MSC Crociere Italiane (Flotta Lauro, StarLauro)

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MSC Crociere Italiane
Mediterranean Shipping Cruises
Starlauro Cruises




These pages are devoted to postcards and photographs of the Mediterranean Shipping Cruises fleet (MSC), plus predecessor Starlauro Cruises. A new page has now been added covering the earlier Achille Lauro owned period as Flotta Lauro.

The table below, links to complete postcard career histories of selected ships. Below this, I have a Fleet List of the complete Mediterranean Shipping Cruises fleet in the current livery, which also includes the final series of Starlauro cards. MSC had bought Flotta Lauro in 1987, renaming the fleet Starlauro Cruises. The fleet was renamed again as Mediterranean Shipping Cruises in 1995, following the fire and loss of the famous Achille Lauro in 1994. More recently, the company has styled itself as MSC Crociere Italiane.


Ships on this Page:-
Achille Lauro
Angelina Lauro (2)
Melody
Monterey
MSC Armonia (2004- )
MSC Fantasia (2008- )
MSC Lirica (2003- )
MSC Magnifica (2009- )
MSC Musica (2006- )
MSC Opera (2004- )
MSC Orchestra (2007- )
MSC Poesia (2008- )
MSC Splendida (2009- ) - previously announced as MSC Serenata
MSC Sinfonia (2004- )
Rhapsody
Symphony

Associated Pages:-
Cunard Line
Flotta Lauro
Home Lines
Premier Cruise Line
Rotterdam Lloyd
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page

References:-





Table of Ship Histories
Name
Other Names
Built

Achille Lauro Willem Ruys
1939

Angelina Lauro (2) Arcadia
1939

Melody Atlantic, StarShip Atlantic
1981

Monterey Pine Tree Mariner
1952

MSC Poesia
2008

Rhapsody Cunard Princess
1976

Symphony Provence, EnricoCosta
1951





The MSC Fleet List + Starlauro Crociere



Achille Lauro
(Lauro: 1966-1987 - StarLauro: 1987-1994)

Achille Lauro was the most famous member of the Flotta Lauro fleet, mainly due to her hijacking in 1985. She joined the fleet in 1966, originally as an emigrant carrier. She was restyled as a cruise ship in 1973. In 1987, the Swiss-based Mediterranean Shipping Company bought Lauro, and relaunched them as Starlauro Cruises. Achille Lauro was lost, after a fire in 1994. The company was then relaunched again as Mediterranean Shipping Cruises, and the blue hulls were lost.

Complete history of Achille Lauro


This is the first official Starlauro card of Achille Lauro.



The second official Starlauro card of Achille Lauro.






Monterey
(StarLauro: 1989-1995 - MSC: 1995-2007)

Mariposa (3) and Monterey (3) were built in 1952, as the fast cargo ships Free State Mariner and Pine Tree Mariner. Matson Line bought them in 1955 for their Oceanic subsidiary, but they were rebuilt as the 14,799 ton passenger ships Mariposa (3) and Monterey (3) for their South Pacific servce. In 1970 they were sold to Pacific Far East Lines. In 1989, Monterey was acquired by StarLauro Crociere, passing to MSC in 1995. She remained in service in 2006, and was scheduled to run a series of cruises from South Africa in their 2006/2007 summer, but mechanical problems caused her withdrawal and scrapping.

Complete history of Monterey


This was the first official Starlauro card of Monterey.



The second official Starlauro card of Monterey.



The first official Mediterranean Shipping Cruises card of Monterey, expertly retouched from the previous card.



A more recent official Mediterranean Shipping Cruises card of Monterey.



Harold Jordan's Chantry Classics postcard of Monterey.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, August 2003.




Photograph of Monterey at Palma, Mallorca.
Photo: Ian Boyle, 20th August 2003.



Photograph of Monterey at Palma, Mallorca.
Photo: Ian Boyle, 20th August 2003.



Photograph of Monterey at Palma, Mallorca.
Photo: Ian Boyle, 20th August 2003.



Postcard of Monterey at Funchal, Madeira, in latest colours applied 2004.






