by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:25 AM ET, Tue March 19, 2024
MSC Cruises became the first international cruise line to
resume sailings from mainland China since the pandemic when MSC Bellissima
marked her maiden call in Shanghai.
The special event featured MSC
Cruises’ executives, government officials from China, travel agents, media members
and partners, all of whom were treated to the cruise brand’s Asian flagship.
“MSC Bellissima’s maiden call in Shanghai reaffirms our
commitment to a market that continues to play an important strategic role for
us,” MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato said.
MSC Bellissima is scheduled to home port in Shanghai,
Keelung and Shenzhen throughout the summer of 2024. In addition, the MSC
Splendida will operate from Shenzhen and Xiamen from December 2024 to April
2025, while MSC Bellissima will return to her home port in Shanghai from
January 2025.
The new winter sailings make MSC Cruises the only
international cruise brand to deploy two ships, operating from four major ports
within the first year of returning to the region.
“We are fulfilling our commitment to bring to the region a
modern Asian flagship and we are dedicated to further invest in China and
benefit the local economy,” Onorato continued. “We want to push high-quality
development of the cruise industry in the region, promote the cultural tourism
industry and related home port markets.”
MSC Bellissima and MSC Splendida both have shore power
capability, meaning that the ships can switch off their engines when alongside
in port, eliminating local emissions. This aligns with MSC
Cruises’ commitment to protect the environment and create a sustainable
future for cruising.
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