Posted on

MSC CRUISES OFFERS AN UNBEATABLE CHOICE OF SHIPS AND DESTINATIONS FOR WINTER 2022-2023 FOR THE ULTIMATE VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY

MSC CRUISES OFFERS AN UNBEATABLE CHOICE OF SHIPS AND DESTINATIONS FOR WINTER 2022-2023 FOR THE ULTIMATE VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY

03/02/2022

  • 21 modern ships sailing to more than 190 of the world’s most sought-after destinations across 85 different countries
  • Huge choice of itineraries ranging from mini-cruises and 7-night sailings through to longer cruises including the 118-night World Cruise 2023
  • Two new ships to join the MSC Cruises fleet in 2022 – MSC World Europa enriching the offering in the Gulf region and MSC Seascape enriching the offering in the Caribbean
  • Two innovative sister ships – MSC Virtuosa and MSC Grandiosa – to spend the winter season in the Mediterranean

Geneva, Switzerland – 03 January 2021. MSC Cruises today revealed the details of the Winter 2022/2023 programme with an incredible choice of 21 modern, elegant ships sailing to more than 190 of the world’s most sought-after destinations in 85 different countries. With cruises ranging from mini-cruises through to 118 nights across the Middle East, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America and South Africa – there really is a ship and itinerary for everyone looking for the perfect winter cruise holiday.

Once on board one of the beautifully designed MSC Cruises ships, guests will be able to enjoy round-the-clock entertainment and activities, grand scale original theatre productions, live music, authentic international dining, award-winning kids and family offering, luxurious spa and wellness facilities, boutique shopping and much more.

MSC Cruises will launch two new and innovative ships for the upcoming winter season, with the first being the much-anticipated MSC World Europa. Not only is this the Company’s first LNG powered ship but it is a brand-new class of ships that introduces a completely new cruising platform so that guests sailing on this spectacular ship will enjoy a completely redefined cruise experience unlike anything at sea today.

MSC World Europa will be based in Doha for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and then following this the new ship will offer cruises calling Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas (United Arab Emirates) Doha (Qatar) and Dammam (Saudi Arabia) starting with a mini-cruise on 20 December before resuming a regular schedule of 7-night cruises.

MSC Seascape will become the second new ship to launch next winter and the line’s second innovative Seaside EVO class ship will offer two different 7-night itineraries from PortMiami (U.S) starting from 11 December. This will further enrich MSC Cruises’ already strong offering in the Caribbean.

Middle East highlights for winter 2022-2023 include: 

MSC Cruises continues to strengthen and enrich the offering in the Middle East with three ships offering the chance to discover the rich culture and tradition of this region along with making the most of the beautiful beaches and waters.

  • MSC World Europa will offer 7-night sailings from Dubai including Abu Dhabi and the beautiful island Sir Bani Yas (United Arab Emirates), Dammam/Al Ahsa Oasis (Saudi Arabia), Doha (Qatar).
  • MSC Opera will also sail from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas as well as Muscat and Khasab (Oman).
  • MSC Splendida will homeport in Jeddah Saudi Arabia calling at Yanbu and Al Wajh also in the Kingdom and then Aqaba in Jordan for Petra and Safaga in Egypt for Luxor. Sales for MSC Splendida will open in the coming days.

Caribbean and Antilles highlights for winter 2022-2023 include: 

  • MSC Seascape will commence her inaugural season from December 11, 2022 out of PortMiami (U.S) on Sundays. She will offer 7-night itineraries calling at the eastern Caribbean calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and Nassau in The Bahamas, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and the Western Caribbean also calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Cozumel in Mexico, George Town in the Cayman Islands and Ocho Rios in Jamaica
  • MSC Meraviglia: sailing from the newly established MSC Cruises homeport Port Canaveral/Orlando (U.S), will offer cruises between three and seven nights to the Caribbean with destinations including Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Bahamas), Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico) and Belize City (Belize).
  • MSC Divina: based out of PortMiami (U.S), each cruise will call at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and the ship will offer a range of 3 to 10-night exciting itineraries, with visits to Belize City (Belize), Isla de Roatan (Honduras), Costa Maya (Mexico), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Cartagena (Colombia), Colon (Panama), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica).
  • MSC Seaside: h 7-night cruises from Fort de France (Martinique), Pointe-a-Pitre (Guadeloupe) and Philipsburg (St Maarten) with two different itineraries that include calls to destinations such asCastries (Saint Lucia), Bridgetown (Barbados), Saint George (Grenada), or St John’s (Antigua and Barbuda), Basseterre (St Kitts and Nevis) and Roseau (Dominica)

