'Star of the Sea Award' Recieved by MSC Crociere CEO

PIERFRANCESCO VAGO WINNER OF THE YACHTSMAN 2008 AWARD

CEO OF MSC CROCIERE RECEIVES THE PRESTIGIOUS ‘STAR OF THE SEA’ AWARD

FOR AMERICA’S CUP, CRUISES AND SAILING

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (March 26, 2009) – Pierfrancesco Vago has been named “Yachtsman 2008.” The CEO of MSC Crociere (parent company of MSC Cruises, (USA), Inc.) was awarded this prize on Saturday, March 21 during a gala evening organized by the “Salone Nautico Internazionale di Venezia” (Venice Boat Show), in collaboration with Yacht Capital magazine.

This prestigious award, now in its fourth year, was presented to Vago as “Star of the Sea, for America’s Cup, cruises and sailing” – a man and a manager distinguished by his dedication to navigation and the sea.

The highest authorities of the City of Venice and the Veneto Region, as well as business leaders in the nautical world and journalists, were present at the awards ceremony, held at the splendid location of Palazzo Vendramin Calergi.

“It is an honor to receive this important recognition of my passion for and deep love of the sea. I accept this award as a modern skipper at the helm of a great team facing new and complex dynamics every day,” said Vago.

“Our company boasts the highest level of professionalism with a young, dynamic team focused on growth and the achievement of valuable objectives. Through their work, efficiency and dedication they have contributed over the past few years to making MSC Crociere what it is today,” he added.

MSC Cruises currently has the most modern fleet in the world with nine ships: MSC Fantasia (the largest ship ever built for a European ship owner), MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Melody, cruising in the Mediterranean year round and seasonally in Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Indian Ocean and South Africa. MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica will be launched, respectively, in 2009 and 2010. MSC Cruises is the only company to receive the "6 Golden Pearls" award from the Bureau Veritas in recognition of its high level of quality management and environmental protection.

MSC YACHT CLUB Ranked Among ‘Best Suites at Sea’

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (March 23, 2009) – MSC Cruises offers guests the ultimate in cruising with its new MSC Yacht Club experience, featuring accommodations that CruiseCritic.com calls among the “best suites at sea.”

Like a “ship within a ship,” MSC Yacht Club dedicated VIP areas are available onboard the MSC Fantasia, which debuted in December 2008) and MSC Splendida (to be launched in summer 2009). The MSC Yacht Club allows guests to experience the best of both worlds – more personalized service and a private, intimate space while also enjoying the full benefits of all the magnificent vessel has to offer.

Cruise Critic a leading cruise information and rating site for consumers, ranked the MSC Yacht Club Royal Suites as one of the “Best Suites at Sea,” describing them as “spacious and cozy at the same time.”

The site’s editors added, “Fun bells and whistles range from Wii on the living room television to fantastic butler service. Although this is the nicest of the 99 cabins that qualify for Yacht Club status, just being in the Yacht Club area is a big plus. You have a private club with full bar (no charge) and light, but definitely adventurous, food throughout the day. Yacht Club guests also have access to a private pool area, a grill and another bar.”

As its name implies, MSC Yacht Club offers guests a cruise experience comparable to sailing on a luxury yacht. In addition to elegant decor, guests enjoy an extraordinary level of pampering and personal service that begins with priority check-in and continues with 24-hour butler service, with butlers trained to the standards of the International Butler Academy. Butlers are available to unpack, deliver guests’ favorite international newspapers, serve daily English Afternoon Tea and arrange for front-row seats in the ship’s theater.

The pampering continues with the staff at the Concierge Desk. Available 24 hours a day, the concierge staff offers a wealth of information and special services, including reservations for alternative dining and spa services as well as arranging private shore excursions and onboard shopping from the luxurious desk area, which is complete with stairs adorned with Swarovski crystals.

This unique lifestyle experience includes several exclusive areas for MSC Yacht Club guests, including the Pool One (with a pool, solarium and two spa baths under a Sky Dome), the Top Sail Lounge with its spectacular panoramic views and the Privé VIP area of the Liquid Disco. Most suites also offer special access to the MSC Aurea Spa.

