/au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/Overview.aspx MSC Cruises Australian Website News Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:19:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/100-Days-Countdown-MSC-Divina-Christening.aspx MSC reveals dedication, craftsmanship and expertise that go into ‘dressing-up’ new star. 16 FEBRUARY 2012 - MSC Cruises and the STX Europe ship yard in Saint-Nazaire, France, today began the 100 day countdown to MSC Divina’s long-awaited christening which will take place on 26 May 2012 in Marseilles, France. As the third and latest addition to the MSC Cruises’ flagship Fantasia class, MSC Divina will become the 12th and most magnificent ship of the MSC Cruises’ fleet. The final stretch of construction, her ‘dressing up,’ is therefore a mammoth feat requiring immense dedication, technical expertise, attention to detail and craftsmanship. At the STX Europe ship yard, where workmen have taken immense pride in building beautiful ships for the last 150 years, over 1,400 skilled professionals representing over 100 companies are working hard to get MSC Divina ready for her big debut. Locksmiths, electricians, coppersmiths, mechanics, carpenters, decorators, marble fitters, light technicians, insulation and air-conditioning technicans, kitchen designers and supervisors represent just some of the many trades involved in the fitting and furnishing of the 333 metre long, 38 metre wide, 140,000 ton, 4,363 passenger luxury cruise ship. In one hundred days’ time, when MSC Divina emerges for her debut ‘Grand Ball’ on 26 May 2012 in Marseille, over 2.2 million hours will have been spent on her construction and an extra one million hours of work will have been devoted to meticulously applying the finishing touches. Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:58:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Lirica-Abu-Dhabi.aspx UAE capital reaches cruise tourism milestone as luxury vessel home ports for 2011/2012 season October 30, 2011 - Abu Dhabi has reached a new milestone in its cruise tourism development with the arrival at Mina Zayed’s new temporary cruise terminal of the luxury MSC Lirica cruise ship – the first to home port in the UAE capital. The 59,000 tonne MSC Lirica arrived last night from Genoa, Italy. The liner, her passengers and crew, were given a warm Abu Dhabi welcome with a spectacular fireworks display before disembarking to the cruise terminal where displays of henna design, falconry and calligraphy as well as traditional Yolla and Ayallah dancing awaited. MSC Lirica will set sail tomorrow on the first of 19, seven night itineraries for the 2011/2012 season cruising around Abu Dhabi and the Emirates and calling at Muscat, Al Fujairah, Khasab in Oman and Dubai with 95 calls and rotations. Onboard for her maiden Gulf sailing, passengers will be staying in the liner’s 780 cabins. Today a special ceremony was staged at the cruise terminal to officially welcome MSC Lirica ‘home.’ The ceremony was attended by HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, ADTA, Pierfrancesco Vago, Chief Executive Officer, MSC Cruises, with world championship star and former Captain of the Italy National Football team Fabio Cannavaro attending as MSC Cruises’ guest of honour. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:31:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/Rena-NZ.aspx Deeply concerned and saddened by the New Zealand accident involving container ship Rena, the Mediterranean Shipping Company is to donate $NZ1 million towards the clean up in the Bay of Plenty. The goodwill gesture comes in the light of the environmental and economic damage such an incident would have on the Bay of Plenty region. "We are deeply concerned about, and saddened by, the environmental damage, economic impact and disruption to lives caused by the accident involving the Rena,” said Kevin Clarke, managing director of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (Australia and New Zealand). "We acknowledge the distress and concerns of local residents, businesses and individuals, as well as those with cargo aboard the vessel,” he said. “Our own staff in Tauranga are part of the local community, and are as concerned about the grounding and its implications as everyone else in the Bay of Plenty - and throughout New Zealand.” In speaking of his concerns and the generous donation to accompany them, Mr Clarke emphasised that MSC did not own the Rena. Furthermore, Mr Clarke said his company did not employ the ship’s crew and was not responsible for the maintenance and operation of the vessel. “From the outset we have been working behind the scenes with the authorities, including Maritime New Zealand and Ports of Tauranga,” he said. “We have put our resources at their disposal and have been in constant contact with the Rena’s owners Costamare,” Mr Clarkes added. "At our meeting with the Minister of Transport yesterday (Monday, Oct 17) we discussed other ways in which we might support the cleaning operation. “Today (Tuesday, Oct 18), we thus want to put at disposal of the relevant authorities NZ$1 million as a voluntary donation. "We also would like to thank the professionals and the dedicated volunteers who are helping and spearheading the cleaning." For more information, email to: marketing@msc.com.au Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:35:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Divina-Afloat.aspx MSC Divina, the third and latest addition to the MSC Cruises’ flagship Fantasia class, was ceremoniously floated out of dry dock of the STX Europe ship yard in Saint-Nazaire, France on Saturday, September 3 and transferred to another dock for final fitting and furnishing ahead of her christening in May next year. Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:07:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Cruises-Early-Bird-Savings.aspx Book and pay early with MSC Cruises and you will be rewarded with a saving which will bring the starting price of a seven-night Mediterranean cruise below $90 per passenger per night. It’s one of a number of financial enticements included in the cruise line’s new program from November 2011 to November 2012, which also covers cruises in the Caribbean, South America, South Africa and Northern Europe as well as the traditional Mediterranean waters. A number of ocean voyages between continents are also featured along with an all-new Abu Dhabi and the Emirates program. With the discount, the starting price of a seven-night Mediterranean cruise begins at $609 per person, twin share, including meals, international entertainment and port charges. As in previous years, children under 18 years sharing a cabin with two adults cruise free (need only pay port charges). To qualify for the early bird special of $50 per passenger, you must book and deposit by August 31, 2011 Other savings on the 2012 program can also be had by combining cruises (within four-week periods), and by booking a new all-in-one-fare single adult family offer to accompany the existing children under 18 years cruise free offers with two adults. In addition, those passengers celebrating a special occasion – wedding anniversary, honeymoon, etc – also benefit from discounts. “There a number of ways passengers can save on our cruises in 2012,” said Lynne Clarke, Managing Director of MSC Cruises Australia and New Zealand. “For beginners, if you are celebrating a 25th or 50th anniversary, expect generous savings on the fare,” she said. “All is revealed in the new program and support MSC Cruises’ stance as a family cruise line catering for families.” Travel agents can book cruises from the 2012 program either by phone, email or online. In addition, consumers will soon (mid July) be able to book the cruises directly through MSC Cruises “new-look and feel” website. Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:05:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Founder-Seatrade-Personality-2011-Award.aspx Gianluigi Aponte recognised for outstanding contribution to shipping. On the evening of Monday 4 March, in the magnificent setting of London’s Guildhall, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal presented MSC Group owner and president Mr Gianluigi Aponte with the Seatrade Personality 2011 Award for his remarkable achievements in international shipping over the last 40 years. Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:45:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Cruises-Christmas.aspx Celebrate an unforgettable Christmas or New Year on board an MSC Cruise. Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/Seatrade-Cruise-Shipping-Miami.aspx MSC Cruises’ Barbara Muckermann Chief Marketing Officer discusses Recent Trends in Luxury Cruising. Are we entering a new era in luxury cruising? MSC Cruises’ Chief Marketing Officer, Barbara Muckermann, served on the Luxury at Sea panel representing MSC Cruises’ newest product, MSC Yacht Club. Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:43:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Seatrade-Cruise-Shipping-Convention.aspx MSC Cruises CEO Pierfrancesco Vago brings a European perspective to Seatrade Miami. The announcement that North American cruise liners would move to European waters this summer confirmed that “the Old World is now becoming the New World” of cruising, Mr Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises said to the annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami today. Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:19:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Quality-Ethical-Foods.aspx Fresh homemade pastas and ethical fish for MSC lovers of haute-cuisine. Fine cuisine using only the best quality ingredients and an ethical approach to fish and other gastronomical delights is the proud standard by which MSC Cruises is known. Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:52:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Excursions-Venice-Carnival.aspx MSC guests celebrate Carnival in style with privileged access to St. Mark’s Square. Venice is a truly magical city, a wonder of the world that attracts visitors in their millions all year round. See it at Carnival time and you experience it at its most magical, feeling the full glory of its history come unforgettably to life, thronging through streets and canals with all the colour and energy of its masked revellers. Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:54:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Cruises-Partnership-AC-Milan.aspx Cruise ship market leaders MSC Cruises, today announced a major three year partnership agreement with AC Milan Football Club, one of the world’s most successful soccer teams. Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:04:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Divina-Eco-Ship.aspx MSC Divina, the newest ship in MSC’s flagship Fantasia class, is currently being built in the STX Europe shipyards in France, scheduled for launch in May 2012, and yet the Italian family-owned cruise company now already has independent confirmation she is going to be a green paragon. Mon, 24 Jan 2011 10:18:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Anniversary.aspx Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) will be using the occasion of its glamorous and dazzling Christmas party this Saturday, 11 December 2010, to start celebrating 40 years of highly successful global trading. Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:09:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Poesia-Perfect-Score-Maiden-Call-Quebec.aspx News : MSC Poesia Earn a Perfect Score during her Maiden-Call in Quebec Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:46:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Cruises-Middle-East.aspx MSC Cruises is thrilled to announce the United Arab Emirates as a new destination for its late 2011- early 2012 cruise itineraries. Tue, 28 Sep 2010 10:46:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-2010-Magellan-Awards.aspx MSC Cruises has been recognized with three prestigious 2010 Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly, a leading travel industry publication, earning recognition in the contemporary ship design, suite design and promotional video categories. Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:46:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/Magnifica-Christening.aspx Hamburg celebrates the newest jewel in the MSC Cruises fleet Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:46:00 GMT /au_en/au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-UNICEF-MSC-Magnifica.aspx MSC Magnifica continues MSC Cruises’ commitment to Unicef Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:47:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Favolosa-2012.aspx MSC Favolosa delivered in June 2012 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:47:00 GMT /au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/msc-rated-berlitz-guide.aspx MSC Cruises has once again been honored with high ratings in the latest 25th anniversary edition of the internationally acclaimed Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise ships. Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:47:00 GMT