MSC Cruises became the first international cruise line to resume sailings from mainland China since the epidemic, with MSC Bellissima making her first stop in Shanghai.
MSC Cruises executives, Chinese government officials, travel agencies, media members, and partners attended the special event, which included a tour of the cruise line’s Asian flagship.
“MSC Bellissima’s maiden call in Shanghai reaffirms our commitment to a market that continues to play an important strategic role for us,” MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato stated.
MSC Bellissima is slated to dock in Shanghai, Keelung, and Shenzhen during the summer of 2024. In addition, the MSC Splendida will sail from Shenzhen and Xiamen from December 2024 to April 2025, while the MSC Bellissima will return to her home port of Shanghai in January 2025.
With the new winter sailings, MSC Cruises becomes the first international cruise line to deploy two ships from four main ports in the region within the first year of returning.
“We are fulfilling our commitment to bring to the region a modern Asian flagship and we are dedicated to further invest in China and benefit the local economy,” Onorato added. “We want to push high-quality development of the cruise industry in the region, promote the cultural tourism industry and related home port markets.”
MSC Bellissima and MSC Splendida both have shore power capabilities, which means they may turn off their engines while in port, reducing local pollution. This is consistent with MSC Cruises’ commitment to environmental stewardship and a sustainable cruise industry.
