MSC Fantasia

{{Infobox ship | infobox_caption = ''MSC Fantasia'' | display_title = ital |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = MSC FANTASIA 2355.jpg | image_caption = ''MSC Fantasia'' in Castries, 2017 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | country = Panama | flag = {{shipboxflag|Panama|civil}} | name = ''MSC Fantasia'' | owner = MSC Cruises | operator = MSC Cruises | registry = {{flag|Panama|civil}}<ref name="CBR 2008-12-11">{{cite web |url=http://cruisebusiness.com/news.php?u=20081211104717 |title=MSC Cruises takes delivery of ''MSC Fantasia'' |accessdate=11 December 2008 |work=Cruise Business Review |publisher=Cruise Media Oy Ltd |date=11 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218214655/http://www.cruisebusiness.com/news.php?u=20081211104717 |archive-date=2008-12-18 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Ward">{{cite book |title=Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships |last=Ward |first=Douglas |year=2009 |edition=18th |publisher=Berlitz |location=Singapore |isbn=978-981-268-564-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/berlitzcompleteg00doug/page/439 439] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/berlitzcompleteg00doug/page/439 }}</ref> | ordered = 1 June 2005 | builder = *STX France *Saint-Nazaire, France<ref name="parade">{{cite web |url=http://www.shipparade.com/az/MSC_Fantasia/MSC_Fantasia.htm |title=MSC Fantasia |accessdate=2009-07-14 |work=ShipParade |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120929095718/http://www.shipparade.com/az/MSC_Fantasia/MSC_Fantasia.htm |archive-date=2012-09-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | original_cost = $550 million<ref name="Ward"/> | yard_number = A33<ref name="Miramar">{{csr|register=MSI|id=9359791|shipname=MSC Fantasia |accessdate=19 January 2021}}</ref> | laid_down = 9 January 2007 | launched = 1 March 2008<ref name="Miramar"/> | completed = 9 December 2008<ref name="bv" /> | christened = 18 December 2008 <small>by Sophia Loren in Naples</small><ref name="Garrison2">{{cite web |last=Garrison |first=Linda |title=MSC Fantasia Named in Naples |url=http://cruises.about.com/b/2008/12/29/msc-fantasia-named-in-naples.htm |date=2008-12-29 |work=About.com |accessdate=2009-07-14 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120929100146/http://cruises.about.com/b/2008/12/29/msc-fantasia-named-in-naples.htm |archive-date=2012-09-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="travelbite">{{cite web |title=MSC Cruises launches Fantasia |url=http://www.travelbite.co.uk/news/travel-advice/incidents/msc-cruises-launches-fantasia-$1255602.htm |date=2008-12-19 |work=travelbite.co.uk |accessdate=2009-07-14 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120929100152/http://www.travelbite.co.uk/travel-news/2008/12/19/msc-cruises-launches-fantasia |archive-date=2012-09-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | acquired = 10 December 2008<ref name="CBR 2008-12-11"/> | maiden_voyage = 20 December 2008 | in_service = 18 December 2008<ref name="CBR 2008-12-11"/><ref name="Ward"/> | out_of_service = | identification = *{{IMO Number|9359791}} *Call sign: 3ETR7<ref name="bv" /> *{{MMSI Number|370648000}}<ref name="bv" /> | fate = | status = In service<ref name="bv" /> | notes = }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = <ref name="bv">{{csr|register=BV|id=9359791|shipname=MSC Fantasia|accessdate=2012-09-29}}</ref> | class = {{sclass|Fantasia|cruise ship}} | tonnage = *{{GT|137,936}}, {{NetT|107,916}}, {{DWT|15,000}}<ref name="bv" /> | displacement = | length = {{convert|333.33|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|37.92|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | height = | draught = | draft = {{convert|8.65|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | depth = | decks = 13 passenger decks,<ref name=Ward/> 18 total{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} | ice_class = | power = | propulsion = *Diesel-electric *Two Converteam propulsion motors (2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}20,200{{nbsp}}kW){{nbsp}}Fixed pitch propellers | speed = *{{convert|21|kn}} (cruising)<ref name="parade"/> *{{convert|22.7|kn}} (maximum) | capacity = 3,274 (double occupancy) 3,959 (max) passengers<ref name="Ward"/> | crew = 1,313<ref name="Ward"/> | notes = }} }}

'''''MSC Fantasia''''' is a ''Fantasia''-class cruise ship owned and operated by MSC Cruises and serves as the lead vessel for the ''Fantasia'' class of ships. She entered service in December 2008 and ushered in a new generation of larger ships for MSC Cruises, becoming the largest ship to operate for MSC at the time of delivery.<ref name="CBR 2008-12-11" /> She was also the first vessel to feature the MSC Yacht Club, MSC Cruises ship within ship concept.

