crew of 1,370 members across 1,637 cabins.[1][7][4]| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Gross Tonnage | 137,936 GT |
| Length (LOA) | 333.3 m (1,093 ft) |
| Beam | 37.92 m (124 ft) |
| Draft | 8.29 m |
| Height | 66.81 m (219 ft) |
| Decks | 18 total (14 passenger-accessible) |
| Passenger Capacity | 3,274 lower berths; 4,363 max |
| Crew | 1,370 |
| Cabins | 1,637 |
Architectural and Engineering Innovations
MSC Splendida, as the second vessel in the Fantasia-class, incorporated several engineering advancements focused on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability upon its delivery in 2009. The ship received the first-ever Energy Efficient Design label from Bureau Veritas, recognizing optimizations in hull form and appendages for reduced fuel consumption, integration of energy-saving propulsion devices, and deployment of latest-generation diesel engines. These features collectively enable an estimated savings exceeding 10% in total energy use relative to comparable conventional cruise vessels of the era.[9][10] A key engineering innovation is the automated Stateroom Monitoring System, which oversees electricity usage in cabins and public areas, achieving approximately 25% reduction in onboard energy consumption through intelligent control of lighting, HVAC, and appliances. Complementing this, the vessel employs twin 20 MW electric propulsion motors, allowing a service speed of 24 knots while minimizing operational inefficiencies. Additionally, an advanced five-stage wastewater treatment plant processes all black and gray water generated aboard, producing effluent compliant with stringent international discharge standards before ocean release.[11][12][11] Architecturally, the ship pioneered the MSC Yacht Club concept within the Fantasia class, creating a dedicated "ship-within-a-ship" enclave for premium passengers, featuring private suites, an exclusive lounge, dedicated restaurant, and concierge services separated from main decks for enhanced privacy and luxury. Public spaces include a multi-level atrium with a computer-operated plasma wall for dynamic visual displays, supported by advanced sound, lighting, and video projection systems that enable immersive entertainment experiences. The design, by De Jorio Design International, emphasizes spacious layouts accommodating up to 3,960 passengers across 1,636 staterooms, with 31 Kone elevators—including scenic glass units—facilitating efficient vertical circulation.[13][14][15][16]Operational History
Maiden Voyage and Early Service (2009–2016)
MSC Splendida was delivered to MSC Cruises by STX Europe on July 4, 2009, marking the completion of her construction at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard in France.[3] She departed on her maiden voyage the same day from Barcelona, Spain, embarking on a 7-day Western Mediterranean itinerary that included stops at Civitavecchia (Rome), Genoa, Messina (Sicily), Valletta (Malta), and a return to Barcelona.[7] [3] The vessel was officially christened on July 12, 2009, in Barcelona by Italian actress Sophia Loren, who served as godmother and performed the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony accompanied by fireworks.[17] [18] In her inaugural 2009–2010 season, MSC Splendida operated longer 10- and 11-night itineraries in the Eastern Mediterranean and Canary Islands, with homeports including Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Genoa, targeting European passengers with family-oriented voyages.[7] For the 2009–2010 winter period, she repositioned to the Caribbean, offering 10- and 11-night cruises to Eastern Caribbean ports from a United States homeport.[19] From 2010 through 2016, the ship continued seasonal deployments primarily in the Mediterranean during summers, with 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Italian and Spanish ports calling at key destinations such as Naples, Palermo, and Tunis.[6] Winters often featured Caribbean itineraries, while occasional Northern European routes, including fjord voyages in Norway, expanded her operational scope.[7] No major operational disruptions were reported during this period, reflecting standard service under Panamanian flag with a focus on high-capacity passenger transport.[20]Refurbishments and Modernization Efforts
In late 2017, MSC Splendida underwent a drydock refurbishment to adapt the vessel for deployment in the Chinese market starting in May 2018.[7] This included a significant interior overhaul with the addition of a new restaurant developed in partnership with Chinese chef Jereme Leung, the rollout of the "MSC for Me" digital concierge program for personalized passenger services, and the installation of an AI-powered translation system to accommodate multilingual guests from Asia.[7] Retail spaces were expanded by approximately 50%, featuring redesigned duty-free shops, confectionery outlets, and updated MSC branding to appeal to Chinese consumers.[21] The 2017 refit also emphasized enhancements for regional operations, such as improved amenities to better serve the Asian cruise segment, including preparations to offer the existing MSC Yacht Club experience in new markets.[22] These modifications supported the ship's repositioning from Middle East and Mediterranean routes to Asia, where it operated itineraries visiting ports in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and mainland China.[7] On May 10, 2024, MSC Splendida entered drydock at Palumbo Shipyard in Valletta, Malta, emerging on May 29 after routine maintenance and technical works.[7] The project encompassed hull cleaning and repainting, classification society surveys, safety inspections, and general technical overhauls to ensure compliance with international maritime standards and extend operational reliability.[7] This maintenance aligned with MSC Cruises' fleet-wide program, which scheduled six vessels for drydocking in Malta that year.[23] Post-drydock, the ship was prepared for continued service, including planned repositioning to Asian routes later in 2024, though subsequent adjustments shifted focus to other regions.[24]Recent Deployments and Adaptations (2017–Present)
