The US plays a big role in MSC Cruises' future
ANN RUPPENSTEIN
Iconic actress Sophia Loren, who is godmother to 18 MSC Cruises ships that she calls her “godchildren,” appeared via video at the naming ceremony for MSC Seascape in New York on Dec. 7 to hand over ribbon cutting duties to Alexa Aponte-Vago, the daughter of MSC Group’s founder and executive chairman Gianluigi Aponte.
“One of the highlights of the past 20 years has been to officiate the christening of MSC Cruises’ fleet not only because the Apontes have become like family to me but also because MSC has always occupied a special place in my heart,” Loren said, addressing the crowd of more than 2,000 VIPs, travel industry partners (including Travel Courier) and top management from the company gathered on board at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. “Let me bless the MSC Seascape, her great crew and all her passengers.”
Along with a festive event with a performance by singer-songwriter Matteo Bocelli, the evening also served as a celebration to highlight New York becoming a homeport for MSC Cruises next year. In April 2023, MSC Meraviglia will set sail from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal with itineraries to Florida, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada and New England.
“Why fly to your cruise when you can just hop on the subway?” said Rubén Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA. “We have ambitious growth plans in the US, and New York City plays a critical role in that expansion. We already host a large number of guests from the tri-state area on our ships sailing from Florida and around the world, and we are excited to bring a modern and glamorous ship like MSC Meraviglia to New York next year to give cruisers a wide choice of itineraries, whether they’re looking for sunny Caribbean skies or Canada’s beautiful autumns.”
Rodríguez described North American clients as “cultured cruisers” who are “passionate about international travel, discovering new cultures, engaging with nature and exploring new cuisines. They are also strong advocates for sustainability.”
During a press conference ahead of the naming ceremony, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said MSC’s presence is expected to generate US$102 million in annual revenue for the city.
“We are really excited about that,” said Adams. “This is a real boost to our economy, a boost to tourism, and a boost to contributing to our local communities. So we are thrilled MSC Cruises is dropping its anchor in New York… We’re anticipating 219,000 passengers arriving in New York City per year on MSC Cruises.”
MSC also announced a US$236,000 donation to the Parks Department’s Greenthumb community gardening program and the city’s NYC Junior Ambassadors program, an initiative that connects 7th graders in underserved areas with the United Nations to learn about global issues.
“The donation to the Junior Ambassador program would benefit over 600 students and educators, helping them learn about global issues such as international peace and security,” he added. “The year-round cruises from the Brooklyn terminal will create a huge boost to our tourism and create up to 10,000 full-time jobs in the city, an equivalent to 10,000 full-time jobs.”
Meanwhile the 5,877- passenger flagship MSC Seascape will offer two different seven-night itineraries from Miami in the Caribbean. An Eastern Caribbean sailing calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and Nassau in The Bahamas, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and a Western Caribbean sailing calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Cozumel in Mexico, George Town in the Cayman Islands and Ocho Rios in Jamaica.
“This celebration is even more special considering what we’ve been through. These past few years have been tough years for all of us. We’ve come a long way since the pandemic hit our industry,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, the executive chairman of MSC Cruises. Just like New York, we are back and we are stronger than ever!”
MSC Seascape is the 21st ship in the MSC Cruises fleet and the second ship to be launched in less than one month after MSC World Europa’s debut in November.
Following the ceremony, guests were treated to a gala dinner and a performance by Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Ne-Yo.