== Design and specifications == ''MSC Fantasia'' is powered by two shaft-driven propellers from three 12-cylinder and two 16-cylinder Wärtsilä 46 diesel-electric engines, producing a total output of {{convert|71400|kW|hp|abbr=}}.<ref name=":0" /> The ship's electric motors come from Converteam, which drive the propellers located aft of two Becker Marine System flap rudders and stern thrusters.<ref name=":0" />

Facilities include a spa, a 4D cinema, musical fountains, and a race car simulator.<ref name=":0" />

== History == === Planning and construction === In June 2005, unconfirmed reports first emerged that claimed MSC had signed a letter of intent with STX France for two post-Panamax ships set to debut in 2008 and 2009. STX France did confirm that the new 1,600-cabin and 4,000-passenger prototype for the ships was being finalized and considered.<ref>{{Cite news|date=17 June 2005|title=New MSC Ships|work=Cruise Industry News|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/13615-new-msc-ships.html|access-date=5 July 2020}}</ref> On 16 November 2005, MSC finalized a $1.2 billion two-ship order with STX France for what would be the largest ships in the fleet at the time of their delivery. The vessels were planned to be at 135,500 GT each, with a maximum guest capacity of 3,887 passengers, accompanied by 1,300 crew.<ref>{{Cite news|date=16 November 2005|title=MSC Expansion, Two New Ships Ordered|work=Cruise Industry News|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/13636-msc-expansion-two-new-ships-ordered.html|access-date=5 July 2020}}</ref>

The first of the two ships, known as A33, began construction with a steel-cutting ceremony at the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France on 9 September 2006.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Giants of the Seas: The Ships that Transformed Modern Cruising|last=Saunders|first=Aaron|publisher=Seaforth Publishing|year=2013|isbn=978-1-84832-172-4|location=Barnsley, England|pages=148}}</ref> She was floated out from the shipyard on 1 March 2008. The ship left to perform her sea trials for 48 hours in the Bay of Biscay on 24 October 2008 and returned on 27 October 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/1865-102808-msc-fantasias-sea-trials.html|title=MSC Fantasia's Sea Trials|last=Staff|first=C. I. N.|date=2008-10-27|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com|language=en-gb}}</ref>

=== Delivery and christening === She left the shipyard for the last time on 10 December 2008 and was officially delivered to MSC thereafter.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2032-121108-msc-fantasias-hand-over-ceremony.html|title=MSC Fantasia's Hand-over Ceremony|last=Staff|first=C. I. N.|date=2008-12-11|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com|language=en-gb}}</ref> From France, the ship sailed her first voyage headed for Naples for her christening via Lisbon, Gibraltar, Alicante, Barcelona, and Marseille.<ref name=":1" /> She was officially named on 18 December 2008 by her godmother, Sophia Loren.<ref name="Garrison2" /><ref name="travelbite" />

===Operational career=== Following her christening, ''MSC Fantasia'' spent her inaugural season cruising from Genoa. Her inaugural cruise departed on 20 December 2008 for the Eastern Mediterranean, calling in Rhodes, Alexandria, Messina, and Naples.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/1345-61908-msc-cruises-2009-europe-sailings-now-available.html|title=MSC Cruises' 2009 Europe Sailings Now Available|last=Staff|first=C. I. N.|date=2008-06-19|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com|language=en-gb}}</ref> She then cruised round-trip Canary Islands and Western Mediterranean itineraries.<ref name=":2" />

On 5 March 2009, high winds snapped the forward mooring lines of ''MSC Fantasia'' while she was docked in Spain. The bow drifted away from the dock side and caused a passenger gangway to collapse into the water. One passenger and three crew members had to be rescued from the sea. One passenger was taken to hospital with head injuries, while the other three were treated for hypothermia.<ref>{{cite web|date=2009-03-05|title=Cruise ship gangway collapses in high winds|url=http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/16351/cruise-ship-gangway-collapses-in-high-winds|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912182253/http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/16351/cruise-ship-gangway-collapses-in-high-winds|archive-date=2012-09-12|accessdate=2009-07-14|work=thinkSPAIN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2009-03-06|title=MSC Fantasia Passenger Dramatic Rescue|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/MSC-Fantasia-Cruise-Ship-Passengers-Rescued-From-Sea-In-Palma-De-Mallorca-Spain/Article/200903115236288?f=rss|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711175457/http://news.sky.com/story/675716/passenger-in-sea-after-ship-breaks-loose|archive-date=2012-07-11|accessdate=2009-07-14|work=sky.com}}</ref>

''MSC Fantasia'' has also cruised beyond Europe and has been deployed to sail in the Caribbean from Guadeloupe and Martinique during the winter months.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Post-Hurricanes-MSC-Cruises-Updates-Caribbean-Sailings|title=Post Hurricanes, MSC Cruises Updates Caribbean Sailings|last=McCarthy|first=Daniel|date=2017-09-26|website=Travel Market Report}}</ref> Between 2019 and 2021, ''MSC Fantasia'' cruised in South America in the fall and winter before returning to Europe in the summer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/21499-msc-grandiosa-to-south-america-for-2020-2021.html|title=MSC Grandiosa to South America for 2020-2021|last=Mathisen|first=Monty|date=2019-09-10|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com|language=en-gb}}</ref> In summer 2021, she cruised weekly Mediterranean itineraries from Genoa in the place of ''MSC Seashore'' until 1 August, because ''Seashore''<nowiki/>'s delivery was postponed due to construction delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 June 2020|title=MSC Extends Pause, Retools Summer 2021 Program|work=Cruise Industry News|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23053-msc-extends-pause-retools-summer-2021-program.html|access-date=5 July 2020}}</ref>

==References== ===Notes=== {{reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography=== *{{Saunders: Giants of the Seas}} *{{Smith: Cruise Ships 2010}}

==External links== {{commons category|IMO 9359791}} *[https://www.msccruises.com/int/our-cruises/ships/msc-fantasia Official ''MSC Fantasia'' website]

Fantasia Category:Ships built in Saint-Nazaire Category:2008 ships