Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/234240
35 Events maltatoday, Sunday, 29 December 2013 MSC Cruises launches a two-year 'renaissance programme' for its Lirica Class Multi-million euro programme commissioned from Fincantieri MSC Cruises today announced a multi-million euro programme that will involve all four of its Lirica class ships over the next two years. The almost €200 million "renaissance programme" has been commissioned from FINCANTIERI in Italy, one of the world's leading shipbuilding companies, and will be complete by 2015. The "renaissance" of MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Opera will add exciting new entertainment options, technological advancements, extended shops and up to nearly 200 new cabins per ship. The ships will boast a completely new spray park, with an exhilarating pathway of water features and water cannons. The impressive onboard boutiques will be enhanced with new interiors, more space and an all-new perfumery with display corners dedicated to leading brands, such as Dior, Lancôme and Dolce & Gabbana. During a press conference organised in Rome, MSC Cruises' Chief Executive Officer, Gianni Onorato, commented: "When our four Lirica class ships return to the seas after a total of 38 weeks in dry dock, they will be entirely new ships with additional amenities and comfort for our travellers, allowing them to reach sophisticated and refined destinations around the world. The extensive "renaissance programme" represents a huge investment, and reaffirms, once again, our company's dedication to high standards, cutting-edge technology and continuous product innovation. MSC Cruises' ships are works of art in their own right and the 'renaissance programme' is going to make our fleet - already renowned for its unrivalled style and elegance – even more competitive". Giuseppe Bono, Chief Executive Officer of FINCANTIERI, commented: "The winning of this contract is a source of great satisfaction to us in many respects. Above all, because it involves us with an important partner like MSC Cruises in a programme that is highly ambitious both technically and operationally. It also allows us to strengthen our position in the refitting and refurbishment segment, considered among those in continuous expansion. In fact, in the increasingly competitive international scenario, a complex order like this confirms our position as one of the leading players in this sector". The line of credit is entirely guaranteed by SACE, Italy's export credit agency and insurance and financial group. "We are pleased to once again confirm our commitment alongside Fincantieri. This is a further recognition of the high quality of our shipbuilding indus- try and a sign of renewed optimism for the future of such an important industrial sector" said Alessandro Castellano, Chief Executive Officer of SACE. We are very proud to contribute to the financing of the plan announced by MSC Cruises, aware that the real winners will be the thousands of workers at Fincantieri and its SME supplier base." Schedule and key figures The MSC Lirica renaissance programme will follow the dry dock schedule below: • MSC Armonia (2004): 31 August to 17 November 2014 • MSC Sinfonia (2005): 12 January to 16 March 2015 • MSC Opera (2004): 2 May to 4 July 2015 • MSC Lirica (2003): 31 August to 9 November 2015 Absolut Originality sets a new standard for limited editions Following its long-standing tradition of introducing cutting edge designs, Absolut is proud to present Absolut Originality. This elegant limited collection features four million individually designed bottles, each made into a one-ofa-kind work of art with a drop of cobalt blue infused into the molten glass during production. Absolut has always experimented with new techniques and gone off the beaten track to develop innovative and artistic products. Following last year's spectacular launch of Absolut Unique, the journey continued in order to find a daring new concept for the next limited edition. The ambition was to capture the soul of Absolut, expressing creativity and quality as its cornerstones – and the experiments paid off. "Absolut Originality presents our iconic bottle in its most classy form to date," says Mathias Westphal, Global Brand Director at Absolut. "We took inspiration from traditional Swedish glass craft, and made it available to the world. When we watched a drop of cobalt sink into the hot glass the first time, we didn't know what it would look like. But the very first bottle looked amazing, and what started as a playful experiment ended up as four million one-of-a-kind pieces of art." Releasing a drop of cobalt blue into the glass only takes a millisecond. It's added just as the molten glass goes into the mould at 1100°C. At that temperature, the cobalt is invisible, but as the glass cools off, a beautiful and unique blue infusion appears inside the glass of each bottle. "The streak of cobalt forms a sophisticated contrast to the crystal clear glass, and the blue colour makes each bottle unmistakably The four Lirica Class ships were built between 2003 and 2005 at the STX yards in Saint-Nazaire, France. They are currently 251 metres long, weigh 60,000 tons and carry 2,069 travellers. After the "renaissance programme", the ships will be 275 meters long, weigh 65,000 tons and carry 2,680 travellers, boasting 193 additional cabins (plus 59 new cabins for crew members). Melita special offers for FITA members Melita and the Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA) have extended an agreement that will provide FITA members with special offers and price reductions on Melita services. FITA is the principal advocate and coordinator for making information communications technology (ICT) accessible for disabled people in the Maltese islands. FITA's information services assist disabled individuals in the selection, acquisition, or use of technology intended to increase, maintain, or improve the individual's quality of life. Through empowerment and social inclusion disabled persons need to rely less on family and state support. FITA's initiatives support disabled individuals in overcoming or removing barriers to education and employment through ICT. "Melita is very glad to once again extend its relationship with FITA. FITA and its administration team do a sterling work in promoting the use of ICT amongst disabled people. Melita's contribution once again will be to make our leading services more accessible to FITA's members through special offers and discounted pricing on our most popular products", commented Kevin Borg, Director of Sales at Melita. In ensuring that due steps are taken to minimise the digital divide, we enable individuals to contribute productively to society and the economy. Absolut. This classy remake celebrates the original thinking that has always been the Absolut creed and pays tribute to the world's most iconic vodka," continues Mathias Westphal. Watch the behind-the-scenes film at: www.absolut.com/absolutoriginality. Watch the drink-mixing films at: www.absolutdrinks.com/ absolutoriginality. Absolut Vodka is imported, marketed and distributed by Farsons Beverage Imports Co Ltd, a member of the Farsons Group More information on the special offers and applications can be obtained by calling FITA on 25992178 or through FITA's website at www.fitamalta.eu