Sophia Loren to Name MSC Euribia in Copenhagen

Sophia Loren to Name MSC Euribia in Copenhagen

MSC Cruises announced that Oscar-winning actress Sophia Loren will name the cruise line’s 19th ship, the MSC Euribia at a ceremony scheduled for June 8 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

In addition to having the Hollywood star name the ship, the ceremony will be hosted by television personality, model and actress Sarah Grünewald, who will serve as the Master of the Ceremony.

Guests can expect the traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne over the bow of the ship, a special gala dinner and a range of live performances, including a DJ set from the popular French DJ and record producer, Bob Sinclar

Following the naming ceremony, the MSC Euribia will start sailing seven-night cruises in Northern Europe departing from Kiel, Germany and Copenhagen, Denmark. The ship will explore Norwegian Fjords including Geiranger, Ålesund, and Flaam.

At the event in Copenhagen, guests will have the chance to catch a glimpse of the new ships’ features and amenities including Street. 2023, artwork by British artist Julian Opie; The Carousel Lounge; MSC Foundation Lab, an area dedicated to kids; five speciality restaurants including Le Grill and more.

MSC Cruises’ First Newbuilds Completes 20 Years in Service

MSC Cruises’ First Newbuilds Completes 20 Years in Service

MSC Cruises’ first new build is completing 20 years in service in 2023 as the MSC Lirica was delivered to the company on March 24, 2003.

Built-in France by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, the 65,000-ton ship originally debuted in the Mediterranean.

Before kicking off its inaugural program in the region, the Lirica also became the first ship to be christened by Sophia Loren.

Later the godmother of all of the company’s newbuilds, the Italian actress named the vessel during a special ceremony in the Italian port of Naples.

In addition to the Mediterranean, the MSC Lirica also spent its first years in service sailing in the Caribbean – with U.S.-based cruises departing from Fort Lauderdale – and Northern Europe.

The vessel then debuted in South America in 2009 and in the Middle East, becoming the first MSC ship to sail a complete season in 2010.

In 2016, in another first for MSC Cruises, the MSC Lirica was repositioned to Asia for a series of year-round cruises out of China.

Upon returning to Europe in 2018, the 2,160-guest ship resumed its operations in the Eastern Mediterranean and sailed additional seasons in the Middle East.

As part of a €275-million refit plan called the Renaissance Program, the Lirica was enlarged and modernized in 2015.

After being cut in half at a drydock in Italy, the ship received a new 24-meter-long mid-section that allowed the addition of 194 extra cabins, a new lounge, a kid’s water park and more.

In addition to its new features, the MSC Lirica offers a two-deck theatre, a casino, a complete spa, four different restaurants, two swimming pools and more.

MSC Preziosa Turns Ten Years Old

MSC Preziosa Turns Ten Years Old

The MSC Preziosa is completing ten years this month. Built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, the 140,000-ton vessel was delivered to MSC Cruises on March 13, 2013.

After leaving the French facility, the vessel offered a pre-inaugural cruise to the Mediterranean. Sailing to Portugal, Spain, France, Morocco and Italy, the one-way voyage ended in Genoa – where the ship was christened before officially entering service.

The ship was joined by the MSC Lirica and the MSC Splendida during the ceremony, which took place on March 24, 2013, and was attended by Sophia Loren, the Italian actress that served as godmother of the Preziosa and most of MSC’s newbuilds.

According to MSC, the event also included a high-profile gala dinner, and entertainment from top Italian and international performers in the company of celebrities, media, authorities and the company’s top management.

Following the ceremony, the MSC Preziosa kicked off its inaugural season in the Western Mediterranean.

Sailing from Genoa through the end of the European summer, the vessel offered a series of weeklong cruises during its maiden program.

Visiting Italy, Tunisia, Spain and France, the itinerary featured Naples, Messina, La Goulette, Barcelona and Marseille as ports of call.

In November, the MSC Preziosa crossed the Atlantic for the first time ahead of a winter season in Brazil.

Sailing from the Port of Santos during the entire 2013-2014 season, the vessel became the biggest and one of the newest cruise ships ever to sail from the South American country.

Completing MSC’s Fantasia Class, the MSC Preziosa offers most of the amenities of its sister ships, including a three-deck theatre, three pool decks, five restaurants, a complete wellness centre and more.

