On Saturday evening, MSC Cruises, Europe’s leading cruise line, officially welcomed the latest addition to its modern fleet, MSC Bellissima. The company’s new flagship was inaugurated with a glamorous and traditional maritime Naming Ceremony in the port of Southampton. The event was attended by stars, VIPs, and key partners from the tourism industry, as well as senior management from MSC Cruises and its parent company, MSC Group. Gianluigi Aponte, founder and executive chairman of MSC Group, and owner of the ship, attended along with the Aponte and Aponte-Vago families. MSC Cruises’ godmother, Sophia Loren, officially named its 14th ship, a vessel of such beauty that only a Hollywood legend like herself, renowned for her style and elegance, could inaugurate it.
In addition, MSC Cruises announced during the event a new culinary partnership with one of the world's finest chefs, Raymond Blanc, Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This marks the beginning of a new collaboration between MSC Cruises and this renowned chef, who will design an exclusive dish to be featured on the Gala Evening menu.
The ceremony began with performances by world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo Bocelli. British TV presenter and ITV star Holly Willoughby hosted the celebratory evening. Passengers were also treated to a very special performance by Cirque du Soleil at Sea. Later on board, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and three-time Grammy Award winner Nile Rodgers performed some of his most danceable hits with his band Chic.
MSC Bellissima is the second of the Meraviglia-class ships to enter service, a family of vessels designed for year-round enjoyment, offering numerous amenities for passengers, including the latest technology to enhance their experience, with the introduction of the world's first virtual personal cruise assistant: ZOE. Another key element of its offerings is the two new Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows, exclusive to MSC Cruises passengers: SYMA – Sail Beyond Imagination, which transports the audience on the epic journey of a young, imaginative sailor, and VARÉLIA – Love in Full Color, which puts a futuristic spin on a traditional medieval tale.
MSC Bellissima will spend its inaugural season in the Mediterranean offering 7-night cruises to some of the region's most popular ports before relocating to the Emirates for winter 2019/2020. After that, it will be deployed to Asia in 2020.
