MSC FANTASIA OFFERS THE ULTIMATE MEDITERRANEAN SUMMER CRUISE WITH NEW ENRICHED ITINERARY

•    NEW ITINERARY FEATURES A FULL DAY IN NAPLES TO DISCOVER MORE OF SOUTHERN ITALY
•    GUESTS NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE BREATHTAKING AMALFI COAST, CAPRI, POMPEII

Geneva, Switzerland 5 September – The Mediterranean, one of Europe’s most popular destinations known for its picturesque seascapes, continues to grow in popularity as a cruise destination and in particular, MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and the market leader in Europe, has seen an increased demand from guests to discover Southern Italy.  Next summer, MSC Fantasia will offer Naples as one of the main highlights of this itinerary.  Not only is Naples itself rich in history, but it’s perfectly located for exploring some of Southern Italy’s most popular sites and attractions. Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO commented, “We have enriched the itinerary for MSC Fantasia for next summer in response to the growing popularity of Southern Italy. This is the first time we have planned for a ship to be in Naples for a full day each week for the whole season. By arriving in the morning, we will give our guests plenty of time to go on full-day excursions and immerse themselves in the vibrant culture and beauty of this historic region. This will certainly be one of the highlights of this itinerary and we expect to see strong demand for this itinerary.”

FOOD LOVER’S FANTASY
Naples is world-famous for its cuisine and is any food lover’s fantasy! Renowned for using the most delicious and fresh ingredients, no visit to Naples would be complete without tasting the local pizza, sipping arguably the best coffee in Italy and of course, sampling the seafood, freshly caught that day. Guests can book a guided tour of the city that will meet their needs, or simply set out on foot and stumble upon interesting sights at each corner.
The Delicious Naples Tour: Coffee, Pastry and Pizza offers a flavourful look at the city of Naples taking guests to a local haunt to have a cup of typical Neapolitan coffee. Next stop is to enjoy pizza, served neatly folded up and eaten standing up in classic Neapolitan style. Finally the culinary tour is complete with a taste of sfogliatella, a Neapolitan pastry.

TAKE IN THE GORGEOUS VIEWS OF THE SOUTHERN ITALIAN COAST
Famed as a destination for chic celebrities and offering the most stunning sea views, guests can add a visit to the charming island of Capri, the breath-taking views of the deep blue waters off the town of Sorrento or the magnificent archaeological site at Pompeii, the third most popular tourist attraction in Italy. Travellers can even enjoy all three vibrant cities and scenic views with one shore excursion organised through MSC Cruises.

One of the biggest draws for tourists to this region is one of the world’s most beautiful shorelines – the Amalfi Coast.  MSC Cruises takes the stress out of the sightseeing and offers a full day excursion to the seaside town of Amalfi itself and the nearby village of Ravello -  UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From the jaw-dropping scenic views, the beautiful azure blue sea, the town of Amalfi appears to be growing straight out of the mountainside. The shore itself is a great place to sunbathe or swim, enjoy a savoury appetiser and have a drink of limoncello, a tasty liqueur made in the region.  Meanwhile Ravello, a village of rare scenic beauty with a history that dates back to the 5th century A.D.. Enjoy a delicious lunch in one of Ravello’s traditional restaurants, after which the scenic return journey will take guests back to Naples.
MSC Fantasia also calls at two other Italian ports, each offering a diverse experience and immersion into Italian culture. From Livorno guests can easily access to Florence with its Renaissance art and architecture or Pisa with the iconic leaning tower. Whilst Genoa, set on the Northwest coast of Italy, is rich in maritime heritage and offers another opportunity to tempt the taste buds. Next up is the port of Marseille - the most renowned and populated metropolitan area in the country after Paris and Lyon offering great shopping and bustling city life.  For a change of pace, the laidback Balearic islands of Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza are the perfect places to relax and unwind, completing this perfect blend of Mediterranean experiences.

SAILING ON MSC FANTASIA OFFERS ITS OWN DELIGHTS FOR GUESTS
MSC Fantasia is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of cruise guests, especially families. Boasting a diverse choice of sports and entertainment facilities; from tennis and basketball courts, a mini-golf course, a jogging track and gym to an aqua park complex, Formula 1 simulator and 4D cinema there is plenty to do and experience on board. For those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, the MSC Aurea Spa offers a wide range of treatments and therapies. Finally, the on board dining offers a range of Mediterranean and International cuisines serving tasty and authentic food with a mix of formal and more casual dining venues.

MSC Fantasia offers a luxury experience for holidaymakers with the MSC Yacht Club. Designed for the most discerning guests who desire exclusivity and privacy but with a world of choice. The MSC Yacht Club is an innovative “ship within a ship” design concept, as it offers an entirely self-contained area on the foredecks of the ship providing sweeping sea views with a range of private facilities including a pool, solarium and a dedicated restaurant.

-ENDS-

For more info
RCA PR I Hilde Meus I hilde@rca.be I Tel. 011 59 05 97 I 0473 69 51 07 I www.rcapress.be
MSC Cruises Belgium I Vinciane Jacquiez I press@msccruises.be I 02 334 94 00 I www.msccruises.be

About MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises, part of the MSC Group is the Swiss-based, world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and brand market leader in Europe and South America, sailing year-round in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Seasonal itineraries cover northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, Cuba and the French Antilles, South America, southern Africa, China and Abu Dhabi, Dubai and India.

The MSC Cruises experience embodies the elegant side of the Mediterranean to create unique and unforgettable emotions for guests, through discovery of the world’s cultures, beauties and tastes. Its fleet comprises 15 of the most modern ships at sea.

Under its ambitious industry-unprecedented €11.6 billion investment plan, the fleet is set to expand to 25 mega-cruise ships by 2026. To date, MSC Cruises has designed six new ship classes, all prototypes that push the boundaries of marine architecture and design.

MSC Cruises’ holiday experiences are sold across the globe through a distribution network in 70 countries. The Company employs over 23,500 people worldwide, both ashore and on board its ships. MSC Cruises is part of MSC Group which is comprised of leading transport and logistics companies.
 
More information at http://www.mscpressarea.com