The spacious suites within MSC Yacht Club are fitted out to the highest standards, complete with full bath and shower with marble accents, interactive TV, WiFi, Nintento Wii, luxurious linens by Mascioni Italy, ergonomic mattresses and a Dorelan pillow menu.

When it comes to dining, MSC Yacht Club guests have access to round-the-clock dedicated room service menu; complimentary drinks, pastries and appetizers at the Top Sail Lounge all day long; complimentary dining at L’Etoile, the gourmet French restaurant, as well as dining in a special reserved section of the panoramic Cerchio d’Oro main restaurant. In addition, complimentary beverages are available in the MSC Yacht Club cafes, bars and the ship’s main restaurant.

MSC Yacht Club offers a choice of 88 Deluxe Suites (sleeping 2 to 4 adults), 9 Executive Family Suites and 2 Royal Suites. Two of the Deluxe Suites are fully equipped for the comfort of people with disabilities. MSC Yacht Club suites also have complimentary mini-bars. Guests can also enjoy in-stateroom spa treatments, and laundry and dry cleaning are included free of charge.

While providing all the comfort, service and privacy of a personal yacht, MSC Yacht Club also offers the best of both worlds, bringing full and privileged access to the incredible variety of superior sports facilities, shopping, dining, gaming and entertainment found on the magnificent floating city.

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

MSC Cruises currently has the most modern fleet in the world with nine ships: MSC Fantasia (the largest ship ever built for a European ship owner), MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Melody, cruising in the Mediterranean year round and seasonally in Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Indian Ocean and South Africa. MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica will be launched, respectively, in 2009 and 2010. MSC Cruises is the only company to receive the "6 Golden Pearls" award from the Bureau Veritas in recognition of its high level of quality management and environmental protection.

Introducing MSC Orchestra

Introducing the MSC Orchestra, the Caribbean's shining gem among cruise ships. A luxury cruise ship with 18 floors of vacation entertainment is now sailing for the Caribbean cruise season beginning in late 2008. With five (5) restaurants, dining options are plentiful aboard this beautiful addition to MSC's line of cruise ships. Be sure to dine in the Shanghai, the only sophisticated Chinese restaurant available on board a Caribbean cruise vacation. State-of-the art luxury may be the best way to describe a vacation through the Caribbean Islands aboard the Orchestra. Keeping active while on vacation is easy on the Orchestra, with tennis and basketball courts, a large fitness center complete with sea-views and a Mind Spa meditation area, you may forget to relax aside the beautiful Acapulco and Cala Blanca pools. We invite you to join us aboard the MSC Orchestra for your next Caribbean cruise vacation.

Theme Cruise Vacations | MSC Poesia’s 2009-10 Caribbean Cruises

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (March 9, 2009) – As if a Caribbean cruise with MSC Cruises isn’t special enough, the line is offering a lineup of eight theme cruise vacations on MSC Poesia during the 2009-10 Caribbean season.

“The complimentary theme cruise activities give guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in a favorite subject or introduce themselves to something new,” says Richard E. Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises (USA), Inc.

Plus, cruise-only rates beginning at $549 per person, double occupancy (government fees and taxes additional) make theme cruises an extra-special value.

MSC Poesia’s 2009-10 Caribbean season of roundtrip cruises from Fort Lauderdale will feature the ever-popular Baseball Greats, Big Band, and Polka theme cruises. Here is a review of what these theme cruises feature:

Baseball Greats

During the sailing, guests gain insight into the world of Major League Baseball as seen through the eyes of some of the greats of the game.

The Baseball Greats theme cruise includes free interactive guest/player activities, including a player-hosted trivia game in which guests can test their baseball knowledge, question-and-answer sessions with the players, a guest pitching contest and a lively story-telling session in which the players share some candid revelations about some of the “characters” of the game. Players will also host pitching, hitting, fielding and base running clinics.

