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Wednesday 25 April 2018

MSC Cruises announces MSC Bellissima's deployment to Asia in Spring 2020




MSC Splendida arrives in Asia after completing maritime Silk Road sailing

On the occasion of MSC Splendida's arrival in Chinese waters, MSC Cruises, the world's largest privately-owned cruise line, announced that MSC Bellissima will be deployed in Asia in Spring 2020. She will become MSC Cruises' newest flagship for the region. MSC Bellissima, MSC Cruises' second Meraviglia-class ship, is currently being constructed at STX France's shipyard in Saint-Nazaire and is due to first come into service in March 2019.

Following her inaugural season in the Mediterranean next summer, MSC Bellissima will bring a range of cutting-edge innovations to China and Japan, including the longest LED Sky Screen at Sea at 80 metres long encompassing a stunning 96 metre long Mediterranean-style promenade, designed to become the social hub of the ship. Guests will be able to enjoy brand-new and exclusive to MSC Cruises Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows every night as well as next-generation MSC Yacht Club, with new features and luxurious accommodations spanning three decks, private facilities and butler service round-the-clock. MSC Bellissima will be among the biggest and most innovative cruise ships deployed in the region.

While MSC Bellissima will be mostly based in Shanghai to serve the Chinese home market, she will also offer a number of sailings from Japan with a number of Asian sailings for guests wanting to discover this popular region from the comfort and style of an MSC Cruises ship.

Speaking at an official meeting with Mr CHEN Qun, Vice Mayor of Shanghai, Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises' CEO, commented: "MSC Splendida does not mark the end of our ambitions in China and Asia overall. This market is a global priority and we are committed to serving it with our very best ships and product. For this reason, I'm delighted to announce that MSC Bellissima will homeport in Asia as of Spring 2020, marking the next step of our growth in one of the world's most appealing cruise markets."

MSC Splendida has completed her Maritime Silk Road sailing, which has taken her from Dubai, UAE, to Shanghai, China. During her season in Asia, she will also operate mostly out of Shanghai as well as Yokohama, Japan. With 137,936 GRT, MSC Splendida is one of the largest, most modern cruise ships currently operating in the Asia region. She features 1,637 cabins, 76% of which come with a balcony and can accommodate up to 4,363 guests.

Prior to her arrival in Shanghai, MSC Splendida went through an extensive overhaul process to renovate her interiors, install new as well as upgrade the onboard experiences. MSC Splendida now features an exclusive selection of Asian and Western cuisines in three new restaurants: the signature hot pot restaurant Sea Pavilion by the acclaimed Chinese chef Jereme Leung globally recognised for his contemporary interpretation of Chinese cuisine; the Hong Kong style Dim Sum & Teahouse; and the Butcher's Cut, a popular American-style steak house on board MSC Cruises' fleet.

MSC Splendida is also now equipped with the latest evolution of MSC for Me, MSC Cruises' digital innovation programme bringing the very latest advances in customer-centric technology to guests at sea. The holistic and guest-centric programme is focused on connecting guests to their desired holiday experience through cutting-edge technology that is specially engineered to meet their every need, regardless of how they prefer to use technology when travelling. MSC for Me provides guests with smart features geared toward a fully optimized holiday experience. These include a dedicated app to help guests tailor their holidays at any point on their journey, whether they are booking their excursions prior to embarkation or a specialty restaurant whilst relaxing by the top-deck pool. This will improve the overall guest experience, while also freeing up more time to enjoy one's holiday at sea.

MSC Splendida is due to arrive in Yokohama on 27 April, where MSC Cruises will also celebrate its ten-year anniversary in Japan.

MSC Splendida further information here

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