Mediterranean highlights for winter 2022-2023 include: 

This winter, MSC Cruises will offer a rich and diverse choice in the Mediterranean Sea, with three ships sailing in this iconic cruise region, including two of the Company’s most innovative ships – MSC Grandiosa and MSC Virtuosa giving guests not only the chance to discover everything that the Mediterranean has to offer but also a memorable experience on board.

  • MSC Grandiosa will offer 7-night cruises from Genoa, Civitavecchia and Palermo (Italy), Valetta (Malta), Barcelona (Spain) and Marseille (France).
  • MSC Virtuosa will sail from Genoa, La Spezia/Florence and Naples (Italy), Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona (Spain) and Marseille (France). Sales for MSC Virtuosa will open in the coming days.
  • MSC Lirica will offer longer cruises for voyages of discovery of 11 nights from Genoa, Civitavecchia, Messina (Italy), Lindos/Rhodes (Greece), Limassol (Cyprus), Haifa (Israel), Heraklion/Crete (Greece), all from Genoa (Italy) or 10-nights from Genoa that calls Marseille (France), Barcelona (Spain), Tangier and Casablanca/Marrakech (Morocco), Ceuta, Malaga and Alicante/Costa Blanca (Spain)

Northern Europe: 

  • MSC Preziosa will offer the new 7-night winter itinerary introduced this season visitng five of Europe’s most popular cities – Hamburg (Germany), Zeebrugge for Bruges and Brussels (Belgium), Rotterdam (the Netherlands), Le Havre for Paris (France) Southampton for London (UK). Sales for MSC Preziosa will open in the coming days.

South America highlights for winter 2022-2023 include: [insert link to destination page on local B2C site]

Guests can choose from five ships sailing in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, all hand-picked and vibrant destinations right in the heart of the South American region.

  • MSC Seashore: will offer her brand-new 7-night itinerary from Santos visiting Maceio, Salvador and Buzios (Brazil) with local guests having the possibility to embark in Salvador (Brazil).
  • MSC Seaview will homeport for the first time in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) from December to March. She will offer 3 to 8-night cruises with different itineraries ranging from breath taking views and islands, such as Buzios, Ilhabela, Ilha Grande/Angra dos Reis, Ilheus, Salvador (all in Brazil) to Uruguay and Argentina.
  • MSC Fantasia: homeporting from Santos (Brazil), will offer a range 3 to 7-night cruises with calls including Ilha Grande, Buzios and Ilha Grande/Angra dos Reis (Brazil), Montevideo (Uruguay), as well as, Punta Del Este (Uruguay) and Buenos Aires (Argentina).
  • MSC Armonia: will focus on Southern Brazil homeporting from Itajai/Santa Caterina and will bring guests on a 7-night journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Ilhabela (Brazil).
  • MSC Musica: will homeport from Buenos Aires (Argentina) and offer a range of memorable destinations in Brazil with Ilhabela, Rio de Janeiro / Copacabana, Buzios, Ilha Grande/Angra dos Reis.

South Africa highlights for winter 2022-2023 include: 

Two ships will operate in South Africa offering a complete getaway to enjoy brilliant beaches and striking landscapes.

