The four ships will be over 200,000 gross register tonnage and will be in a new World Class category while costing nearly €4 billion.

The new order means the cruise company’s investment for the next 10 years is now worth €9 billion with up to 11 ships now on order.

 MSC Cruises executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: “Today’s announcement is further proof of our view that this industry presents significant opportunities for additional growth going forward for both our brand and product.

“For this reason, our 10-plus year investment plan now encompasses up to 11 new MSC Cruises ships coming into service between 2017 and 2026.

“It is also a reflection of our constant commitment to innovation as we will partner with STX France to design yet again a completely new type of ship.

“The new MSC Cruise World Class prototype will feature - amongst other highly innovative elements - a futuristic design that will maximise the open space available to our guests.

“But most importantly it will be a ship for all seasons and all regions.”

Laurent Castaing, STX France chief executive, added: “We have already designed four different classes for MSC Cruises– Opera, Musica, Fantasia and Meraviglia – each with four ships, and now we are working together on this new generation of “World Class” ships.

“By 2026, a total of 20 ships will have been designed and built by STX France in Saint-Nazaire for MSC Cruises.”