MSC Cruises hosted the naming ceremony for MSC Virtuosa with Hollywood superstar Sophia Loren, who officially inaugurated the ship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). MSC Cruises chose Dubai for the ceremony as a demonstration of its long-term commitment to the UAE and the Middle East, where the company is a leader.
Equipped with some of the latest marine technologies available, MSC Virtuosa is one of the most environmentally advanced cruise ships in the world. MSC Cruises shares the UAE's ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and MSC Virtuosa represents another milestone on the path to achieving this goal.
The MSC Virtuosa can carry up to 6,334 passengers and 1,704 crew members, and is scheduled to operate in the Arabian Sea until March 2022 from its home port of Dubai. Spanish passengers will be able to begin their journey from Madrid and Barcelona thanks to the company's partnership with Emirates, and embark from Dubai and Doha, Qatar.
The event in Port Rashid, in collaboration with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and DP World, reflects the Emirate’s growing importance as a must-visit destination for cruise tourists from around the world, and reinforces the importance of the cruise industry’s contribution to tourism development in the UAE.
The official inauguration ceremony of the ship, a long-standing maritime tradition, will take place in the presence of the ship's captain, Francesco Veniero, and local authorities.
Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises, said: “We are proud to host this traditional maritime ceremony in the UAE during its Golden Jubilee year and, with it, mark our long-term commitment to this region. This is also why this winter, MSC Virtuosa, one of the most technologically and environmentally advanced ships in our fleet, will be based in the country as part of our deployment in the Gulf region. Cruises are an integral part of the UAE tourism industry, and thanks to our unique global distribution network, we will continue to promote the country and the Middle East worldwide as an attractive holiday destination to support further growth in the tourism industry locally.”
The ceremony will be hosted by renowned UAE television presenter Omar Butti as Master of Ceremonies. Hollywood icon Sophia Loren will then take to the stage to officially inaugurate MSC Cruises' 17th ship and cut the ribbon, breaking the bottle on the ship's hull.
The evening will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display over Dubai's breathtaking skyline, followed by a gourmet dinner at one of the ship's elegant restaurants. Guests will also be treated to a performance by internationally renowned singer-songwriter Rag'n'Bone Man, who will perform his most popular songs.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of the DP World Group, stated: “Hosting the naming ceremony for MSC Virtuosa at Mina Rashid is a source of pride for us. Mina Rashid has reaffirmed its status as a leading destination, both regionally and globally. The port’s state-of-the-art facilities, passenger handling capacity, and strategic location have helped us win several important accolades. We continue working to ensure the Emirate remains recognized worldwide as a world-class cruise destination. We anticipate a total of 126 ship calls and welcome more than 500,000 cruise visitors for the 2021/22 cruise season. This will further strengthen Dubai’s tourism figures and boost our progress.”
His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, commented: “Dubai continues to chart a course forward as one of the world’s premier tourist destinations and the cruise capital of the Middle East, as we strive to achieve our goals and make Dubai the preferred destination to visit and return to.”
MSC Virtuosa boasts 10 restaurants, 21 bars and lounges, and five swimming pools. It will offer stunning Arabian Sea itineraries during the winter season from its home port of Dubai, giving passengers the opportunity to experience top destinations in the Gulf region, including Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, and Qatar.
The innovative ship has 19 decks and is ready to welcome passengers this winter on week-long cruises from Dubai, offering the finest international cuisine, top-notch entertainment, relaxing bars, and lounges. It boasts the largest shopping area at sea, a spa and fitness center, a water park, and clubs for toddlers and teens. One of the ship's main features is its iconic 112-meter promenade with a stunning LED dome, the ship's social hub. Passengers can also enjoy one of the most exciting new features: the MSC StarShip Club, available exclusively on the MSC Virtuosa and starring Rob, the world's first futuristic humanoid robotic bartender.
The event in Port Rashid will be held in accordance with all health protocols established by the Dubai government, supported by MSC Cruises' industry-leading health and hygiene protocol, which enabled the company's ships to resume operations in August 2020. This special occasion is also part of the celebrations surrounding the UAE's Golden Jubilee and coincides with the hosting of World Expo 2020 in Dubai.
Following the inauguration ceremony, MSC Virtuosa will set sail on November 28 from Dubai for its maiden voyage through the Gulf with stops in Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island and Doha.
