Bellissima!

Go back just a few years and only a few people in the UK had heard of MSC Cruises. Yesterday, I walked through my local high street and all three travel agencies were displaying large posters advertising this line.

So who are they? Mediterranean Shipping Company is actually the second-largest shipping line in the world. Founded nearly 50 years ago in Italy in 1970 as a privately owned container shipping company, they expanded into the cruise industry by buying Lauro Lines in 1989. Not a new company then!

I was lucky to attend the christening by the famous film actress Sophia Loren of MSC Poesia in Dover in 2008. This was a brave move by MSC to establish themselves in the UK and it seems to have certainly paid off. Now over ten years later, it has just been announced that their brand new Meraviglia-class stunner, MSC Bellissima (Beautiful) will be christened in Southampton in March 2019 before sailing off to Genoa to start the new season. MSC Preziosa will replace MSC Magnifica to be based in Southampton. I have enjoyed sailing on both these ships but Preziosa is larger by nearly 750 passengers and newer so this again shows the cruiseline’s determination to win over British hearts.

This cruise company have amazing rates, fantastic itineraries worldwide and some of the best child prices going. They also have stunning ships, some even having staircases adorned with thousands of glittering Swarovski crystals, and one of the best value drinks packages on board. They also have one of the most generous loyalty schemes with discounts sometimes offered on cruises before you have ever sailed with them.

Will you like MSC? The answer to this question, only you can answer but why not give them a try? No two cruise lines are the same so you can stick to the same one or brave trying something new. It certainly seems like they are here to stay and I for one am pleased about that.

Let me know your thoughts…