SAINT-NAZAIRE, France — The first vessel in MSC Cruises’ series of Vista-generation class of ships will make its debut in May 2017 as MSC Meraviglia. Bookings open in June 2015.

MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said the 4,500 guest (double occupancy), 167,600-GRT ship will spend her first summer sailing the western Mediterranean, and will be the first to have three homeports: Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona.

“MSC Meraviglia will be the biggest and most innovative cruise ship ever built by a global European-based cruise line,” said Vago. “We chose a name that denotes the sense of awe and wonderment felt when you experience the ship’s stunning features, which only an MSC cruise, with its unique Mediterranean-style, can deliver.”

MSC Cruises plans to double its capacity by 2022 through up to seven new ships and a $5.4 billion investment plan.

Among the ships’ features will also be specially-crafted ‘cluster cabins’ for families, and an extended MSC Yacht Club, the wholly self-contained luxury area on the prestigious foredecks, which will be enhanced with duplex suites, a vast solarium and a private lounge and restaurant.

MSC Meraviglia will also feature a range of technological advancements, such as ‘Near Field Communication’ technology, enabling guests to make onboard payments, access their staterooms or geo-locate children, simply by using their cruise card, bracelet or smartphone. MSC Meraviglia will also boast a 5,167 square foot LED screen, which forms the entire ceiling of the ship’s interior promenade.

MSC Meraviglia is the first of two identical ships on order from STX France, the second of which will be entered in to service in 2019. In addition, MSC Cruises has options for two further Vista project ships to be delivered by 2022.