Giant cruise line mulls Malta home port proposal

The giant Italian cruise line MSC Cruises is studying the possibility of using Malta as one of its home ports from 2008.

The company is in talks with Hamilton Travel, its exclusive agents in Malta, the Viset Consortium, the Malta Tourism Authority and Malta International Airport on this matter.

This possibility inched closer to reality when Hamilton Travel's managing director, Norman Hamilton, and the MTA marketing and sales director Jeffrey Cutajar had talks with MSC Cruises' chief executive officer Pierre Francesco Vago.

The meeting was timed to coincide with the christening ceremony of the 89,600-tonne MSC Musica, the latest liner in the expanding fleet of MSC Cruises, in Venice on June 29.

"The MSC Opera sails into Grand Harbour every Friday. However, we are hoping the company will start using the island as a home port for one of its liners soon," Mr Hamilton said.

He added that if the liner's itinerary started and ended in Malta it would boost the popularity of cruises among the Maltese because it would be more comfortable and cost-effective.

Cruises are proving to be extremely popular among the Maltese and between April and October last year Hamilton Travel had 2,500 passengers booked on the MSC Melody.

"Holidaying on a liner is slowly becoming the alternative to world travel. Ships are getting bigger and bigger, which means more flexible prices," he pointed out.

MSC Cruises alone is planning to have a total of 12 ships by 2009, offering more than 1.1 million berths and securing a place as a European market leader.

The new flagship, MSC Musica, will increase the fleet to eight ships. MSC Musica has 1,275 cabins, 80 per cent of which are external (65 per cent have a balcony), plus public areas totalling 22,000 square metres.

Speaking at a press conference on board the liner, which was berthed in Venice, Mr Vago said the MSC Musica was the first of a new generation of liners - the MSC Orchestra will join the fleet in 2007, followed by MSC Poesia and MSC Fantasia in 2008, and MSC Serenata in 2009.

Mr Vago stressed the 100 per cent made-in-Italy seal on board all its ships - from the food, the décor, hospitality and the Italian dolce vita.

After the press conference it was time for the grand ceremony.

Classical music drifted over the waves of Venice's canals, ballerinas danced in the air suspended from a helium balloon as people in Venetian costumes and masks paraded along the quay where the majestic MSC Musica waited to be christened by its godmother - the legendary Sophia Loren.

About the MSC Musica

Design

The design has been conceived and developed by designers Giuseppe and Marco De Jorio, leaders within the sector. Sip a cocktail at the Bar della Cascata with its transparent crystal floor over a large luminous water basin. Here you can enjoy the notes of the piano suspended in mid-air and experience the futuristic solutions of the interiors.

Service

The service is impeccable, diligent and, above all, to the standard of the typical Italian culture of hospitality, which combines politeness and professionalism.

Food for thought

The sophisticated and made-to-order cuisine is evident in the delicacies of the four restaurants on board. Le Maxim's and L'Oleandro cover the best of Italian traditional cuisine, while Il Giardino offers different a la carte menus inspired by all the ports. Then there is the exclusive Kaito Sushi Bar, which is ideal for those who love exotic atmospheres. The wine bar offers a wide selection of Italian and international wines, to be enjoyed alongside typical Italian products. The company prides itself that it serves 30 million meals in one year and till now they have had not one complaint of food contamination or sickness.

Spaces

The ship is 294 metres long and 32 metres wide with 1,275 cabins. The leisure areas on MSC Musica have been extended to the maximum, offering a warm welcome and plenty of comfort. The large pool area covers an area of 3,250 metres with three swimming pools and four Jacuzzis. For the health-conscious there is a fitness centre bar as well as a 1,250-square-metre spa. The disco can accommodate 172 guests. All these facilities are just a small part of the 22,000 square metres of public space intended for the main attraction of the holiday - fun. There is also a cigar room, a cyber internet café, a well-equipped gym, mini golf, and jogging track

On with the show

Circus and dance shows, the international Lido cabaret of Paris, musicals and the best of Italian classic music tradition, are among the highlights of the entertainment on board.