The 3,500-guest vessel also introduced new features such as Vertigo, a 120-meter-long waterslide, and the Doremi Castle Aqua Park, a water park for children.

 

MSC Ready to Name New MSC Virtuosa in Dubai

MSC Cruises today will host the naming ceremony of MSC Virtuosa when Hollywood superstar Sophia Loren officially names the ship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to a press release.

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, the company said, in a statement. 

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 17th MSC Cruises’ ship by cutting the ribbon that breaks the bottle on the ship’s hull.

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.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World, said: “It is a proud moment for us to host the MSC Virtuosa naming ceremony at Mina Rashid that has consistently reaffirmed its status as a leading destination, regionally and globally. The port’s state-of-the-art facilities, passenger handling capacity and strategic location have helped us win several significant accolades, the recent being The Middle East's Leading Cruise Port Award at The World Travel Awards 2021, received for the 14th consecutive year. To ensure that the port continues to be an integral contributor to the UAE’s economy and a significant economic pillar of Dubai, we are working to enhance its capabilities. Our sole aim is to reinforce its status as a preferred recreational facility that represents Dubai’s rich cultural heritage. Through our efforts, we will strive to ensure that the Emirate continues to gain recognition globally as a world-class cruise destination. We are also expecting a total of 126 ship calls and over 500,000 cruise visitors for the upcoming 2021/22 cruise season. This will further bolster Dubai’s tourism figures and drive our progress.”

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 a 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.”

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

Photo: From left: Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC; Hoor Al Khaja- Acting AVP, international operations, Dept Economy and Tourism Dubai; Gianni Onorato; CEO, MSC.

 

MSC Seashore to Be Named at Ocean Cay in The Bahamas on Nov. 18

MSC Cruises has revealed that its latest flagship, the MSC Seashore, will be officially named at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas on Nov. 18, making this the first naming ceremony for a cruise ship to be held at a private island.

According to a press release, the event will be attended by travel advisors and media as well as other key company stakeholders.

Departing Miami on Nov. 17, invitees will be able to get a first look at the new ship before she starts her inaugural seven-night cruise and U.S. season on Nov. 20 and make the most of the onboard entertainment, different activities as well as various bars and restaurants.

As with every new MSC Cruises ship, Hollywood royalty Sophia Loren will perform the role of Godmother as she officially names her 16th MSC Cruises ship. The festivities will take place both onboard and on the island as the ship will remain docked throughout the night, with a gala dinner, live entertainment and more.

The naming of the MSC Seashore will see the formal inauguration of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which opened in late 2019 and closed shortly after due to the pandemic.

MSC said that the island has since gone through further work and significant improvements and this is “an opportunity for MSC Cruises to showcase the island to the invitees on this occasion.”

The MSC Seashore will become the third MSC Cruises ship based in the U.S and the company is offering a range of different length cruises from mini cruises, regular seven-night sailings to longer cruises of eight nights and 11 nights.

New for this season is Port Canaveral where the MSC Divina began operating in September. This new homeport is convenient and easily accessible and is close to popular attractions and major cities like Orlando, Tampa and South Florida for those wishing to make the most out of their holiday either before or after the cruise, MSC said.

When the MSC Seashore arrives, the MSC Meraviglia will move to Port Canaveral for the rest of the season and the MSC Divina will move to PortMiami.

The MSC Seashore will remain for summer 2022 in Miami offering cruises with the MSC Divina out of Port Canaveral.

MSC Grandiosa Is Christened

MSC Grandiosa Is Christened

MSC Cruises has christened the MSC Grandiosa in the city of Hamburg on the fourth and final night of celebrations in the Blue Port as Sophia Loren named her 15th MSC Cruises ship.

Since arriving in Hamburg on Nov. 6, MSC Grandiosa has been the subject and star of an immersive light show. The traditional christening ceremony took place in different locations across the ship, and the proceedings were hosted by talented actress, TV presenter, model and singer, Michelle Hunziker alongside co-host TV host & actor Jochen Schropp, one of Germany’s favourite entertainers.

