MSC Cruises Announces Line-Up For Launch Of MSC Bellissima In Southampton

With just over one month until MSC Bellissima is named in Southampton, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line, MSC Cruises, has revealed more details about the three days of celebrations that will launch the cruise line’s new flagship.
 
Hosting the Naming Ceremony proceedings on the 02 March 2019 March in Southampton, will be English TV presenter and star of ITV, Holly Willoughby. She is best known for her current presenting roles on ‘This Morning’ (ITV), ‘Dancing on Ice’ (ITV) and ‘Celebrity Juice’ (ITV2). She recently joined Dec in jungle for a once in a lifetime opportunity co-hosting last year’s 'I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!’.

 

 
Providing the live music for the evening and getting the audience on their feet will be none other than Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and three-time Grammy Award-winner Nile Rodgers and his band Chic. His decades of danceable hits will definitely raise the roof and make this a memorable night.
 
No MSC Cruises Naming Ceremony would be complete without Academy Award-winning actress and MSC Cruises’ beautiful godmother - Sophia Loren who will perform the traditional ribbon-cutting and officially name the spectacular vessel, MSC Bellissima.
 
The latest ship to join the MSC Cruises fleet is set to break records as the largest ship ever to be launched in Southampton. Attendees can expect to be wowed by an event that will capture the essence of the ship’s name Bellissima, which means “possessing intense beauty, delighting the senses”.
 
MSC Bellissima will feature two brand new Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows VARÉLIA and SYMA and as part of the evening’s celebrations, attending guests will be treated to a very special and exclusive Cirque du Soleil at Sea performance during the ceremony on the pier. This will be the first time that Cirque du Soleil, the world leader in live entertainment, has performed at the launch of a ship and this will provide a taster of what lies in store for MSC Cruises guests on board MSC Bellissima.
 
The entertainment will then continue on into the evening back on board the ship with a gala dinner followed by live music from platinum-selling UK singer Leee John.
 
The following day, 03 March, will see further celebrations in Southampton on board MSC Bellissima as MSC Cruises will invite 3,500 travel agents from the UK and Ireland on board the ship in what will be the Company’s largest ever travel agent event. As well as a full day of activities and entertainment to the highlight of the evening will be a performance from Southampton born, award-winning songwriter, DJ and U.K. pop star Craig David.
 
Antonio Paradiso, Managing Director, MSC Cruises UK & Ireland said, “I am so proud to be hosting the Naming Ceremony of MSC Bellissima in Southampton and to have the opportunity to showcase our newest ship to so many of our travel agent partners, media outlets, valued guests and future cruisers.”
 
“We are having our most successful Wave season ever and these celebrations will allow us to thank all of our existing agents, as well as showcasing our newest ship and on board offering to potential new partners.  MSC Cruises is on a fantastic journey in the UK & Ireland, and the growth, and development we have seen in the last five years has been remarkable. The MSC Bellissima launch celebrations are the next step in this journey that promises, with the continued support of our travel agents to exceed all our expectations”

MSC Bellissima will become the fourth brand new cruise ship to be launched by MSC Cruises in less than two years. The ship will be followed by an even larger sister ship, MSC Grandiosa which will launch in November 2019.
 
This next-generation ship will feature some of the most innovative technology at sea with the introduction of the world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant ZOE, taking the connected cruise experience to the next level.
 
Other highlights include a new specialty restaurant concept HOLA! Tapas from two-time Michelin-starred Chef Ramón Freixa, a new French specialty restaurant, l’Atelier Bistrot and a Chocolaterie and Chocolate Bar from the award-winning pastry chef and chocolatier Jean-Philippe Maury.
 
The state-of-the-art ship will offer world-class entertainment, the stunning MSC Aurea Spa, outstanding facilities for families in partnership with LEGO Group and Chicco, the MSC Yacht Club as well as the iconic 96 metre promenade with the longest LED sky screen at sea with a shopping gallery featuring over 200 brands.
 
MSC Bellissima will depart Southampton on 04 March to commence her 10-night inaugural cruise to Genoa. From 17 March MSC Bellissima will commence 7-night itineraries in the Mediterranean calling Genoa, Naples and Messina (Italy) Valetta (Malta), Barcelona (Spain) and Marseille (France).