  • MSC Sinfonia: starting December 2022, will homeport in Cape Town (South Africa) sailing the west coast to Mossel Bay (South Africa), Walvis Bay and Luderitz (Namibia).
  • MSC Orchestra: will based in Durban (South Africa) and will then perform calls including Pomene and Portuguese Island/Inhaca Archipelago (Mozambique), Walvis Bay (Namibia) and Cape Town (South Africa).

MSC World Cruise for winter 2022-2023 include:

MSC Magnifica and MSC Poesia will both perform the MSC World Cruise 2023. The two ships in an industry first will host over 5,000 guests for a round journey around the world and they will both depart from Civitavecchia and Genoa (Italy), respectively on 4 and 5 January, Marseille (France) one day later and Barcelona (Spain) on 7 January. These maiden calls will mark a unique moment for guests as they prepare to set sail around the world without having to unpack their suitcase. Once the two ships cross the Mediterranean Sea, the ships will part ways in the Atlantic Ocean. MSC Poesia is sold-out but there are limited cabins available on MSC Magnifica. To find out more visit here [insert link to WC B2C page].

Sales are now open for most of the winter 22/23 sailings with itineraries for MSC Preziosa, MSC Splendida and MSC Bellissima coming soon.

Cruise with Confidence

Since August 2020 MSC Cruises guests have been sailing under the protection of the line’s industry leading health and safety protocol that was developed with the input of a Blue-Ribbon Panel of experts and this has proven to be both safe and effective through all evolutions of the pandemic. This protocol was designed to adapt according to the situation ashore and the measures in place have either been eased or tightened to match the evolution of the pandemic, to continue to ensure the highest possible protection to guests and crew.

Bookings for all sailings through to the end of the next winter 2022-2023 season will enable guests to Cruise with Confidence with a safe, flexible and enjoyable cruise holiday.

Guests who book before 31 March 2022 will have the peace of mind that comes from knowing their booking is flexible — with the ability to reschedule their cruise free of charge up to 15 days prior to departure and 21 days for Fly&Cruise bookings.

MSC Cruises holidays are open to vaccinated guests only and this will continue to be the case for winter 2022/2023. The line will continue to implement the appropriate measures, adapting to the health situation ashore, to ensure that guests can enjoy one of the safest holidays options out there all whilst having a memorable time on board.

Posted on

MSC CRUISES EXTENDS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL SEASON IN THE ARABIAN GULF THROUGH TO END OF JUNE 2022

MSC CRUISES EXTENDS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL SEASON IN THE ARABIAN GULF THROUGH TO END OF JUNE 2022

31/01/2022

  • MSC Bellissima to finish her season in the Red Sea as planned and to replace MSC Virtuosa from 2 April offering cruises in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha
  • Sales for the additional 12 cruises opened today offering guests even more choice for their spring holidays

Geneva, Switzerland – 31 January 2022: MSC Cruises announced today that the current season in the Arabian Gulf will be extended with MSC Bellissima offering additional 7-night cruises calling Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas in the United Arab Emirates and Doha in Qatar, from 2 April through to 25 June. MSC Bellissima will finish her planned Red Sea itineraries homeporting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 26 March and then move to the Arabian Gulf taking over from MSC Virtuosa from 2 April. MSC Virtuosa has been successfully sailing in this region since November 2021 and on finishing the winter season, will undertake a Grand Voyage back to Europe to homeport in Southampton, UK for the summer season. In July, MSC Bellissima will move to the Far East from July to perform her itineraries in Japan and China. Sales for the additional MSC Bellissima cruises opened today.

The Arabian Gulf has proven to be particularly attractive to MSC Cruises guests this winter, thanks to the appeal of the itinerary with the extended stays in port and two overnights in Dubai. Also, the effectiveness of the health and safety protocols put in place by the Company, both on board and by the local authorities for entry and stay in the region, have made guests feel safe.

