Europe's equal largest cruise ship, the MSC Preziosa, tips the scales at 140,000 tons and can travel at speeds of up to 23 knots.
Europe's largest cruise ship —
Europe's equal largest cruise ship, the MSC Preziosa, tips the scales at 140,000 tons and can travel at speeds of up to 23 knots.
FRANK PERRY/AFP/Getty Images
Among the ship's features: multiple pools, a waterslide, kids' aqua park, a spa, casino, nightclub, several restaurants and a theater.
Among the ship's features: multiple pools, a waterslide, kids' aqua park, a spa, casino, nightclub, several restaurants and a theater.
FRANK PERRY/AFP/Getty Images
When the view of the ocean or coast gets boring, guests can take in performances at its massive Broadway-sized theater. There is also a bowling alley. Just like being at home, really.
Broadway-sized theater —
When the view of the ocean or coast gets boring, guests can take in performances at its massive Broadway-sized theater. There is also a bowling alley. Just like being at home, really.
FRANK PERRY/AFP/Getty Images
MSC Preziosa departs the shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France following its re-flagging ceremony and delivery to ship owner MSC.
Maiden voyage —
MSC Preziosa departs the shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France following its re-flagging ceremony and delivery to ship owner MSC.
FRANK PERRY/AFP/Getty Images
The ship can hold 4,345 passengers and 1,400 crew members.
A lot of mouths to feed —
The ship can hold 4,345 passengers and 1,400 crew members.
FRANK PERRY/AFP/Getty Images
At 333 meters long, the Preziosa, along with its twin MSC Divina, is Europe's equal-biggest ship. But on the global stage, Miami-based Royal Caribbean International rules the size game. It has five ships larger than the Preziosa, including the world's biggest -- the Allure of the Seas, which is 362 meters long.
Big but not biggest —
At 333 meters long, the Preziosa, along with its twin MSC Divina, is Europe's equal-biggest ship. But on the global stage, Miami-based Royal Caribbean International rules the size game. It has five ships larger than the Preziosa, including the world's biggest -- the Allure of the Seas, which is 362 meters long.
FRANK PERRY/AFP/Getty Images
The luxury cruise ship is now on its pre-inaugural 9-day/8-night cruise from Saint Nazaireto, which will end in Genoa, Italy on Friday, March 22. There the christening ceremony will take place before it departs on March 24 on its first official cruise.
First cruise —
The luxury cruise ship is now on its pre-inaugural 9-day/8-night cruise from Saint Nazaireto, which will end in Genoa, Italy on Friday, March 22. There the christening ceremony will take place before it departs on March 24 on its first official cruise.
FRANK PERRY/AFP/Getty Images
Europe mega-ship sets sail

Story highlights

At 333 meters long, it is Europe's equal biggest cruise ship

The 'Allure of the Seas' at 362 meters is the world's biggest

MSC Preziosa's first official cruise will start March 24

CNN  — 

Europe’s largest cruise ship, the MSC Preziosa, set sail on its maiden voyage from the western France port of Saint Nazaire on Thursday.

The ship actually holds the title jointly with its sister ship the MSC Divina, which first set sail in May of 2012. Both measure 333 meters long by 38 meters wide and can hold 4,345 passengers. The mega-ships each weigh 140,000 tons and can travel at speeds of up to 23 knots.

Swiss-Italian cruise operator MSC Cruises says the ship has 30,000 square meters of public area, including pools, a casino and a theater.

The boat is the 12th in MSC’s fleet, making it the world’s third biggest cruise line, according to company CEO Pierfrancesco Vago.

The ship has quite the interesting back story. According to various reports, a shipping firm in Libya originally ordered it.

But payments were halted in the wake of the Libyan revolution in 2011.

MSC Cruises stepped in and purchased the already-in-progress ship from builder STX France.

The luxury cruise ship is now on its pre-inaugural 9-day/8-night cruise from Saint Nazaire, that will end in Genoa, Italy on Friday, March 22. There a christening ceremony will take place before it departs on March 24 on its first official cruise.

The five-night voyage begins in Genoa and includes stops in Naples, Messina, Tunis and Barcelona.