MSC Cruise�s stunning new flagship MSC Splendida was christened last Sunday, 12 July 2009, in a suitably splendid style by screen legend Sophia Loren. The ceremony was accompanied by a spectacular gala show starring operatic maestro Jos� Carreras and other acclaimed artists.

The choice of Barcelona follows MSC Cruise�s innovative practice of christening its ships in different countries, a tradition that started with MSC Poesia in Dover in April 2008 and will continue with MSC Magnifica in Hamburg next year.

The arrival of MSC Splendida brings the number of ships in the MSC Cruises fleet to 10. She and her sister ship MSC Fantasia are the largest ships ever built by a European ship owner. Each capable of carrying 3,959 passengers, these �floating cities� are 333,3m long, 66.8m tall and weigh 137,936 metric tons.

MSC Splendida�s design, by leading naval architects De Jorio Design International, boasts numerous technological innovations dedicated to ensuring unsurpassed levels of guest comfort and environmental protection. In recognition of her eco-friendly credentials, she will receive the prestigious �6 Golden Pearls� award, previously awarded to MSC Fantasia. Mr Didier Chaleat, Senior Vice-President of Bureau Veritas will present the award at the press conference prior to the christening ceremony.

�With MSC Fantasia, we believed we had built the most beautiful ship in the world,� comments Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises. �Now I know we were wrong. MSC Splendida truly lives up to her name, bringing more splendour to cruising than has ever been seen before. With her arrival, our fleet now numbers ten ships, an important milestone that could not have been achieved without the qualities always shown by the MSC Cruises team: energy, passion and professionalism. Qualities that could equally refer to Barcelona itself, a dynamic city and a truly important port for us, with 82 calls bringing 304,000 passengers here this year alone.�

On Saturday 11 July, as a prelude to the christening, the MSC Cruceros Cup was held in Barcelona�s Palau Blaugrana arena. This charitable indoor football tournament brought together three of the world�s most successful clubs - F.C. Barcelona, A.C. Milan and Real Madrid C.F. - each team playing both of the other teams. All proceeds from the event will be used to help the victims of the recent earthquake in Italy�s Abruzzo region.

Continuing in their efforts to improve the lives of those who are disadvantaged, MSC Cruises has recently announced a partnership with UNICEF in an initiative aimed at improving the impoverished lives of children in Brazil.

For the next three years, MSC Cruises will support a UNICEF project to ensure children and adolescents in 127 vulnerable communities in Rio de Janeiro receive a quality education. The alliance will seek to extend policies, programmes and investments in public education, benefiting not only the children themselves but also their families and the community.

The event marking MSC Splendida�s christening was as dramatic and awe-inspiring as the ship herself. Featuring a performance by Flamenco dance troupe Los Vivancos and a spectacular display of castells, the Catalan tradition of human towers, the evening�s entertainment also included a special concert by world famous tenor Jos� Carreras. Performing in his hometown, the maestro was accompanied by the 60 musicians of the Orquestra Simf�nica del Vall�s.

Completing the colourful ceremony was a parade of the ships� officers and, of course, the traditional cutting of the ribbon by the godmother of the MSC Cruises fleet, Sophia Loren. The celebrations culminated in a dazzling fireworks display.

The christening ceremony was streamed live on www.mscwebtv.com and is subsequently available for viewing on the same website or on www.mscsplendida.com.

Alongside the famous cities and beauty spots visited, MSC Splendida is going to prove to be a holiday destination in its own right. MSC Splendida will be launching a brand new cruising route starting from Barcelona (Spain), then embarking in a series of inspiring itineries to many of history�s most famous sites, including Genoa (Italy), Tunis (Tunisia), La Valletta (Malta), Messina (Sicily, Italy), Civitavecchia (Rome/ Italy), and Marseilles (France).

From November 16 onwards, the cruising route will extend and starting from Barcelona (Spain), then embarking in Genoa (Italy), Katakolon (Greece), Piraeus (Greece), Rhodes(Greece), Alexandria (Egypt), Marmaris (Turkey), Heraklion (Crete), Massina (Sicily,Italy), Naples (Italy), and ending at Genoa (Italy). These majestic destinations will be perfectly complimented by the unfaltering Italian design to be enjoyed on board. Let the beauty of Italy ease away stress in the Neapolitan style traditional piazza or in L�Olivo restaurant; specializing in the cuisine of the Mediterranean from Couscous to Paella.

What�s more? To further enhance the special offers for cruising with MSC Cruises, MSC Cruises will be offering the exclusive deal over the summer months. Booking now until August, entitles MSC Yacht Club guests to receive �300 on board credit per cabin. *Remarks: Offer valid to booking for MSC Fantasia from now to 30 Aug 2009 and MSC Splendida on 13 Jul to 29 Aug 2009 respectively

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Notes to Editors:

About MSC Cruises MSC Cruises currently has the most modern fleet in the world with TEN ships: MSC Splendida in 2009 � share the same class with MSC Fantasia, it is the largest ship ever built for a European ship owner, MSC Fantasia and MSC Poesia were launch in 2008, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia, MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Melody cruising in the Mediterranean all year round, Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Indian Ocean and South Africa - will increase to 11 ships by 2010, with the delivery of MSC Magnifica. MSC Cruises is the only Company to receive the �6 Golden Pearls� award from the Bureau Veritas in recognition of its high level of quality management and environmental protection.

About the Guests: Sophia Loren was born in Rome and grew up near Naples. Her talent and beauty helped her to become an international icon. Considered the most popular Italian actress of her time, she has won numerous awards, including an Oscar for her role in La Ciociara (Two Women).

Jos� Carreras was born in Barcelona. His extraordinary career has seen him collaborate with the most renowned orchestra conductors, performing a repertoire of over sixty operas and making over 150 recordings. Since 1988, he has also enthusiastically presided over the �Jos� Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation�.

Los Vivancos are seven brothers who grew up performing together, pursuing individual artistic careers around the world before reuniting in Madrid as a Flamenco dance troupe in 2004. They have achieved international success, winning numerous awards and performing to huge audiences both live and on television. The Orquestra Simf�nica del Vall�s, founded in 1987, is based in the city of Sabadell, Spain, and appears as the regular orchestra of the Opera in Catalonia. In 1992, it was awarded the National Music Prize of Catalonia.

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