Gianni Onorato, CEO MSC Cruises commented, “We have seen that the itineraries in the UAE and Qatar have been very popular with our guests and so to respond to this demand we have decided to extend our presence in the region. We would like to thank the authorities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha for their close collaboration and effective ways of working to ensure the health and safety of our guests and crew. The decision to deploy MSC Bellissima for this extended part of the season was taken because this is a highly popular and well appreciated ship with a richness of features, entertainment and dining as well as offering the MSC Yacht Club. These cruises are also appealing as they are very accessible to our guests thanks to the great flight connections into Dubai International Airport. We are offering a comprehensive Fly&Cruise programme with award-winning airline Emirates, with flights from 21 international airports, making the whole experience for our guests seamless from end to end.”

By extending the season, guests will be able to enjoy a cruise holiday that offers them the perfect mix of culture and tradition combined with the opportunity to discover some of the Middle East’s most modern cities along with guaranteed sun and beautiful beaches, all whilst relaxing on board one of MSC Cruises most innovative ships.

For more information on the itineraries visit here.

Highlights of the Arabian Gulf:

Dubai, UAE – one of the Middle East’s most recognisable cities, Dubai is a feast for the senses, with high-rise buildings, lavish malls and feats of engineering and architecture. To best experience this remarkable city, guests discover why Dubai is often referred to as the City of Merchants in one of the many souks in the old city or experience something a little more modern at one the most famous sites, the world’s tallest building, the Burj Al Khalifa.

Abu Dhabi, UAE – capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is rich with diversity and culture, framed by glittering buildings and home to the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. While some guests may opt to soak in everything the city has to offer with a sightseeing tour, others may wish to opt for a desert escape.

Sir Bani Yas, UAE – The largest natural island in the United Arab Emirates, Sir Bani Yas offers pristine beaches and diverse wildlife, as well as a 1.5 kilometre beach oasis exclusive to MSC Cruises guests on ship calling days. Sir Bani Yas island features a beautiful coastline and boasts the Arabian Wildlife Park on just over half of its surface area, which can be visited on one of many exciting shore excursions on offer.

Doha, Qatar – Recognised as one of the new 7 Wonders Cities, Doha is a fast-growing and exciting destination, recognisable to many sports’ fans for having hosted an array of world class events, including the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup. For art and culture lovers, the Msheireb Museum is just one of the many museums the city is home to.

Highlights of MSC Bellissima:

MSC Bellissima is one of the newest and most popular ships in the MSC Cruises fleet, offering guests a rich and varied onboard experience with innovative and modern facilities including:

–    The MSC Yacht Club with luxurious accommodations spanning three decks, private facilities and butler service round-the-clock
–    12 dining venues and more than 20 lounges so that guests will be spoiled for choice including the French specialty restaurant L’Atelier Bistrot, popular American style steakhouse the Butcher’s Cut as well as Kaito Teppanyaki and Kaito Sushi bar.
–    Acclaimed pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury’s Chocolate & Café is dedicated entirely to unique and elegant chocolate creations and desserts and a delight for anyone with a sweet tooth.
–    An award-winning family offering with kids’ activities and services from partners LEGO and Chicco with a dedicated family deck area
–    Two stunning entertainment venues – the London Theatre and the Carousel Lounge offering original theatre productions and live entertainment
– An 80-metre-long LED Sky Screen encompassing a stunning 96-metre-long Mediterranean-style promenade, designed as the social hub of the ship lined with shops, bars and restaurants
–    Comfortable and innovative accommodations to meet every need demonstrating the way that MSC Cruises puts the guest at the heart of its designs and ship building and with 10 different types of cabin to choose from, there really is something for everyone.

Cruise with Confidence:

Since August 2020 MSC Cruises guests have been sailing under the protection of the line’s industry leading health and safety protocol that was developed with the input of a Blue-Ribbon Panel of experts and this has proven to be both safe and effective through all evolutions of the pandemic. This protocol was designed to adapt according to the situation ashore and the measures in place have either been eased or tightened to match the evolution of the pandemic, to continue to ensure the highest possible protection to guests and crew.

Bookings for all sailings this winter and summer will be covered by the Cruise with Confidence promise, under which the Company has already offered a safe, flexible and enjoyable cruise holiday to over one million guests during all phases of the pandemic, past and present.

