MSC Cruises Kicks Off Countdown to MSC Divina By Announcing New Features

With less than six months to the arrival of the dazzling MSC Divina to PortMiami, MSC Cruises today announced a series of exciting new features and special offer for the first MSC vessel to sail year-round from North America.

Eataly Partnership

In line with its unique Mediterranean flare, MSC Cruises has joined forces with Eataly, the popular Turin-based chain and epicurean emporium, which is partnered with popular celebrity chefs such as Mario Batali and Lidia Matticchio, to launch two incredible restaurants and a marketplace onboard MSC Divina. The decision to partner with Eataly was made after rave reviews and a successful launch onboard the recently christened sister-ship MSC Preziosa. In the area that previously hosted the Tex Mex specialty restaurant, MSC Divina will now feature two entirely unique dining venues; the upscale Ristorante Italia and spectacular regional steakhouse, Manzo, fashioned after the famed restaurant in Eataly’s Manhattan location. A boutique Eataly marketplace will also be available for guests to purchase authentic Italian and artisan products, including olive oils, dried pastas, regional sweets and aged balsamics.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our partnership with such a world-renowned eatery recognized for offering some of the best quality and authentic food experiences available,” said Ken Muskat, Senior VP of Sales & Marketing, MSC Cruises USA. “Eataly is the perfect complement to MSC and the Mediterranean flare we bring as a key differentiator to the North American market.” “Much like MSC,” Muskat adds, “Eataly is taking its Italian roots and expanding in North America. It is now one of the most talked about food emporium concepts with 16 locations around the world, including one in Manhattan and another opening this fall in Chicago.”

Aqua Cycling by Hydrorider

Spinning enthusiasts can now rejoice as MSC Divina becomes the industry’s first ship to offer Aqua Cycling by Hydrorider. What has been reported as this summer’s latest fitness craze by Extra TV and highlighted on Good Morning America, Time Magazine, and numerous other media, Aqua Cycling will allow MSC Divina guests to take spinning to new heights while cruising the Caribbean. Hydrorider, whose products are made in Italy, provides aquatic cycles made of marine industry stainless steel that can be placed in pools for classes and training. For a minimal fee, guests can participate in classes led by fitness professionals who have been trained in the benefits of cycling under water, while enjoying energetic music and healthy fitness challenges.

Healthy Eats at Sea

Onboard MSC Divina, guests will enjoy a variety of healthy choices tailored for every meal. Throughout the day, dining experiences will offer a range of light options (such as soups, salads, grilled chicken and fish, steamed vegetables and egg white omelets), vegetarian selections (curries, pastas and special vegetarian dishes) and whole grain breads. In addition, MSC has introduced “Deliciously Healthy Menus” for dinner, featuring a selection of nutrionally balanced dishes all listed with caloric values. Gluten-free dishes (approved by the Italian Celiac Association or AIC) are also offered in main dining rooms.

Taking health & wellness to a new level, MSC has also introduced “Five Colors of Well-Being”, creating synergies between the nutritious drinks and spa treatments offered at the MSC Aurea Spa & Bar with nutritional selections found in the Wellness Corner of the buffet. Colors can influence our lives and our moods while our health and well-being can be affected by the rainbow of nutrients in our food.
With this in mind, the “Five Colors of Well-Being” are Blue/Violet (cleansing), Green (relaxing), Red (anti-aging), White (purity) and Yellow/Orange (beautiful skin). Guests can now choose spa treatments, nutritious drinks and healthy foods based on their area of focus as outlined by the Five Colors of Well-Being menu.

New Entertainment Experiences

Onboard MSC Divina, guests will enjoy an incredible slew of new entertainment options created to provide cruisers with a wider variety of daytime and nighttime activities and entertainment. Each sailing, theater goers will delight in production shows featuring a cast of 30 dancers, singers, musicians and visual acts as well as headline entertainment specially tailored to the itinerary and/or guest nationality. As guests cruise the Eastern and Western Caribbean, island bands will be featured onboard with local cultural shows offered pier-side on certain days. Dance lovers onboard MSC Divina will be able to take the stage in a big way and “Dance with the Stars” as they are paired up with one of MSC’s professional dancers and enter competitions.

