MSC Divina launched in Marseille

Very recently, in Marseille, France, the latest jewel in the MSC Cruises’ fleet, MSC Divina, was christened by international screen legend Sophia Loren.



The exclusive high-profile event included a gala dinner and entertainment from illustrious performers in the company of international celebrities, selected guests, media, authorities and the top management of MSC Cruises.



The festivities marked not only the addition of the 12th ship to the MSC Cruises’ ultra-modern fleet, but also the Mediterranean heritage of which the company is so proud.



Every detail of the onboard experience and the christening was carefully planned to reflect the colors, scents, history and the culture of the area, offering guests an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy the region’s celebrated values of authenticity and warm hospitality.



“Since 2003 we have built our ships on French soil, partnering with the French shipyard and heavily contributing to employment and the economy,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO, MSC Cruises. “We celebrated this long-established relationship, paying homage to the country’s oldest and biggest port at the christening ceremony of our latest flagship, MSC Divina.”



The highlight of the evening was when Sophia Loren – treasured godmother of the MSC Cruises’ fleet - cut the ribbon and named MSC Divina to a crescendo of champagne, confetti, and sparkling fountains.



The nest day, the new MSC Divina took to the seas for her long-awaited first season.



For more information about MSC Cruises take a look at the Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine profile of MSC Cruises, or visit the MSC Cruises web site.

Special Rates on European Sailings with MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is featuring its own version of “‘March Madness” and guests who book on select 7-night 2011 European sailings by March 31 are the real winners.

In addition to rates starting at $579 that are more than 60 percent off the brochure rate, those who book select Mediterranean cruises using “March Madness” rates will receive a stateroom upgrade of as much as two-categories within the same stateroom category.

A long-time leader in the European cruise market, MSC Cruises’ beautiful ships feature European style and ambiance, impeccable cleanliness, contemporary design and refined elegance as they take guest to some of Europe’s most popular landmarks and most sought-after destinations.

“March Madness” rates are available for select categories and sail dates throughout the spring and summer months to both the Eastern and Western Mediterranean on the following ships and 7-night itineraries:

MSC Fantasia: April 22-Aug. 29 “Mediterranean Fantasy” itineraries departing Civitavecchia, Barcelona or Genoa; rates begin at $579.

MSC Splendida: April 10-Aug. 28 “The Splendid Mediterranean” from Genoa or Barcelona; rates begin at $579.

MSC Magnifica: June 4-Aug. 28 “Magnificent Mediterranean” itineraries from Venice or Bari; rates begin at $699.

MSC Musica: June 26-Aug. 29 “Greek Islands in the Sun” from Venice or Bari; rates begin at $749.

MSC Armonia: June 3-Aug. 26 “Jewels of the Adriatic” itineraries from Venice; rates begin at $799.

Rates quoted are cruise-only, per person, double occupancy, and interior stateroom. Government fees and taxes are additional. The deadline to book using “March Madness” rates is March 31.

For more information about MSC Cruises, see the Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine MSC Cruises Profile or visit the MSC website at www.msccruisesusa.com, call 877-665-4655, or contact a local travel professional.

MSC Mediterranean Cruises from $499

MSC introduces a variety of cruises this winter to the temperate Mediterranean with rates starting from $499 per person plus.

The 8-, 9-, 10-, and 11-night Mediterranean cruises sail to some of Europe’s most historic locales and remarkable landscapes, allowing guests to experience the destinations while enjoying the European and Italian ambiance of MSC Cruises.

Here are some highlights of the Golden Odysseys Mediterranean cruises:

• MSC Magnifica: 8-night, Western Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Venice, calling in Bari, Italy; Rhodes, Greece; Alexandria, Egypt; Katakolon, Greece; and Dubrovnik, Croatia; February 28 and March 8; rates from $499 per person plus $58.80 in GFTs
  
  
• MSC Splendida: 11-night, Western Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome) or Genoa, calling in Barcelona, Spain; Casablanca, Morocco; S. Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain; Funchal, Portugal; and Malaga, Spain; February 5 and 6; rates from $889 per person plus $47 or $55.90 in GFTs, respectively; (Other available dates include March 9 and 10)
  
  
• MSC Splendida: 11-night, Eastern Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Genoa or Civitavecchia (Rome), calling in Katakolon, Greece; Heraklion, Greece; Marmarmis, Turkey; Alexandria, Egypt; Piraeus, Greece; and Palermo, Italy; February 16 and 17; rates from $889 per person plus $44.25 or $33.30 in GFTs, respectively
  
  
• MSC Splendida: 9-night, Eastern Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Genoa or Civitavecchia (Rome), calling in Katakolon, Greece; Heraklion, Greece; Alexandria, Egypt; and Piraeus, Greece; February 27 and 28; rates from $599 per person plus $36.85 or $27.09 in GFTs, respectively
  
  
• MSC Fantasia: 11-night, Western Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Genoa, calling in Barcelona, Spain; Gibraltar, United Kingdom; Funchal, Portugal; S. Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain; Arrecife de Lanzarote, Spain; Malaga, Spain; and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; March 3 and 25; rates from $599 per person plus $63.40 in GFTs.