The festivities included a purpose-built “MSC Village” on the banks of the River Elbe will bring the festivities to shore, welcoming 5,000 locals to experience the christening from land with live music and food trucks. Guests be joined by the popular German TV couple Annemarie & Wayne Carpendale who will act as presenters and hosts.

The evening’s main spectacle occurred as MSC Grandiosa passed the Elbphilharmonie just as a special light show illuminated the building and ship. She then took centre stage on the River Elbe as Godmother Sophia Loren officially named the vessel.

The MSC Grandiosa starts her seven-night program in the Western Mediterranean on Nov. 26 with six embarkation ports calling Genoa, Civitavecchia, Italy; Palermo, Sicily; Valetta, Malta; Barcelona, Spain and Marseille, France.

Photos: Vallbracht for MSC Cruises

MSC Seaside christened in all-star affair

From left, MSC Seaside Capt. Pier Paolo Scala, godmother Sophia Loren and MSC executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago. Photo Credit: Ivan Sarfatti

MIAMI -- MSC Cruises on Thursday held its first christening in North America for the MSC Seaside, a ship MSC hopes will crack open the doors to further growth for the largely European brand.

The 4,138-passenger ship will anchor MSC's Caribbean itineraries with seven-day cruises from Miami, starting Jan 6.

MSC executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said that the MSC Divina, offering weekly departures from Miami, sources only 40% to 50% of passengers from North America. With the arrival of the Seaside, MSC hopes to boost that number to 80%.

Geneva-based MSC has 12 ships, with deployment ranging from South America to the Middle East to South Africa to China. The bulk of its business, however, comes from Europe with the Mediterranean countries of Italy, Spain and France being particularly important.

The Seaside christening was a star-studded affair with Italian actress Sophia Loren serving as godmother for the ship on a balmy Miami evening. Loren christened the first new ship for MSC in 2003, the MSC Lirica, and has done the honours ever since. 

"It's an evening we've been waiting many months for," said Roberto Fusaro, president of MSC Cruises USA.

Ricky Martin at the MSC Seaside christening. Photo Credit: Aaron Davidson/Getty Images

Prior to the christening, an audience of more than 2,500 dignitaries, travel agents, journalists and vendors was entertained by operatic tenor Andrea Bocelli and Latin pop singer Ricky Martin.

Bocelli sang "Ave Maria," solo at first and then with Voices of Haiti, a children's choir of 60 Haitian kids that sang this summer at the Teatro del Silenzio concert in Bocelli's hometown of Lajatico in Italy's Tuscany region. They also sang "Amazing Grace" together in English.

The emcee of the evening was TV personality, Mario Lopez. Also on hand was Hall of Fame Miami Dolphin quarterback Dan Marino, underscoring MSC's marketing partnership as the official cruise line of the Dolphins.

MSC announced a charitable partnership with the Andrea Bocelli Foundation to help the impoverished island of Haiti with health, education, environmental help and economic development.

The Seaside is a new class of ship for MSC, it's fifth since it began building cruise ships for its own fleet in 2003. The ship has an unusually broad, uncovered promenade on Deck 8 that gives a sense of closeness to the ocean.

A pool on the aft of Deck 8 deck is surrounded by loungers and is connected by glass-enclosed elevators to another pool and sun area on Deck 16. Over that pool is a zipline, running from funnel to stern, the longest at sea at 400 feet.

Dan Marino gives a Miami Dolphins helmet to MSC Cruises USA President Roberto Fusaro. Photo Credit: Ivan Sarfatti

The ship's inaugural 14-night cruise departing Dec. 23 will visit Antigua and Barbuda; the U.S. Virgin Islands; Nassau, Bahamas; Jamaica; the Cayman Islands; and Cozumel, Mexico.

MSC is spending $12 billion to triple its capacity by 2026. "This is what has allowed us to have the tonnage to finally serve the North American market," Vago said.

Mediterranean Shipping Co., the parent company of MSC, was founded in 1970 by a former ship captain, Gianluigi Aponte, and grew into a global power in the container shipping sector. It entered the cruise business in 1989 by acquiring Naples-based Lauro Lines, with its flagship the Achille Lauro.

At the christening, MSC Seaside was docked at Port Miami's Terminal B, one terminal away from a massive MSC cargo ship, its decks stacked 10 deep with 2,500 maroon-coloured containers with the yellow MSC logo stamped on the sides.

