The line confirmed the news as it took delivery of its new flagship MSC Seaside at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy today.

The two new 5,646-passenger Seaside EVO ships will be a “further evolution of the Seaside class prototype”, MSC said, with more cabins and an even larger Yacht Club, featuring an additional deck and larger cabins.

The line is now expecting 12 new ships to be built by 2026 – an overall investment of €10.5 billion, with at least one new vessel set to be delivered every year until 2026.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC’s executive chairman said: “MSC Seaside coming into service marks another key milestone in the history and future of our company, but she also embodies a pivotal moment for the industry.

“In fact, she is the first ship of the fifth new prototype that we bring into service and introduces a wholly-innovative product that sets a new standard for the industry to follow. The Seaside Class of ships is designed to bring guests closer to the sea and to operate in sunny waters, while continuing to push the boundaries of maritime and guest-centric technology.”

Vago added: “With two of the more innovative new ships in the industry having come into service in the past six months and now with the addition of two Seaside EVO ships to our investment plan, we are now even better positioned to further extend our global footprint.

"We are expecting the delivery of at least one new ship each year through 2026, with six to have come into service between 2017 and 2020.”