Loren, Bocelli toast completion of new liner

Two of Italy's biggest exports, Andrea Bocelli and Sophia Loren, descended on Dover to toast the completion of MSC Cruises latest liner, MSC Poesia.

The top names in the world of entertainment and representatives of MSC Cruises met to witness the christening ceremony, which included an outstanding concert in the liner's theatre.

Shortly after the concert, Ms Loren, the ship's godmother, christened the liner, which leaves Venice every Sunday headed for Bari, Katakolon, Izmir, Istanbul and Dubronvik.

Elegance, style and state-of-the-art technology are three factors that distinguish the new ship, the ninth in the fleet of MSC Cruises. MSC Poesia, with a gross tonnage of 90,000, is 294 metres long, 50 metres high and 32 metres wide, a veritable town-on-the-sea.

The liner prides itself of 1,275 cabins, 80 per cent of which overlook the sea, and 65 per cent have a balcony. The ship has a public space of 22,000 square metres, seven restaurants, two huge swimming pools and four hot tubs.

Its design was left in the hands of Studio De Jorio International, which has left behind its hallmark of lavish Italian design across the entire cruise liner.

Sophisticated colour schemes, attention to detail and a personalised service are all aimed to ensure a special cruise for every passenger.

Among the VIPs attending the christening ceremony were Prince Michael and the Princess of Kent, representing the English royalty, Gianluigi Aponte, the owner of MSC Cruises, chief executive Pier Francesco Vago, managing director Domenico Pellegrino and the sole representative of MSC Cruises in Malta, Norman Hamilton, chairman and chief executive of Hamilton Travel.

MSC Cruises is this year sending two weekly cruise liners, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Rhapsody, to Malta, totalling 116,000 tourists.

MSC Musica will also be sailing into the Grand Harbour in November, followed by MSC Opera in September and November, and the newly-launched MSC Poesia will visit in November and December.