As the fourth-largest cruise company in the world, MSC Cruises is a shining example of what cruising is all about. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a fleet of incredible ships, MSC is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. From the distinctive Mediterranean vibes onboard to the domination of the European, South African, and South American markets, MSC Cruises knows exactly how to provide an exceptional cruise experience.
Here, you can delve into the inspiring history of MSC, from its humble beginnings as a family-run shipping company to its current position as one of the world’s top cruise companies. Whether you’re already planning your next MSC cruise or simply seeking inspiration, the remarkable story of this company is sure to captivate you.
MSC Cruises History: A Timeline
So how did MSC Cruises get to where they are today? Discover the fascinating journey of MSC Cruises throughout the years in the timeline below.
1970
The Aponte family have been in the shipping business for many years, and after experiencing the industry while growing up, Gianluigi Aponte decided to establish the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) in Brussels at the age of 30. The company was set up to introduce new shipping routes and would have much bigger cargo ships than most other shipping companies at the time.
Aponte acquired his first cargo ship, Patricia, that same year and set out to carve his own space in the overseas shipping industry. Shortly after, a second ship – named Rafaela after his wife – was added to the fleet. He began sending the ships on a new route between Somalia and the Mediterranean.
1978
Aponte officially moved his shipping company to Geneva, Switzerland where it has stayed ever since.
1988
MSC stormed into the cruise market in 1988 when it purchased two liners from Lauro Lines. Aponte named one MSC-Starlauro and retained the name of the other which was the Achille Lauro. This marked the beginning of a new era for the cruise industry, with MSC dominating the field. A year later, MSC bought Lauro Lines.
2002
MSC Cruises was established in 2002 when it became a subsidiary of the MSC Group.
Since then, MSC Cruises has become the third-biggest cruise line worldwide, with a fleet of over 19 ships including those acquired from Lauro Lines.
2003
Pierfrancesco Vago was appointed CEO of MSC Cruises, and the company launched an ambitious €5.5 billion investment program to build the world’s most modern cruise fleet. The plan to reach a 12-ship fleet within 10 years was unrivalled by any other cruise line competitor. Les Chantiers de L’Atlantique, one of the world’s biggest shipyards located in Saint Nazaire, France, was commissioned for its first new build.
Part of its €5.5 billion investment plan was the build of new MSC class liners – Musica Class and Fantasia Class. MSC Lirica, a 1,445-passenger-capacity ship with 721 crew members was also launched in April 2003.
2004
MSC Lirica’s sister ship – MSC Opera – followed closely by in production, being built the following year. The liner carries 2,679 passengers with a crew of around 728 members.
MSC Sinfonia and MSC Armonia, both Lirica Class ships and sister ships to the MSC Lirica were purchased from Festival Cruises in early 2004 when the cruise line went bankrupt. So by the end of 2004, MSC Cruises was operating 8 cruise ships sailing around the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America and South Africa.
2009
MSC Cruises welcomed over 1 million guests onboard their ever-growing fleet for the first time. Their popularity in the market at the time demonstrated their stability and hinted at more expansion plans in the near future.
2013
MSC Preziosa was inaugurated, completing MSC Cruises’ ambitious expansion plan successfully within 10 years.
2014
No time was wasted putting a new plan together and the Renaissance expansion program was put into motion the following year. This time, €200 million would be invested over the following decade with 13 additional ships in the pipeline. The MSC Meraviglia launched as the first ship of the new plan that same year.
The program also included ship enhancements for several liners, including MSC Lirica.
2018
The MSC Foundation, an independent not-for-profit organization, was founded to lead the way and advance the MSC Group’s noble commitments towards conservation and humanitarianism.
2019
MSC Cruises served nearly 2.7 million passengers and 185 nationalities worldwide in 2019. The cruise line was quickly expanding into the US and the Caribbean markets, helped by the launch of MSC Marine Reserve Ocean Key, Bahamas.
The company announced that they had placed orders for four Explora Journeys Luxury cruise ships which would be arriving between 2023 and 2026.
2022
The naming ceremony for MSC World Europa – the latest flagship of the MSC Cruises’ fleet – took place in Doha, Qatar. This ship symbolises the beginning of a new era of cruises as the company declares their dedication to environmentally conscious liners.
2023
As of 2023, MSC Cruises is officially taking the next steps in its cruise journey by entering the luxury cruise travel industry. To kick things off in style, they’re preparing to launch the first four Explora Journeys ships over the next few years.
MSC Cruise Line History – Your Questions Answered
Still curious to learn more about the history of one of the world’s largest liners? Whether you want to know what MSC stands for or where they’re based, we have all the answers right here for you to dive into.
Who owns MSC Cruises?
MSC Cruises is privately owned by the Aponte family, making it one of the world’s largest privately owned cruise lines. Although the company is technically owned by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, everything has remained family-owned and run since the very start.
The owner of MSC Cruises is Italian billionaire, Gianluigi Aponte. His family, including his wife Rafaela, daughter Alexa, and son Diego, all play important roles in the business with prominent positions. Gianluigi Aponte is not only the founder of the company but also serves as the Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises.
Gianluigi and Rafaela Aponte have a shared net worth of $13.2 billion, making them one of the wealthiest couples in the shipping industry. They’re also known to be among the top 150 richest people in the world.
What does MSC Cruises stand for?
MSC is an abbreviation for Mediterranean Shipping Company. The MSC Group has two divisions: cargo and passenger. While the cargo division still handles a thriving overseas shipping business, the passenger division controls the privately owned cruise line.
Where are MSC Cruises from?
MSC Cruises is based in Geneva, Switzerland and has operational offices in Naples, Genoa and Venice. The Swiss company has around 30,500 staff working for MSC Cruises around the world, both on land and onboard their cruise liners.
A few of the ships sail under different flags, however. The Lirica Class, Musica Class and Fantasia Class ships sail under the flag of Panama, while the Meraviglia Class, Meraviglia Plus Class and Seaside Class are sailing under the flag of Malta.
So there you have it. MSC Cruises has an exciting history, and we couldn’t be happier to be part of their journey. If you’re ready for an incredible cruise onboard one of their impressive ships, here at Cruise Nation we can take care of everything for you. Check out our deals to start planning your dream holiday.