First block for MSC Cruises' Renaissance project laid at Fincantieri's Palermo yard

The midsection containing new passenger and crew cabins and public areas is part of the Renaissance program, involving an investment of almost €200m to stretch four Lirica-class ships operated by MSC Cruises due for completion in November 2015.

In the next three months three more 350 ton blocks will be built  at the yard. Steel cutting is currently underway at the workshops. The completed midsection will be ready at the end of July, ready to be inserted into the centre of the ship which is due to arrive in Palermo on August 31. 

Once fitted, the ship will add 193 passenger cabins and 59 for crew, new interior space dedicated to entertainment, as well as the renovation of the shopping area.

MSC Armonia will also be fitted with a new water park. Gross tonnage will go from 60,000 to 65,000 and passenger capacity will rise from 2,069 to 2,680 per vessel.

Completion of the work is scheduled for November 17, 2014 before the ship starts weekly winter cruises to the Canary Islands.
 
The other three ships will get lengthened in 2015 dockings —MSC Sinfonia from Jan. 12 to March 16, MSC Opera May 2 to July 4 and MSC Lirica Aug. 31 to Nov. 2.