MSC MERAVIGLIA CELEBRATES IN HAMBURG START OF THE NORTHERN EUROPE SUMMER SEASON

• With brand new itineraries, more ships, more embarkation ports than ever before and more time ashore, MSC Cruises Northern Europe has never been more accessible

MSC Meraviglia officially made her maiden call at the port of Hamburg yesterday, marking the start of her new — as well as the brand’s best and most accessible-ever — season in Northern Europe. At the traditional exchange of crests attended by Senator Horch from the City of Hamburg as well as representatives from the Ports and other institutions, media and travel partners, MSC Cruises, the Swiss-based world’s largest privately owned cruise line and now for the third consecutive year brand market leader across all of Europe, announced that MSC Grandiosa will be christened in Hamburg on November 2, 2019.

“We are delighted to announce the christening of MSC Grandiosa here in Hamburg. Since our last christening in Germany of MSC Magnifica in 2010, we have, as a company, embarked on a journey of strong growth, and the German cruise guest has embraced our brand and our offering in a strong way. It is only natural that we would look to christen in Germany our next flagship and the first of the Meraviglia-Plus ships to come into service, MSC Grandiosa,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises. “We hold a special relationship with Germany overall, and we are looking forward to celebrating with our German partners next November as well as welcoming our international guests to this historic port, rich in Maritime tradition and heritage.”

This summer, MSC Cruises is opening up Northern Europe to even more cruise guests and, with the addition of MSC Meraviglia, is offering four ships, 36 different itineraries and six possible embarkation ports across Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Denmark. The region is becoming the must-visit cruise destination as more and more people wish to explore and immerse themselves in breath-taking coastlines of the Norwegian Fjords, the natural beauty of the British Isles, the cool Scandinavian capitals and the rich history of the Baltic States.

With a variety of unique destinations, MSC Cruises’ Northern European itineraries offer so much to see and do without the worry of running out of time. Itineraries have been developed to offer guests more time ashore to explore all of the sights with extended and overnight stays in key ports.

Designed for all seasons, MSC Meraviglia will spend her first season in Northern Europe offering world-class entertainment with Cirque du Soleil at Sea, a wide choice of dining options, serving a range of international and Mediterranean-inspired cuisines, comfortable and innovative accommodations and a Mediterranean-style promenade featuring multiple bars, restaurants and shops. Home-porting in Hamburg, this award-winning ship offers 10, 11 and 14-night itineraries that include the British Isles and Iceland — a voyage of rugged beauty and contrasting landscapes — or the breath-taking North Cape and the Norwegian archipelago, Spitzbergen. And, in September, an 11-night itinerary takes guests through the Baltic Capitals of Oslo, Nynashamn/Stockholm, Tallinn, and Helsinki with an overnight in St. Petersburg.

This season will also introduce new itineraries for MSC Cruises. For those looking to explore bustling Northern European cities, MSC Magnifica offers a range of cruises embarking in Hamburg and calling at Southampton with just a short transfer to London, Le Havre for access to stylish Paris and an overnight stay in picturesque Amsterdam with its famous bicycle paths and tulip displays.

The elegant and modern MSC Preziosa will also offer seven-night sailings from Kiel and Copenhagen. MSC Orchestra will offer seven and 11-night itineraries from Warnemunde including the Norwegian Fjords and Copenhagen or itineraries that call in the Baltic States of Lithuania, Estonia as well as the Scandinavian countries of Finland, Sweden and Denmark. How else could you discover all of this stunning destinations without unpacking a suitcase?

For information on Northern Europe itineraries visit here, and to learn more about MSC Grandiosa visit www.msccruises.com