On Saturday September 9, 2006, MSC Cruises and Aker Yards France marked two important milestones with the launch of the MSC Orchestra on the same day that the first steel is cut for the MSC Fantasia.

The 93,000-ton MSC Orchestra, sister ship to the recently introduced MSC Musica is entering the final stages of construction for delivery in the spring of 2007, and the 133,500-ton MSC Fantasia, first of the rapidly growing European cruise line's post-Panamax vessels, will enter service in 2008.

This is the first time that construction of two ships of the same line have simultaneously achieved these critical progress points in the same shipyard. Key executives of MSC Cruises and Aker Yards will be participated in the special ceremonies to celebrate this history-making achievement.