The Port of Kochi recently welcomed MSC Splendida for her maiden call, and celebrated the moment with the exchanging of crests to officially celebrate the ship’s first arrival. This event marks an important moment for MSC Splendida as it is the first time the ship calls a port in India. With this maiden call, the Port of Kochi and India enjoyed the privilege of welcoming one of the largest cruise ships in their history.
The maiden call presented a unique opportunity for the citizens of Kochi and many tourists to witness MSC Splendida in all its splendour. The 333-metre ship is bringing to the sea some of the very latest innovation and technologies and is designed to deliver a unique cruise experience, meeting the needs of guests today and for years to come. One of the most technologically advanced ships at sea, this was the first ship in MSC Cruises global fleet to be fully retrofitted with the ground-breaking MSC for Me digital innovation programme. This guest-centric feature connects holidaymakers with their desired cruise experience through cutting-edge technology that is specially engineered to meet their every need, regardless of how they prefer to use technology when travelling.
At 137,936 GT, MSC Splendida is one of the largest, most modern cruise ships to ever operate in the region. She features 1,637 cabins, 76 per cent of which come with a balcony and can accommodate up to 4,363 guests. The ship, which entered into service in 2009, continues to provide state-of-the-art cruise experiences and, amongst others, features the MSC Yacht Club, an exclusive “ship-within-a-ship” high-end concept which has been designed for the most discerning guests who desire exclusivity and privacy. Offering a broad range of private facilities, MSC Yacht Club guests benefit from exclusive services including a 24-hours personal butler, a dedicated concierge service as well as priority boarding and disembarkation.
Angelo Capurro, Executive Director, MSC Cruises said, “Calling the Port of Kochi is a great highlight in our journey and it is exciting to deliver an unparalleled cruise experience at this beautiful destination. Kochi is bustling centre of activity, with a rich and varied cultural heritage and a maritime history that goes back many centuries. To be able to call here is privilege and an unforgettable experience we wanted to share with our guests.”
MSC Splendida is the tenth ship MSC Cruises built. The Company currently operates a global fleet of 16 ships and has another 13 ships on order which are set to come into service by 2027.
The ship is currently on her way to South East Asia and will make further stopovers in Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan and China. The ship will be sailing the South East Asian canvass until next summer 2020, when the ship returns to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
