MSC Cruises has officially welcomed the latest addition to the company’s modern fleet, MSC Bellissima. The new flagship was named in a glamorous and traditional maritime naming ceremony in the port of Southampton.
MSC Cruises’ Godmother, Sophia Loren, officially named her 14th ship.
MSC Cruises also announced a new partnership with one of the finest chefs in the world, Raymond Blanc, OBE. The two Michelin-starred chef has had a profound influence on Britain’s culinary landscape and to kick off the relationship, VIP guests at the event enjoyed an exquisite menu designed by Chef Blanc for the Yacht Club Gala Dinner. This marks the start of a new collaboration with MSC Cruises and the celebrated chef, who will go on to devise a dish for the Elegant Dinner menu.
MSC Cruises’ godmother, Sophia Loren, names her 14th MSC Cruises ship, MSC Bellissima | Image credit: Ivan Sarfatti
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inductee and three-time Grammy Award-winner Nile Rodgers performed some of his most danceable hits with his band Chic at the gala. Also taking to the stage was world-famous tenor Andrea Bocelli and Matteo Bocelli. The Bocelli family have a long-standing relationship with MSC Cruises dating back over 10 years to when Andrea first performed for the Naming Ceremony of MSC Poesia in Dover, UK.
Andrea Bocelli and son Matteo Bocelli performed a duet at the start of the ceremony | Image Credit: Ivan Sarfatti
Guests also experienced a special performance from Cirque du Soleil at Sea, marking the first time that the world leader in live entertainment has performed at the launch of a ship.
MSC Bellissima | MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite
MSC Bellissima is the second of the Meraviglia Class ships to come into service. These ships are designed as the ‘ship for all seasons’, rich in guest features including the very latest guest-centric technology with the introduction of the world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant, ZOE. Another key highlight will be the two new Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows, exclusive to MSC Cruises’ guests: SYMA – Sail Beyond Imagination takes guests on the epic journey of a young sailor, brimming with imagination, while VARÉLIA – Love in Full Colour puts a futuristic twist on a traditional medieval tale.
MSC Bellissima | Kaito Teppanyaki
Other ship highlights:
- 12 dining venues and more than 20 bars and lounges, including new French specialty restaurant L’Atelier Bistrot. The ship will also feature acclaimed pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury’s Chocolate & Café, dedicated entirely to unique and elegant chocolate creations and desserts.
- An award-winning family offering with kids’ activities and services from partners LEGO and Chicco, plus a dedicated family deck area.
- The MSC Yacht Club with luxurious accommodations spanning three decks, private facilities and round-the-clock butler service.
- The longest LED Sky Screen at Sea measuring 80 metres long, encompassing a stunning 96-metre Mediterranean-style promenade designed to become the social hub of the ship.
- Comfortable and innovative accommodations to meet every need, demonstrating the way that MSC Cruises puts the guest at the heart of its designs and shipbuilding. There are 10 different cabin types.
MSC Bellissima | Posidonia Restaurant
MSC Bellissima will spend her inaugural season in the Mediterranean offering seven-night cruises to some of the region’s most popular ports before moving to the Emirates for winter 2019/2020. After, she will be deployed in Asia in 2020.
