Madrid, April 30, 2018: MSC Meraviglia has officially made its maiden call at the Port of Hamburg, marking the start of its new season and what promises to be the company's best and most affordable season ever in Northern Europe. At the traditional plaque exchange, attended by Senator Horch of the City of Hamburg, as well as representatives from the ports and other institutions, media, and travel partners, MSC Cruises, the world's largest privately owned cruise line, headquartered in Switzerland and for the third consecutive year the market leader across Europe, announced that MSC Grandiosa will be christened in Hamburg on November 2, 2019.
MSC Cruises CEO Pierfrancesco Vago commented: “We are delighted to announce the christening of MSC Grandiosa here in Hamburg. Since our last christening in Germany of MSC Magnifica in 2010, our company has embarked on a journey of remarkable growth. German cruise passengers have enthusiastically embraced our brand and our offering, so it is only natural that we wish to christen our next flagship, MSC Grandiosa, the first of the Meraviglia-Plus ships to enter service, in Germany. We have a special relationship with Germany in general and look forward to celebrating with our German partners this November, as well as welcoming our international passengers to this historic port, rich in maritime tradition and heritage.”
The ship will feature two new Cirque du Soleil At Sea shows, created exclusively for MSC Grandiosa passengers by Cirque du Soleil, the world’s leading entertainment company. The long-term partnership between MSC Cruises and Cirque du Soleil will offer a total of eight original shows across all four of MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia-class ships, with this being the third ship to feature the Cirque du Soleil At Sea entertainment concept.
On MSC Grandiosa, passengers can enjoy an even larger Mediterranean-style promenade, the innovative feature exclusive to the Meraviglia and Meraviglia Plus prototypes, designed to become the ship's central meeting point. The promenade will feature a wide variety of shops and specialty restaurants, as well as a new bar, L'Atelier Bistrot, offering a lounge with a stage and dance floor, Impressionist art exhibitions, and a Parisian Bistro terrace open throughout the day. In addition, surprise entertainment such as flash mobs and themed parties can be enjoyed, along with stunning projections, both day and night, on the 98.5-meter LED Sky screen.
This summer, MSC Cruises will offer its passengers even more options for traveling through Northern Europe. With the addition of MSC Meraviglia, it will offer four ships, 36 different itineraries, and six possible embarkation ports in Germany, the UK, France, and Denmark. The region is becoming a must-visit cruise destination, as more and more people want to explore the stunning, unspoiled coastlines of the Norwegian fjords, the natural beauty of the British Isles, the vibrant Scandinavian capital cities, and immerse themselves in the captivating history of the Baltic states.
On its Northern European itineraries, MSC Cruises has designed itineraries that offer passengers more time ashore to explore all that their destinations have to offer, with extended stays or overnight stays in the main ports.
In its inaugural season in Northern Europe and designed to sail year-round, MSC Meraviglia offers world-class entertainment with Cirque du Soleil at Sea, the widest variety of dining options featuring diverse international and Mediterranean cuisines, comfortable and innovative accommodations, and a Mediterranean-style promenade with numerous bars, restaurants, and shops. Homeported in Hamburg, this award-winning ship offers 10-, 11-, and 14-night itineraries that include the British Isles and Iceland, a journey of contrasts through landscapes of wild beauty, or the stunning North Cape and the Norwegian archipelago of Spitsbergen. In September, an 11-night itinerary visits the Baltic capitals of Oslo, Nynäshamn/Stockholm, Tallinn, and Helsinki, with an overnight stay in the magnificent city of St. Petersburg.
This season will also see the introduction of new itineraries for MSC Cruises. For passengers wishing to explore the vibrant cities of Northern Europe, MSC Magnifica offers a wide variety of exceptional cruises departing from Hamburg and stopping in Southampton with a brief visit to London, Le Havre for a visit to the elegant city of Paris, and an overnight stay in picturesque Amsterdam, with its famous bike paths and tulip displays.
The elegant and modern MSC Preziosa will offer seven-night cruises from Kiel and Copenhagen. Meanwhile, the MSC Orchestra will sail seven- and eleven-night itineraries from Copenhagen, visiting the spectacular Norwegian Fjords and Warnemünde (Germany), or itineraries that include stops in the Baltic states of Lithuania and Estonia, as well as the Scandinavian countries of Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. How else could you discover all these dazzling destinations without unpacking your suitcase?
For more information about Northern European itineraries, please visit: https://www.msccruises.es/es-es/Cruise-Destinations/North-Europe.aspx
For more information about MSC Grandiosa, please visit: https://www.msccruises.es/es-es/Discover-MSC/Cruise-Ships/MSC-Grandiosa.aspx
