Cruising News Magazine Cruising News February 2019 | Page 5

MSC Bellissima’s March 2 Naming Ceremony
MSC Cruises’ has revealed details of
the all-star line-up for MSC Bellissima’s
glittering naming ceremony on 2
March in Southampton with the
new addition to the MSC Cruises
fleet becoming the largest ship to
be launched in Southampton. The
event will capture the essence of the
ship’s name Bellissima, which means
“possessing intense beauty, delighting
the senses,” with a stunning array of
live entertainment and performances
awaiting the specially invited guests
from around the world.
MSC Bellissima will feature two brand
new Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows
VARÉLIA and SYMA and as part of
the evening’s celebrations, attending
guests will be treated to a very special
and exclusive Cirque du Soleil at Sea
performance during the ceremony on
the pier. This will be the first time that
Cirque du Soleil, the world leader in live
entertainment, has performed at the
launch of a ship and this will provide
a taster of what lies in store for MSC
Cruises guests on board MSC Bellissima.
Hosting the evening’s proceedings as
the Master of Ceremonies will be the
English TV presenter and star of ITV, Holly
Willoughby. Providing the live music for
the evening and getting the audience
on their feet will be none other than
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
and three-time Grammy Award-winner
Nile Rodgers and his band Chic.
No MSC Cruises naming ceremony
would be complete without Academy
Award-winning actress and MSC
Cruises’ beautiful godmother – Sophia
Loren who will perform the traditional
ribbon-cutting and officially name the
spectacular vessel, MSC Bellissima.
MSC Bellissima is the fourth ship from
MSC Cruises to launch in less than
two years and will be closely followed
by MSC Grandiosa in November this
year. This next-generation ship will
feature some of the most innovative
technology at sea with the introduction
of the world’s first virtual personal cruise
assistant ZOE, taking the connected
cruise experience to the next level.
Other highlights include a new specialty
restaurant concept HOLA! Tapas
from two-time Michelin-starred Chef
Ramón Freixa, a new French specialty
restaurant, l’Atelier Bistrot and a
Chocolaterie and Chocolate Bar from
the award-winning pastry chef and
chocolatier Jean-Philippe Maury. The
state-of-the-art ship will offer world-class
entertainment, the stunning MSC Aurea
Spa, outstanding facilities for families
in partnership with LEGO Group and
Chicco, the MSC Yacht Club as well as
the iconic 96 metre promenade with
the longest LED sky screen at sea with
a shopping gallery featuring over 200
brands.
MSC Bellissima will depart Southampton
on 4 March to commence her 10-night
inaugural cruise to Genoa. From 17
March MSC Bellissima will commence
7-night itineraries in the Mediterranean
calling at Genoa, Naples and Messina,
Valetta, Barcelona, and Marseille.
The April issue of Cruising News will
feature a special report on MSC
Bellissima and the naming ceremony
– Editor.
Iconic Australia Day Flypast
Abhi Nair, photo manager on P&O Cruises’ flagship Pacific Explorer, captured this iconic Australia Day image of Pacific Eden
with three Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornets swooping low over Sydney Harbour in salute of the national day.
As the three jets from RAAF Base Williamtown dazzled spectators including thousands of P&O guests in Sydney on Australia
Day Cruises, Abhi knew he had just one chance to record the fleeting moment. And he did in fine style as the aircraft roared
down the harbour between Pacific Explorer and Pacific Eden – for Abhi, Pacific Explorer provided the perfect vantage point
to capture the low-level flypast.
“It was really a great experience to see these man-made wonders of technology fly past us during the Australia Day
celebrations,” Abhi said.
This year, Sydney-based Pacific Explorer and Pacific Eden were moored in the harbour and Brisbane based Pacific Aria was
berthed at White Bay Cruise Terminal to take in the celebrations.
www.worldwidecruisecentres.com.au
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