Guests who book before 31 March 2022 will have the peace of mind that comes from knowing their booking is flexible — with the ability to reschedule their cruise free of charge up to 15 days prior to departure and 21 days for Fly&Cruise bookings.

All MSC cruise holidays are now only open to vaccinated guests and this will continue to be the case for winter 2023. The line will continue to implement the appropriate measures to ensure that guests can enjoy one of the safest holidays options out there all whilst having a memorable time on board.

Posted on

MSC LIRICA TO HOMEPORT IN PIRAEUS FOR SUMMER 2022

MSC LIRICA TO HOMEPORT IN PIRAEUS FOR SUMMER 2022

16/12/2021

  • Embarkation available for first time in Greece
  • New 7-night East Mediterranean itinerary with three other passenger embarkation ports in Turkey, Israel and Cyprus

Geneva, Switzerland, 16 December 2021 – MSC Cruises will deploy MSC Lirica to the Eastern Mediterranean market in summer 2022 and she will homeport in Piraeus, the port for the Greek capital Athens, during  the entire season.

MSC Lirica will offer a newly-designed 7-night itinerary with 28 sailings between April  and October 2022 from Piraeus calling Kusadasi, Turkey; Haifa, Israel; Limassol, Cyprus and the Greek islands of Rhodes and Santorini before returning to Piraeus.

The ship’s guests can also begin their 7-night cruises with embarkation at Kusadasi, Haifa and Limassol, as well as Piraeus.

The Greek island of Crete will also be a port of call in MSC Lirica’s four 11-night sailings in the Eastern Mediterranean during November and December 2022 with visits to Heraklion.

Voyages on board MSC Lirica will be, as they are for all of the Company’s ships, only open to guests who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Greece will also feature in three other ship’s East Mediterranean itineraries.

MSC Armonia, will call Piraeus on a weekly basis during the summer months and MSC Fantasia from September 2022 will similarly perform 11-night cruises to the Greek port for guests to visit Athens. The summer sailings for MSC Musica include calls at Katakolon for Olympia, Heraklion and Santorini.

Angelo Capurro, Executive Director, MSC Cruises said, “Greece will be a major player in our Eastern Mediterranean cruise programme next summer with guests embarking at Piraeus for the first time, the port being a base for MSC Lirica and calls by three of our other ships to different parts of the country’s beautiful destinations. 

“Athens airport will also play an important role with many guests flying from throughout Europe and North America to join MSC Lirica and enjoy one of the safest holidays options out there whilst having a memorable time on board.

“With embarkation during MSC Lirica’s 7-night itinerary also available in Turkey, Israel and Cyprus this cruise promises to showcase a truly rich blend of different nationalities on board, but where our approach is local and everyone feels at home, relaxed and above all, safe.”

MSC Lirica offers a distinctive cruise experience centred on elegance, comfort and hospitality with 992 guest cabins. 

An atmosphere of relaxed spaciousness pervades, with magnificent internal vistas from the foyer and unimpeded ocean views from the lounges’ floor-to-ceiling picture windows. 

There is a choice of lounges and bars including the glamourous Beverly Hills Bar or traditional English-style Lord Nelson Pub, the perfect venue for a pre-theatre drink.

For families, there is a children’s play area created in collaboration with LEGO Group and Chicco as well as a spray park and two swimming pools plus a full programme of activities for kids of all ages.

The MSC Aurea Spa offers a haven for those wishing to unwind and, in the evening, the Broadway Theatre offers entertainment each night.  And with two main restaurants, a buffet and the popular Kaito Sushi Bar, guests have a choice of formal or more casual dining options.

MSC Cruises guests since August 2020 have been sailing under the protection of the line’s industry-leading health and safety protocol that was developed with the input of a Blue-Ribbon Panel of experts which has proven to be both safe and effective through all evolutions of the pandemic.

