View source for MSC Splendida

{{Short description|Fantasia-class cruise ship}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
| display title = ital
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = MSC SPLENDIDA (20037774212).jpg
| Ship caption = 
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship name = ''MSC Splendida''
| Ship owner = 
| Ship operator = [[MSC Cruises]]
| Ship registry = {{flag|Panama}}<ref name="Ward">{{cite book |title=Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships |last=Ward |first=Douglas |year=2009 |edition=18th |publisher=Berlitz |location=Singapore |isbn=978-981-268-564-3 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/berlitzcompleteg00doug }}</ref>
| Ship route = 
| Ship ordered = 16 November 2005
| Ship builder = [[STX Europe]] ([[St. Nazaire]])<ref name="Ward"/><ref name="parade">{{cite web |url=http://www.shipparade.com/az/MSC_Splendida/MSC_Splendida.htm |title=MSC Splendida |accessdate=9 July 2009 |work=ShipParade |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028023752/http://www.shipparade.com/az/MSC_Splendida/MSC_Splendida.htm |archive-date=28 October 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| Ship original cost = $550 million<ref name="Ward"/>
| Ship yard number = 
| Ship way number = 
| Ship laid down = 24 October 2007
| Ship launched = 18 July 2008
| Ship completed = 2 July 2009
| Ship christened = 12 July 2009 <small>by [[Sophia Loren]]</small><ref name="travelpulse">{{cite web|title=MSC Splendida Christening to Feature Sophia Loren |url=http://www.travelpulse.com/Resources/Editorial.aspx?n=56795 |date=10 June 2009 |work=TravelPulse |publisher=Performance Media Group, LLC |accessdate=10 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717093441/http://www.travelpulse.com/Resources/Editorial.aspx?n=56795 |archivedate=17 July 2011 }}</ref>
| Ship acquired = 
| Ship maiden voyage = *4 July 2009
| Ship in service = 
| Ship out of service = 
| Ship identification = *{{IMO Number|9359806}}<ref name="BV">{{csr|register=BV|id=9359806|shipname=MSC Splendida |accessdate=19 February 2020}}</ref>
*[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]] 3FZI8<ref name="vesseltracker">{{cite web |url=http://www.vesseltracker.com/en/Ships/Msc-Splendida-9359806.html |title=MSC Splendida (IMO: 9359806) |accessdate=9 July 2009 |work=vesseltracker.com |archive-date=30 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930062812/http://www.vesseltracker.com/en/Ships/Msc-Splendida-9359806.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Maritime Mobile Service Identity|MMSI]] 357698000<ref name="vesseltracker"/>
| Ship fate = 
| Ship status = In service
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = {{sclass|Fantasia|cruise ship}}
| Ship tonnage = {{GT|137,936}}<ref name="Ward"/>
| Ship displacement = 
| Ship length = {{convert|333.33|m|ft|2|abbr=on}}<ref name="BV"/>
| Ship beam = {{convert|37.92|m|ft|2|abbr=on}}<ref name="Ward"/>
| Ship height = {{convert|219.2|ft|m|2|disp=flip|abbr=on}}<ref name="MSC">{{cite web |title=Technical Sheet |url=http://www.msccruisesusa.com/flotta/technical/Splendida_ENG.pdf |publisher=[[MSC Cruises]] |accessdate=9 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714123311/http://www.msccruisesusa.com/flotta/technical/Splendida_ENG.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| Ship draught = 
| Ship draft = {{convert|27.2|ft|m|2|disp=flip|abbr=on}}<ref name="BV"/>
| Ship depth = 
| Ship decks = 18 total, 13 passenger decks<ref name="Ward"/><ref name="MSC"/>
| Ship deck clearance = 
| Ship ramps = 
| Ship ice class = 
| Ship sail plan = 
| Ship power = [[Diesel engine|Diesel]] (40,000kW)<ref name="Ward"/>
| Ship propulsion = 2 propellors<ref name="Ward"/>
| Ship speed = {{convert|21|kn|km/h|0|lk=in}}<ref name="parade"/>
| Ship capacity = 3,900 passengers<ref name="Ward"/>
| Ship crew = 1,313 crew<ref name="Ward"/>
| Ship notes = 15 elevators,<ref name="MSC"/> post-[[Panamax]]
}}
|}

'''''MSC Splendida''''' is a {{sclass|Fantasia|cruise ship}} owned and operated by [[MSC Cruises]]. Constructed at [[STX France]] in [[Saint-Nazaire]], she commenced service in July 2009 with $550m investment.

