France: Latest Jewel in MSC Cruises’ Fleet, MSC Divina Christened

On saturday evening in Marseille, France, the latest jewel in the MSC Cruises’ fleet, MSC Divina, was christened in suitably elegant style by international screen legend Sophia Loren. The exclusive high-profile event included a gala dinner and entertainment from illustrious performers in the company of international celebrities, selected guests, media, authorities and the top management of MSC Cruises.

Continuing MSC Cruises’ tradition of christening its ships in different European ports, the company and the port itself yesterday paid homage to Marseille and its centuries-old customs.

Construction of MSC Divina started over two ago at the STX Europe Shipyard in Saint-Nazaire. MSC Divina is 333 metres long, 38 metres wide, and weighing 140,000 tonnes, the 4,345 guest luxury cruise ship is able to travel up to 23 knots, offering smooth cruising in sumptuous surroundings.

Her elegant design is once again the work of award-winning naval architects De Jorio Design International. New features to MSC Divina’s 30,000 square metres of public areas include the Garden Pool, an ‘infinity’ style pool with a chic and minimal design and its four ‘resounding sculptures’, to the Galaxy restaurant in the disco with its fabulous Mediterranean fusion cuisine and its chic décor, based around the theme of light.

As the most advanced of the trio of Fantasia Class cruise ships, cutting edge technical changes on MSC Divina include more powerful propulsion motors, rated at 21.8 MW each (compared to 20.2 MW on the MSC Splendida), brand new alternators and state-of-the-art HVAC chillers. The ship also features a new reverse osmosis system for fresh water production that requires 40 percent less power and therefore assuring less environmental impact.

At the heart of the festivities was not only the addition of the 12th ship to the MSC Cruises’ ultra-modern fleet, but also the Mediterranean heritage of which the company is so proud. The event was themed Med with Passion, and MSC Divina herself represents the embodiment of Mediterranean style.

“Since 2003 we have built our ships on French soil, partnering with the French shipyard and heavily contributing to employment and the economy. Tonight in Marseille we will celebrate this long-established relationship, paying homage to the country’s oldest and biggest port at the christening ceremony of our latest flagship, MSC Divina,” said MSC Cruises CEO Pierfrancesco Vago, summing up the occasion. “We could not have found a better choice than Marseille, where the majority of our French guests embark all year round and where MSC ships will call 80 times in 2012, bringing over 280,000 international guests to the region. MSC has also worked alongside the French Government with substantial investment in the local cruise terminal and MSC Divina’s christening event is the perfect opportunity to show MSC guests the comfort and modernity of a state-of-the-art terminal, a fitting gateway to the unforgettable onboard experience they will discover.”

Gerard Depardieu, one of Europe’s most accomplished actors and talented leading men, then narrated the evening’s events and the story of MSC Divina in his own lively and entertaining manner.

The christening ceremony was of course attended by numerous international stars, including celebrated classical performer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Maxim Vengerov, a supporter of the MSC Cruises and UNICEF Get on Board for Children initiative which funds a project for education equality for disadvantaged children in Brazil and which has raised over 1 million euros to date. Vengerov took to the stage with local children and released hundreds of UNICEF balloons to mark the occasion. He then delighted guests with a surprise violin solo.

The event’s main artist, critically acclaimed Italian singer, pianist and composer Paolo Conte mesmerized the audience with his grainy, resonant voice and his colourful and dreamy compositions, evocative of jazz and blues.

The highlight of the evening was of course the floodlit ceremony and the parade of the ship’s officers, when the peerless Sophia Loren – treasured godmother of the MSC Cruises’ fleet – cut the ribbon and named MSC Divina to a crescendo of champagne, confetti, and sparkling fountains.

[mappress]

Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, May 28, 2012; Images: msc