Four nights of christening celebrations for MSC Grandiosa reached their climax in Hamburg on Saturday night (9 November) with the official naming of the ship by screen goddess Sophia Loren.
The 181,000-ton ship took centre stage on the River Elbe, top of page, as the godmother officially named her 15th MSC Cruises vessel.
The evening’s main spectacle came as MSC Grandiosa passed the Elbphilharmonie just as a special lightshow illuminated the building and ship.
Sophia Loren christens MSC Grandiosa to conclude four nights of festivities
And following the actual naming ceremony by Ms Loren, a celebratory firework display lit up the sky as the ship passed through a spectacular gateway of blue night returning to her dock, symbolising her entry to the world.
This the was finale of MSC’s largest and longest christening event to date, spanning 27 days, eight countries and 11 ports.
After feasting on a Gala Dinner gourmet menu, created by renowned 3 Michelin starred German chef Harald Wohlfahrt, guests danced into the night in the Galleria Grandiosa, the ship’s 93-metre-long Mediterranean promenade where German DJ Mousse T. and British singer Emma Lanford performed.
MSC Grandiosa has now embarked on a grand tour, visiting Southampton, Lisbon, Barcelona, Marseille and Genoa before commencing her season of 7-night Wester Mediterranean cruises on 23 November.