MSC Cruises celebrated the maiden call in Hamburg of MSC Splendida. An indication of MSC Cruises' increasing investment in the German market, and in Hamburg in particular, MSC Splendida is the first "Fantasia" class ship - the line's largest and newest class of ships - to be based at the northern German port for a season.
MSC Splendida will homeport in Hamburg for the summer season, making 13 sailings around northern Europe, encompassing the British Isles, the Norwegian fjords and Iceland.
In addition to featuring the MSC Yacht Club - MSC's exclusive ship within a ship luxury offering - MSC Splendida offers the most comprehensive range of dining, entertainment and relaxation experiences of any cruise ship ever to serve the German market. Her amenities include 20 bars, six restaurants, five swimming pools - including a large aqua park, 4-D cinema, F1 simulator and a variety of wellness, sports and family options. With 1,637 staterooms, the ship is 137,936 GRT, 1,092 feet long and 125 feet wide.
MSC Splendida's arrival in Hamburg was marked by a ceremonial crest exchange between the ship's Captain, Giuseppe Maresca, and the Harbourmaster of Hamburg, Jörg Pollman, with MSC Cruises Executive Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, Hamburg Senator, Frank Horch, and a large international media contingent in attendance.
Addressing the event, MSC Cruises executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: "Homeporting MSC Splendida - one of our largest and finest ships - here is a natural progression for us, following four years of increasing investment in Hamburg."
He added: "MSC Cruises has already brought around 350,000 vacationers through Hamburg. And this summer MSC Splendida will make 13 sailings - adding more than 100,000 to that total. Our decision to bring MSC Splendida here is rooted in a concrete commitment to this world-class destination."
That commitment began in 2010 when the Company christened MSC Magnifica in Hamburg, dubbed Germany's "Gateway to the World." In addition to deploying MSC Splendida from Hamburg, MSC Cruises will this month base MSC Orchestra in Kiel and MSC Sinfonia in Warnemünde, enabling thousands of German and international travellers to discover the Baltic capitals and the rugged coastlines, islands and fjords of Norway. Additionally, MSC Orchestra and MSC Sinfonia will also offer northern European "Grand Tours," where two back-to-back cruises combine to create one unforgettable 14-night voyage.
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