In late 2017, MSC Splendida underwent a refurbishment during a drydock from November to December, tailored for its upcoming deployment to the Asian market, including the addition of a new signature restaurant curated by chef Jereme Leung, an AI-powered translation system for multilingual communication, and a 50% expansion of retail space to 800 square meters with luxury brands targeted at Chinese consumers.[7][21][25] Following this, the ship operated winter cruises in the Middle East from Dubai, including itineraries to UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar, before transiting via the Maritime Silk Road route in March-May 2018 to Shanghai, China, for year-round deployments serving the growing Chinese cruise market with 4- to 7-night voyages to regional ports.[7][26][27] The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations in early 2020, leading to the cancellation of sailings from Shanghai and a broader industry-wide suspension of passenger cruises through much of 2020-2021, with MSC Splendida laid up during this period as part of MSC Cruises' fleet-wide pause in response to global travel restrictions and health protocols.[7][28] Post-restart, the ship resumed service in November 2021 with winter deployments in South America, homeported in Santos, Brazil, offering 7-night roundtrips to ports including Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Punta del Este, Uruguay, through March 2022.[7] From 2022 to 2023, MSC Splendida shifted to the Red Sea region, operating 7-night roundtrips from homeports in Sokhna and Safaga, Egypt, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, focusing on Middle Eastern and North African ports amid fluctuating global demand.[7] It primarily returned to Western Mediterranean itineraries thereafter, with 4- to 7-night cruises from bases like Barcelona, Spain; Genoa and Civitavecchia, Italy; and Marseille, France, visiting ports such as Naples, Palermo, and La Goulette, Tunisia.[7] In May 2024, the vessel entered a routine drydock in Malta from May 10 to 29 for hull cleaning, technical overhauls, and maintenance to ensure compliance with operational standards.[7] For the 2024-2025 winter season, MSC Splendida was redeployed to South America starting December 13, 2024, homeported in Santos for 7-night itineraries to Buenos Aires and other regional ports until March 21, 2025, in response to strong demand prompting MSC Cruises to allocate a sixth ship to the area.[7][29][30] Following this, it repositioned to the Western Mediterranean for ongoing summer and winter sailings through 2025 and into 2026, including short cruises from Barcelona to Genoa and Marseille, without major structural adaptations beyond standard upkeep.[7][31]Itineraries and Areas of Operation
Mediterranean and European Routes
MSC Splendida operates primarily in the Western Mediterranean, offering round-trip cruises from key ports in Spain, France, and Italy. These routes emphasize accessible, multi-country itineraries suitable for short escapes or week-long holidays, with no deployments to Northern European destinations such as Norway or the Baltic Sea.[7] Itineraries typically range from 3 to 8 days, with 7-day voyages predominant in summer months (May to September), incorporating ports like Barcelona (Spain), Marseille (France), Genoa and Civitavecchia (Italy), Palma de Mallorca (Spain), and Livorno (Italy). Shorter 4- to 5-day options prevail in shoulder seasons, focusing on fewer stops for weekend travelers. Occasional extensions include Valletta (Malta), Cagliari or Palermo (Italy), and La Goulette (Tunisia). Homeports such as Barcelona, Genoa, and Marseille facilitate departures from major hubs.[7][32][33] In 2025, the ship maintains this Mediterranean focus, as confirmed by deployment announcements. For instance, a 4-day round-trip from Barcelona on October 23, 2025, calls at Marseille and Genoa. A 7-day itinerary departing Genoa on September 24, 2025, features additional Italian ports like Naples and Palermo. These patterns align with MSC Cruises' strategy for the vessel, prioritizing high-frequency Western Mediterranean service over transatlantic or northern repositionings.[31][7][34] The following table outlines a representative 7-night Western Mediterranean itinerary, based on recurring patterns from Genoa:| Day | Port/Activity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Genoa, Italy (departure) |
| 2 | Marseille, France |
| 3 | Barcelona, Spain |
| 4 | Palma de Mallorca, Spain |
| 5 | Naples, Italy |
| 6 | Palermo, Sicily, Italy |
| 7 | La Goulette, Tunisia |
| 8 | Genoa, Italy (arrival) |