Angelina Lauro (2)
(StarLauro: 1989-1991 - chartered)

Between 1989-91, Starlauro chartered Attika Cruises' Arcadia, which was renamed Angelina Lauro (2) during the charter. She then reverted to the name Arcadia, and in 2000 was being operated by Golden Sun Cruises.


Giacomelli card NE04, showing the Angelina Lauro (2) in Venice in 1990.



Photograph of Angelina Lauro (2) by © Raimondo Starcevich






Symphony

In 1994, Starlauro acquired the Enrico Costa, which became their Symphony. In 2000 she was chartered to Golden Sun Cruises as Aegean II then Aegean Spirit.

Complete history of Symphony


This is the official Starlauro card of Symphony.



Starlight Cruises postcard of Symphony.
Scan of postcard supplied by Dimas Almada.



The official Mediterranean Shipping Company card of Symphony.






Rhapsody

Starlauro acquired the Cunard Line's Cunard Countess shortly after the Enrico Costa, after first having her under charter.

Complete history of Rhapsody


Scan of postcard of Cunard Countess under charter, supplied by Dimas Almada.



Cunard Countess became the Rhapsody; this is the official Starlauro card.



Following the Achille Lauro tragedy, the company reorganised as Mediterranean Shipping Cruises very soon after the purchase of Rhapsody. This is the official MSC card in the new colours.



Official MSC card of Rhapsody.



Nelson de Barros Pereira postcard of Rhapsody published in Brazil in late 2000.



Official MSC card of Rhapsody in later colours.



Rhapsody at Tilbury Cruise Terminal.
Photo: © 2006 Copyright Ian Boyle, 19th May 2006
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Rhapsody at Tilbury Cruise Terminal.
Photo: © 2006 Copyright Ian Boyle, 19th May 2006
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Melody (1996-2004)
MSC Melody (2004- )

Melody joined the MSC in 1996 from Premier Cruise Lines after the StarLauro name had been dropped. Melody was originally Home Lines' Atlantic of 1982.

Complete history of Melody


This is the first official MSC card of Melody, a poorly retouched version of a Premier Cruises card.



The second official MSC card of Melody.



A more recent official MSC card of Melody.



A later official MSC card of Melody.
Scan supplied by Staff Captain Walter Bonazza



MSC postcard of MSC_Melody in new colours.






MSC Lirica (2003- )

MSC Lirica was delivered in 2003 from Chantiers de l'Atlantique, St Nazaire. She is 58600grt, 251m long, and has a lower berth capacity of 1590 passengers. The design is a modified version of the enlarged "Mistral-Class" vessels delivered to Festival Cruises. Building slots became available when Festival decided not to proceed with two outstanding options with the builders. Her sistership MSC Opera is due to be delivered in 2004.


Official MSC postcard of MSC Lirica.



Official MSC inaugural season postcard of MSC Lirica.



Official MSC postcard of MSC Lirica.



The first call at Naples by MSC Lirica.
Photo: © Gabriele Cafiero, April 11th 2003.



The first call at Naples by MSC Lirica.
Photo: © Gabriele Cafiero, April 11th 2003.



The first call at Naples by MSC Lirica.
Photo: © Gabriele Cafiero, April 11th 2003.



The first call at Naples by MSC Lirica.
Photo: © Gabriele Cafiero, April 11th 2003.



The first call at Naples by MSC Lirica.
Photo: © Gabriele Cafiero, April 11th 2003.



The first call at Naples by MSC Lirica.
Photo: © Gabriele Cafiero, April 11th 2003.






MSC Opera (2004- )

MSC Opera is a sister of MSC Sinfonia and is 59000 grt


Official MSC Crociere postcard of MSC Opera.



MSC Opera at Flåm
Photo: © Harry Johan Rosvold, 17th July 2007
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MSC Armonia (2004- )

MSC Armonia and MSC Sinfonia were the European Vision and European Stars respectively of Festival Cruises. They were bought at auction in 2004 after the collapse of Festival, for €215 million and €220 million. Both ships were completed in 2001 by Chantiers Atlantique.


