The renewed MSC Armonia makes her debut in Genoa after little more than 10 weeks since her arrival in Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard on 31 August 2014.
MSC Armonia was re-launched under the excited gaze of international press ahead of her inaugural cruise to the Canary Islands tomorrow.
The ship is the first of MSC’s Lirica class to be enlarged and enhanced under the €200 million Renaissance Programme.
As part of her enhancement, a pre-built mid-ship section has been inserted, allowing for approximately 200 additional cabins, 94 of which are balcony cabins, as well as new entertainment spaces and technological enhancements.
MSC Cruises’ CEO, Gianni Onorato, unveiled the ship’s range of incredible new options and features while international press and travel industry representatives boarded the new MSC Armonia.
“I’m very proud of what we and our partners at Fincantieri have achieved with MSC Armonia” said Mr Onorato during a press conference in the ship’s Business Centre.
“Not only is the ship smarter and more spacious, but we have given it a new lease on life that will appeal to experienced cruise travellers and first-timers” he said.
Among the many new enhancements, the renewed MSC Armonia presents ‘comfort that suits you’. From new carpets, reupholstered seating and repainted ceilings in the Reception and other public spaces to the redecorated corridors and stairways, not forgetting restyled outdoor areas like the new Top 13 Exclusive Solarium, the entire ship feels brand new.
With an extra 600m2 dedicated to dining, MSC Armonia has re-designed restaurants and bar experiences, also offering flexible dining options. She is now better equipped to entertain guests than ever before. The ships new facilities include the Armonia Lounge and Library, a dazzling 330m2 music lounge.
One of the most exciting enhancements to MSC Armonia is the new play areas, activities and facilities for five different children’s age groups. For the first time, there is a dedicated area for babies, designed in partnership with Chicco. MSC Armonia boasts a brand playroom, designed and equipped by the world’s favourite toy producer, LEGO®. There is also a new Virtual Arcade created in partnership with Namco®, the company behind some of the world’s best video games.
The enhanced ship features a stunning new outdoor spray park, a fun-filled wet zone with interactive water jets, musical fountains, slides and ingenious water features.
MSC Aurea Spa now offers even more space due to the addition of three new massage rooms. The ship also boasts two restyled open-air swimming pools, two whirlpool baths and a power walking circuit of around 250 metres among its recreation facilities.
The Renaissance Programme, announced in December 2013 by MSC Cruises and Fincantieri, also includes MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Opera, with the programme finishing in 2015.
SOURCE: MSC Cruises