Shipbuilder STX France has found a buyer for a cruise ship originally ordered by the Libyan government. MSC Cruises is scheduled to take delivery of the ship in March 2013 and will name it the MSC Preziosa.
The Preziosa will be the fourth ship in MSC's Fantasia class and a sister of the Divina, a ship scheduled to be christened this May.
The Libyan state-owned General National Maritime Transport Company defaulted on a payment to STX France last June, while the country was in the midst of a revolution against longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
MSC said the Preziosa will have 1,751 cabins, 26 lifts and 18 decks (14 of them for passengers).
The ship also will have four main restaurants, two speciality restaurants, 21 bars, a casino, a spa, the exclusive MSC Yacht Club area, four swimming pools (including an infinity pool), 12 whirlpools, a bowling alley, a sports area, a fitness center and a children’s area.
"The new ship represents an investment of $665 million," said Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises. "Negotiations with STX France have lasted over nine months, a significant but understandable period of time considering the importance of the investment and the unexpected nature of the takeover."