Perhaps the most popular activity is the free autograph session at the end of the cruise.

The following itineraries will be Baseball Greats theme cruises:

• Nov. 20, 2009: 10-night Southern Caribbean Cruise featuring Panama, calling at Willemstad, Curacao; Oranjestad, Aruba;; Cartagena, Colombia; Cristobal, Panama; and Playa del Carmen, Mexico


• Jan. 16, 2010: 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise, calling at Key West, Florida; Playa del Carmen, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Nassau, Bahamas.
• Feb. 6, 2010: 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise
• March 6, 2010: 7-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise, calling at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philippsburg, St. Maarten; Road Town, Tortola; and Nassau, Bahamas
• April 3, 2010: 7-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise

Special guests on these itineraries will be announced at a later date.

Big Band

The 15-piece Les DeMerle Big Band, with vocalist Bonnie Eisele, will be featured on two MSC Poesia sailings. Dynamic drummer Les DeMerle has toured and recorded with the Harry James Big Band and Wayne Newton; the band has also accompanied many top singers, including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., The Manhattan Transfer, Mel Torme and Al Jarreau.

The Les DeMerle Big Band is sure to have toes tapping, bodies swaying and guests singing along to the sounds of Ellington, Basie, James and Miller, plus the biggest Broadway hits, rock 'n' roll classics, hot Latin grooves and show-stoppers from the ‘40s through today. In addition to their performances, the band will present a Big Band Jazz Concert and conduct a lecture on the Big Band Era.

The followingitineraries will feature the Big Band theme cruise vacation:

• Dec. 10, 2009: 10-night Caribbean featuring Panama, calling at Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cartagena, Colombia; Cristobal, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; and Playa del Carmen, Mexico
• Feb. 27, 2010 – 7-night Western Caribbean

Polka Time

MSC Poesia will host a Polka Cruise on its Jan. 9, 2010 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing.

Two well-known polka bands will keep guests dancing and swaying:

• John Stevens Double Shot is a popular Pennsylvania-based group that plays its contemporary polka rhythms at numerous festivals throughout the country. The group’s most popular songs are “Everyone’s Having Fun,” “Gonna Have a Party,” and “Back to the Sea.”


• Joe Stanky and the Cadets have been performing classic polka sounds for more than 25 years. The group also features a range of styles, including honky, country, Slovenian and both English and Polish vocals. The group’s newest CD is “Sing Me Back Home.”

To review more information about MSC Cruises and its theme cruises in the Caribbean, visit www.MSCCRuisesUSA.com or a local travel professional.

MSC Cruises currently has the most modern fleet in the world with nine ships: MSC Fantasia (the largest ship ever built for a European ship owner), MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Melody, cruising in the Mediterranean year round and seasonally in Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Indian Ocean and South Africa. MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica will be launched, respectively, in 2009 and 2010. MSC Cruises is the only company to receive the "6 Golden Pearls" award from the Bureau Veritas in recognition of its high level of quality management and environmental protection.

MSC Cruises Extends Caribbean Spring Sale Rates from $60 per Person, per Night and Kids Cruise Free

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (MARCH 12, 2009) – MSC Cruises has extended the deadline for winter-weary travelers to take advantage of special savings on Springtime Caribbean cruises, with rates beginning at $60 per person, per night and kids 17 years of age or younger sailing free on the beautiful MSC Lirica.

These special cruise-only, double occupancy rates (government taxes and fees are additional) must be booked by March 31, 2009.

Combining Italian zest for life and outstanding values, a 10-night voyage on MSC Lirica from Fort Lauderdale to the sunny islands of the Caribbean offers a perfect way to say good-bye to winter and celebrate the arrival of spring.

The MSC Lirica will cap its spring Caribbean cruise season with two 10-night Deep Caribbean sailings departing March 24 and April 13 that visit six of the Caribbean’s most appealing and romantic islands – Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua, Tortola and the Dominican Republic, where guests can enjoy the line’s private island experience.