For guests looking to truly relish in MSC’s Mediterranean heritage, “Italian Days” dedicated to the music, dance, cuisine and folklore of the region, featuring Italian themed dinners, theater shows, music, language lessons, dance lessons and the art of pizza making will be presented regularly. Finally, for our younger guests, MSC Divina will offer new activities for teens including Teen’s White Party, MSC Flashmob and Hey Mr. DJ Hip-Hop while our mini and junior club guests will enjoy activities such as Kids Bingo, Fairytales Time and live talent shows.

Top 18 and MSC Yacht Club: MSC Exclusives Arriving to North America for the First-Time

Top 18

For the first-time in the Caribbean, MSC guests can now enjoy a new adults-only oasis boasting premium deck space and stunning sea views onboard MSC Divina. Available for a nominal daily fee on Fantasia-class ships beginning summer 2013, Top 18 features dedicated spa services, bar menu and a comfortable lounge setting, the perfect exclusive venue to relax and unwind surrounded by incredible ocean vistas. Guests of Top 18 are greeted by an attendant with a refreshing chilled towel and escorted to their own personal lounge bed or relaxation pod. Misters and complimentary fruit skewers will be provided while guests can take advantage of specially tailored on-deck spa treatments without leaving the comfort of Top 18’s personal lounge beds. These include exclusive reflexology and facial treatments, as well as various head, neck and shoulder massages.

MSC Yacht Club

Also available for the first-time in North America, is the luxurious MSC Yacht Club. Already a favorite among experienced cruisers, the “ship-within-a-ship” will now be available for guests sailing the Caribbean looking for unparalleled indulgence, comfort and convenience. From your personal butler, 24-hour concierge service and complimentary wines and spirits available any time of the day, guests booked in the MSC Yacht Club Suites are pampered throughout the MSC Yacht Club’s exclusive lounges and pool area. This oasis of premium tranquility provides several private venues, including Le Muse panoramic restaurant, Top Sail Lounge, pool and relaxation area as well as private access to the MSC Aurea Spa.

“This is just a sneak peek into several exciting announcements in store for North American travelers” said Ken Muskat. “Soon, you will be able to experience the best kept secret in cruising as we bring MSC Divina, one of our newest and most beautiful vessels to this market. While we will always proudly maintain our authentic Mediterranean flare which appeals to so many travelers, the announcements made today express our continued commitment to tailoring MSC Divina’s excellent product to the tastes of this market.”

“Countdown to MSC Divina” Booking Promotion

To celebrate the countdown of MSC Divina’s arrival to PortMiami, guests who book between June 24 and July 8, 2013 for sailings from April 12 to October 11, 2014 will receive up to a $200 per stateroom onboard credit to be used to enjoy our newly announced Eataly restaurants, first at sea Aqua Cycling classes or toward any other onboard purchases. Bookings made in Suites or MSC Yacht Club will include a $200 per stateroom onboard credit and those in Balcony a $100 onboard credit based on double occupancy. Contact Premier Custom Travel at (281) 301-5818 or toll-free at (800) 304-6789 to take advantage of this limited time offer.

About MSC Divina

Christened by legendary actress and “diva” Sophia Loren, MSC Divina features 1,751 staterooms, 322,900 square feet of public space, a casino, seven restaurants, 18 bars and lounges, five swimming pools (including an infinity pool), a bowling alley, theater, gym, spa, internet café, conference center, kids and teen areas, and the lines signature ship within a ship, MSC Yacht Club.

About MSC Cruises

Onboard MSC’s twelve vessels, guests enjoy the Mediterranean way of life. From the hospitality to the dining, guests are enveloped in the Mediterranean manner of enjoying life to its fullest. Onboard guests are encouraged to slow down and enjoy everything their MSC vacation has to offer. Being a family owned company, the line offer free sailing for kids 11 and younger when sailing with two full fare paying guests in the same stateroom. Children 12 to 17 sail at a reduced rate. MSC Divina will begin sailing year-round from PortMiami, beginning November 20th, 2013.

For more information or to book your cruise, please call Premier Custom Travel at (281) 301-5818 or toll-free at (800) 304-6789.