MSC Cruises on Saturday, November 27, celebrated the christening in Dubai (Port Rashid-Dubai Harbour, UAE) of its new flagship, MSC Virtuosa, just days after MSC Seashore in the Bahamas.
Godmother of the 6,334-passenger liner (as well as 1,704 crew and the first humanoid barman onboard) was once again Sophia Loren, who baptized a total of 17 of the 19 ships in the company's fleet.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, said they were honoured to host the time-honoured maritime tradition ceremony in the UAE-United Arab Emirates during its Golden Jubilee year and with it, to mark the line's longstanding and long-term commitment to the region.
"This is also why this winter MSC Virtuosa, a new and one of the most technologically and environmentally advanced ships in our fleet, will homeport in the country as part of our deployment in the Gulf region."
The official ceremony was attended by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, president & CEO of the UAE terminal group Dp World, and Helal Saeed Almarri, director-general of the Dubai economy and tourism department.
Following the MSC Virtuosa ceremony, which is one of the most environmentally advanced cruise ships, she is due to depart Dubai for her maiden voyage to the Gulf with calls in Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island (UAE private island), and Doha (Qatar).