The construction of MSC Fantasia is making rapid progress at Aker Yards in Saint-Nazaire, France, in anticipation of her Dec. 18, 2008 christening in Naples, Italy.

MSC Fantasia will be MSC Cruises’ first ship to offer an exclusive VIP area that will truly be a paradise within a paradise.

Called MSC Yacht Club, it will consist of 99 spacious suites (up to 700 square feet), plus a bar, solarium, 2 Jacuzzis, a pool with sky dome, as well as offer guests their own concierge. At the front of the Observation Lounge there will be large glass windows that will allow guests to make the most of the amazing views.

The Observation Lounge will also include relaxation areas, a Wi-Fi zone and a library with books in several languages. A honey-colored onyx marble exhibition table will provide guests the perfect place to enjoy their daily breakfast. Numerous screens will keep guests informed of the ship’s route, weather conditions and the visible constellations while at sea.

LUXURY – For the first time on board a ship, guests will be able to walk on a Swarovski floor. Even the stairs connecting the deck between the MSC Yacht Club Concierge area and Deck 16 will have steps made from Swarovski crystal, which will be illuminated by LED lights. The flooring of the stairs will be a mosaic of black Saint Laurent and yellow Siena marble and the transparent ceiling will allow guests to enjoy the star-studded sky.

BUTLER SERVICE – Butler service will operate throughout the VIP area: offering assistance at check-in, overseeing the transport of luggage and unpacking and serving traditional English high tea from 5 p.m. In addition, the butler can arrange for cigars and wine, liquors and champagne and pre-book tables in the restaurants, spa treatments in the Aurea Spa, ad hoc excursions as chosen by the guest and even arrange a private party in the suite.

Giovanni Mautone, Dining Services Manager for MSC Cruises, will use his training at “The International Butler Academy” in Warnsveld, Netherlands to create the perfect “Butler Service” on board MSC Fantasia and sister ship MSC Splendida.

TOP STYLE ELEGANCE – MSC Yacht Club could not be called anything else. The VIP guests on board MSC Fantasia will enjoy all the characteristics of yachting, including oak wood walls and panels decorated in Alcantara®. The flooring of the Concierge area will be made of wood parquet with interlaced yellow Siena marble. The interiors will be elegant and refined, in keeping with MSC Cruises’ style.

MSC Fantasia will be 133,500 gross tons, 1,092 feet long, 124 feet wide, and almost 196 feet tall – six times as tall as the Tower of Pisa, almost 30 feet taller than the Eiffel Tower, and as high as a 23-story building, a maximum speed of 23 knots, and propulsion of 40 Mega watts, the equivalent of 120 Ferraris, or a 1000 Fiat Punto. There will be more than 1,100 miles of electrical cable (the distance between Naples to Nantes!) and 65,000 light fittings.

Internally there will be:

1,637 staterooms for 3,959 guests and 1,325 crew members: 80% of the staterooms will be oceanview staterooms, with 107 suites. The staterooms will range from 193 to 700 square feet;
290,000 square feet of public space with a theater (able to seat 1,700), “Aurea Spa” wellbeing center (16,000 square feet) with a thermal cave, 5 restaurants (64,000 square feet in total) including a Tex Mex restaurant with an open kitchen and a panoramic restaurant, 4 pools (3 external and 1 with a retractable roof) with 12 hydro-massage tubs, wine bar, coffee bar and another 20 bars (including a sports bar and Jazz bar), specialty shops, casino, disco, Formula 1 simulators and an interactive 4D cinema – all this for the relaxation and enjoyment of our guests;
A children’s area – 4,300 square feet dedicated to the younger guests, with a “Water Slide” (which straddles two decks to the side of the disco with amazing scenic views). This Aquapark will have 150 fountains that will light up at night to the rhythm of music. There will also be three fun areas: Mini-Club, Junior Club and Teenager Club.

After MSC Fantasia, the new era of cruising will continue with her sister ship MSC Splendida, due to be delivered in June 2009.