The MSC Divina, named in honour of the MSC fleet’s glamorous godmother, Sophia Loren, yesterday made its maiden call in Grand Harbour.
The magnificent liner was launched only four days ago.
Norman Hamilton, CEO of Hamilton Travel and the agent for MSC cruises said: “This is a special day for Malta because both the MSC Divina and the MSC Splendida are berthed besides each other, in our port.”
The latter ship too had come to Malta three days into its maiden voyage.
Yesterday, the two ships brought some 8,000 passengers, including Italians and British.
Mr Hamilton pointed out that Sophia Loren had told MSC president Gianluigi Aponte that her dream was to have a ship named after her and he immediately suggested ‘Divina’ as, in his words, “a divine experience gives you memories that will last forever”.
On MSC Divina the Sophia Loren myth has fittingly been taken to new levels, with two impressive features unique to the new ship – the Sophia Loren suite number 16007, with photos of her best moments, and finest décor in her style.
The Divina and Splendida ships are among the largest in the MSC fleet with the newest liner measuring 333m in length. Meanwhile, next March, MSC will be launching the MSC Preziosa – another flagship of the same calibre and which will also be coming to Malta.
Captain Giuliano Bossi said the MSC Divina entered Grand Harbour in calm waters as the sun was rising. The bastions were the perfect backdrop and the ship was greeted with a cannon salute from the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
He described Grand Harbour as the “most beautiful port” he has ever seen, which is something of an accolade, coming from a widely travelled ship’s captain.
John Portelli, CEO of the Valletta Cruise Port, explained that these port calls mean a lot of work by the public and private sectors.
The company he leads has invested €35 million over the past years, while last year, Transport Malta invested heavily on Lascaris Wharf.
Meanwhile, maritime pilots are training on simulators and everyone is working together for things to continue improving.
He pointed out, that apart from investment, Malta needs to remain visible because the waters are choppy. Fuel prices are up and more environmental regulations are coming in. Besides, competition with Asia and Australasia is stiffening.
“The cruise liner industry is expected to be carrying another nine million passengers over the next 10 years but the focus needs to remain on the long-term for us to guarantee the future”, he said.
Tourism Minister Mario de Marco said that hearing such a description of our harbour from a captain who has sailed the seven seas on all MSC ships is exceptional.
He remarked that MSC is a valued partner and is estimated to bring 190,000 passengers to Malta this year – a third of all cruise liner arrivals.
MSC is also a partner in responsible tourism because the Divina has the ‘6 Golden pearls’ and ‘Energy Efficient Design’ awards from Bureau Veritas.
The cruise liner industry is always challenging but there were unexpected issues. The Costa Concordia, which sank in January, was to make 31 calls to Malta this year, and although it was replaced by smaller ships, it is estimated that its passenger number will drop by 40,000.
However, 78,000 passengers have arrived in Malta on board ships, in the first four months this year and this was an increase of 14% over the same period last year.
Cruise passengers were said to have spent €33 million in Malta, last year.
From 2 June through to 3 November, MSC Divina has a full schedule of 22 weekly cruises, departing every Saturday from Venice. MSC Divina will explore the North-Eastern Mediterranean, calling at Bari in Italy, Katakolon in Greece, Izmir and Istanbul in Turkey, and Dubrovnik in Croatia.