MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere S.p.A.)

Air New Zealand introduces smart passport service Air New Zealand has launched a new mobile app that can tell travellers when it's time to renew their passport. The new app will enable…

MSC Cruises will allow travellers to experience Japan's "sakura" cherry blossom season next spring, with a special cruise. Next May, MSC Splendida will set sail on a nine-night…

New booking site offers flexible check-in/out times A new hotel booking site has launched that offers travellers early check-in and late check-out times as part of their reservation. …

MSC Cruises has unveiled details of its first ever cruise to Japan. The new 28-night voyage from Dubai to Yokohama will depart on 31 March 2018, aboard the 3,900-passenger MSC…

MSC Cruises has reached a series of major milestones in its historic 10-year fleet expansion strategy. The company is investing approximately US$10 billion in the construction of 10…

MSC Cruises has taken another significant step in its fleet expansion plans, with the signing of a letter of intent for four new mega-ships. The deal with the STX shipyard in France…

The days of cruise ship exercise being limited to a morning jog around the deck could be a thing of the past, following a new partnership between MSC Cruises and Technogym which looks…

MSC Cruises has agreed to purchase two huge new ships which will be able to carry 6,300 passengers. The deal was signed at the STX shipyard in France during a ceremony to mark the start…

MSC Cruises has entered into partnership with Samsung that will see its cruise ships equipped with new "smart" technology. The agreement will come into force with the arrival of MSC's…

MSC Cruises has unveiled the new Chinese services it plans to launch in 2016. In a joint press conference with its Chinese partner, Caissa Touristic Group, MSC revealed details of the…

MSC Cruises will revamp one of its ships to cater for Chinese guests, as part of plans for its first ever homeport season in China. The European company has entered into a strategic…

MSC Cruises will embark on a 60-day 'Grand Voyage' from Brazil to China next year. The newly-refurbished MSC Lirica cruise ship will depart Rio de Janeiro on 3 March 2016, sailing…

MSC Cruises has confirmed that it has suspended all remaining calls in Ukraine and Egypt for the upcoming winter season. The company's MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera, MSC Fantasia and MSC…

MSC Cruises has celebrated the start of construction work on its new fleet of "megaships". A steel-cutting ceremony was held in France this week for the newly-named MSC Meraviglia -…

Work has started on lengthening the MSC Sinfonia in Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard. The ship is the second in the Lirica-class that will be extended following MSC Armonia last year.…

Extended and enhanced MSC Armonia has been relaunched in Genoa as MSC takes steps to double its fleet. The new-look ship was cut in half and had a block installed that allowed more…

MSC Cruises has announced a series of cinema events to further its engagement with the travel trade. The first of seven will take place on 24 November and run in various locations…

A new online fact file of various cruise ships has been launched by CLIA UK & Ireland. More than 260 ocean cruise ships are featured in ‘Meet the Fleet’ which lists the speciality…

MSC Cruises has announced a partnership with LEGO Group to bring LEGO-themed playrooms on its ships. Separate kids club offerings will be available for different groups including a…

MSC Cruises has increased the commission payments to travel agents for shore excursions. Agents will now receive a higher, negotiated-based commission instead of the standard 5% that…

MSC Cruises has announced a novel plan to expand the capacity of its ships - stretching them. The company is embarking on a EUR200 million (US$259m) four-ship refurbishment programme,…

MSC Cruises has started to roll out its new agent booking platform MSC Book. The in-house system will be soft launched with Barrhead Travel, Cruise.co.uk, Iglu and Cruise Nation in…

Norwegian Cruise Line has ordered an additional two new Breakaway-Plus cruise ships. The new ships will be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany that will delivered in the second…

MSC Cruises has launched a new initiative to change the way it works with travel agents in the UK, including a new sales platform. The ‘Serving You’ scheme will introduce new…

MSC Cruises has ordered two brand new mega cruise ships. The contract with Italian shipyard Fincantieri, which includes the option for a third ship, will see the creation a new class of…

MSC Cruises has announced plans for two new ships and the option for one more in a deal worth EUR2.1 billion. The cruise line has signed a deal with Fincantieri to build the new…

The cruise segment is taking centre-stage at the forthcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2014. The region’s cruise sector had witnessed a decline since the global downturn. However with…

MSC UK & Ireland has announced sales director Stephen Moffett has decided to leave after eight years at the cruise line. Moffett will leave MSC in May having helped boost sales for…

MSC Cruises has unveiled its brochures for summer 2015 and winter 2015/16, the earliest it has done so for more than a year ahead. The launch is also the cruise line’s first…

MSC Cruises has signed an order for two new ships that will become the biggest ever built by a European company. The letter of intent penned with STX France will see the French shipyard…

MSC Cruises has launched a new ‘intuitive’ pricing structure based on the experience and inclusions rather than just cabin. The new structure will come into force for winter 2014/15…

Giles Hawke has been announced as executive director for the UK, Ireland and Australia at MSC Cruises. In his new role, Hawke will be responsible for all operations in the three…

MSC Cruises will stop sailing from the UK for a year to focus on promoting the ‘Mediterranean way of life’ onboard its ships. The cruise line will not sail from the UK in 2015 and…

MSC Cruises has renewed its partnership with UNICEF to generate more funds for the charity. The cruise line’s guests have already donated more than EUR2.8 million to the charity in…

MSC Cruises has announced a near EUR200m programme to upgrade its four Lirica-class ships. Under the agreement with shipyard Fincantieri, the ships will have nearly 200 cabins per…

