MSC flagship to be named in Dover
MSC Cruises’ new flagship MSC Poesia will make its debut in Dover next spring.
MSC Poesia, the sister ship of the MSC Orchestra and MSC Musica, will be named by Sophia Loren before sailing on a pre-inaugural voyage on April 6 from Dover to Venice.
The ship will then offer eight-day cruises in the Mediterranean for the summer 2008.
MSC Fantasia will then take the fleet to 10 ships with its debut in November 2008.
MSC Armonia will offer 13 sailings from Dover between May and August, 2008 with itineraries ranging from the Baltic, North Cape to the Norwegian Fjords.
The ship will sail from Genoa to Dover on April 23 visiting Malaga, Casa Blanca, Lisbon, Vigo, La Coruna, Le Havre on an 11-day voyage. The sailing will feature a special Hobbies theme.
To further demonstrate the Italian line’s commitment to the UK market, MSC Opera will sail from Rio de Janeiro to Dover on April 1 on a 19-day voyage via the Brazilian coast, Cape Verde, Tenerife and La Coruna.
UK and Ireland managing director Claudia Baino said: “Having pored over every detail of our 2008 brochure and our new itineraries, we are proud and delighted to have achieved our most inspirational selection yet and we’re looking forward to hearing what our regular and new customers think.
“2008 is such an important year for MSC Cruises as we launch two new ships and will be able to offer more itineraries to a broader clientele than ever before.”
MSC Poesia and the MSC Musica will both sail from Venice on Saturdays and Sundays respectively next summer. MSC Poesia will visit Bari, Olympia, Izmir, Istanbul and Dubrovnik, while MSC Musica will visit Bari, Olympia, Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, Corfu and Dubrovnik.
In addition to Dover, MSC Armonia will operate from Genoa to the Black Sea and visit Naples, Athens, Yalta, Odessa, Istanbul, Messina and Salerno on 12-day cruises in April, September, October and November.
MSC Sinfonia will sail from Civitavecchia on Sundays, running eight-day itineraries visiting Genoa, Monte Carlo, Valencia, Malta and Tunis. The ship sails at 20:00 allowing for more flexible flight alternatives.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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