MSC Cruises Announces Retirement of Its Smallest Ship

MSC Cruises today confirms that Melody, the smallest ship in the MSC Cruises’ fleet, is retiring from service and will no longer offer cruises on behalf of the Geneva-based company.

The decision to withdraw one of its first and most traditional cruise ships reaffirms MSC’s focus on cutting-edge service and reflects the company’s continued desire to offer travellers the highest standards in product innovation and the maximum in comfort, elegance and technology across the entire fleet.

Weighing 35,143 tonnes, measuring 204.7 metres in length and 27.35 metres in width, Melody has been part of the MSC Cruises’ fleet since 1995, when she was originally purchased as the Starship Atlantic. The ship was swiftly renamed Melody and sailed from Florida to Durban, where she received significant refurbishments and was transformed into the much loved and immensely popular Melody, with a capacity of just over 1,000 guests in 532 cabins. The ship left Durban for Genoa on her maiden voyage on 1 May 1997, and has sailed various itineraries all over the world ever since, most recently in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and South Africa, offering a relaxed and informal cruise-ship experience.

MSC Cruises has set up a vast array of alternative choices for passengers who have already booked a cabin on Melody for the upcoming summer season. Over the next few days these passengers will all be contacted, either directly by the company or through partner travel agents, and informed about all possible options including an upgrade on board one of the other beautiful ships in the MSC fleet.

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MSC Cruises, January 15, 2013