Photo Courtesy of  Chantiers de l’Atlantique

The coin ceremony of MSC Orchestra took place at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire (France) on Monday, January 30, 2006.

This event symbolizes the beginning of the assembly of MSC Orchestra’s hull. The ceremony happened in presence of Mrs Rafaela Aponse, the spouse of Mr Gianluigi Aponte, President of MSC, of Mr Pier Francesco Vago, President of MSC Cruises, Mr Patrick Boissier, Chairman and CEO of Chantiers de l'Atlantique as well as representatives of the shipowner, of the classification society, the yards, travel agencies and journalists.

After MSC Lirica, Opera, Sinfonia, Armonia and Musica, the delivery of which is scheduled on June 2006, MSC Orchestra is the sixth ship that Chantiers de l’Atlantique is going to build for MSC Cruises. The construction of MSC Fantasia and Serenata will then follow.

The floating out of MSC Orchestra is planned on September 2006, while the sea-trials and delivery of the ship are to occur on first quarter 2007.  Like her sistership MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra will transport 3013 passengers in 1275 cabins.