When you combine these special rates with MSC Cruises’ “Kids Sail Free” offer (kids ages 17 and younger sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults), a Caribbean cruise on MSC Lirica is a fantastic value and a memorable experience ideal for multi-generational family vacations and reunions.

Review more information about MSC Cruises by visting http://www.msccruisesusa.com/ or a local travel professional.

MSC Cruises currently has the most modern fleet in the world with nine ships: MSC Fantasia (the largest ship ever built for a European ship owner), MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Melody, cruising in the Mediterranean year round and seasonally in Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Indian Ocean and South Africa. MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica will be launched, respectively, in 2009 and 2010. MSC Cruises is the only company to receive the "6 Golden Pearls" award from the Bureau Veritas in recognition of its high level of quality management and environmental protection.

Fly Free to Europe When You Sail on Select MSC Cruises’ 7-night Itineraries

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (March 9, 2009) – For a limited time, MSC Cruises is offering free roundtrip airfare from select gateways in conjunction with its 2009 7 night Europe itineraries this summer.

The 2009 Europe Free Air promoton is available on flights from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Miami, JFK, Newark, Tampa and Orlando.

Rates (including cruise, roundtrip air, air taxes and airport transfers) on select sailings begin at $1,199 per person, double occupancy.

The offer includes select Eastern Mediterranean cruises on MSC Poesia, MSC Musica, MSC Opera and MSC Armonia sailing roundtrip from Venice; MSC Orchestra’s Northern Europe itineraries cruise roundtrip from Copenhagen; and Western Mediterranean cruise itineraries of the new MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida (which debuts this summer) sailing from Barcelona.

Bookings must be made by April 30, 2009. A $250 per person non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking.

To review more information, visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com or a local travel professional.

MSC Cruises currently has the most modern fleet in the world with nine ships: MSC Fantasia (the largest ship ever built for a European ship owner), MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Melody, cruising in the Mediterranean year round and seasonally in Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Indian Ocean and South Africa. MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica will be launched, respectively, in 2009 and 2010. MSC Cruises is the only company to receive the "6 Golden Pearls" award from the Bureau Veritas in recognition of its high level of quality management and environmental protection.

MSC CRUISES - Crew Members Aid in Saving Overboard Passenger

MSC Cruises Crew Members to be Honored

For Swift Action and Bravery

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (March 6, 009) – Four courageous crew members who immediately rushed to the aid of an overboard passenger on MSC Fantasia are to be officially commended by the local port authorities and government, and the ship’s owner MSC Cruises.

The incident happened on Thursday, march 5 in the port of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, due to factors beyond the control of MSC Cruises. The port authorities have confirmed their responsibility for the incident.

MSC Fantasia was moored and passengers were disembarking, when the strong winds to which the ship was exposed caused three bow mooring bitts to become detached simultaneously. As a result, the ship moved away from the dock, causing a disembarking guest to fall into the water.

Four members of the crew immediately dived in to help the man, who was brought to shore in just a few minutes and taken to a hospital, where he is currently under observation. The passenger is of Egyptian origin with Italian nationality and is in his 80s.

The port authorities of Palma de Mallorca, the city Mayor, a delegate of the central government in Mallorca and MSC Cruises will officially recognize the immense bravery and heroism of the crew members who dived in immediately after the passenger to bring him to safety in a matter of minutes.

The four crew members are:

Salvatore Caso – Chief Crew Steward, from Italy
Mr Naim Samsudin – Able Fireman, from Indonesia
Mr Andrian O Williams – Housekeeping Cleaner, from Madagascar
Mr Faamoe Lalopua – Able Sailor, from Samoa

At the time of the incident, the ship’s captain immediately took control of the ship, preventing any damage, and the ship was transferred to a different pier.

The crew members were also taken to a hospital for a check-up and all four have since returned to work on the ship, which continued to cruise to its next destination as usual.

