MSC Poesia, the third ship in the “Musica” class of MSC Cruises’ vessels, has reached two more milestones in anticipation of its floating out, scheduled for the end of August.

In the last few days, the two rear funnels have been positioned. Constructed of stainless steel, they stand 128.9 feet above sea level, have a base of 22.9 feet by 7.5 feet and a height of 14.7 feet.

The ship’s two rudders have also been placed and locked. Built by Rolls Royce Marine, the two Full Spade rudders measure 17.7 feet and have an area of 237 square feet for a weight of 27 tons.

With these two stages, MSC Poesia is structurally complete and will join the fleet in April as the ninth masterpiece of the MSC Cruises fleet.

The construction of MSC Poesia reaffirms the ongoing solid relationship between MSC Cruises and Aker Yards in France, where, after having built MSC Poesia’s sister ships MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra, the yard is currently building MSC Fantasia.

MSC Fantasia will join the fleet in the autumn of 2008, to be followed by her twin MSC Splendida in 2009. These two ships will be the largest ships to be commissioned by a European ship owner. On March 30, 2007, MSC Cruises also confirmed the construction of MSC Magnifica, the fourth ship in the “Musica” class and twelfth ship in the fleet.

The investments to date represent the ongoing commitment by MSC Cruises to establish the company as the market leader in Europe, where MSC Cruises has a historic and ongoing maritime tradition.

For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.msccruisesusa.com.