While MSC Cruises’ newly launched Divina is busy sailing the Med, the company is gearing up to launch MSC Preziosa next March. Preziosa will be the 13th addition to the MSC Cruises fleet and is the fourth (and final) member of the flagship Fantasia class of ships. She was originally commissioned by a Libyan company (the design reportedly included a 120-ton shark aquarium) but after civil war broke out in Libya builders STX France negotiated a new deal with MSC Cruises.

MSC Preziosa will share many sophisticated features with her sister ships Fantasia, Splendida and Divina. Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises, said, “When MSC Preziosa is delivered we will have four ships of every class, giving us a total capacity of over 40,000 berths and the strength to sail in all seas. MSC Preziosa herself will sail the Mediterranean, exploring the beauty of Greek Islands, which represents the highlight of European cruising.”

The 140,000-ton ship will boast 1,751 cabins, 26 lifts, and 14 passenger decks. Guests will be able to enjoy four main restaurants, two specialty restaurants, 21 bars, a casino, four swimming pools including an infinity pool, 12 whirlpools, a bowling alley, a sports area with playing fields, a fitness centre, a children’s area and the lavish Aurea Spa.

Like her three sister ships, Preziosa will feature the MSC Yacht Club, a ‘ship within a ship’. Privileged passengers staying in the 69 MSC Yacht Club suites have exclusive access to a private bar, solarium, hydro-massage pools, and the spectacular glass-walled observation lounge. A butler service will offer assistance at check-in, transport luggage, unpack, serve traditional English afternoon tea, book tables at restaurants and treatments in the Aurea Spa and even arrange private parties.

You’ll find itineraries for Divina and Preziosa in MSC Cruises recently released 2013 brochure. It details the ships’ new ‘super family cabins’, a 50 per cent reduction in the single supplement on selected cabins and zero single supplement on MSC Yacht Club.