==History==
[[File:MSC Splendida in Geirangerfjorden 20150604 1.jpg|thumb|left|''MSC Splendida'' in [[Geirangerfjorden]] in June 2015.]]
''MSC Splendida'' was completed in 2009 at a cost of $550 million and is a [[sister ship]] to ''[[MSC Fantasia]]'', originally, she was to be named ''MSC Serenata'', but the name was changed in May 2007 to ''MSC Splendida''<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.msccruises.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=40903  |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829015959/http://www.msccruises.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=40903 |title=MSC Serenata is renamed MSC Splendida |date=31 May 2007 |publisher=[[MSC Cruises]] |archivedate=29 August 2007 |accessdate=2 January 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=MSC Serenata is Renamed MSC Splendida |url=http://www.yourcruiseyourway.com/2007/06/01/msc-serenata-is-renamed-msc-splendida/ |date=1 June 2007 |work=yourcruiseyourway |accessdate=9 July 2009 |archive-date=20 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720071556/http://www.yourcruiseyourway.com/2007/06/01/msc-serenata-is-renamed-msc-splendida/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She measures 137,936 GT, and is 333.30 m long with a beam of 37.98 m, a height of 66.81 m and a draft of 8.29 m. Her capacity is 3,900 passengers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ship-technology.com/projects/mscsplendidacruisesh/|title=MSC Splendida Cruise Ship|website=Ship Technology|access-date=1 May 2020|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023212818/https://www.ship-technology.com/projects/mscsplendidacruisesh/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/iowans-on-cruise-ship-expected-to-be-home-soon/524-151b24b2-64f3-435f-a6a7-14b01e8ec0b2|title=Iowans on cruise ship expected to be home soon|website=weareiowa.com|date=9 March 2020|access-date=1 May 2020|archive-date=18 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518161158/https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/iowans-on-cruise-ship-expected-to-be-home-soon/524-151b24b2-64f3-435f-a6a7-14b01e8ec0b2|url-status=live}}</ref> The two [[Neopanamax]] vessels were to be the largest ships in a European cruise line's fleet at the time of delivery.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/604-53007-msc-serenata-is-renamed-msc-splendida.html|title=MSC Serenata Renamed MSC Splendida|last=Staff|first=C. I. N.|date=31 May 2007|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com|language=en-gb|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110112247/https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/604-53007-msc-serenata-is-renamed-msc-splendida.html|archive-date=10 November 2019|access-date=}}</ref>

The then-unnamed vessel was part of a two-ship order made by MSC Cruises with [[STX France]] on 16 November 2005, for a tentative delivery in spring 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/13636-msc-expansion-two-new-ships-ordered.html|title=MSC Expansion, Two New Ships Ordered|last=Newsletter|first=C. I. N.|date=16 November 2005|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com|language=en-gb|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110112244/https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/13636-msc-expansion-two-new-ships-ordered.html|archive-date=10 November 2019|access-date=}}</ref> Construction began on then-''MSC Serenata'' on 12 April 2007 with the steel-cutting.<ref name=":0" /> The ship was launched from the shipyard on 18 July 2008.<ref>{{csr|register=MSI|id=9359806|shipname=MSC Splendida |accessdate=30 January 2020}}</ref> She began her sea trials on 21 May 2009 and completed them on 27 May 2009.<ref name=":1" /> The ship was delivered to MSC Cruises on 4 July 2009.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=MSC Splendida completes trials |url=http://www.shipmanagementinternational.com/?p=1115 |date=27 May 2009 |work=Ship Management International |accessdate=10 July 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> She embarked on her maiden voyage on 4 July 2009<ref name="freepress">{{cite web|title=MSC Splendida Pre-Christening Voyage |url=http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200905/1242991245.html |date=22 May 2009 |work=Free Press Release |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003193717/http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200905/1242991245.html |archivedate=3 October 2012 }}</ref> and returned 11 July, to be officially named on 12 July 2009, in [[Barcelona]] by [[Sophia Loren]], her godmother.<ref name="travelpulse" />

