THE ICONIC MSC SEAVIEW CRUISE SHIP IS NAMED IN A GLITTERING CEREMONY IN THE HISTORIC PORT OF GENOA

• Godmother Sophia Loren will cut the ribbon on her 13th MSC Cruises ship

• MSC Seaview will become the third MSC Cruises ship to be launched in just 12 months

This evening, the newest addition to the ever-growing MSC Cruises fleet and new flagship, MSC Seaview, will be christened in true MSC Cruises style with a star-studded line-up, VIPs, key travel partners and international media as well as top management from MSC Cruises and its parent company MSC Group. Gianluigi Aponte, MSC Group’s founder and executive chairman as well as the ship owner, will attend together with the Aponte and Aponte-Vago families.

MSC Cruises, Swiss-based world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and brand market leader in Europe and South America, is renowned for hosting spectacular christening events that celebrate the coming into service of the new ships and this event will be no exception with a star-studded ceremony with live entertainment and speeches, fireworks and gala dinner combined with the significant maritime traditions that are so important to MSC Cruises as a family company with a long-standing seafaring heritage.

The christening ceremony will be hosted by star of Italian TV, Swiss-born Michelle Hunziker who will welcome to the stage ‘father of Italian blues’ Zucchero Fornaciari. TV star Lorella Cuccarini will host a special moment on stage, and Italian children’s choir, Piccolo Coro Dell'Antoniano, will perform as the UNICEF ambassadors, to acknowledge MSC Cruises’ important partnership that helps improve the lives of children and their families in developing countries and those affected by crises. Also taking to the stage will be young talent of belcanto, Matteo Bocelli, son of the world-famous Andrea Bocelli who sang at the christening of MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview’s sister ship in Miami last December. Matteo Bocelli will sing during the Officers’ Parade, an important tradition to honor and thank the ship’s crew for their service.

Finishing off the traditional proceedings will be Godmother Sophia Loren as she cuts the ribbon to launch the bottle of champagne to name MSC Seaview, the 13th MSC Cruises ship. As the godmother of all MSC Cruises’ ships, Madame Loren is practically part of the MSC Cruises family and brings a touch of Hollywood glamour and style to each Christening.

Also present at the ceremony will be Ramon Freixa, the Spanish two Michelin-starred chef who has now extended his partnership with MSC Cruises to develop his first restaurant at sea on board MSC Seaview. Pan-Asian chef Roy Yamaguchi, will attend his second MSC Cruises’ ship christening to celebrate his second restaurant at sea, with his first launching on MSC Seaside. Other stars in attendance include Spanish model and actor Jon Kortajarena, Brazlian presenter and actor Giovanna Ewbank and French television personality Ariane Brodier.

Described as a game-changing cruise ship, the vision was to create something truly unique that would enable guests to enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean sea. The ship is designed to enhance the enjoyment of the open water and sunshine, specifically intended to cruise in warmer climates and to create a very special connection between guests and the sea.

Most cruise ships are planned and engineered to offer entertainment, dining and other experiences inside the ship while MSC Seaview is designed to bring guests outside to the open decks and walkways. Featuring the highest ratio of outdoor space of any MSC Cruises ship, MSC Seaview brings guests closer to the sea and helps them enjoy the outdoors in every aspect of the experience, including staterooms and suites with elongated balconies offering both sun and covered areas, dining and drinking in true Mediterranean “al fresco” style, and outdoor fitness and luxury spa cabanas in the open air.

MSC Seaview is the 15th addition to the MSC Cruises fleet and the third ship to come into service in just 12 months under the Company’s industry-unprecedented €10.5 billion ($12.4 billion USD) investment plan.

MSC Seaview will commence her maiden voyage from Genoa on June 10, offering six embarkation ports in the Western Mediterranean including the popular ports of Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona as well as other much sought after Mediterranean destinations including Naples, Messina in Sicily and Valetta in Malta. After her inaugural season, she will journey to South America to call on a variety of picturesque destinations including in Brazil.

For more information and bookings visit www.msccruisesusa.com