MSC Cruises has become the first international cruise line to resume
home port operations from mainland China since the onset of the
pandemic.
The MSC Bellissima made its maiden call in Shanghai on 18 March,
restarting local home port sailings. This milestone event was celebrated
with government officials, travel agents, media, and partners gathered
on board to commemorate the occasion.
Adding to the excitement, renowned chefs Enrico & Roberto Cerea,
representing the acclaimed restaurant Da Vittorio, curated a special
menu for the ceremony and the ship's inaugural sailing. Guests were
treated to a spectacle, including a dazzling drone show and
entertainment throughout the ship.
MSC Cruises also announced its Winter 2024-25 deployment plans,
which include operating from major ports like Shenzhen, Xiamen, and
Shanghai. MSC Splendida is slated to join MSC Bellissima, making MSC
Cruises the sole international cruise brand to deploy two ships from four major ports within the first year of returning to China.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, expressed the company's
dedication to the Chinese market: “We are fulfilling our commitment to
bring to the region a modern Asian flagship and we are dedicated to
further invest in China and benefit the local economy. We want to push
high-quality development of the cruise industry in the region, promote
the cultural tourism industry and related home port markets.”
Meanwhile, in Miami, MSC Cruises announced plans for the grand naming
ceremony of its newest flagship, MSC World America, set to take place
on 9 April 2025, at the company's new PortMiami terminal. This unveiling
represents MSC Cruises' investment in the North American market, with
the ship's design tailored to appeal to the region's guests.
Guests attending the ceremony will embark on a celebratory sailing,
experiencing firsthand the offerings of MSC World America, including a
visit to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Notably, MSC World America is the
largest ship in MSC Cruises' fleet designed to serve the US market,
featuring innovative design elements and powered by LNG for reduced
emissions.