Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1183920
13 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 NOVEMBER 2019 CULTURE MSC Cruises this weekend christened MSC Grandiosa, its newest, most environmentally- advanced flagship, in the city of Hamburg on the fourth and final night of celebrations in the Blue Port. Part of the cruise line's largest and longest christening event ever, this part of MSC Grandio- sa's series of celebrations which span 27 days, eight countries and 11 ports and will engage over 14,000 travel agents from around the world. Following on from the Chris- tening, MSC Grandiosa will embark on a grand tour, visiting Southampton, UK, Lisbon, Por- tugal, Barcelona, Spain, Mar- seille France and Genoa, Italy, before commencing her usual 7-night cruises on 23 Novem- ber. It's an extraordinary welcome for an extraordinary ship. De- signed to ensure even cleaner air emissions and improved overall environmental performance both at sea and ashore, MSC Grandiosa is equipped with ad- vanced cutting-edge technolo- gies and sets a new standard for sustainability at sea. On board, guests of all ages and interests will find some- thing exciting waiting, includ- ing: • Two original new shows from Cirque du Soleil at Sea ex- clusive to MSC Cruises guests • A 93-metre-long Mediter- ranean Promenade lined with international shops and restau- rants • An immersive art experience featuring etchings from Edgar Degas' Danse Dessin series • Dedicated children's areas designed in partnership with Chicco and LEGO • The world's first virtual digi- tal cruise assistant – ZOE – in every cabin Since arriving in Hamburg on 6th November, MSC Grandiosa has been the subject and star of an immersive lightshow at the German city's Blue Port. Spec- tacular light installations by renowned artist Michael Batz have bathed the port in shades of blue reminiscent of the sea to symbolise MSC Cruises' long-standing commitment to the ocean, and MSC Gran- diosa's striking silhouette can be seen shimmering alongside the famous Elbphilharmonie on Hamburg's Elbe river. The traditional Christening ceremony will take place in dif- ferent locations across the ship, and the proceedings will be hosted by talented actress, TV presenter, model and singer, Michelle Hunziker alongside co-host TV host & actor Jochen Schropp, one of Germany's fa- vourite entertainers. The festivities don't stop there – a purpose-built "MSC Vil- lage" on the banks of the River Elbe will bring the festivities to shore, welcoming 5,000 locals to experience the christening from land with live music and food trucks. Guests be joined by the popular German TV couple Annemarie & Wayne Carpen- dale who will act as presenters and hosts. The evening's main spectacle will occur as MSC Grandiosa passes the Elbphilharmonie just as a special lightshow illu- minates the building and ship. She'll then take centre stage on the River Elbe as Godmother Sophia Loren officially names her 15th MSC Cruises ship, fol- lowed by a celebratory firework display. MSC Grandiosa will then pass through a spectacular gateway of blue night return- ing to her dock, symbolising the new ship's entry to the world. Guests onboard will then enjoy a gourmet four course menu created by renowned 3 Michelin starred German chef Harald Wohlfahrt at the Gala Dinner. The menu for guests will start with Chilled king crab salad with crustacean coulis and imperial caviar or Guinea fowl napoleon with apple- ginger quenelle, Riesling gelée and brioche. Next up will be the traditional German dish, "Maultasche" - pasta filled with winter truffles and pistou sauce. The main dish will Oven-roast- ed turbot in a saffron-mussel fumet and vegetable mélange or Duo of veal tenderloin and braised cheek, tender savoy cab- bage, glazed carrot and roasted herb jus. Finishing off the gourmet feast, guests can choose a Pista- chio parfait with orange grani- té and exotic fruit cocktail or Chocolate tart with caramelised pears and vanilla-mascarpone ice cream. Guests will then dance into the night in the Galleria Gran- diosa, the ship's iconic 93-me- tre-long Mediterranean prom- enade where popular German DJ Mousse T. and from British singer Emma Lanford will per- form. MSC Grandiosa will com- mence her regular 7-night cruises in the Western Medi- terranean from 23rd November with six embarkation ports call- ing Genoa, Civitavecchia, Italy; Palermo, Sicily; Valetta, Malta; Barcelona, Spain and Marseille, France. MSC Grandiosa lights up Hamburg's Elbe river at official christening event Chef Ramón Freixa and Chef Jean- Philippe Maury on board MSC Grandiosa MSC Grandiosa in the blue port Hamburg