Review of MSC Cruises:

MSC Cruises currently has the most modern fleet in the world with nine ships: MSC Fantasia (the largest ship ever built for a European ship owner), MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Melody, cruising in the Mediterranean year round and seasonally in Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Indian Ocean and South Africa. MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica will be launched, respectively, in 2009 and 2010. MSC Cruises is the only company to receive the "6 Golden Pearls" award from the Bureau Veritas in recognition of its high level of quality management and environmental protection.

MSC Cruises | Jam Cruise - Leaving a Positive Legacy

JAM CRUISE 7 – LEAVING A POSITIVE LEGACY IN BELIZE CITY, BELIZE AND COSTA MAYA, MEXICO

Floating Festival Held on Environmentally Friendly MSC Orchestra

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (February 17, 2009) – Jam Cruise – the floating festival where everyone on board has a “back stage pass” – made yet another epic voyage this January, sailing for five days from Florida to Belize City, Belize and Costa Maya, Mexico on the elegant and environmentally friendly MSC Orchestra. While Jam Cruise is a celebration of music, it’s also a celebration of community and an opportunity to do something positive for the areas visited during the cruise. The Leaving a Positive Legacy program offers passengers a hands-on opportunity to help communities outside their own.

Jam Cruise worked with seven different schools and an orphanage in Belize and Costa Maya to create a communal wish list of necessities and invited passengers to donate items. Individual passenger donations filled an entire room on the ship with school supplies, clothing, shoes, sports equipment and musical instruments – the equivalent of four pallets of donations was collected in all. Nine laptop computers were also donated by Jam Cruise passengers and were refurbished, updated with wireless network cards, and provided to the schools. In addition to the passenger donations, Cloud 9 Adventures donated 10 solar ovens and Conscious Alliance donated a pallet of organic fruit leather.

Jam Cruise 7 also worked with Padres de Familia kinder in Km 55, a school in Costa Maya devastated by Hurricane Dean, to make much-needed repairs on the facility. Following the hurricane, all that remained was a simple cinderblock structure with incomplete plywood walls and a tar paper roof, offering students little to no protection from wind and rain. Cloud 9 Adventures sent $1420 to the kinder one month before visiting Costa Maya, allowing them to purchase construction materials for the needed repairs. While on the ship, passengers who became aware of the repair project matched that donation with an additional $1440 to help the kinder continue renovations.

It is fitting that the Leaving a Positive Legacy program was associated with a cruise on MSC Orchestra, a member of the MSC Cruises fleet. After all, MSC Cruises is at the forefront of safeguarding the environment and has received many national and international awards and certificates acknowledging the measures it has taken to protect the environment. The line’s newbuilds utilize the most modern technology to safeguard the environment, including a grey and black water treatment plant, energy saving across all cabins and public spaces, and non-toxic paints specially formulated for ship hulls.

To reduce Jam Cruise’s impact on the environment, its greening program has consistently achieved “carbon neutral” status for the past four years. This year, through a partnership with the Ashden Award-winning non-profit organization Trees, Water & People, Cloud 9 Adventures offset 100 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions from the five-day voyage. In addition, approximately 15 percent of passengers opted in to purchase offsets for their personal travel.

According to Allison Shaw, Assistant International Director of Trees, Water & People, Jam Cruise is their single biggest carbon offset donor. “The support we’ve received from Jam Cruise and passengers will allow us to plant almost 8,700 trees and build 38 fuel-efficient woodstoves

in Central America, offsetting a total of 1,155 metric tons of carbon dioxide! This amazing feat shows that being environmentally responsible and having fun are not at all mutually exclusive. I hope that other festivals will follow Jam Cruise’s environmental leadership.”

For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com. For information regarding Jam Cruise, contact megan@madisonhousepublicity.com or carrie@madisonhousepublicity.com.

MSC Cruises currently has the most modern fleet in the world with nine ships: MSC Fantasia (the largest ship ever built for a European ship owner), MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Melody, cruising in the Mediterranean year round and seasonally in Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Indian Ocean and South Africa. MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica will be launched, respectively, in 2009 and 2010. MSC Cruises is the only company to receive the "6 Golden Pearls" award from the Bureau Veritas in recognition of its high level of quality management and environmental protection.