MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys will soon have a facility on land for entertainment development and rehearsals.
MSC Group has acquired a production studio in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the company will renovate the space into MSC Creative Studios. It will have 11 dance studios, six vocal studios, an aerial rehearsal space and a technical recording studio as well as offices, green rooms, changing rooms and storage for props and costumes. It is expected to be operational in July.
"Having a dedicated home for our entertainment development and training is essential as we continue to expand the scale and ambition of our productions," said Steve Leatham, vice president of entertainment at MSC Group's cruise division.
MSC joins other major cruise companies that have similar spaces on land. Carnival Cruise Line opened a 44,500-square-foot rehearsal space in David, Fla., in 2017. It is currently developing a new global headquarters near Miami International Airport that will include a rehearsal facility.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' rehearsal facility is in Tampa, and Royal Caribbean Group's is in Miami.