Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Sophia Loren Christens Cruise Ship MSC Magnifica

MSC Magnifica -- the fourth Panamax cruise ship in the MSC Cruises Musica class -- joins MSC Cruises as the 11th ship in the fleet after being christened in Hamburg, Germany on March 6. Renowned Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti, adult contemporary/soft rock/pop artist, performed on stage during the christening while Italian screen legend and icon Sophia Loren, participated in the ribbon cutting as the godmother of her eighth MSC ship. MSC Magnifica combines the intimacy of her three Musica Class sister vessels -- MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, and MSC Poesia -- with the state-of-the-art facilities and comfort of the company's larger flagships, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia. A magrodome or retractable roof covers the pool, La Grotta Azzurra, making it possible to enjoy one of the four pools throughout the year regardless of the weather. The Il Bar del Sole area on the top deck boasts its own whirlpools and solarium.The ship's 16 bars and lounges, four restaurants, and a large new buffet area -- Sahara -- will serve Italian and international cuisine; an a la carte restaurant, L'Oasi, will provide fine dining in an exotic Moroccan atmosphere. Culinary masterpieces by Mauro Uliassi, the Michelin Star Chef, recipient of three prized Gambero Rosso forks, and winner of the prestigious Kungsfenan Award for the best seafood, are available in the L'Oasi restaurant; soon, they'll be offered in all of MSC Cruises' Musica Class a la carte restaurants.
There's even a Tiger bar, themed after the striped feline, serving up cocktails and musical acts. Other entertainment features on board include a high-tech 4D cinema, mini-bowling alley and a billiard table in the L'Olimpiade sports bar. L'Olimpiade is the first sports bar featured in the Musica class of ships, and its theme is inspired by the Olympics. Relaxation opportunities await guests in the MSC Aurea Spa wellness center for massages, facials, and other specialty spa treatments in a resort-standard setting. Two treatments created just for MSC and are being offered on the MSC Magnifica -- Aurea Papaveris, a 60-minute slimming and cellulite treatment, and a Himalayan massage. MSC Magnifica sails 7-night Eastern Mediterranean itineraries departing Venice, Italy and calling at Bari, Italy; Katakolon (Olympia) Greece; Izmir, Turkey; Istanbul, Turkey; and Dubrovnik, Croatia.

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