MSC Magnifica – the fourth Panamax cruise ship in MSC Crociere’s Musica class – successfully completed her sea trials on 17 January, returning to the Forme Joubert dock after 72 hours on the open seas.
Despite bad weather and 50-knot winds on Saturday, the ship performed to the full satisfaction of the MSC Crociere team. The trials involved around 300 people and over 60 separate tests, covering everything from speed and manageability to acoustics and vibrations.
Following the successful trials, the next big event in MSC Magnifica’s busy schedule is the flag changing ceremony on 25 February in Saint- Nazaire, followed by the grand christening on 6 March in Hamburg. The christening will be accompanied by a spectacular evening of entertainment and celebration both on board and ashore. Thanks to a live broadcast of the show on two giant screens, the whole city of Hamburg will be involved. A host of artists will perform at the event, including renowned Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti, while the ribbon will once again be cut by MSC Crociere’s traditional godmother, Italian screen legend Sophia Loren.
Offering 22,000 square metres of public areas for her 3,013 guests, MSC Magnifica combines the intimacy of her three Musica Class sister vessels with the state-of-the-art facilities and comfort of the company’s much larger flagships, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia. The Magrodome retractable roof will make it possible to enjoy one of the 4 pools throughout the year, whatever the weather, while Il Bar Del Sole area on the top deck boasts its own whirlpools, showers and solarium.
The ship’s 17 bars and lounges, four restaurants and a large new buffet area will serve the best of Italian and international cuisine, with the à la carte restaurant L’Oasi offering fine dining in an exotic Moroccan atmosphere.
New entertainment features on board include a high-tech 4D cinema and mini-bowling alley, as well as a vintage area in the sports bar dedicated to billiard.
Last but not least, covering an area of 1,160 square metres, the luxurious MSC Aurea Spa wellness centre provides resort-standard spa and relaxation possibilities.
The new addition to the MSC Crociere fleet will take up regular service in the Mediterranean for the summer season, starting on 20 March. Its 7-night itinerary will take in Bari (Italy), Katakolon/Olympia (Greece), Izmir (Turkey), Istanbul (Turkey), Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Venice (Italy).
Hamilton Travel Co. Ltd of 4, St Publius Street, Floriana are the exclusive general sales agents and shore excursions organisers for MSC Cruises in Malta.