The protocol was designed to adapt according to the situation ashore and in the last 16 months, the measures in place have either been eased or tightened to match the evolution of the pandemic to continue to ensure the highest possible protection to guests, crew and communities that MSC Cruises’ ships visit.

ENDS

MSC Lirica’s Specifications:

Ship name                                       MSC Lirica

Gross tonnage                                65,591 GT

Max passenger capacity               2,679

Crew members                              721

Number of cabins                          992

Length / Beam / Height                274.9 m / 32 m / 54 m

Maximum speed                           21.7 knots

Posted on

MSC CRUISES AND FINCANTIERI MARK FLOAT OUT OF THE LINE’S NEXT FLAGSHIP MSC SEASCAPE

MSC CRUISES AND FINCANTIERI MARK FLOAT OUT OF THE LINE’S NEXT FLAGSHIP MSC SEASCAPE

06/12/2021

  • MSC Seascape today floated out at the shipyard in Italy as sister ship MSC Seashore’s simultaneous naming ceremony takes place at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas
  • MSC Seascape is one of three MSC Cruises ships currently under construction, two of which will be delivered in 2022 following the two that already came into service in 2021

Trieste, Italy – 18 November , 2021 – MSC Cruises today celebrated the float out of its next flagship MSC Seascape at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, a traditional event as the ship owner and the shipbuilder of a new vessel come together to witness a ship touch water for the first time.

MSC Seascape will be delivered in November 2022, the second Seaside EVO class ship to enter the MSC Cruises’ fleet, and the fourth vessel in the line’s highly-innovative Seaside class.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises, said, “The float out of MSC Seascape marks yet another significant milestone in the growth of our fleet and the vessel will pay homage to the oceans through yet another host of highly innovative maritime and design features.

“We have continued with our ambitious newbuild plans, in spite of the pandemic, and today is a double celebration for MSC as our next flagship MSC Seascape is floated out into water simultaneously as her sister ship MSC Seashore is officially named at our very own private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.  

“MSC Seascape – together with MSC Seashore – features some of the latest environmental technologies and solutions to minimise her impact on the environment which will help us take a further step forward towards realising our ambition of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.” 

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, added, “Such an imposing ship makes it even more suggestive to reflect on the enormous work behind her construction. We began the work on MSC Seascape almost concurrently with the onset of the emergency and today, together with an established operator like MSC, we celebrate her float-out in line with pre-pandemic plans. The great determination in respecting production commitments and preserving the entire orderbook has become the hallmark of our Group, an authentic cornerstone of the culture of the company, and there could not be a better precondition for looking to the future with renewed confidence”.

The GT 169,400 MSC Seascape will be able to accommodate up to 5,877 guests with 13,000 sqm of outdoor space. 

MSC Seascape’s sister ship MSC Seashore today is officially named at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas, the first naming ceremony for a cruise ship to be held at a private island anywhere in the world.

The ship’s naming ceremony also marks the formal inauguration of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which opened in late 2019 and closed temporarily due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

MSC Seascape Details:

MSC Seascape’s environmental technologies will include selective catalytic reduction systems on each of her four Wärtsilä 14V 46F engines to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90 per cent by converting the gas into harmless nitrogen and water, plus hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems to remove 98 per cent of sulphur oxide from ship emissions.

The vessel is fitted with best-in-class wastewater treatment systems with purification standards that are higher than most wastewater treatment facilities on land, advanced waste management systems, ballast water treatment systems approved by the United States Coast Guard, the latest-technology systems for the prevention of oil discharges from machinery spaces and various effective energy-efficiency improvements – from heat recovery systems to LED lighting able to save energy.

The ship will also feature an underwater radiated noise management system to reduce and isolate the potential effects on marine mammals.

