“MSC Poesia”, Musica class, passing the Canale de la Giudecca, Venice 2009 (WS)

Flotta Lauro
A famous Italian company changing from ocean liners to cruises was Flotta Lauro of Naples, founded by Achille Lauro. The beautiful “Angelina Lauro” (24,377 gt) had been the “Oranje” of SM Nederland, bought in 1964. The “Achille Lauro”, the former “Willem Ruys” of 23,114 gt, was taken over from the Koninklijke Rotterdamsch Lloyd in 1965. She had a turbulent career: During refurbishing works, when she became truly embellished, she suffered an explosion. Nevertheless, passengers enthusiastically are remembering her Mediterranean cruises. However, soon she smashed into a fishing boat, in 1972 she caught fire for the second time and in 1975 she collided with a cattle transporter in the Dardanelles strait. Then fire hit her for the third time and she was chained up at Tenerife in January 1982. After cruises were resumed, she hit the headlines in October 1985 when four Mideast terrorists captured her near Port Said and murdered a disabled passenger by throwing him with his wheelchair overboard. They were flown out from Egypt, the plane was forced by USAF fighters to land in Sicily, but authorities released the killers and the Italian government had to resign. Soon the unhappy Flotta Lauro was bankrupt and two investors bought the company in 1987. Finally the enterprise, renamed StarLauro, was acquired in 1989 by Gianluigi Aponte, a captain who had entered the cargo business in 1970. In the meantime his MSC became one of Europe’s largest container shipping companies. The “Achille Lauro” caught fire in 1994 for another time, sank close to the coast of Somalia, the tanker “Lima” and warships salvaged the passengers and brought them to Djibouti, where an Alitalia B.747 jet and air force planes took them over. Now the time had come to drop the traditional name Lauro and in 1995 the fleet became registered with the Mediterranean Shipping Co. or MSC, from 2001 Mediterranean Shipping Cruises, now known as MSC Crociere or MSC Cruises.

“Achille Lauro”, ex “Willem Ruys”, Piraeus 1992 (WS)

“MSC Rhapsody” ex “Cunard Princess”, and the “Thomson Spirit”, Sharm El-Sheikh 2009 (WS)

Already the predecessor had bought in 1990 the “Monterey” (14,799 ts, a former C4 freighter, in 1956 rebuilt for Matson) and in 1995 the “Cunard Princess” (1976/17,095 gt) renamed “Rhapsody”. In 1997 MSC acquired the red “Starship Atlantic” 1982/35,143 gt, ex “Atlantic” of Home Lines) from Premier Cruise Line and renamed her “Melody”. In the 21st century the old ships were given away.

Festival Cruises A new chapter began when a European company, Festival Cruises, went bankrupt in 2004. Founded by the Greek shipowner family Poulides, it offered Mediterranean cruises with smaller ships, from 1990 the “Sun Ambassador” (the former “Theodor Herzl”), then the “Azur” (originally the ferry “Eagle” of the Southampton – Tanger route), the “Bolero” (ex “Starward” of Kloster) and the “Flamenco” (the former “Spirit of London” of P&O). In 1999 the “Mistral” (47,276 gt), commissioned by Services et Transport, was added. A new dimension was achieved with the “European Vision” of 2001 and “European Stars” of 2002, 58,625-ton ships built at Saint-Nazaire with propulsion by two pods, the exterior appearance characterized by a fenced tennis court high above the steep stern. By that investment Festival had overextended. The “European Vision” and “European Stars” changed to MSC, becoming the “MSC Armonia” and “MSC Sinfonia”.

“European Vision” of Festival Cruises, Piraeus 2003 (WS)

“MSC Armonia” ex “European Vision”, and the “Astoria”, Corfu 2004 (WS)

MSC Crociere Gianluigi Aponte’s MSC Crociere targeted to become number four among of world’s leading cruise shipping enterprises with new ships, continuing to order them at Saint-Nazaire, with ‘Italian’ interior design by de Studio de Jorio of Genoa and a typical appearance. The 59,000-ton “MSC Lirica” with pod drive was christened in 2003, like many other MSC ships by Sophia Loren. She was followed by sister “MSC Opera”, then the larger Musica class and the larger Fantasia class, all with screw drive. Wikipedia reported that in 2010 “after strong support from French government, STX Europe and MSC Cruises announced signing a letter of intent to build one, 139,000 ton, 3,502 passenger Fantasia class ship …”, describing MSC Cruises or MSC Crociere as a division of the Mediterranean Shipping Co., with headquarters in Geneva.

Owner Gianluigi Aponte has placed MSC among the leading cruise shipping companies. His wife is caring for ‘Italian’ style. Highlight of the new megaships is the three-level theatre, adjacent to an Italian “piazza” and a five-storey atrium. The top deck of the Fantasia class is crowned with a glazed solarium, an exclusive 1st class zone in front. The Formula 1 racing-car simulator has not been forgotten and the upgraded cuisine is highly appreciated by the guests.

While starting-point of the fleet was the Mediterranean, “Lirica” and “Opera” entered the Caribbean. Then South American and South African cruises were started. In 2008 the “MSC Musica” was repositioned to Australia and then the Asian market became a target. “The special item of the “MSC Preziosa” is her history: Initially, the Libyan ruler Muamar al-Qaddafi has intended to enter with her the cruise business (...). After the end of his rule, MSC has taken over his order” (so reported by Reise Journal, 18 Dec.2012). In May 2014 Ships Monthly reported MSC’s order for 2 still larger ships of 168,000 gt each with STX.

Ships commissioned by MSC at Saint-Nazaire/ STX France:

Lirica class
Half-sisters of Festival predecessors, 2 pods: “MSC Lirica” (2003/ 58,825 gt), “MSC Opera” (2004/ 59,058 gt).

Musica class
“MSC Musica” (2006/ 92,409 gt), “MSC Orchestra” (2007/ 92,409 gt), “MSC” Poesia” (2008/ 92,627 gt), “MSC Magnifica” (2010/ 95,128 gt).

Fantasia class
“MSC Fantasia” (2008/ 137,936 gt), “MSC Splendida” (2009/ 137,936 gt, ordered as “MSC Serenata”), “MSC Divina” (2012/ 139,400 gt, ordered as “MSC Meraviglia”), “MSC Preziosa” (2013/ 139,400 gt).

“MSC Opera”, Lirica class, St.Maarten 2007 (WS)	Show aboard the “MSC Divina” (Dani Soelch)
Children-friendly cabin of “MSC Divina” (Dani Soelch)	Aboard the “MSC Rhapsody”, 2009 (WS)

“MSC Divina”, Fantasia class, departing from Katakolon, Greece 2013 (WS)

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