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MSC Cruises Company Profile

MSC Cruises is the largest Italian-styled cruise company. The headquarter is based in Naples and other offices are located in Milan, Venice, Genoa, Rome, Palermo and Bari. On top of Italy the cruise giant is present in 28 other countries worldwide.

Established in 1987 with the purchase of the cruise company STARLAURO SpA, MSC Cruises was officially launched as Mediterranean Shipping Cruises in 1995. In that year, the company began offering cruises on the MSC Rhapsody, MSC Monterey and MSC Symphony. In 1997 the company added MSC Melody to its fleet, and in 2000 MSC Symphony was retired from service. In the same year, MSC Cruises commissioned the order for the building of two new ships able to accommodate 1,590 and 1,756 passengers (double occupancy) respectively: MSC Lirica and MSC Opera. Both were christened by Sophia Loren, in April 2003 and June 2004 respectively as all the other ships afterwards.

With the introduction of the first of the new MSC Cruises ships, MSC Lirica, in 2003, the company changed its brand logo. The MSC acronym inside a compass represents the central role of passengers in the world of MSC Cruises. The compass itself stands for all the horizons towards which the company sails in order to achieve all its future goals.

Today the MSC Cruise fleet consists of 8 ships: MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Armonia, MSC Melody, MSC Rhapsody, the flagship MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra which will be launched in may 2007.

The new MSC Musica class, launched in Venice on the 29th of June, has began a new generation of MSC Cruises vessels. MSC Musica has 1,275 cabins, 80% of which are ocean view accommodations, including 65% with private balconies and public areas for a total 237,000 square feet. By 2008 the fleet will increase to 9 units with the arrival of MSC Poesia, the third in the "Musica" series.

Two additional state-of-the-art ships are now being built at Aker Yards France -- MSC Fantasia for delivery in 2008 and MSC Serenata in 2009 - these two ships will each be rated at 133,500 gross registered tons, a length of 1,093 feet and a width of 125 feet. Each will be able to accommodate up to 3,900 passengers and 1,313 crew members. The designs and concepts used for the building of MSC Cruises ships follow the standards of elegance and sophistication expressed in MSC Lirica, MSC Opera and MSC Musica.

These will be the largest cruise ships ever built by a European ship owner and will bring the MSC Cruises fleet to a total of 11 ships.

MSC Cruises was the first cruise company to obtain the Quality Certifications UNI EN ISO 9002/1994 and UNI EN ISO 9001:2000. The ships of the Italian MSC Cruises fleet keep on attaining international awards for their high standards of service and safety on board.

This modern and competitive fleet offers a wide choice of itineraries and products, together with a highest level of service in the best tradition of Italian hospitality. In just a few years the company has embarked on an ambitious expansion program that has fuelled its meteoric growth to its present leadership stature in the cruise industry. MSC Cruises is widely recognized for the quality of its cruise experiences and their unique fusion of Italian flair and sophistication with the best of international cruise vacation standards. It is this distinct Italian personality which sets the MSC Cruises fleet apart: the warm welcome, the decor, the design, the hospitality, the cuisine, the ambience - all expressions of "Beautiful. Passionate. Italian."

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Race Yacht Team Team Presentation Team Profiles Sponsors Official Elite Sponsor I Official Elite Sponsor II Official Associate Sponsor Official Suppliers and Supporters Roles on Board Gallery Origin Extras Preview only: no MSC Cruises Company Profile MSC Cruises is the largest Italian-styled cruise company. The headquarter is based in Naples and other offices are located in Milan, Venice, Genoa, Rome, Palermo and Bari. On top of Italy the cruise giant is present in 28 other countries worldwide. Established in 1987 with the purchase of the cruise company STARLAURO SpA, MSC Cruises was officially launched as Mediterranean Shipping Cruises in 1995. In that year, the company began offering cruises on the MSC Rhapsody, MSC Monterey and MSC Symphony. In 1997 the company added MSC Melody to its fleet, and in 2000 MSC Symphony was retired from service. In the same year, MSC Cruises commissioned the order for the building of two new ships able to accommodate 1,590 and 1,756 passengers (double occupancy) respectively: MSC Lirica and MSC Opera. Both were christened by Sophia Loren, in April 2003 and June 2004 respectively as all the other ships afterwards. With the introduction of the first of the new MSC Cruises ships, MSC Lirica, in 2003, the company changed its brand logo. The MSC acronym inside a compass represents the central role of passengers in the world of MSC Cruises. The compass itself stands for all the horizons towards which the company sails in order to achieve all its future goals. Today the MSC Cruise fleet consists of 8 ships: MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Armonia, MSC Melody, MSC Rhapsody, the flagship MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra which will be launched in may 2007. The new MSC Musica class, launched in Venice on the 29th of June, has began a new generation of MSC Cruises vessels. MSC Musica has 1,275 cabins, 80% of which are ocean view accommodations, including 65% with private balconies and public areas for a total 237,000 square feet. By 2008 the fleet will increase to 9 units with the arrival of MSC Poesia, the third in the "Musica" series. Two additional state-of-the-art ships are now being built at Aker Yards France -- MSC Fantasia for delivery in 2008 and MSC Serenata in 2009 - these two ships will each be rated at 133,500 gross registered tons, a length of 1,093 feet and a width of 125 feet. Each will be able to accommodate up to 3,900 passengers and 1,313 crew members. The designs and concepts used for the building of MSC Cruises ships follow the standards of elegance and sophistication expressed in MSC Lirica, MSC Opera and MSC Musica. These will be the largest cruise ships ever built by a European ship owner and will bring the MSC Cruises fleet to a total of 11 ships. MSC Cruises was the first cruise company to obtain the Quality Certifications UNI EN ISO 9002/1994 and UNI EN ISO 9001:2000. The ships of the Italian MSC Cruises fleet keep on attaining international awards for their high standards of service and safety on board. This modern and competitive fleet offers a wide choice of itineraries and products, together with a highest level of service in the best tradition of Italian hospitality. In just a few years the company has embarked on an ambitious expansion program that has fuelled its meteoric growth to its present leadership stature in the cruise industry. MSC Cruises is widely recognized for the quality of its cruise experiences and their unique fusion of Italian flair and sophistication with the best of international cruise vacation standards. It is this distinct Italian personality which sets the MSC Cruises fleet apart: the warm welcome, the decor, the design, the hospitality, the cuisine, the ambience - all expressions of "Beautiful. Passionate. Italian."