Cruise Community is reporting that the keel has been laid for MSC’s newest ship MSC Poesia at Aker France on December 6.

A traditional part of a keel laying ceremony is the welding of coins to the keel for good luck, and this ceremony kept with tradition.  Two coins were welded to the keel, one from Aker France representing Victor Hugo, the other coin was a gold coin earned by the grandmother of the CEO of MSC Cruises for her skill as a bridge player.

MSC Poesia is the third ship of MSC’s Musica class and will be delivered in the Spring of 2008.  The lead ship in the class, MSC Musica entered service this past summer while the second ship, MSC Orchestra will set sail in the Spring of 2007.

Unlike her sister ships, MSC Poesia will feature a Sports Bar which replaces the Wine Tasting Bar on MSC Musica and a Mediterranean restaurant which replaces the Chinese restaurant on MSC Orchestra.

While MSC Poesia is the fifth ship built for MSC by Aker Yards France, it’s only the third Musica class ship and it looks like MSC will make a decision about ordering a fourth Musica class ship this March.