Italian Style on Show

Everything associated with Italian style was on show once again when Sophia Loren, played the starring role as the official godmother to MSC Cruises' latest ship, MSC Orchestra. Ms Loren was attending the christening in Civitavecchia where the event was held on Monday 14th May. Also attending for the first time another Italian icon, the composer and oscar winner Ennio Morricone, who before the christening, conducted a trademark concert with great affect.

Starting her inaugural cruise on May 16 from Genoa, MSC Orchestra will call into France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.  On her return she will be repositioned in the Adriatic to cruise weekly from Venice to Bari, calling into Greece, Turkey and Croatia.

The 89,600 ton MSC Orchestra can accommodate 3,013 guests in 1,275 cabins, the majority of which have balconies.  The vast range of stylish onboard facilities include three swimming pools, theatre, cinema, mini golf, tennis, children's clubs, spa/beauty centre, library, casino, restaurants and bars.

MSC Cruises is one of the few cruise operators to offer Mediterranean itineraries to the UK market on a year-round basis. The first cruise, which sails from Genoa on November 14 (plus sailings on December 6, January 19, February 10 and March 3), visits Olympia, Piraeus, Rhodes, Alexandra, Limassol, Marmaris, Heraklion and Naples, returns to Genoa on November 12.  She then departs on  November 13 (plus sailings on January 8, February 1 and 21) for Barcelona, Casablanca, Tenerife, Funchal, Malaga and Rome, returning to Genoa on December 6.