Italian Icon Sophia Loren, Internationally-Known Tenor Jose Carreras to Welcome MSC Splendida on July 12

Italian Icon Sophia Loren, Internationally-Known Tenor Jose Carreras to Welcome MSC Splendida on July 12

MSC Cruises to Christen Newest Ship in Barcelona

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- MSC Splendida, the second in MSC Cruises' luxurious "Fantasia" class of cruise ships, is scheduled to be christened in Barcelona on July 12 during a ceremony featuring several world-class performers.

Italian icon Sophia Loren welcomes MSC Splendida as the latest addition to the MSC Cruises' fleet amidst lavish festivities. She continues the tradition of serving as the ship's godmother, as she has for MSC Lirica, MSC Opera, MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia and MSC Fantasia. Like MSC Splendida, Loren represents the epitome of Italian elegance and style.

Jose Carreras, internationally-known Spanish operatic lyric tenor, lends his memorable voice to the celebration as well. Carreras was one of the "Three Tenors" (along with the Italian singer Luciano Pavarotti and the Spanish singer Placido Domingo); they are credited with helping find a broader audience for opera. The recording of their first performance together, Carreras, Domingo, Pavarotti in Concert, won a Grammy Award in 1991.

Cruising the heart of the Mediterranean and the adjacent European Atlantic seaboard, MSC Splendida is set to embark on a series of inspiring itineraries to many of history's most famous sites. Alexandria, Ashdod, Athens, Barcelona, Casablanca, Crete, Genoa, Madeira, Malta, Malaga, Naples, Olympia, Rhodes, Rome, Taormina, Tenerife, and Tunis are among the destinations.

Designed by De Joro Design Studio, MSC Splendida's interiors will complement these famous sites of history with exuberant modern and classically refined Italian designs featuring many natural and traditional materials.

For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com or a local travel professional.

MSC Cruises is the fastest growing cruise line in the world with a fleet of nine ships: MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia, MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, and MSC Melody. Two new ships launch soon; MSC Splendida (July of 2009) and MSC Magnifica (March of 2010). MSC Cruises is the only company in the world to receive the "6 Golden Pearls" award from the Bureau Veritas in recognition of its exceptional quality management and environmental protection.

Source: MSC Cruises

CONTACT: Cheryl Fenske, for MSC Cruises, +1-973-605-2121

Web Site: http://www.msccruisesusa.com/

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