MSC Cruises Opens the Doors to International Tourism for Naples

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (Oct. 26, 2006) – MSC Cruises welcomed colleagues from throughout the global cruise industry to its home town last week, as the line hosted the opening celebration for the international Seatrade Med conference in Naples, Italy. The Italian family-owned line is based in the southern Italy port, has deep roots in the region and will welcome the new flagship of its rapidly growing fleet, MSC Musica, for her maiden call in Naples on Nov. 9.

In addressing the cruise industry gathering at Seatrade Med, Domenico Pellegrino, Managing Director of MSC Cruises, said, "Our success starts in Naples. Our story starts here. In this city our growth has been masterminded as a springboard for all our activities around the world. Our mission is to promote the extraordinary resources of this region."

MSC Musica symbolizes the company's intention to be recognized as a market leader in Europe, Pellegrino noted, and the ship's debut in Naples in conjunction with the "United and Victorious" international event taking place Nov. 9-11 for European travel agents further underscores the line's connection to the city. This winter MSC Musica, the first of the five new, bigger ships that will be added to the MSC Cruises fleet by 2009, will call at Naples six times, with 32 additional calls slated for the spring and summer 2007 season. This makes Naples a strategic port of call for the new flagship of MSC Cruises.

The ship's itinerary features a day and overnight stay in Naples and offers vacationers opportunities for extensive visits to the surrounding Campania region with its cultural appeal. "Thanks to the synergies between us and the institutions, as well as the tour operators, we are in a position to take our guests to the nicest of places in the Campania region," Pellegrino added.

In fact, the movements of all the ships in the MSC Cruises fleet will be tied into Naples: for the 2006/2007 season 79 calls will bring more than 250,000 passengers to Naples. The port of Naples will see not just local traffic but also international passenger traffic, thanks to the development of the airport at Capodichino. MSC Cruises' ties with Naples also extend into the sporting arena, cultural activities and educational institutions.

"MSC Cruises has made Naples and its culture a vessel to be proudly exhibited in 28 nations where we have offices," explained Pellegrino, "and it is with great enthusiasm that the company chooses to contribute to the many initiatives of this region, reaffirming and strengthening its ties with the city.

"MSC Cruises has an imposing investment plan for the next four builds, a total of 13,000 beds, bringing MSC Cruises to the top of the list for new builds," Pellegrino continued. The MSC Cruises ships are differentiated by their elegant design and the capacity to host a growing number of guests in an intimate ambiance. Not only as a result of the 80 percent outside staterooms but also the ample outdoor deck spaces, guests on board MSC Cruises' ships can enjoy a special rapport with the sea.