MSC Lirica Chartered as a Hotel Ship for Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics

[OceansOfTravels]

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180528_10/

 

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says it has chosen a Switzerland-based shipping company to operate a "hotel ship" during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

 

The "hotel ship" concept is one of the measures being taken by the central government to address an anticipated accommodation shortage during the sporting events.

 

Tokyo city officials say they chose the Japanese arm of the Switzerland-based MSC Cruises to operate a "hotel ship" after inviting public applications.

 

Officials say the 65,000-ton cruise ship "MSC Lirica" is expected to be used as a temporary hotel. The mid-size cruiser boasts about 1,000 staterooms and can accommodate up to 2,600 guests.

 

The ship will be docked at a pier in Koto Ward. The Tokyo government and the shipping company will discuss details of its operation after signing a memorandum.

 

The central government will also allow several other piers on Tokyo Bay to be used for such temporary accommodations.

[Traveler-14344]

Thumbs up to the Japanese Sports Officials for this idea. In Japan and Tokyo for that matter, real estate is premium. Building housing for athletes/sports officials will require a lot of resources. Most times after the games, these buildings are abandoned or under developed. Maybe hosts of international games like the Olympics that are near ports should consider 'renting' cruise ships for athletes/sports officials housing.

[OceansOfTravels]

Thumbs up to the Japanese Sports Officials for this idea. In Japan and Tokyo for that matter, real estate is premium. Building housing for athletes/sports officials will require a lot of resources. Most times after the games, these buildings are abandoned or under developed. Maybe hosts of international games like the Olympics that are near ports should consider 'renting' cruise ships for athletes/sports officials housing.

 

This has been done before for Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014, and Rio 2016. I would've actually been surprised if Tokyo 2020 did not do the same, as the accommodation is surely needed. Pyeongchang couldn't do it because he Gangneung harbour/pier was not big enough, and London was too far from the sea. But, I do expect this to become Olympic norm when possible.