The 59,000-ton MSC Lirica was given a warm welcome with a fireworks display before disembarking passengers to the cruise terminal, where displays of henna design, falconry and calligraphy as well as traditional Yolla and Ayallah dancing awaited.

MSC Lirica will set sail Nov. 1 on the first of 19 seven-night cruises for the 2011-12 season that call at Muscat, Al Fujairah and Khasab, Oman and Dubai.

An Oct. 31 ceremony was attended by Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA); Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general of ADTA; Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises; and Fabio Cannavaro, former captain of the Italy National Football team and world championship star.

The homeporting of MSC Lirica follows the signing, a year ago, of a landmark agreement between ADTA and MSC Cruises to homeport a ship in Abu Dhabi. Since then, the two partners have jointly participated in trade exhibitions, marketing and advertising campaigns globally and brought their combined influence, channels and brands to bear in promoting the emirate.