== Areas of operation ==
''MSC Splendida'' has cruised the [[Mediterranean]] and Far East.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://afloat.ie/port-news/dublin-port/item/35814-msc-splendida-s-mediterranean-sister-makes-an-appearance|title=MSC Splendida's Mediterranean Sister Makes An Appearance|first=Jehan|last=Ashmore|website=afloat.ie|access-date=1 May 2020|archive-date=21 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021230847/https://afloat.ie/port-news/dublin-port/item/35814-msc-splendida-s-mediterranean-sister-makes-an-appearance|url-status=live}}</ref> She was refurbished in 2017 before deploying to China.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.trbusiness.com/regional-news/international/msc-splendida-to-be-deployed-in-china-on-may-18/140780 |title=MSC Splendida ship set to be deployed in China on May 18 &#124; Travel Retail Business |date=16 April 2018 |website=Trbusiness The magazine for global retail Duty Free Professionals |access-date=1 May 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803141652/https://www.trbusiness.com/regional-news/international/msc-splendida-to-be-deployed-in-china-on-may-18/140780 |url-status=live}}</ref>  In 2020 March, the ship docked in Palong, [[Thailand]] beach during the coronavirus pandemic, after more the 2,700 passengers was disembarked.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thephuketnews.com/more-than-2-700-cruise-tourists-arrive-in-patong-75065.php|title=Phuket News: More than 2,700 cruise tourists arrive in Patong|first=The Phuket News|last=Com|date=5 March 2020|website=The Phuket News Com|access-date=1 May 2020|archive-date=2 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302132347/https://www.thephuketnews.com/more-than-2-700-cruise-tourists-arrive-in-patong-75065.php|url-status=live}}</ref> The ship is scheduled to serve [[Southeast Asia]] until summer 2020 before repositioning to [[Northern Europe]] and the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mscpressarea.com/en_INT|title=MSC SPLENDIDA MAKES MAIDEN CALL IN KOCHI, INDIA|last=|first=|date=7 April 2019|website=MSC Corporate Information & Media Room|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203054127/http://www.mscpressarea.com/en_INT|archive-date=3 February 2020|access-date=}}</ref> The ship is scheduled to be based in [[Durban]] for the 2023/2024 cruise season and will serve the [[South Africa|South African]] market sailing to [[Mozambique]], [[Mauritius]], [[Réunion|Reunion]], [[Namibia]], [[Port Elizabeth]] & [[Cape Town]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2022/10/msc-splendida-to-sail-in-south-africa-for-2023-2024-season/ |title=MSC Splendida To Sail in South Africa for 2023-2024 Season |access-date=11 May 2023 |archive-date=11 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511101120/https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2022/10/msc-splendida-to-sail-in-south-africa-for-2023-2024-season/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Amenities ==

The ship's horn system is programmed to play multiple songs, including "[[We Will Rock You]]" and "[[We Are the Champions]]" by [[Queen (band)|Queen]], "[[Seven Nation Army]]" by [[The White Stripes]] and "[[Happy Birthday to You]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VZCRWKgh1E |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/2VZCRWKgh1E |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Cruise ship MSC Splendida playing We Will Rock You / Seven Nation Army on its horn|website=YouTube|publisher=HD1080ide|accessdate=28 February 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref><!-- note that this is an instance of popular culture in the ship, not the ship in popular culture -->

