MSC Cruises today confirmed that Melody, the smallest ship in the MSC Cruises’ fleet, is retiring from service and will no longer offer cruises on behalf of the Geneva-based company.

The decision to withdraw one of its first and most traditional cruise ships reaffirms MSC’s focus on cutting-edge service and reflects the company’s continued desire to offer travellers the highest standards in product innovation and the maximum in comfort, elegance and technology across the entire fleet, according to a statement from the line. 

Weighing 35,143-tons, measuring 204.7 metres in length and 27.35 metres in width, Melody has been part of the MSC Cruises’ fleet since 1995, when she was originally purchased as the Starship Atlantic.

The ship was renamed Melody and sailed from Florida to Durban, where she received significant refurbishments and was transformed into the Melody, with a capacity of just over 1,000 guests in 532 cabins.

The ship left Durban for Genoa on her maiden voyage on May 1 1997, and has sailed various itineraries all over the world ever since, most recently in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and South Africa, offering a relaxed and informal cruise-ship experience. 

MSC Cruises has set up a vast array of alternative choices for passengers who have already booked a cabin on Melody for the upcoming summer season.

Over the next few days these passengers will all be contacted, either directly by the company or through partner travel agents, and informed about all possible options including an upgrade onboard one of the other ships in the MSC fleet.