By
Cherie Rowlands |
Cruise ship MSC Divina was christened in Marseille, France, during a champagne ceremony on 26 May.
MSC fleet godmother and screen legend Sophia Loren cut the ribbon in officially naming the 12th ship for the company, with the firm praising both the region and port.
MSC Cruises CEO Pierfrancesco Vago said: “We could not have found a better choice than Marseille, where the majority of our French guests embark all year round and where MSC ships will call 80 times in 2012, bringing over 280,000 international guests to the region. MSC has also worked alongside the French Government with substantial investment in the local cruise terminal and MSC Divina’s christening event is the perfect opportunity to show MSC guests the comfort and modernity of a state-of-the-art terminal, a fitting gateway to the unforgettable onboard experience they will discover.” He added: “Since 2003 we have built our ships on French soil, partnering with the French shipyard and heavily contributing to employment and the economy. Tonight in Marseille we will celebrate this long-established relationship, paying homage to the country’s oldest and biggest port at the christening ceremony of our latest flagship, MSC Divina.”
French actor Gerard Depardieu narrated the evening’s events, which included a medley of MSC Divina’s theatrical shows for invited guests.
At 139,400 tons and accommodating around 3,500 passengers, the Divina is the largest in MSC Cruises' fleet with features including a suite designed by Sophia Loren and an infinity pool.
The 18-deck Divina departed from Marseille for her maiden Mediterranean voyage on 27 May calling at Civitavecchia and Messina in Italy, Valletta in Malta, then Dubrovnik, before concluding in Venice.The most advanced of the MSC Fantasia-class ships she will now spend until October 2012 cruising the Mediterranean from the Italian city.