MSC Cruises Welcomes MSC Splendida As Newest Addition to Fleet

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- MSC Splendida, the second in
MSC Cruises' luxurious "Fantasia" class of cruise ships and the newest
addition to the most modern fleet in the industry, was christened in Barcelona
yesterday. This latest ship brings the MSC Cruises' fleet total to 10 ships.

The event featured a Flamenco performance by Joaquin Cortes and a spectacular
display of castells, the Catalan tradition of human towers, in addition to a
special concert by world famous tenor Jose Carreras. Performing in his
hometown, the maestro was accompanied by the 60 musicians of the Orquestra
Simfonica del Valles.

The celebration was complete with a traditional ribbon cutting by the
godmother of the MSC Cruises fleet, Italian icon Sophia Loren, and a
spectacular fireworks display culminated the christening ceremony.

MSC Splendida - at 137,936 gross registered tons and 1,092 feet long, 124 feet
wide and 219 feet tall - ranks in the top tier of Post-Panamax megaships in
the world's cruise fleet and, with a top cruising speed of 23 knots, is
capable of sailing extensive itineraries to offer her guests truly outstanding
experiences.

As on the MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida features an Aqua Park main pool with 150
fountains and water jets, and North Pole-themed children's play center. MSC
Splendida's unique amenities include two mini-bowling alleys in her high-tech
Sports Bar and the signature L'Olivo restaurant, serving exciting
Mediterranean cuisine from couscous to paella.

She offers 1,637 staterooms (43 accommodate special needs guests) with 80
percent of them, including the ship's 107 suites, providing an ocean view. The
staterooms range from 193 to 571 square feet.

MSC Splendida features the company's newest private club concept, MSC Yacht
Club. Designed for discriminating vacationers and originally introduced on
MSC Fantasia, MSC Yacht Club offers an exclusive six-star experience at sea
unique to MSC Cruises. The 99 suites and luxurious private facilities in the
club area allow guests to enjoy the comfort and convenience of a personal
Butler trained to the rigorous standards of the International Butler Academy,
24-hour concierge service, private pool and bar, exclusive retail services,
and complimentary beverages. Selections include quality Italian wines from the
MSC Cruises wine cellar, beer and cocktails at the exclusive MSC Yacht Club
lounge.

The MSC Yacht Club also features private elevator access to the Aurea Spa and
a staircase sparkling with Swarovski crystals.

Highlights of MSC Splendida's many features include:

-- 290,000 square feet of public space, including an expansive theater;
the
18,300 square foot "Aurea Spa" well-being center; four
restaurants, including a speciality Mexican restaurant (Santa Fe) a
restaurant with a panoramic view (Villa Verde) and a restaurant
serving
specialty Mediterranean cuisine (L'Olivo); wine bar, coffee bar,
and several special theme bars, including a sports bar and Jazz bar;
shops, casino, disco club, mini-bowling alleys, Formula 1 simulator
and
an interactive 4D cinema.
-- Four swimming pools, including one with a Magrodome (retractable
roof).
The 150 fountains in the Aqua Park illuminate at night to the rhythm
of
music.

-- North Pole children's area - Thousands of square feet dedicated to
the younger guests where trained staff will offer the Mini-Club,
Junior
Club and Teenager Club programs that are a hallmark of MSC Cruises'
family-friendly style as all kids 17 and younger sail free. A
two-deck-high water slide that combines thrills and fun with
breathtaking scenic views highlights this youth-oriented space. There
will also be a fun area for Mini-Club, Junior Club, and Teenager Club
guests.

Designed by De Joro Design Studio, MSC Splendida's interiors complement these
famous sites of history with exuberant modern and classically refined Italian
designs featuring many natural and traditional materials.

Even before her christening, MSC Splendida achieved unique status as the first
ship to earn the "Energy Efficient Design" award from Bureau Veritas. This
worldwide recognition cites the ship's use of best-practice standards
throughout its design and onboard systems to conserve energy, according to the
international rating agency.

MSC Splendida is also the second MSC Cruises ship to earn the Bureau Veritas
Six Golden Pearls designation for compliance with the three highest
international standards in the areas of environment (ISO 14001), health and
safety (OHSAS 18001) and food safety (ISO 22000) and the additional notation
for the vessel Cleanship 2 (waste; water; air), covering systems which limit
emissions to the air and water and waste handling. MSC Fantasia, sister ship
to the MSC Splendida, also received this coveted honor when it was introduced
into the MSC Cruises fleet in December 2008.

Sailing the heart of the Mediterranean and the adjacent European Atlantic
seaboard, MSC Splendida is set to embark on a series of inspiring itineraries
to many of history's most famous sites. Alexandria, Ashdod, Athens, Barcelona,
Casablanca, Crete, Genoa, Madeira, Malta, Malaga, Naples, Olympia, Rhodes,
Rome, Taormina, Tenerife, and Tunis are among the destinations.

For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com or a local
travel professional.

SOURCE MSC Cruises

Public Relations Agency, DMOA, +1-973-605-2121, dmoa@gti.net; or Julianne
Carelli, Manager, Public Relations, or Gail Nicolaus, Director, Marketing,
both, of MSC Cruises (USA),Inc., +1-954-958-3262