Editing MSC Cruises (section)

== History ==

=== StarLauro Cruises ===
[[File:MSC Montery Kuşadası.jpg|left|thumb|MSC ''[[SS Monterey (1952)|Monterey]]'', one of the line's first ships]]

In 1988 Gianluigi Aponte, founder of [[Mediterranean Shipping Company]] cargo shipping company, decided to enter the cruise industry and purchased the ''[[MS Achille Lauro|Achille Lauro]]'' from [[Flotta Lauro Lines|Flotta Lauro Line]]. He retained "Lauro" in the company name in honour of his mentor, naming the new cruise line '''StarLauro Cruises'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MSC Cruises - Our History |url=https://www.careers.msccruises.com/why-msc-cruises/our-history}}</ref> The original Lauro Lines ({{Langx|it|Flotta Lauro}}) was originally founded in [[Naples, Italy]] by [[Achille Lauro]] in the 1940s.

In 1990 Mediterranean Shipping Co. purchased the ''[[SS Monterey (1952)|Monterey]]'' to sail for their StarLauro Cruises brand. The ship retained her original name that she had had since sailing with [[Matson, Inc.|Matson Lines]]. Both the ''Monterey'' and ''Achille Lauro'' would sail under the StarLauro Cruises banner into the early 1990s. In November 1994 the ''Achille Lauro'' caught fire off the coast of Somalia while ''en route'' to [[South Africa]], with 979 passengers and crew aboard, two of whom died during the evacuation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 3, 1994 |title=Achille Lauro Sinks Off Coast of Somalia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/03/world/achille-lauro-sinks-off-coast-of-somalia.html |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

StarLauro line went on to acquire the ''Enrico C'' from Costa Cruises, renaming the ship ''Symphony,'' and the former ''Cunard Princess'', renaming the ship ''[[MS Cunard Princess|Rhapsody]]'' to the fleet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cunard’s Former Princess Becomes Latest Cruise Ship Sold for Scrap |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/cunard-s-former-princess-becomes-latest-cruise-ship-sold-for-scrap |access-date= |website=The Maritime Executive |language=en}}</ref>

=== MSC Cruises ===
In 1995, StarLauro Cruises was rebranded as MSC Cruises, with the livery changed from the blue funnel star logo to a white funnel with the MSC logo.<ref name="history">{{cite web |title=About MSC History |url=https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/About-MSC/MSC-History.aspx |access-date=10 August 2010 |website=MSC Cruises USA |publisher=MSC Cruises}}</ref>

[[File:MS Melody.jpg|left|thumb|''[[MS Melody|Melody]]'', purchased by MSC in 1997]]

In 1997 MSC purchased the ''[[MS Melody|Atlantic]]'' from [[Premier Cruise Lines]], and renamed the ship ''[[MS Melody|Melody]]''.
[[File:MSC Lirica IMG 8593.jpg|thumb|[[MSC Lirica|MSC ''Lirica'']], MSC Cruises' first purpose-built ship]]
In the early 2000s, MSC initiated a rapid expansion program, and placed its first new build orders with [[Chantiers de l'Atlantique]] shipyard, for 65,000-ton ships. Based on a similar design to the French yard's platform for [[Festival Cruises]], the two-ship order started the aggressive expansion of the cruise line. The line's first new build, the ''[[MSC Lirica]]'', debuted in 2003. The ''Lirica'' also became the first MSC ship to be christened by [[Sophia Loren]], a tradition that has continued for all but one of the company's new builds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MSC Cruises’ First Newbuilds Completes 20 Years in Service - Cruise Industry News {{!}} Cruise News |url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/04/msc-cruises-first-newbuilds-completes-20-years-in-service/ |access-date= |website=Cruise Industry News |language=en-US}}</ref> The ''Lirica'' was followed by sister ship [[MSC Opera|MSC ''Opera'']] in 2004.

In 2004, MSC Cruises acquired the fairly newly built ''[[MSC Armonia|European Vision]]'' and ''[[MSC Sinfonia|European Stars]]''  from the bankrupt [[Festival Cruises]], renaming the ships {{ship||MSC Armonia}} and {{ship||MSC Sinfonia}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Genoa (undefined) |first=Ian Lewis |date=2004-07-22 |title=MSC Cruises buys last Festival ship |url=https://www.tradewindsnews.com/weekly/msc-cruises-buys-last-festival-ship/1-1-207306 |access-date= |website=TradeWinds {{!}} Latest shipping and maritime news |language=en}}</ref>

In 2006 the first of the four Musica Class debuted, also built at [[Chantiers de l'Atlantique|STX France]]. The ''[[MSC Musica]]'' was followed by the {{ship||MSC Orchestra}}, {{ship||MSC Poesia}}, and the final, slightly modified, {{ship||MSC Magnifica}} in 2010.

