How many ships has Sophia Loren named? Good pub quiz question. Maybe you know the answer, but all we know is that this will be her 17th naming for MSC and she appears to have been loyal to them.
Port Rashid was chosen to launch the ship this week. Its state-of-the-art facilities, passenger handling capacity and strategic location have helped it win accolades including being The Middle East’s Leading Cruise Port Award at The World Travel Awards 2021. That makes the 14th consecutive year.
MSC Cruises are the world’s third-largest cruise brand. Equipped with some of the latest marine technologies available, MSC Virtuosa is one of the world’s most environmentally advanced cruise ships. No effort has been spared to minimise her footprint. MSC Cruises shares the UAE’s ambition to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and MSC Virtuosa represents yet another milestone on the journey towards reaching this goal.
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MSC Virtuosa can carry up to 6,334 passengers and 1,704 crew and is set to serve the Arabian Sea until March 2022 from her base in Dubai. The innovative ship stands 19-decks tall and is set to welcome her guests this winter for week-long cruises from Dubai with the very best of fine dining international cuisine, world-class entertainment, relaxing bars and lounges with the largest shopping area at sea, spa and fitness centre, an aquapark and clubs for toddlers to teenagers. The ship’s showstopping feature is its iconic 112-metre promenade with a stunning LED skydome, the social heart of the ship. It features 10 restaurants, 21 bars and lounges, plus five swimming pools, and will serve stunning Arabian Sea itineraries throughout the winter season from her base in Dubai to offer the ship’s guests the opportunity to experience the best destinations in the Gulf region, including Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island and Qatar. Doris Visits has about ten port guides on visiting Dubai. See our Red Sea menu.
The Doris Visits RED SEA – ARABIA – and west coast INDIA port guide
The event at Port Rashid, in partnership with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and DP World, reflects the growing importance of the Emirate as a must-visit destination for global cruise holidaymakers not just weekend shopping trips. Dubai has so much more, from beaches to history. This ceremony hosted at the port reinforces the importance of the cruise industry’s contribution to the further development of tourism in the UAE.
A long-standing maritime tradition, the official Naming Ceremony of the ship will take place in the presence of the Master of the Vessel, Captain Francesco Veniero and local dignitaries.
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See my cruise and port accurate mystery thrillers in paperback and eBook Some in large print & as audiobooks. They are all set on a cruise and written like movies or TV series. Well, that is where I spent the last 50 years! The income is reinvested into this cruise site.
CHAT GROUPS – a fantastic way to help others and a place to find answers. We run a Facebook Group for each of the ships. For example, P&O IONA group P&O Ventura MARELLA EXPLORER Disney & Family cruise chatSAGA Ocean & River cruise chat group Viking Ocean & River Cruising chatCunard Chat – Premium cruise liners Find the complete list of chat groups here
