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 is a sister ship to MSC Fantasia. Built in July 2009 with an investment of $550 million, weighs of 137,936 GT, 33,330m-long ship with a beam of 37.98m, height of 66.81m and its draft 8.29m, and carries 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. Originally, she was to be named MSC Serenata, but the name was changed in May 2007 to MSC Splendida "to reflect the ship's beauty and elegance".

The then-unnamed vessel was part of a two-ship order made by MSC Cruises with STX France on November 16, 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 July 4, 2009. She embarked on her maiden voyage on July 4, 2009 and returned July 11, to be officially named on July 12, 2009, in Barcelona by Sophia Loren, her godmother. In May 2017, it arrives in China and made its refurbishment in November.

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.