MSC Seascape, as with her sister ship MSC Seashore, will see nearly 70 per cent of her public spaces completely re-designed in the Seaside class to enhance the guest experience with an aim to offer beautiful venues and locations to connect with the sea:

  • 2,270 cabins with 12 different types of cabins and suites with balconies, including coveted aft suites
  • 11 dining venues, 19 bars and lounges with many options for ‘Al Fresco’ dining and drinking
  • Six swimming pools including a stunning aft infinity pool with incredible ocean views
  • The MSC Yacht Club will be the largest and most luxurious in MSC Cruises’ fleet, with almost 3,000 sqm of space to provide sweeping ocean views from the foredecks of the ship
  • An expansive 540-metre-long waterfront promenade even closer to the water
  • A spectacular glass-floored Bridge of Sighs at deck 16 with a unique vantage point of the ocean
Posted on

MSC CRUISES TO HOST THE NAMING CEREMONY OF MSC VIRTUOSA IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

MSC CRUISES TO HOST THE NAMING CEREMONY OF MSC VIRTUOSA IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

01/12/2021

  • Ceremony is in recognition of MSC Cruises’ commitment to the UAE and the wider region
  • MSC Virtuosa to be officially named tonight at Port Rashid, Dubai in a glittering ceremony in front of Royalty, Ministers, Government Officials, Overseas Diplomats, plus media and travel agents from around the world
  • Ship to be named by Hollywood superstar Sophia Loren – her 17 MSC Cruises’ ship
  • Event set to climax with traditional bottle breaking and spectacular firework display against stunning Dubai cityscape

 Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 27 November 2021 – MSC Cruises, the world’s third largest cruise brand, today will host the naming ceremony of MSC Virtuosa when Hollywood superstar Sophia Loren officially names the ship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

MSC Cruises chose Dubai to host the ceremony in recognition of its long-term commitment to the UAE and the wider Middle East market where it is the brand leader.

Equipped with some of the latest marine technologies available, MSC Virtuosa is one of the world’s most environmentally advanced cruise ships. No effort has been spared to minimise her footprint. MSC Cruises shares the UAE’s ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and MSC Virtuosa represents yet another milestone on the journey towards reaching this goal.

MSC Virtuosa can carry up to 6,334 passengers and 1,704 crew and is set to serve the Arabian Sea until March 2022 from her base in Dubai. 

The event at Port Rashid, in partnership with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and DP World, reflects the growing importance of the Emirate as a must-visit destination for global cruise holidaymakers and reinforces the importance of the cruise industry’s contribution to the further development of tourism in the UAE.

A long-standing maritime tradition, the official Naming Ceremony of the ship will take place in the presence of the Master of the Vessel, Captain Francesco Veniero and local dignitaries.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, said, “We are honoured to host this time-honoured maritime tradition ceremony in the United Arab Emirates during its Golden Jubilee year and with it, to mark our longstanding and long-term commitment to this region.  This is also why this winter MSC Virtuosa, a new and one of the most technologically and environmentally advanced ships in our fleet, will homeport in the country as part of our deployment in the Gulf region. Cruising is an integral part of the UAE’s dynamic tourism industry, and thanks to our uniquely global distribution network we will continue to promote the country and the Middle East all around the world as an attractive holiday option to support the further growth of the tourism industry locally.”

Hosted by well-known UAE TV personality Omar Butti as Master of Ceremonies, Hollywood icon Sophia Loren will take to the stage to officially name her 17 MSC Cruises’ ship by cutting the ribbon that breaks the bottle on the ship’s hull.

The star-studded night will culminate in a spectacular firework display against the stunning Dubai skyline, before a celebratory gourmet dinner in one of the ships’ elegant restaurants. Event guests will be also treated to a performance by internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Rag’n’Bone Man, who will perform his best-known hit songs.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, commented: “Dubai continues to chart a course forward as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations and the cruise capital of the Middle East, as we continually strive to realise the goal inspired by our visionary leadership to make Dubai the most preferred, visited and revisited destination. Hosting the naming ceremony for MSC Cruises’ newest flagship vessel, MSC Virtuosa in Dubai, is testament to the popularity of the city as the cruise gateway to the region. Dubai’s reputation as a cruise hub continues to grow in stature and iconic moments and milestone events such as these reflect the crucial contribution of cruising to the city’s tourism industry. With Dubai continuing to welcome international tourists, this event will build on the momentum generated by the recent launch of the new cruise season, further fuelling growth during this landmark year for Dubai featuring Expo 2020 and celebrations surrounding the UAE Golden Jubilee, and beyond.”

