Is MSC to Italian for China?

Well, apparently not as MSC Cruises have recently announced that in 2016 the MSC Lirica will homeport in Shanghai from the 1^st May 2016. MSC is current giving the Lirica a facelift by lengthening and refitting her as part of the Renaissance program which saw MSC spend out $225 million on the ships, so she is a great ship to base in China although the competition is mega in China with Royal Caribbean, Princess, Costa, Carnival and also NCL whom have been away for 13 years to also basing ships out that way. So it really will be a case of Sink or Swim!

MSC Cruises offer a typical Italian experience so that similar to Costa although Costa passengers may be reluctant to move across however MSC.

Whilst MSC are in China they will operate with a joint partnership with a Chinese company call CAISSA Touristic, whom are partners with the other cruise lines already operating out of China.

MSC are taking customer feedback in to account to and will take on 30% Chinese speaking crew and open a training centre in the Philippines this is due to when they based the MSC Divina in Miami, many of the guests found fault with the fact most of the staff did not speak fluent English which then affects the quality of the service.

The refit will see a host of features designed to thrill the Chinese markets including shops, Mandarin signage and a different colour scheme. She will also have Chinese food on the menu and a range of Chinese entertainment so I suppose with this she won’t be to Italian for China!

MSC Lirica will do a 60 day Grand Voyage with guests able to join her in Rio de Janeriro, Dubai or Genoa and then she will finally finish in Shanghai where to start off with will be based for two years.

MSC are expanding in the Cruising world including the news that MSC Opera would be based in Cuba.

Would you travel to China to travel on MSC Cruises?