In addition to experiencing Europe the European way, guests onboard MSC Cruises will also enjoy the following:

• A family-friendly vacation, with activities, facilities and menus designed with the youngsters in mind. Plus, kids 11 and under cruise free on all European cruises when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults.
• International cuisine with an emphasis on Italian and regional specialties
• Exciting international entertainment
• Superior wellness activities, including the latest spa treatments

For more information about MSC Cruises’ Golden Odysseys this winter, visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com or a local travel professional or for an overview of MSC Cruises take a look at PROW'S EDGE CRUISE MAGAZINE CRUISE LINE PROFILES - MSC CRUISES

Christmas ‘The More the Merrier’ Rates from MSC

Because MSC Cruises believes holidays are meant to be shared with families and friends, the cruise line is offering a special “The More the Merrier” rate with significant savings on the Christmas sailing of MSC Poesia in the Caribbean.

The special rate is available on MSC Poesia’s December 19, 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary from Fort Lauderdale.

With “The More the Merrier” rates, guests in the first stateroom pay the early booking rate while guests in the second stateroom pay 50% off the early booking rate. For those booking an inside stateroom, for example, rates start as low as $649 per person for the first stateroom and $324.50 per person for the second stateroom. Rates for a balcony stateroom begin at $949 per person for the first stateroom and $474.50 per person for the second.

The cruise-only rate is applicable when four guests book two staterooms at the same time. Government fees and taxes are additional. Offer expires on October 15.

MSC Poesia’s December 19 roundtrip cruise from Fort Lauderdale includes calls at Key West, Florida; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Georgetown, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and a Christmas celebration at sea.

MSC Poesia features sophisticated and elegant decor, attention to detail, the finest in international entertainment and Italian hospitality and an eco-friendly design. Of the 1,275 staterooms, of which 80 percent are outside staterooms and 65 percent have a balcony. The ship has a generous 236,000 square feet of public spaces, two pools and four hot tubs, plus a 13,000-square-foot Balinese spa. Guests can select from four restaurants, including a Sushi Bar alternative dining restaurant.

For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.msccruisesusa.com, call 877-665-4655, or contact a local travel professional.

MSC Receives High Ratings from the 2010 Berlitz Guide

MSC Cruises received high ratings in the latest 25th anniversary edition of the internationally acclaimed Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise ships by world shipping guru, Douglas Ward.

All nine of MSC Cruises’ luxury cruise liners listed in the “large resort ship” category were given an excellent rating of four out of a possible five, while the 10th ship in the company’s fleet, MSC Melody, rates an above average of three in the “mid-size ship” category.

MSC Cruises’ ships were recognized as the “cleanest” of all major cruise liners and obtained accolades for its recycling efforts.

The food review section compliments MSC Cruises for the introduction of the Italian “slow food” concept, specialty restaurants on its newest ships and for providing better-quality ingredients than some other major cruise lines.

Aurea Spa on MSC Fantasia made the list as one of the 10 excellent shipboard spas in the world. Mention for the Italian influences evident in the interior décor and the high quality, fit and finish of materials used, was also noteworthy.

Considered to be one of the most authoritative books on cruising in the travel industry, the 2010 edition of the “Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships” reviews 271 ships representing some 75 ocean-going cruise line operators.

For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.MSCCRuisesUSA.com

More good news for single cruise passengers

On the heels of our last blog post Better Deals for Single Cruise Passengers comes more good news for single cruise passengers.

Single travelers and those traveling alone can experience the fall foliage of Canada/New England cruises on MSC Poesia for new, reduced rates.

Guests who book an interior, oceanview, or balcony stateroom for one on MSC Cruises’ 2010 Canada/New England cruises by August 31, 2010 can save with these new rates.

This special single supplement offer is applicable for Categories 1-11 on MSC Poesia Canada/New England cruises departing from New York and Quebec. Cruise itinerary highlights include:

• 6-night “Maple Leaves & Mansions” cruise from Quebec City and calling in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada; Boston, Massachusetts; Newport, Rhode Island; and New York. October 23; single rate was $1,078.20 and is now $718.80 [plus $81.40 pp. government fees and taxes (GFT’s)] for a savings of $359.40.
• 7-night “Scenic Splendors of Fall” cruise from New York City and calling in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada; Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada, and Quebec City, Quebec; Canada, October 2; single rate was $1,258.20 and is now $838.80 (plus $78.50 pp. GFT’s) for a savings of $419.40.
• 10-night “Dazzling Fall Foliage” cruise from New York City and calling in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada; Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Newport, Rhode Island; and New York. September 22; single rate was $1,798.20 and is now $1,198.80 (plus $72.90 pp. GFT’s) for a savings of $599.40.
• 14-night“Autumn Leaves and Lighthouses,” cruise from Quebec City and calling in Sydney, Nova Scotia; Bar Harbor, Maine; Boston, Massachusetts; Newport, Rhode Island; New York, New York; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. October 9; single rate was $2,428.20 and is now $1,618.80 per person (plus $129.45 pp. GFT’s) for a savings of $809.40.

