United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
MSC Cruises bids for Chinese business
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 shipfrom 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
Phil Davies
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled