Strategic partners and dignitaries visit MSC Orchestra to experience MSC Cruises.
As part of its successful inaugural Grand Voyage between Dubai and Perth (Australia), MSC Orchestra has arrived in Singapore, the sixth of 13 ports of call.
In honor of MSC Cruises' first stop in this Asian city-state, a special event was held to introduce the MSC Cruises experience to the 2,550 passengers of the MSC Orchestra ship in the presence of leading media outlets, travel agents, local authorities, business leaders and VIPs.
In welcoming the guests, MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato stated: “This is a historic moment in our company’s journey, as it is the first time an MSC Cruises ship has called at the magnificent city of Singapore. In fact, all 13 ports of call for MSC Orchestra on this groundbreaking Grand Voyage are a first for MSC Cruises.”
He added: “We are in Singapore to demonstrate how firmly we believe in the potential of the Asian market, which will continue to grow in the immediate future.”
MSC Cruises' Executive Director for Emerging Markets, Antonio Paradiso, who led the presentations, commented: “MSC Cruises has grown by 800% since 2004. In 2014, we carried 40,000 passengers daily on our fleet of 12 ships, and by 2022 we will double our current capacity thanks to the construction of seven new, state-of-the-art ships based on two different, cutting-edge prototypes. At the beginning of our operations, we carried an average of 80,000 passengers per year, while at the end of our current investment plan, we expect to carry 80,000 passengers per day. This growth opens up new opportunities, including new markets and regions, as well as the possibility of designing new itineraries.”
2014 was another strong year for MSC Cruises, and with the gradual return to service of ships still undergoing the Renaissance Program, the company expects to register a further 10% growth this year. Furthermore, MSC Cruises is poised to become the undisputed leader in the Mediterranean in 2015, and currently anticipates carrying 810,000 passengers throughout the year.
Paradiso added: “Asia is already a robust source market for our worldwide cruises, and MSC Cruises is the cruise company of choice for thousands of Asian travelers who want to entrust their European adventure to the world’s largest privately owned cruise company.”
Neeta Lachmandas, Deputy Chief Executive, Business Development Group, Tourism Singapore, also praised the initiative and warmly welcomed MSC Orchestra to Singapore, stating: “This development testifies to the potential of Southeast Asia, a region in which Singapore serves as a regional cruise hub. Singapore’s excellent air connectivity and unparalleled transport network encourage an increase in cruise itineraries and allow more passengers to arrive in Singapore to explore Southeast Asia from here.”
“What many don't know is that Southeast Asia is a captivating cruise destination in its own right, boasting over 25,000 islands and a diverse array of attractions, from cosmopolitan cities to pristine beaches and UNESCO World Heritage sites. We are thrilled that travelers from around the world can discover Asia aboard MSC Orchestra.”
Antonio Paradiso concluded: “We want to thank all the participants in this event, especially those who have come from very far away. We are very grateful for the warm welcome this city has given us.”
MSC Orchestra set sail from Dubai on February 20th, bound for Mumbai , India, to begin MSC Cruises' inaugural Grand Voyage to Australia, which includes stops at 13 ports in eight countries across three continents. After visiting Mumbai , MSC Orchestra called at Kochi before heading south to Colombo , Sri Lanka, where it arrived on February 27th.
It then set course for Phuket (Thailand), Langkawi (Malaysia), and Singapore, where it will spend one night, before continuing its journey to Benoa in Bali (Indonesia) on March 8. From there, it will sail for four days at sea to reach Cairns, Australia.
During its stay on the other side of the world, MSC Orchestra will make its first stop in the ports of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, before heading to its final destination, Fremantle, which serves as the port of Perth.
The stunning skyline of Singapore served as the backdrop for the event held aboard the MSC Orchestra. As a melting pot of cultures, MSC Cruises passengers were able to experience the charms of this city-state where history and modernity coexist—a quality shared by MSC Cruises with its long tradition of sailing and its commitment to modernity in every aspect of the travel experience.
While the Grand Voyage of MSC Orchestra marked the first foray of an MSC Cruises ship into Asia, MSC Cruises has become the cruise company of choice for Asian travelers wishing to discover the Mediterranean and the Arabian Gulf.
The following dignitaries attended the event in Singapore:
- Mr. S. Iswaran, Minister, Prime Minister and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Trade and Industry of the Republic of Singapore
- His Excellency Mr. Thomas Kupfer, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Singapore
- His Excellency Mr. Alfredo Alberto Aponte Spiegel, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to the Republic of Singapore.
- His Excellency Mr. Gianluca Rubagotti, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, of the Embassy of Italy in the Republic of Singapore.
