At the beginning of November came reports that MSC Crociere is planning to lengthen the four STX France (Saint-Nazaire) built Lirica class ships MSC Armonia (58,625gt/2001), MSC Sinfonia (58,625gt/2002), MSC Lirica (59,058gt/2003) and the Southampton based MSC Opera (59,058gt/2004).

Negotiations are understood to be underway with Fincantieri. Any lengthening would increase the number of cabins per ship but no confirmation was available at the time of writing. Hopefully the work will be aesthetically sympathetic to the ship’s lines.