s rumoured to be in the midst of a deal to build four luxury cruise ships.

According to reports in the Italian press the mainstream brand is close to placing an order with Fincantieri, with the intention of entering the ultra-luxury cruise market. The move would be a big departure from the mainstream cruise industry’s desire to build bigger ships.

The four-ship order would have combined capacity of just over 3,000 passengers, meaning each ship would carry around 750 passengers each.

Reports in The Medi Telegraph claim the order is imminent, however MSC Cruises is yet to confirm the plan