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MSC Cruises today confirms that Melody, the smallest ship in the MSC
Cruises’ fleet, is retiring from service and will no longer offer
cruises on behalf of the Geneva-based company.

The decision to withdraw one of its first and most traditional cruise
ships reaffirms MSC’s focus on cutting-edge service and reflects the
company’s continued desire to offer travellers the highest standards in
product innovation and the maximum in comfort, elegance and technology
across the entire fleet.

Measuring 35,143 gross tonnes, measuring 204.7 metres in length and 27.35
metres in width, Melody has been part of the MSC Cruises’ fleet since
1995, when she was originally purchased as the Starship Atlantic. The
ship was swiftly renamed Melody and sailed from Florida to Durban, where
she received significant refurbishments and was transformed into the
much loved and immensely popular Melody, with a capacity of just over
1,000 guests in 532 cabins. The ship left Durban for Genoa on her maiden
voyage on 1 May 1997, and has sailed various itineraries all over the
world ever since, most recently in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and
South Africa, offering a relaxed and informal cruise-ship experience. 
MSC Cruises has set up a vast array of alternative choices for
passengers who have already booked a cabin on Melody for the upcoming
summer season. Over the next few days these passengers will all be
contacted, either directly by the company or through partner travel
agents, and informed about all possible options including an upgrade on
board one of the other beautiful ships in the MSC fleet.