Rates are available for residents of the US and Canada; offer is per person, cruise only and subject to availability.

For more information, visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com, call 877-665-4655, or contact a local travel professional.

Reduced airfare for cruises throughout in Europe with MSC

MSC’s newly released airfare program features reduced airfare for cruises throughout the Mediterranean onboard MSC Magnifica, the latest fleet addition, MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia, and MSC Musica. Airfare prices start from just $369.

Cruise itineraries include:

• MSC Magnifica, “Turkish Treasures and Croatian coasts” from Venice; calling in Bari, Italy; Katakolon (Olympia), Greece; Izmir, Turkey; Istanbul, Turkey; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. Departures July 3 - November 13, 2010.

• MSC Splendida, “The Splendid Mediterranean” Western Mediterranean cruise from Genoa and Rome, Italy; calling in Marseille, France; Barcelona, Spain; La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia; Valletta, Malta; Messina (Taormina), Sicily, Italy; and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. Departures May 15 – November 6, 2010.

• MSC Musica, “Greek Islands in the Sun” Eastern Mediterranean cruise from Venice; calling in Bari, Italy; Katakolon, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Mykonos, Greece; Piraeus/Athens, Greece; Corfu, Greece; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. Departures May 9 – October 3, 2010.

• MSC Fantasia “Mediterranean Fantasy” Western Mediterranean cruise from Genoa, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain; calling in Naples (Capri), Italy; Palermo, Italy; La Departures May 9 – November 8, 2010.

Cruises can be combined with airfare only or airfare and hotel. Airline departures are from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey. Overnight hotel stay is recommended due to cruise arrival times, and can be booked through MSC or on your own.

For more information, visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com, or visit the newly updated Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine profile for MSC Cruises at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-msc-italian-cruises.html

More News About New Cruise Ships for MSC As MSC Signs Letter of Intent For Yet Another Cruise Ship

Just three days after the MSC Magnifica flag ceremony at the STX Europe shipyard in Saint-Nazaire (France), MSC Cruises signed a letter of intent for the delivery of yet another new ship in June 2012, to join the eleven new vessels built over the past seven years.

MSC Cruises’ worldwide CEO, Pierfrancesco Vago, said, “We are immensely proud to announce the signature of a letter of intent for the building of a new ship, MSC Favolosa.”

The general manager of STX Europe, Jacques Hardelay, said, “We look forward to implementing our expertise to again fulfill the promise of exceptional quality, deliverability, and design for MSC Cruises."

Measuring 1,094 feet in length and 125 feet wide, MSC Favolosa will have 1,751 staterooms and be able to travel at speeds of up nearly 24 knots.

Award-winning naval architects De Jorio Design International is once again designing the newest addition to the Fantasia class, technically called V32. The ship will herald a state-of-the-art concept in space management. Two additional lifts to improve flow of the guests and a total redesign of decks and restaurants to offer guests on board unprecedented comfort and the highest space ratio per guest.

For more information about MSC Cruises visit the newly updated Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine profile for MSC Cruises at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-msc-italian-cruises.html

Another New Cruise Ship for MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises has officially taken ownership of its newest ship, MSC Magnifica, from the STX Europe shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

MSC Cruises’ worldwide CEO Pierfrancesco Vago, said, “MSC Magnifica’s delivery brings the fleet to 11; our capacity has increased 10 times in just seven years to reach 1.2 million passengers this year – an unprecedented rate of growth.”

Although the numbers are important, MSC Cruises has earned worldwide recognition for its industry-leading innovations in ship design.

STX Europe’s general manager, Jacques Hardelay, said, “We are honored that STX France has once again contributed to the growth of the most modern cruise fleet. This new cruise ship illustrates the excellent and exceptional collaboration between Saint-Nazaire and MSC Crociere teams.”

After an inaugural visit to Southampton dedicated to England next weekend, MSC Magnifica will begin her pre-christening cruise from Saint-Nazaire on Monday, March 1 calling at Cherbourg, Dover, and Amsterdam before reaching the port of Hamburg for the official christening ceremony on Saturday, March 6.

Screen legend Sophia Loren once again serves as the ship’s godmother, and participates in the ribbon cutting.

When the new ‘Musica’ class vessel comes into service in March 2010, the MSC Magnifica will carry 2,518 passengers, most of them enjoying the luxury of a sea-facing cabin with private balcony. Lucky guests on MSC Magnifica will be expertly looked after by a crew of over 1,000.

For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.msccruisesusa.com, call 877-665-4655, or contact a local travel professional.