MSC Virtuosa features 10 restaurants, 21 bars and lounges, plus five swimming pools, and will serve stunning Arabian Sea itineraries throughout the winter season from her base in Dubai to offer the ship’s guests with the opportunity to experience the best destinations in the Gulf region, including Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island and Qatar.

 The innovative ship stands 19-decks tall and is set to welcome her guests this winter for week-long cruises from Dubai with the very best of fine dining international cuisine, world-class entertainment, relaxing bars and lounges with the largest shopping area at sea, spa and fitness centre, an aquapark and clubs for toddlers to teenagers. The ship’s showstopping feature is its iconic 112-metre promenade with a stunning LED sky dome, the social heart of the ship.

 One unique feature waiting for guests is the brand-new MSC Starship Club which is available exclusively on MSC Virtuosa and stars the world’s first futuristic humanoid robotic bartender, called Rob.

The event at Port Rashid will take place in compliance with all public health and safety protocols established by the Dubai government, supported by MSC Cruises’ industry-leading health and safety protocol that allowed the line’s ships to restart operations in 2020. The special occasion is also part of celebrations surrounding the Golden Jubilee of the UAE and coincides with Dubai’s hosting of World EXPO 2020.

Following the naming ceremony, MSC Virtuosa will depart on 28 November from Dubai for her maiden Gulf voyage with visits to Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island and Doha. 

Posted on

The Port of Hamburg today welcomed the first call of MSC Grandiosa

MSC Grandiosa was delivered on 31 October at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique (CdA) shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France and is heavily equipped with a comprehensive range of leading-edge environmental technologies and other solutions as with this ship MSC Cruises marks another significant step in its journey towards zero-emissions operations. Continue reading “The Port of Hamburg today welcomed the first call of MSC Grandiosa”

Posted on

New cirque du soleil at sea shows for Msc Grandiosa

MSC Cruises revealed today details of the two brand-new and original Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows coming exclusively to MSC Grandiosa. In COSMOS, Journey to the unbelievable, guests will experience a breathtaking voyage across the galaxy with a brave astronaut on a quest for self-discovery. Audiences of EXENTRICKS, Expect the unexpected, will be caught off guard at every turn in this high-spirited spectacle. Continue reading “New cirque du soleil at sea shows for Msc Grandiosa”

Posted on

Msc Meraviglia makes her Canadian debut

MSC Meraviglia — MSC Cruises’ first Meraviglia Class smart ship — made her North American debut last week and today made her inaugural visit to Quebec City, as part of her first ever cruise from North America. MSC Meraviglia is MSC Cruises’ largest ship sailing from the U.S and sets the record for the largest ship to ever port in Quebec City as well as in other Canadian ports: Corner Brook (Newfoundland and Labrador) on October 11, Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) on October 12, Saint John (New Brunswick) on October 21, Halifax (Nova Scotia) on October 22 and Sydney (Nova Scotia) on October 23. Continue reading “Msc Meraviglia makes her Canadian debut”

Posted on

Msc cruises invites Hamburg to the christening of Msc Grandiosa

MSC Grandiosa

The countdown has begun: In one month the MSC Grandiosa, MSC Cruises’ newest flagship and at the same time one of the most environmentally advanced cruise ships at sea, will be ceremoniously christened in the port of Hamburg. Today, MSC invited all Hamburg residents and the surrounding area to join in the celebrations on the Elbe promenade in Hamburg on 9 November. A specially developed event area with an excellent view of the harbour allows visitors to participate live and directly in the festivities and takes them into a fabulous world of blue light installations and fireworks above a majestic cruise ship.

The MSC Grandiosa is not only t Continue reading “Msc cruises invites Hamburg to the christening of Msc Grandiosa”