In 2015, MSC Cruises announced that the four ''Mistral'' class ships had undergone renovation under the Renaissance Programme.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-05 |title=RENAISSANCE PROGRAMME MOVES INTO PHASE TWO AS MSC SINFONIA ENTERS DRY DOCK |url=https://www.mscpressarea.com/en_INT/press-releases/451/ |access-date= |website=www.mscpressarea.com |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2018, the company announced that it would build a second cruise terminal at [[PortMiami]] for its ''World''-class cruise ships as an expansion of its North American program. It was scheduled to be completed in October 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=8751|title=MSC Cruises to Build Second Cruise Terminal in Miami - MSC Cruises|website=www.cruisecritic.com|language=en-us|access-date=12 July 2018}}</ref>

In October 2018, MSC announced an order for four luxury ships of 64,000 [[Gross tonnage|gross tons]] each.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/MSC-places-order-four-luxury-vessels|title=MSC places order for four luxury vessels: Travel Weekly|website=www.travelweekly.com|language=en|access-date=12 September 2019}}</ref> These ultra-luxury vessels were to be based on the cruise line's luxury concept, the MSC Yacht Club.<ref name=":2" />

In January 2019, MSC Cruises unveiled the world's first virtual personal cruise assistant — ZOE, an artificial intelligence device designed by [[Harman International]]. It is currently featured on ''MSC Bellissima'' and ''MSC Grandiosa'', and will be featured on future new builds upon their delivery.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/3711/|title=MSC Cruises Officially Unveils "Zoe" the World's First Personal Cruise Assistant|website=www.cruisecritic.com|language=en-us|access-date=15 February 2019|archive-date=28 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528202058/https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/3711/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/20319-msc-unveils-zoe-virtual-personal-assistant.html|title=MSC Unveils Zoe Virtual Personal Assistant|last=Mathisen|first=Monty|date=1 February 2019|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com|language=en-gb|access-date=12 September 2019}}</ref>

In mid-2020, MSC Cruises suspended most (or all) of their operations for over six months during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name=":5" /> On 7 January 2021, MSC announced it would restart cruises with the ''[[MSC Grandiosa]]'' and ''[[MSC Magnifica]]'' in the Mediterranean. Passengers were initially limited to residents of the [[Schengen Area]].<ref name=":5">{{cite web |url=https://www.msccruises.com/en-gl/Itinerary-Updates.aspx |title=CRUISE & ITINERARY UPDATES |date=7 January 2021|work=MSC |access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref>

In June 2021, MSC announced a new luxury subsidiary brand named [[Explora Journeys]], with four vessels planned, beginning with the ''[[Explora I]]''.<ref name=":10">{{cite web |last=Payne |first=Holly |date=2021-06-10 |title=Steel cut for Explora I, first vessel in MSC Cruises' luxury Explora Journeys fleet |url=https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/shipbuilding-refurb-equipment/steel-cut-explora-i-first-vessel-msc-cruises-luxury-explora-journeys |access-date=2022-02-05 |website=Seatrade Cruise News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Brand Reveal|url=https://explorajourneys.com/int/en/press-and-media/press/brand-reveal.html|access-date=2022-02-05|website=explorajourneys.com|language=en}}</ref>

In March 2022, MSC Cruises signed a multi-year deal with [[Formula One]] to become their official cruise partner.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Formula 1 |date=2022-03-21 |title=Formula 1 announces MSC Cruises as a Global Partner for the 2022 season |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.formula-1-announces-msc-cruises-as-a-global-partner-for-the-2022-season.5YFnf6DRv1FrBcwkYdfpbR.html |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=Formula 1 |language=en}}</ref> They were the title sponsor of the [[2023 Belgian Grand Prix]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pettit |first=Carl |date=2023-07-31 |title=MSC Cruises and Formula 1 Have Something to Celebrate |url=https://www.cruisehive.com/msc-cruises-and-formula-1-have-something-to-celebrate/107788 |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Cruise Hive |language=en-US}}</ref>

In January 2023, MSC Cruises announced a new multi-year partnership agreement with the [[New York Knicks]]. The deal gets MSC promotion during Knicks home games, including LED signage, virtual-on-court signage, and the opportunity to serve as the presenting partner during in-game t-shirt tosses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New York Knicks and MSC Cruises Partner on Multi-Year Marketing Plan |url=https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20New-York-Knicks-and-MSC-Cruises-Partner-on-Multi-Year-Marketing-Plan |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=www.travelmarketreport.com |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2024, ''Shipping Italy'' reported rumors that MSC was in talks with [[Meyer Turku]] to build a class of four ships with a gross tonnage of 270,000, which would make it bigger than any other cruise ship at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Capuzzo |first=Nicola |date=2024-08-27 |title=Royal Caribbean ordina ancora a Meyer Turku e Msc Crociere negozia una serie di navi da record |url=https://www.shippingitaly.it/2024/08/27/royal-caribbean-ordina-ancora-a-meyer-turku-e-msc-crociere-negozia-una-serie-di-navi-da-record/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Shipping Italy |language=it-IT}}</ref>

In April 2025, MSC Cruise Division inaugurated the new MSC Barcelona Cruse Terminal, the first fully owned MSC Cruse terminal the will serve MSC Cruises and MSC's [[Explora Journeys]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adonis |date=2025-04-08 |title=MSC Group’s Cruise division officially inaugurates new terminal in the port of Barcelona |url=https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/04/08/msc-groups-cruise-division-officially-inaugurates-new-terminal-in-the-port-of-barcelona/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Cyprus Shipping News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Terminal MSC {{!}} Port de Barcelona |url=https://www.portdebarcelona.cat/en/business-and-services/cruise-ships/information-passenger/passenger-terminals/terminal-msc |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=www.portdebarcelona.cat |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2025, MSC Cruise Division inaugurated the new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, the world’s largest cruise terminal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stella |date=2025-05-02 |title=MSC Cruises opens world’s largest cruise terminal poised to redefine the guest experience through cutting edge technology |url=https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/05/02/msc-cruises-opens-worlds-largest-cruise-terminal-poised-to-redefine-the-guest-experience-through-cutting-edge-technology/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Cyprus Shipping News |language=en-US}}</ref>