 
The MSC Splendida was officially christened today
(Sunday) in Barcelona. Among the dignitaries on hand for the
celebration were Sophia Loren and Jose Carreras.
The 3,300-passenger ship was officially handed over to MSC in a
Fourth of July ceremony at the shipyards in the Atlantic Ocean port
of St. Nazaire, France. The Splendida then sailed through the
Straits of Gibraltar to Barcelona.
The Splendida offers a variety of luxurious touches for its guests.
VIPs can choose from 99 suites in the MSC Yacht Club, which features
24-hour butler service. Then there’s the Aurea Spa, which, according
to the cruise line’s website, “combines the magic of Balinese
massage with the traditional well-being that comes from water
treatments, a legacy from ancient Roman times.” The spa facilities
include saunas, a Turkish bath, massage room, relaxation room, and
whirlpool. One of the services offered is thalassotherapy, which
uses sea water, believed to be beneficial for the skin.
A massage might be just the thing after a workout in the ship’s
exercise room, which is suspended above water, or a swim in one of
the Splendida’s four pools.
The Splendida will depart on its maiden cruise tomorrow at 2 p.m.
Barcelona time for a week-long voyage with ports of call in Tunis,
Malta, Sicily, Rome, Genoa, and Marseille. It is scheduled to arrive
back in Barcelona next Monday at 7 a.m. This will be the ship’s
routine schedule until December, when there are special cruises
around Christmastime.
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