MSC Divina Review

Hollywood royalty Sophia Loren and Gérard Depardieu preside over a star-studded ceremony to christen MSC Divina

Gracing the main stage in a shimmering floor-length gown, it was Sophia Loren who stole the show at the star-studded launch of MSC Divina in May. Joined by legendary French actor Gérard Depardieu, Italian jazz icon Paolo Conte and violinist Maxim Vengerov, Ms Loren welcomed MSC’s newest addition to the fleet with all the elegance, class and sophistication you might expect.

As the third ship in the Fantasia class and 12th in the MSC fleet, Divina is not simply another addition to their growing list of beautiful ships. Instead, the influence and involvement of the iconic Italian film star are more evident than ever, beginning with one particularly fundamental detail: its name.

Ms Loren recounts: “One evening, I was chatting to Gianluigi [Aponte, MSC’s founder and president] Ms Loren’s favourite novels. Despite these, Divina bears a striking resemblance to her sisters and boasts a number of luxurious additions.

If you’ve ever spent any time on board Fantasia or Splendida, you’ll have no problem navigating Divina’s 14 passenger decks and, apart from her sleek new colour palette and unique deck and restaurant names,Divina’s general layout sees very few changes. Likewise, the design of the cabins remains nearly untouched, and yet the unexpected spaces and additional luxuries manage to produce a decidedly Mediterranean flavour and give Divina a personality of her own.

One such unexpected space can be found at the very stern of the 15th deck, where a stunning infinity pool offers panoramic views out over a gentle trail of wake. Sitting within the Zen Area, the Garden about wishes and desires. I mentioned my dream of having a ship named after me and he immediately suggested ‘Divina’, as a divine experience gives you memories that will last forever.”

Ms Loren’s influence extends to suite number 16007, which can be found in the MSC Yacht Club – the exclusive section of the ship dedicated to an ultra-luxury experience. The ship’s godmother selected the rich palette of deep reds that are used throughout; the cabin features a set of specially designed lamps and the walls are decorated with photographs of Ms Loren in her most memorable roles. The final touch takes shape in a replica of her personal dressing table, where cabin guests will be able to prepare for glamorous gala dinners in true Sophia Loren style. The plush MSC Yacht Club library also features a collection of 20 of leave your locks looking shiny and radiant, meanwhile MSC’s first barbershop is happy to provide some masculine pampering for those gentlemen in need of a cut or shave. Divina is also the first in the fleet to offer Neophor, an anti-aging medical treatment, and her state-of-the-art fitness centre has welcomed the addition of a spinning centre and Arke equipment.

The dining options on board have also expanded to suit a variety of tastes. The range of wine and regionally inspired Italian pizzas are the focal point of La Cantina di Bacco, however, they also have an array of tapas and more than 20 types of beer to choose from. For the kids, the Sacramento Hamburger House is a fast favourite and delivers crispy fried chicken bites and mini hamburgers to booths straight out of a 1950s diner. For an afternoon snack, the Nutella Corner offers chocolate-laden crêpes to satisfy the sweetest of teeth, and if the kids are in need of some poolside refreshment, they can create a slushy masterpiece at the Happy Puppy ice crystal drink stand.

For finer dining, the fashionable Galaxy restaurant models itself on a 1950s Italian supper club. Floor to ceiling windows offer incredible views, and the menu evolves as the day progresses, offering plenty of options for a lazy brunch in the morning, a menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes in the evening and a selection of cocktails at night, when the restaurant transforms into a starlit disco.

One final Mediterranean touch exists in the re-creation of a typical Venetian ‘piazzetta’. Boasting a decadent Italian bakery and coffee bar, the Piazza Del Doge features a stoneware floor, carved pillars and murals of famous Italian landscapes, making it the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely cappuccino.

For entertainment, the Smurf-themed play area is a new creation for Divina’s youngest guests and, whileDivina’s lavish 1,600-seat Pantheon Theatre may feel familiar, three of its seven performances are new. The Kingdom Of The Pharoahs, Planet Music and Italian Genius will be performed for the first time on boardDivina, and will complement established favourites including Michael Jackson tribute Starwalker, and figure-skating spectacle Kids’ Story On Ice.