MSC Cruises has revealed plans to bring one of its liners to Australia for the first time. The 2,550-passenger MSC Orchestra cruise ship will sail from Dubai to Australia in 2015, via…

Giles Hawke has started his new job as managing director UK & Ireland at MSC Cruises.  Hawke was previously sales and customer services director for Carnival UK/Complete Cruise…

The founder and group president of MSC, Gianluigi Aponte, has been awarded the Order of Merit for Labour (Ordine ‘Al Merito del Lavaro’) at a ceremony overseen by the Italian president…

MSC Cruises will offer free return flights, onboard credit and upgrades as part of a campaign to promote its Mediterranean Christmas cruises. The free gifts, which are for bookings on…

Mediterranean cruise line MSC Cruises is running a free drinks promotion to coincide with National Cruise Week.  The offer, which is available on bookings made on any ship between…

MSC Cruises is to double its cruise departures from the UK next autumn.  The Italian cruise line will base MSC Magnifica at Southampton for a series of seven-night cruises in…

Aurélien Poirot has been appointed as Anantara Bangkok Riverside Apartments as its new executive chef. Poirot took up the position in July having worked for Michelin star restaurants in…

MSC Cruises has announced Gianni Onorato as its new chief executive officer. Onorato is to take up his new role on 2 September after previously serving as president of Costa Cruises…

UK consortia Advantage Travel Centres has announced it will be hosting two cruise conferences this year, giving its agents an opportunity to meet representatives from major cruise lines.…

Mediterranean operator MSC Cruises has announced that Giles Hawke will become the line’s new managing director in November 2013. The company has also confirmed that former managing…

Giles Hawke, the outgoing Carnival UK sales & customer services director is rumoured to be in talks with MSC to take over its UK office. The potential move comes after MSC…

Mediterranean cruise line MSC has launched its twelfth vessel, the MSC Preziosa, at a star-studded event in Genoa. The inauguration, which was attended by the likes of fleet godmother…

MSC Cruises has formally taken possession of its new ship, the MSC Preziosa, in a flag raising ceremony at the STX France Shipyard. The ritual, which saw the STX France general…

MSC Cruises has announced that it will be conducting its second diet cruise in May 2013 – after the success of last year’s voyage. The cruise is due to be conducted with French…

MSC Cruises has been given an award for its website by translation and localisation specialist Lionbridge. The award, which was given for ‘The Best Global Website for Travel and…

MSC Cruises has announced that it will be returning to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the 2013/ 2014 winter season. The season is due to start in November 2013 with the MSC Lirica…

MSC Cruises has introduced a competition, with the opportunity for registered MSC Cruises travel agents to win a cruise onboard its latest flagship MSC Preziosa.   Agents can register at…

MSC Cruises is offering a Valentine’s Day romance package on any cruise booking made on the 14 February 2013.  Any couple that books a cruise on the 14 February will receive complimentary…

MSC Cruises has announced that it will be bringing a series of specialist treatments onboard the MSC Preziosa’s spa, when the ship launches in March.  The MSC Aurea Spa will be 1,700 square…

MSC Cruises has revealed that it is to host a charity event onboard the MSC Opera in South Africa for an event to help raise money for the Ukuthemba Foundation. The night, which will take…

 MSC Cruises has marked construction of the MSC Preziosa by laying two commemorative coins in a traditional ceremony at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.  The ceremony, which…

MSC Cruises has announced that from 5-31 October it will be running an inclusive package which will incorporate cruise, flights and drinks into the ticket price. The ‘Keep It All Inclusive’…

MSC Cruises has announced three new family orientated features which it believes will develop its offering and maintain its reputation as a family friendly cruise line. The first idea –…

MSC Cruises has recently announced that MSC Divina is officially ‘gluten-free friendly’ and has been qualified to serve gluten-free products by the Italian Celiac Association (AIC).…

Europe continues to offer the greatest potential for growth in the cruise sector, senior executives have said. Gathering at the European Cruise Council’s (ECC) conference in Brussels,…

MSC Cruises is to screen London 2012 games live onboard its ships this summer. More than 2,000 hours of games action is expected to be shown on the cruise line’s private areas and cabins…

As the end of Euro 2012 approaches, MSC Cruises’ will be broadcasting the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. From July 27th to August 12th, 2012, guests can catch a live glimpse of over 2,000 hours…

Ship visits and new e-learning from cruise lines to travel agents. Major Travel plans Pullmantur ‘Cruise Clinic’ Major Travel is to hold a ‘Cruise Clinic’ and ship visit on…

Marseilles witnessed the christening of MSC’s new flag ship MSC Divina last Saturday evening.  The high profile event included a gala dinner and entertainment from a list of well-known…

Marseilles witnessed the christening of MSC’s new flag ship MSC Divina last Saturday evening.  The high profile event included a gala dinner and entertainment from a list of well-known…

MSC Cruises’ received its newest ship,  MSC Divina at the STX France shipyard in Saint-Nazaire on Saturday. During the traditional flag ceremony, the shipyard’s pennant and the French flag…

UNICEF’s key representatives are to take part in the christening of MSC Divina as a symbol of the companies’ partnership.  Critically-acclaimed classical performer and UNICEF Goodwill…

MSC Cruises is a relatively young business in the UK. How long has MSC operated an office in the UK? Eighteen years now! We opened the UK office in 1994 at that time we only had four…

MSC Cruises has joined forces with international chocolatier and founder of the world’s first chocolate themed hotel, Gerry Wilton for a chocoholic cruise. Wilton will be joining the MSC…