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MSC Cruises bids for Chinese business
SHANGHAI – MSC Cruises has signed a joint venture to establish a travel agency in China and eventually run cruises from Shanghai.
The Italian line has struck a deal with the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal to open a joint venture agency designed to educate Chinese travellers about cruising.
The new terminal is due to open on August 5 and will host a Seatrade Asia conference on October 23-25.
MSC plans to operate a ship from Shanghai at a future date.
The development emerged as new ship MSC Poesia was formerly named by actress Sophia Loren at a ceremony in Dover on Saturday.
The 89,600 ton, 2,550-passenger ship claims to have more external balconies than previous ships in the MSC Cruises’ fleet.
MSC Poesia is a sister ship to MSC Orchestra and MSC Musica, launched in 2007 and 2006 respectively.
The vessel becomes the ninth ship in the company’s fleet.
MSC Poesia, the third ship in the “Musica†class, will be followed in December 2008 and spring 2009 by MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida, claimed to be two of the largest ships built by a European ship owner.
MSC Magnifica, the fourth ship in the Musica class, will enter service in 2010.
by Phil Davies
Ian Jarrett
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