MSC Releases Christening Schedule for MSC Grandiosa

MSC Cruises has announced the christening events for its newest flagship, the MSC Grandiosa. The celebrations will span 27 days throughout 8 countries and 11 ports, including special events in the city of Hamburg, where a special light display created with international light artist Michael Batz will take place in 20 locations. 

The events will kick off October 31 when the ship officially comes into service in St. Nazaire, France. After that, the ship will remain in the Port of Hamburg November 6 – 10, with the christening ceremony taking place on the evening of November 9. Twenty locations in Hamburg’s harbor will shine with a special blue light display, mixing industrial harbor light with graphic drawing. MSC said that the color blue was chosen as it is a significant part of the cruise line’s brand, and it also represents water. Out of respect for the environment and climate, many small lights with low energy consumption will be used, MSC said. 

MSC Grandiosa will begin regular seven-night cruises in the Western Mediterranean starting November 23, 2019 with six embarkation ports and calls at Genoa and Civitavecchia, Italy; Palermo, Sicily; Valetta, Malta; Barcelona, Spain; and Marseille, France.

The newest ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet, it will incorporate a number of new sustainability enhancements, including a selective catalytic reduction system, which will decrease nitrogen oxide emissions by 90 percent and transform it into pure water and nitrogen. The ship is also fitted with an advanced waste water treatment system that MSC said will lead to nearly zero impact on discharges, allowing the ship to operate in delicate environments such as the Baltic Sea and Alaska. Other technologies that are also present in MSC’s fleet include a hybrid exhaust gas cleaning system, system for the prevention of oil discharge from machinery spaces, a ballast water treatment system and various energy-saving improvements, such as heat recovery systems and LED lighting. 

For guests, the ship will sail with two new, original Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows; an outdoor, Mediterranean-style promenade; an art experience in L’Atelier Bistrot with 26 original etchings by French Impressionist Edgar Degas; dedicated kids areas designed in partnership with LEGO and Chicco; and a virtual, personal cruise assistant, ZOE, in every stateroom.

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