MSC CRUISES RECOGNISED FOR EXCELLENCE IN CRUISE CRITIC EDITORS’ PICKS TO CONTINUE AWARD WINNING TREND

As 2017 draws to a close, MSC Cruises – the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line is thrilled to announce another round of industry accolades. Cruise Critic, the leading site for cruise reviews and information, has honoured MSC Cruises with three awards in this year’s Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks. In the UK, MSC Cruises was named “Best Cruise Line for Families,” and the stunning MSC Meraviglia was named “Best New Ship.” In the US, the striking MSC Seaside was named “Best New Ship.” MSC Cruises has had a stellar year seeing the launch of two new mega-ships in 2017 at the start of an incredible growth plan and winning the best new ships award for both these ships is testament to the way in which MSC Cruises is taking the cruise experience to a whole new level.

In the UK awards MSC was named “Best Cruise Line for Families” where Cruise Critic praised the entire MSC fleet for its continued dedication to the family experience expressing, “MSC Cruises has long been family friendly, with a well-established kids-go-free offer, but recently it has gone a stage further.” The cruising experts emphasized MSC’s impressive partnerships with LEGO and Chicco saying, “Both these partnerships have been retro-fitted in kids' clubs across the fleet, culminating in arguably the best kids' club at sea on MSC Meraviglia.”

Antonio Paradiso, MD of MSC Cruises for the UK & Ireland said ‘It’s a real honour to receive these awards from such an influential voice within the cruise industry and to be recognised in two areas that are key to our growth and development as a Company. At MSC Cruises family has always been a priority for us and we are delighted to have been recognised in this area fleet-wide. As a family company we understand the importance of ensuring that both parents and children have an unforgettable holiday at an affordable price. We are constantly evolving and enriching our family offering to ensure that we have the widest range of activities and facilities for children of all ages.’

Host to the largest cruise community in the world, Cruise Critic is an international authority in the industry, offering awards once a year. The Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards are selected by Cruise Critic's international team of cruise experts, based on the lines and ships they feel best represent excellence in each of the designated categories.

Highlighting the brand new MSC Meraviglia as “Best New Ship - UK”, the editors at Cruise Critic were especially impressed with the spectacular food, entertainment, service and accommodations offered aboard this elegant vessel. Namely, MSC Meraviglia was praised for “top-notch speciality restaurants” that include impressive partnerships with Eataly and celebrity chefs, exclusive shows by Cirque du Soleil at Sea, guest service “at the top level,” and new cabin types.

On MSC Meraviglia winning best new ship, the UK MD said ‘MSC Meraviglia is the first new ship in our expanding fleet and is one of the best sold ships this year in the UK, alongside our second new ship for 2017, and US award winner, MSC Seaside. MSC Meraviglia is the first of a new generation of purpose built connected ships. It has strong appeal for UK market, offering a huge variety in entertainment, dining, and onboard experiences that British passengers have come to expect from a cruise holiday. Through world class partnerships with the likes of Cirque du Soleil and Lego we have been able to take the cruise experience to the next level and it’s great to be recognised for these innovations.’

A vacation aboard an MSC Cruises’ ship is an experience defined and distinguished by quality and excellence. Each ship in the MSC Cruises’ fleet showcases an ultra-modern, elegant design, comfortable accommodations, authentic international cuisine, family-friendly options, and award-winning entertainment. This year, the Swiss-based cruise line has been celebrated specifically for its family offerings, and its two brand-new next generation ships.

Receiving one of the most coveted awards in the U.S., the newly-built and the Company’s new flagship MSC Seaside was named “Best New Ship,” which Cruise Critic recognized enthusiastically noting MSC Seaside is “destined to become one of the best Miami-based ships around.” They gave compliment to the South Beach inspired design, the open-air promenade and alfresco dining, the massive water and adventure park, and all 9 restaurants onboard – including the Asian Market Kitchen by chef Roy Yamaguchi.

Capping off these noteworthy awards, MSC Cruises received two awards in the 2017 Porthole Cruise Magazine, the nation’s leading cruise travel magazine, Reader’s Choice Awards, including “Best Social Media” and “Best Theme Cruise.” Most recently, Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards recognized MSC Cruises as the 4th best cruise line in the world, in the large cruise ship category. The award has over 300,000 readers submitting millions of ratings and thousands of comments, sharing their recent travel experiences of the world’s cities, islands, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, and airports.

MSC Cruises is also a star performer in the Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Ships 2018 guide, where four MSC Cruises’ ships were recognised in the top 10 large resort ships including MSC Divina, MSC Preziosa and the two new additions to the fleet in 2017, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside. In addition, seven of the 12 ships in the current fleet received a rating of 4 out of a possible 5+ stars, while MSC Preziosa receives a coveted 4+, which is awarded for “a high-quality cruise experience.”

To see a full list of the 2017 Cruise Critic’s Editor’s Pick awards, please visit HERE.

MSC Cruises is the number one cruise line in Europe and South America, and sails year-round in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Seasonal itineraries cover northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, Cuba and the French Antilles, South America, southern Africa, and Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sir Bani Yas.

In 2014, MSC Cruises launched an investment plan to support the second phase of its growth through the order of two ships of the Meraviglia Class and two others of the Seaside Class and in February 2016, confirmed the existing options to build a further two now Meraviglia-Plus Class ships with an even greater capacity. In April 2016 this rose to €9 billion with the announcement of signing of the slot reservation agreement to build a further four ships, each with next-generation LNG propulsion technology. In November 2017, the Company confirmed a slot reservation agreement in 2021 and secured a second slot in 2023 for two Seaside Evo ships, raising the total investment plan to €10 billion. MSC Cruises is the first global cruise line brand to develop an investment plan of this length and magnitude, that between 2017 and 2020 will have already delivered six new cruise ships.

The MSC Cruise experience embodies the elegant side of the Mediterranean to create unique and unforgettable emotions for guests, through discovery of the world’s cultures, beauties and tastes. Its fleet comprises 14 modern ships: MSC Seaside, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa; MSC Divina; MSC Splendida; MSC Fantasia; MSC Magnifica; MSC Poesia; MSC Orchestra; MSC Musica; MSC Sinfonia; MSC Armonia; MSC Opera and MSC Lirica.

MSC Cruises feels a deep responsibility for the environments in which it operates, and was the first company ever to earn the Bureau Veritas "7 Golden Pearls" for superior management and environmental stewardship. In 2009, MSC Cruises began an enduring partnership with UNICEF to support various programmes assisting children worldwide. So far, more than €7 million has been collected in voluntary guest donations.

Cruise Critic® is an online cruise guide, offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travellers, from first-time cruisers to avid cruise enthusiasts. The site features more than 350,000 cruise reviews and hosts the world's largest online cruise community where travellers share experiences and opinions with fellow cruisers. Cruise Critic was the first consumer cruise site on the Internet, launched in October 1995 by The Independent Traveller, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc.