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MSC Cruises Orders World’s Largest Cruise Ship

If you’re not familiar with MSC Cruises, they are the world’s largest privately owned cruise line and the world’s fourth-largest cruise line behind Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Star Cruises (Hong Kong).

In what appears to be a mad dash to build an ocean-going vessel that will hold 10,000 people, MSC Cruises last May signed a memorandum of understanding firming up the order of two 200,000 GRT, LNG-powered mega cruise ships.

MSC Cruises’ World Class cruise ships will feature 2,760 cabins and a maximum occupancy of 6,850 guests, the highest passenger capacity in the global cruise fleet. The vessels, which will be delivered in 2022 and 2024 – the options are for 2025 and 2026 – will have a length of 330 meters and 47 meters of beam.

Currently, the world’s largest cruise ship is Royal Caribean’s Harmony of the Seas which is capable of holding up to 6,780 people.

While I think the ship sports an eye-catching futuristic look, frankly, a ship that holds upwards of 7,000 people just isn’t my cup of tea.  And having said that, I’m quite certain that as a baby boomer traveler who prefers a touch of luxury and a destination focus; I am not their target market.

Plus, if you spend a little time learning about the biggest frustration facing cities like Barcelona, Venice, and even the Greek Isles; it is a growing number of these mega-ships dumping upwards of 20,000 in port at the same time.  YIKES!

So, while we will recommend a smaller version of this type of ship to our multi-generational boomer travelers, Carol and I are going to avoid these floating cities like the plague.

How about you?  Would you sail, or have you sailed on a ship holding nearly 7,000 people? 

Leave your comments in the comments section below.
 
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