FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (Jan. 30, 2007) – Another significant step has taken place between Venice and the Italian-styled MSC Cruises with the formation of the “Friends of Venice” partnership. “Friends of Venice” is designed to bring together supporters of the city to contribute to its image and the preservation of its heritage.
MSC Cruises has had a very strong presence in Venice, with 48 calls in 2006 by MSC Musica and MSC Armonia, for a total of 270,000 passengers. When MSC Orchestra, the sister ship to MSC Musica, joins the fleet in May, she will begin cruising from Venice on June 2, 2007. She will then be joined by MSC Armonia; these two ships will call in Venice 59 times, bringing 330,000 passengers. The Venice Passenger Terminal estimates that each every passenger arriving or departing from Venice spends an average of 8. The presence of these two ships would generate revenue of more than million.
As one of the “Friends of Venice,” MSC Cruises will sponsor and be linked to the most important events of the Venice Carnival, including the great Competition of the Masks in St Mark’s Square and the Historical Regatta, which takes place in September 2007.
“Venice offers an incredible synthesis of art, culture, show and tradition,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO for MSC Cruises. “This is an ongoing relationship and collaboration, started in 2000 and reinforced by the christening of our flagship MSC Musica, with the splendid background of Riva Sette Martiri. The co-operation from the entire city demonstrates the appreciation Venice has for our cruise program. We are privileged to participate in the ‘Friends of Venice’ club, the culmination of a plan for economic and cultural links which offers a perfect synergy between MSC Cruises and Venice.”
“MSC Cruises and Venice have a successful relationship,” declared Domenico Pellegrino, General Manager, MSC Cruises. “Venice welcomes many cruise passengers and is also a transit port of call, as well as a pre- and post-cruise destination for those with time to enjoy the magical atmosphere of the lagoon city. Venice represents an entrepreneurial opportunity for MSC Cruises and a promising area of development. We are including Venice as part of our ocean voyages program from South America and are also looking to develop Venice into a year-round cruise operation.”
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