MSC Splendida is a Fantasia-class cruise ship owned and operated by MSC Cruises. Constructed at STX France in Saint-Nazaire, she commenced service in July 2009 with $550m investment.

History

MSC Splendida was completed in 2009 at a cost of $550 million and is a sister ship to MSC Fantasia, originally, she was to be named MSC Serenata, but the name was changed in May 2007 to MSC Splendida She measures 137,936 GT, and is 333.30 m long with a beam of 37.98 m, a height of 66.81 m and a draft of 8.29 m. Her capacity is 3,900 passengers. The two Neopanamax vessels were to be the largest ships in a European cruise line's fleet at the time of delivery.

The then-unnamed vessel was part of a two-ship order made by MSC Cruises with STX France on 16 November 2005, for a tentative delivery in spring 2009. Construction began on then-MSC Serenata on 12 April 2007 with the steel-cutting. The ship was launched from the shipyard on 18 July 2008. She began her sea trials on 21 May 2009 and completed them on 27 May 2009. The ship was delivered to MSC Cruises on 4 July 2009. She embarked on her maiden voyage on 4 July 2009 and returned 11 July, to be officially named on 12 July 2009, in Barcelona by Sophia Loren, her godmother.

Areas of operation

MSC Splendida has cruised the Mediterranean and Far East. She was refurbished in 2017 before deploying to China. 

Amenities

The ship's horn system is set up to play multiple songs, including "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" by Queen, "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes and "Happy Birthday to You".

In popular culture

MSC Splendida is featured on Indian Tamil film, Manmadan Ambu.