Madrid, April 24, 2018 – To mark the arrival of MSC Splendida in Chinese waters, MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately owned cruise line and the leading cruise company in Europe and South America, today announced the deployment of MSC Bellissima to Asia for spring 2020, making it MSC Cruises’ newest flagship for the region. MSC Bellissima, the second ship in MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia class, is currently under construction at the STX France shipyard in Saint-Nazaire and will enter service in March 2019.
Following its inaugural Mediterranean season next summer, and after sailing to the United Arab Emirates during the winter, MSC Bellissima will offer a wide range of modern innovations for the Chinese and Japanese markets. Among the innovations for the region will be the longest LED screen at sea, measuring 80 meters across a stunning 96-meter-long Mediterranean-style promenade, designed to be the ship's central meeting point. Passengers will be able to enjoy nightly Cirque du Soleil at Sea, as well as the exclusive MSC Yacht Club, featuring new amenities and luxurious suites spanning three decks, private facilities, and 24-hour butler service. MSC Bellissima will be one of the largest and most innovative cruise ships in the region.
Although MSC Bellissima will primarily operate out of Shanghai to serve the Chinese domestic market, it will also offer several sailings from Japan to meet the growing demand for MSC Cruises products and experiences from Japanese consumers. In addition, several voyages to Asia will be reserved for international passengers who wish to discover this popular region in the comfort and style of an MSC Cruises ship.
In his address at the official meeting with Mr. Chen Qun, the Vice Mayor of Shanghai, MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato commented: “MSC Splendida does not mark the end of our overall ambitions in the Chinese and Asian market. We consider this market a global priority and are committed to providing our services with the best ships and products. For this reason, I am pleased to announce that MSC Bellissima will be based in Asia from spring 2020, representing a further step in our growth in one of the world’s most attractive cruise markets.”
MSC Splendida has completed its Silk Road voyage, which took it from Dubai (UAE) to Shanghai (China). During its Asian season, it will primarily sail from Shanghai and also from Yokohama (Japan). At 137,936 GRT, MSC Splendida is one of the largest and most modern cruise ships currently operating in the Asian region. It features 1,637 cabins, 76% of which have balconies, and can accommodate up to 4,363 passengers.
MSC Splendida, a favorite among Asian cruise passengers in Europe, is introducing MSC Yacht Club to the Chinese and Asian markets. This exclusive "ship within a ship" concept has been designed for discerning passengers seeking exclusivity and privacy. With its extensive range of private facilities, MSC Yacht Club guests can enjoy exclusive services including a 24-hour personal butler, a dedicated concierge service, and priority embarkation and disembarkation.
Before today's voyage, MSC Splendida underwent a comprehensive refurbishment to refresh its interiors, enhance onboard experiences, and add features that meet the expectations of Chinese and Asian passengers. MSC Splendida now offers an exclusive selection of Asian and Western cuisines in three new restaurants: the signature Hot Pot Sea Pavilion by acclaimed Chinese chef Jereme Leung, world-renowned for his contemporary interpretation of Chinese cuisine; the Hong Kong-style Dim Sum & Teahouse; and Butcher's Cut, a popular American-style steakhouse across the MSC Cruises fleet.
MSC Splendida also features the latest version of MSC for Me, MSC Cruises' digital innovation program that offers the latest in customer-centric technology for passengers at sea. This program connects passengers with their preferred vacation experience through cutting-edge technology specially designed to meet all their needs, regardless of how they prefer to use technology while traveling. This includes a dedicated app to help passengers tailor their vacation at any point during their journey, whether it's booking excursions before boarding or a specialty restaurant while relaxing by the top-deck pool. This will enhance the overall passenger experience while giving them more time to enjoy their vacation at sea. MSC Splendida also offers a portable Wi-Fi translator powered by Baidu's AI technology and supports payments via Alipay, a simple payment method that offers discounted exchange rates without requiring an internet connection.
MSC Splendida is scheduled to arrive in Yokohama on April 27, where MSC Cruises will also be celebrating its 10th anniversary in Japan.
https://www.msccruceros.es/es-es/Descubre-MSC/Barcos-De-Crucero/MSC-Bellissima.aspx
