The arms race in the cruise industry that took on a new level with Royal Caribbean’s huge Oasis-class ships has a new contender for super-huge as MSC cruises launched a new mega-cruiser and announced plans for ones that will dwarf even the Oasis class.
The newest MSC vessel, Meraviglia (Italian for Wonder) comes in at 5714 passengers, and 171,598 tons, just under the Oasis class ships. Launched with big ceremonies that included appearances by French Pres. Macron and Sophia Loren, the ship is part of popular-in-Europe MSC’s aim of getting more business in the North American and Caribbean markets. Its first season will be spent in the Mediterannean, next year in Northern Europe, and then will base in Miami.
But: Is there some point at which a ship gets just too big? Where there are too many people to feel they’re getting a relaxing vacation, even with literally thousands of crew members to care for them? Bets are on, and Oasis and MSC are betting on the high end, while Viking Ocean and others are shooting for a smaller size.
Oasis of the Seas, for example, can take 5400 passengers and 2160 crew; MSC’s planned 200,000-ton-plus ships will have rooms for 6850 passengers, and likely near 2500 crewmembers. At the other end, Viking Ocean’s new ships are all at about the 1000-passenger range.
Only time, and the cruisers, will tell.
