Movie legend to name new MSC ship

Italian screen actress Sophia Loren will star as the official godmother to MSC Cruises' new ship MSC Orchestra at its christening today.
She has performed this role to all MSC Cruises' ships launched since 2003.

Composer Ennio Morricone will conduct a concert prior to the christening and his music will then accompany a firework display in Civitavecchia, the port of Rome.

After the christening, 3,013-passenger MSC Orchestra will depart from Genoa on an inaugural cruise, calling into France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

On its return the ship will be repositioned in the Adriatic to cruise weekly from Venice to Bari, calling into Greece, Turkey and Croatia.

The 89,600 ton vessel has 1,275 cabins, the majority of which have balconies. On board facilities include three swimming pools, theatre, cinema, mini golf, tennis, children's clubs, spa/beauty centre, library, casino, restaurants and bars.