MSC Armonia makes Inaugural Call

Costa Deliziosa made its inaugural call on Thursday, March 23 to the destination, prior to making its Atlantic Ocean in a few days.

To greet the vessel and exchange the customary plaque and welcome pleasantries were representatives from Port St. Maarten Management, the Cabinet of the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Telecommunications and Transport (Ministry TEATT), the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, and the ship’s agent S.E.L. Maduro & Sons.

The Captain, crew and passengers were welcomed to the destination by Port St. Maarten Management representative Hector Peters on behalf of the Government and the Port. MSC Armonia is the oldest ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, built in 2001 for the former Festival Cruises.

The vessel started to sail under MSC in 2004. The ship underwent refurbishment in 2014-2015. MSC Cruises, a Swiss-based world’s largest privately-owned cruise line, grew by 800 per cent since 2004, and carried 1.67 million guests in 2014, reported strong financial results with a turnover of 1.5 billion Euro. MSC Armonia during the summer time caters to mostly European passengers, mainly from Italian, French, Spanish, and German speaking countries.

During the winter months, MSC attracts cruise passengers from the United Kingdom, United States and Australia as well as a number of Europeans. The ship carries 2,065 passengers; 760 crew; has 12 decks; and a gross tonnage of 65,542. MSC Cruises is one of the cruise lines that have been growing its fleet.

PHOTO CUTLINE: Representatives of Port St. Maarten, local stakeholders along with crew members of MSC Armonia during its inaugural call last week.