Official MSC Crociere postcard of MSC Armonia.



www.cruising.com.br postcard of MSC Armonia.
Photo: © Daniel R.Carneiro



MSC Armonia at Santos, Brazil.
Photo: © Marco Antonia Pedro
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MSC Armonia at Santos, Brazil.
Photo: © Marco Antonia Pedro



MSC Armonia at Dubrovnik, 21st October 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Armonia at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Armonia at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Armonia at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Armonia at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Armonia at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Armonia at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Armonia at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Armonia at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Armonia at Dubrovnik, April 2007.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Armonia at Dubrovnik, 23rd June 2007
Photo: © Ivo Batricvic
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MSC Sinfonia (2004- )

MSC Armonia and MSC Sinfonia were the European Vision and European Stars respectively of Festival Cruises. They were bought at auction in 2004 after the collapse of Festival, for €215 million and €220 million. Both ships were completed in 2001 by Chantiers Atlantique.


Official MSC Crociere postcard of MSC Sinfonia
Scan: Jose Luis Cerdá



MSC Sinfonia on first visit to Dubrovnik
Photo: © Ivo Batricevic, 18th March 2008
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MSC Musica (2006- )

MSC Musica is the first of a series of three 92400 grt sisters, the series being MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra and MSC Poesia


Official MSC Crociere postcard of MSC Musica.
Scan: Ivo Batricevic
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MSC cruise ship MSC Musica at Dubrovnik on maiden voyage
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ivo Batricevic, 7th July 2006
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MSC cruise ship MSC Musica at Dubrovnik on maiden voyage
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ivo Batricevic, 7th July 2006
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MSC cruise ship MSC Musica at Venice
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle, 12th August 2006
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MSC cruise ship MSC Musica at Venice
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle, 12th August 2006
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MSC cruise ship MSC Musica at Venice
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle, 12th August 2006
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MSC Musica at Katakolon
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle, 14th August 2006
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MSC Musica at Katakolon
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle, 14th August 2006
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MSC Musica at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Musica at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Musica at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Musica at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Musica at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Musica at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Musica at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Musica at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Musica at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Musica at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Musica at Dubrovnik in 2006.
Photo: © Neven Jerkovic
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MSC Musica at Dubrovnik in 2008
Photo: © Ivo Batricevic, 29th March 2008
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MSC Musica at Dubrovnik in 2008
Photo: © Ivo Batricevic, 29th March 2008
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MSC Orchestra (2007- )

MSC Orchestra is the second of a series of three 92400 grt sisters, the series being MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra and MSC Poesia


Official MSC Crociere postcard of MSC Orchestra
Scan: Ivo Batricevic
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MSC Orchestra at Dubrovnik, 6th June 2007
Photo: © Ivo Batricvic
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MSC Poesia (2008- )

MSC Poesia is the third of a series of three 92400 grt sisters, the series being MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra and MSC Poesia

More images of MSC Poesia


MSC Poesia arriving at Dover to start a 'pre-inaugural' cruise to Venice
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Dover, 4th April 2008
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MSC Poesia arriving at Dover to start a 'pre-inaugural' cruise to Venice
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Dover, 4th April 2008
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MSC Poesia arriving at Dover to start a 'pre-inaugural' cruise to Venice
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Dover, 4th April 2008
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MSC Poesia arriving at Dover to start a 'pre-inaugural' cruise to Venice
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Dover, 4th April 2008
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MSC Fantasia (2008- )

MSC Fantasia is the first of a series of 133400 grt ships

To be added





MSC Splendida (2009- )

MSC Splendida is the second in a series of 133400 grt ships, previously announced as the MSC Serenata

To be added





MSC Magnifica (2009- )

To be added





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Free Web Counter Times viewed since 09/05/2007:

Name	Other Names	Built
Achille Lauro	Willem Ruys	1939
Angelina Lauro (2)	Arcadia	1939
Melody	Atlantic, StarShip Atlantic	1981
Monterey	Pine Tree Mariner	1952
MSC Poesia		2008
Rhapsody	Cunard Princess	1976
Symphony	Provence, EnricoCosta	1951