MSC Cruises yesterday announced a new strategic partnership with Chinese outbound tourism provider CAISSA Touristic Group, which will see MSC Lirica homeport in Shanghai to service the Chinese home market. The ship will arrive in China in May 2016 after its upcoming Grand Voyage (CW 21 Aug). MSC ceo Gianni...
MSC Cruises yesterday
announced a new strategic
partnership with Chinese
outbound tourism provider
CAISSA Touristic Group, which
will see MSC Lirica homeport in
Shanghai to service the Chinese
home market.
The ship will arrive in China
in May 2016 after its upcoming
Grand Voyage (CW 21 Aug).
MSC ceo Gianni Onorato said
the ship was being renovated
as part of the company’s
Renaissance program, with
several distinctive traits
“especially designed for the
cruising enjoyment of Chinese
consumers”.
He said that while maintaining
a “Mediterranean atmosphere,”
the 2,500 passenger ship will
feature a high percentage of
native Mandarin speaking
guest-facing crew, with all guest
services provided in Mandarin.
“it will also offer popular as
well as high-end Chinese cuisine
as well as more traditional and
popular entertainments,” he said.
Full details of MSC Lirica’s
Chinese itineraries will be
revealed in the coming weeks.
