p18 Cruise Mar5 2/3/10 18:58 Page 18
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ttglive.com
MSC pleased with
UK SAILINGS.
Second ship for
Magnifica preview
Southampton?
Sara Macefield.
The line has boosted its passenger PIERFRANCESCO VAGO (left), MSC
MORE THAN 2,000 travel agents, including 900 loyalty scheme by launching a fourth Cruises chief executive, may bring
Thomas Cook staff, descended on Southampton membership level offering the highest level a second ship to the UK if next
last weekend to get a taste of MSC Cruises’ of benefits, including a 20% discount off a year’s programme of cruises from
newest ship, MSC Magnifica. subsequent cruise. Southampton performs well.
The new 93,000-ton ship, which carries 2,518 The new Black category is open to guests However, he felt that if the sum-
passengers (and 3,000 at full capacity), spent who have accrued 100 points or more. The mer 2011 sailings on MSC Opera did
two days at the South Coast port in advance of loyalty club currently has more than sell strongly, it was more likely the
its christening by screen legend Sophia Loren in 30,000 members. line would bring a bigger ship to the
Hamburg on March 6. Michelin-starred chef Mauro Uliassi has Hampshire port first.
This is the first time the line has showcased created a selection of special dishes for For the past few years it has
one of its new ships in this way, although two MSC Magnifica’s a la carte restaurant, while operated from Dover but it recently
years ago it staged the launch of MSC Poesia in in the spa, two signature treatments have been announced Southampton as a new base for
Dover. unveiled – a Himalayan massage and an Aurea cruises to northern and western Europe in 2011.
UK managing director Giulio Libutti felt the Paparevis slimming and cellulite treatment. “A lot of consumers are looking for something
weekend had proved invaluable for showing Other features on the new ship include: different and we have the perfect product for the
off the ship’s features to agents and he was ■ Three swimming pools including one with a UK,” said Vago.
confident they would find it easier to sell “Magrodome” retractable roof UK & Ireland managing director Giulio Libutti
Magnifica as a result. ■ Five restaurants, including the L’Oasi a la carte felt MSC’s move to Southampton next year was
The ship will homeport at Venice from March restaurant and the Asian-inspired speciality crucial to the line’s plans to boost UK business.
to November, offering 36 seven-night sailings to restaurant Oriental Plaza “To grow as we would like and to reach a cer-
the eastern Mediterranean. ■ Nine bars including the deliciously over-the- tain volume, we need to be in Southampton.”
From November, the vessel will offer three top Tiger Bar decked out entirely in tiger print MSC launches 2011 brochures later this month,
winter itineraries ranging from eight to 11 nights and the Sports Bar, complete with bobsleigh but has axed its main brochure in order to print
and visiting Israel, Ravenna and Trieste for the ■ Internet cafe 300,000 mini-brochures covering the Caribbean,
first time from Venice. ■ Disco and casino Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
MSC has used Magnifica’s launch to unveil a ■ Aurea Spa
handful of new features. ■ 1,240-seat theatre.
NEW MARKETS.
Line eyes Far East
as fleet expands
MSC Cruises is looking at Far East cruises as it
prepares to add another ship to its 11-strong fleet.
Speaking at the UK showcase of MSC Magnifica
in Southampton last weekend, chief executive
Pierfrancesco Vago confirmed another Fantasia-
class ship would debut in 2012.
The vessel, which will be named Favolosa, will
be built at the same French yard which built
the line’s most recent newbuilds, including
Magnifica.
Vago also revealed he was looking for new
markets to base MSC Cruises’ ships.
“As we have new ships coming into Europe, the
older ones become a problem and we have to
look at where to move them to,” he explained.
With two offices in the Far East – including one
in Shanghai – Vago said MSC was primarily look-
ing at cruises around China and Hong Kong.
18 05.03.2010
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