MSC Magnifica: Hamburg celebrates the newest jewel of MSC Cruises fleet - Press Relea

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Today, Saturday 6 March 2010, in Hamburg, international legend of the silver screen Sophia Loren will be christening the newest jewel in the MSC Cruises fleet, MSC Magnifica. The high-profile event will include a carnival celebration in the company of international celebrities, selected guests and the top management of MSC Cruises.

At the heart of the celebrations is more than the eleventh ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, the most modern cruise fleet on the seas. Because MSC Magnifica represents something of a revolution in the cruise industry, being dedicated above all to quality and comfort. Built along the proven lines of the MSC Musica class, at 293.8 m long, displacing 93,330 tons and hosting up to 3,010 guests, she's a luxurious ship offering a sumptuous variety of leisure and entertainment. But she's also much more, bringing the Musica class the superlative quality materials, state-of-the-art facilities and glamorous designer interiors by De Jorio Design International that distinguish MSC Cruises' flagships. With 17 different creatively-themed lounges and bars, including a fully-equipped Sports Bar with stabilised pool table, a theatre, 4D cinema, tenpin bowling, a sumptuous MSC Aurea Spa wellness centre and four pools - one with a magrodome sliding glass roof - MSC Magnifica offers a feast for all the senses in all seasons.

Continuing MSC Cruises' tradition of christening its ships in different international ports, today's celebrations pay homage to the centuries-old seafaring traditions of Hamburg and Venice, MSC Magnifica's future home port. And they do so in fitting style for the time of year, with a recreation of the Venice Carnival. What's more, the celebrations will include the people of Hamburg and be broadcast live on two giant floating screens in the beautiful Landungsbrücken area of the harbour.

The Grand Christening Ceremony will be attended by illustrious stars, including UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Nana Mouskouri, a supporter of the "MSC for UNICEF" initiative, which sees MSC Cruises and its cruise guests funding a project for the disadvantaged children of the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and São Paolo.

Sustaining the celebrations, there will be an equally illustrious guest in the kitchen, the double Michelin-starred chef Mauro Uliassi, whose dishes will also feature as regular highlights of the outstanding cuisine on board MSC Magnifica.

An all-star cast will likewise be providing the entertainment, including the world-famous Italian musician Eros Ramazzotti and the platinumselling German singer Sasha.

But of course the magnificent heart of the evening will be the floodlit ceremony and parade of the ship's officers, when the peerless Sophia Loren - illustrious godmother of the MSC Cruises fleet - cuts the ribbon and names MSC Magnifica to a crescendo of champagne and fireworks.

MSC Cruises' CEO, Pierfrancesco Vago, summed up the spirit of the occasion: "MSC Magnifica has Venice in her soul and Hamburg is the Venice of Germany. It's the perfect city for her christening. Particularly since it's also the home of many of the German cruise guests who so appreciate MSC Cruises' combination of elegance, comfort, Italian hospitality and fine dining. So we‘re also here to celebrate that today, proud of our shared values, hard work and achievements - with a growing string of certifications and awards to our name, carrying over one million passengers who make their dreams come true every year. It's a celebration we're proud to share, delighted that our efforts have enabled everyone to join us, whether on board, ashore or online."

In the spirit of MSC Cruises, the Grand Christening Ceremony can not only be followed in Hamburg but also online at MSC TV: http://www.mscwebtv.com/


  • Sophia Loren was born in Rome and grew up in Naples. Her talent and beauty have made her an international icon. Considered the most popular Italian actress of her time, she has won numerous international awards, including an Oscar for La Ciociara (Two Women). The launch of MSCMagnifica sees her return to Hamburg for the first time in 50 years since the filming of The Condemned of Altona, an event being celebrated by the city, including with a Sophia Loren Month at the Metropol Cinema.
  • Nana Mouskouri was born in Greece and studied at the famous Athens Conservatory. She has performed in the world's most prestigious concert halls and sold over 300 gold and platinum records, making her one of the best-selling female artists of all time.
  • Eros Ramazzotti was born and grew up in Rome. Success in music contests including the Sanremo Festival brought him early public acclaim throughout Europe. His reputation soon spread across the Atlantic with his first albums and concerts. An indefatigable public performer, he has both sold millions of records and performed live to millions of people.
  • Sascha Schmitz, better know by his stage name SASHA, grew up in Soest, North Rhine-Westphalia. Twenty chart singles in a row, five platinum or gold albums, airplay all across Europe and sell-out concerts for over a decade have seen him achieve one of the most spectacular careers of any German artist. He has also won three ECHO awards, the Golden Camera, Bambi award and Platinum Europe Music Award amongst others.
  • Mauro Uliassi and his sister Catia own the restaurant "Uliassi" in Senigallia on the Adriatic which won 3 Gambero Rosso forks from 2006 to 2010. Uliassi has also received the "Excellent Cuisine" award and "Recognition of Magnificence" from the Accademia della Cucina Italiana from 2003 to 2010.


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