MSC Cruises are on the hunt for UK celebrities to help christen its new ship, MSC Bellissima, in Southampton next March.
Up until now screen goddess Sophia Loren has been the godmother to all MSC Cruises’ new ships, but its UK managing director, Antonio Paradiso, has confirmed the godmother has yet to be confirmed and that the line is looking for British stars to perform at the naming ceremony.
MSC Bellissima is sister ship to MSC Meraviglia, which launched in 2017
Paradiso said MSC’s staging the christening in Southampton showed the line’s commitment to the UK market.
“MSC Cruises is going from strength to strength in the UK and Ireland, and the fact that such a high profile event is being held here is a signal of the importance of the UK and Ireland to MSC Cruises,” he continued.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, added: “For each new ship, MSC Cruises carefully selects a country and a port to host the christening. We have chosen to host the christening of MSC Bellissima in Southampton as a demonstration of our continued commitment to growth in the UK and Ireland.
“This is a truly beautiful ship, worthy of the name Bellissima and this christening will be a truly beautiful moment for MSC Cruises and the UK .”
The ceremony will take place on 2 March during a three-day showcase in Southampton when 3,000 guests are expected to visit the ship. More than 80 per cent of the guests will be sales agents attending dedicated on-board trade events on 1 and 3 March.
It is ten years since MSC last christened a ship in the UK with the launch of MSC Poesia in Dover in 2008.
Bellissima, sister ship to MSC Meraviglia which launched last year, will be the largest ship to be christened in the UK, weighing in at 171,600 tons room for 4,500 passengers.
The ship’s maiden sailing from Southampton will be a seven-night western Mediterranean to Genoa departing 4 March, after which she will continue to offer seven-night western Mediterranean itineraries before moving to Dubai for winter 2019-20.
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