== Incidents ==
===Bardo National Museum attack===
{{Main|Bardo National Museum attack}}
On 18 March 2015, ''MSC Splendida'' was in port in [[Tunis]] with ''[[Costa Fascinosa]]'' when gunmen opened fire on tourists at the [[Bardo National Museum (Tunis)|Bardo National Museum]]. Twelve passengers hailing from Japan, Italy, Colombia, Spain, Britain, Australia, Poland, and France, were killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msccruises.co.uk/uk_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Cruises-Official-Statement-Tunisia-Events.aspx |title=News: MSC Cruises Official Statement on Tunisia Events |accessdate=19 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321234158/http://www.msccruises.co.uk/uk_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Cruises-Official-Statement-Tunisia-Events.aspx |archivedate=21 March 2015 }}</ref>

=== Coronavirus pandemic ===
{{see also|COVID-19 pandemic on cruise ships}}

On 23 March 2020, around 14:00 [[Central European Time|CET]], a Thai crew member working aboard as a buffet attendant was [[medical evacuation|medically evacuated]] via lifeboat after she exhibited symptoms consistent with [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] and was having difficulty breathing.{{efn|She had been suffering from a fever and a sore throat for three days, and her health had been worsening.<ref name="splendida.crew" />}}<ref name="splendida.crew">{{cite web|url=https://crew-center.com/msc-splendida-emergency-medical-evacuation-crew-member|title=MSC Splendida Emergency Medical Evacuation of Crew Member &#124; Crew Center|website=crew-center.com|date=23 March 2020|access-date=30 April 2020|archive-date=27 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127160413/https://crew-center.com/msc-splendida-emergency-medical-evacuation-crew-member|url-status=live}}</ref>  At the time, the ship was near the island of [[Sardinia]] and headed to [[Marseille]]{{efn|The cruise originally was supposed to end at [[Genoa]] on 29 March, but the trip was cut short due to the pandemic and the end of the cruise was moved up to 4 March when it docked at Marseille.<ref name="splendida.travel">{{cite web |url=https://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/364103/coronavirus-msc-cruises-promises-to-repatriate-splendida-passengers |title=JavaScript is disabled in your browser. |publisher=Travelweekly.co.uk |date= |accessdate=1 May 2020 |archive-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128085722/https://travelweekly.co.uk/articles/364103/coronavirus-msc-cruises-promises-to-repatriate-splendida-passengers |url-status=live }}</ref>}} to disembark all of its passengers.<ref name="splendida.crew" />

On 24 March 2020, MSC Cruises informed the crew that the sick crew member had tested negative.<ref name="splendida.crew" />  However, two days later, on 26 March, it was reported that the sick crew member had been tested again, and this time, the test had returned positive.<ref name="splendida.crew" />  As a result, 16 crew members were placed under quarantine.<ref name="splendida.crew" />  The ship later docked in [[Genoa]] so that some of its crew members could disembark.<ref name="splendida.abscbn">{{cite web |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/04/20/more-than-300-filipino-seafarers-from-italy-portugal-back-in-the-philippines |title=More than 300 Filipino seafarers from Italy, Portugal back in the Philippines |website=ABS-CBN News |access-date=30 April 2020 |archive-date=29 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129172659/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/04/20/more-than-300-filipino-seafarers-from-italy-portugal-back-in-the-philippines |url-status=live}}</ref>

By 1 April 2020, 26 crew members had been placed under quarantine, with 3 crew members running high temperatures.<ref name="splendida.crew" />

== In popular culture ==
''MSC Splendida'' is featured on [[India]]n [[Tamil language|Tamil]] film, ''[[Manmadan Ambu]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/msc-splendida-stars-in-forthcoming-bollywood-film/|title=MSC Splendida stars in forthcoming Bollywood Film|last=|first=|date=15 December 2010|website=Breaking Travel News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404163943/https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/msc-splendida-stars-in-forthcoming-bollywood-film/|archive-date=4 April 2011|access-date=10 November 2019}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.msccruises.com/gl_en/Ships/MSC-Splendida.aspx Official website]

{{commons category|IMO 9359806}}

{{MSC Ships}}

[[Category:Ships of MSC Cruises|Splendida]]
[[Category:Ships built in France]]
[[Category:2008 ships]]