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Venice Serenades The MUSICA
Peter Knego attends MSC's MUSICA naming in Venice, June 29, 30th 2006Technical Specifications:
1275ÊCabins,Ê3013Êpassengers (max)
Length: 293.8 mt
Width: 32.2 mt
Tonnage: 89,600 gt
Speed: 23 Knots
Crew: 987
Passenger Decks: 13
Lifts: 13
Stabilized
Ship Registry: Panama
MSC MUSICA makes a sparkling debut at Venice. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2006.
As I sit illuminated by the turquoise flourescent lighting of the internet cafe of MSC's spectacular new MUSICA, the neighboring atrium offers a sonic melange of Gershwin's "Summertime"Ê(performed by a skilled string quartette), the melodic murmur of Italian voices, the occasional clinking of a cappuccino cup, and the constant trickle of water emanating fromÊits backlit three deck waterfall focal point. A nearby television setÊhas just startedÊblasting the World Cup games....it should be a lively night around here.
Today isÊmy second day aboard the MUSICA, which is now berthed atÊStazione Marittima. She is the only passenger ship in town and towers over the red clay rooftops and a forest of Venetian church domes and steeples. I have just finished documenting this massive Italian beauty, so am somewhat relieved to be out of the hot, sticky sun. A full photo report will soon follow, but suffice it to say MSC isÊchallenging the Carnival Corporation and RCI with itsÊnewest generationÊof ships and this is just the beginning. Meanwhile, across the lagoon, theÊindustrial skyline of the mainland includesÊthe wing-funneled silhouette of Carnival's latest post-DESTINY newbuild, which dominates Fincantieri's Marghera Shipyard.
White steel meets Venetian brick and stucco as MUSICA comes into view for the first time along Canale Giudecca. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2006.
Yesterday, following the twenty hour commute from Los Angeles, we were taken by bus to Stazione Marittima, where we boarded a shuttle craft. Our approach to the ship could not have been better staged as we slowly traversed Venice's Canale Giudecca. Great monuments on either side of the swirling, mossy watersÊserenely contrastedÊwith criss-crossing vaporetti, gondoliers, and private craft. As Piazza San Marco came into view along withÊthe massive MUSICA, it was yet another visual contrast: the gleaming white steel and tinted glass of theÊtowering ship and the patina-ed stone stucco of yesteryear.
Immediately upon boarding, I was escorted to my cabin, 9073, a balconied category ten mini-suite. A wonderful view of San Giorgio Island and its slender, pointed campanille dominated the view from the ship's port side. There was just enough time for a quick snack in theÊGli Archi Cafeteria (a savory garlic-laced eggplant was my main choice) and an invigorating shower. After donning tux and the usual myriad of cameras, I met my fellow American media people and the always gregarious MSC Cruises USA CEO, Rick Sasso, for a cappuccino in the aptly-named Blue Velvet Bar.
The sky was the limit for the MUSICA's inaugural festivities. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2006.
Soon, we were disembarking and walking a long blue carpet with a thousand or so other guests to witness the christening ceremony. The heat had just begun to subside as weÊsat on a bleacher underneath the massive bottle (Veuve Clicquot?) of champagne dangling from a custom-made boom rigged to the forward superstructure. Wind gusts rippled a long ribbon that stretched from the dangling bottle to a podium on a stage beneath the starboard bow. The sun dipped in the sky behind us, its raysÊtinting the brilliant white upperworks of the MUSICA with a hint of orange. Members of the ship's stage company performed virtoustic Cirque de Soleil-inspired feats while others sang opera in Grand VenetianÊtradition with powdered faces,Êwigs, and a parade of costumes that would put Marie Antoinette to shame.
The Oscar-winning godmother and legendary beauty, Sophia Loren, commands the stage just prior to naming the MSC MUSICA. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2006.Ê
Various dignitaries including the mayor of Venice and executives of MSC gave obligatory speeches (one or two even spoke some English, but it was, quite rightly, an Italian affair). The ships' officers marched onto the stage, and then, the moment of truth. To the tune of "Hey Mambo (Italiano)", the magnificent, statuesque, glamorous, still-stunning, sexy, and charismatic godmother was escorted onto the platform. With the regal carriage of a queen, the 72 year old oscar-winning icon Sophia Loren, wearing a bejeweled necklace the size of Sardinia, wowed an adoring crowd to their feet. A little girl ran up with a boquet of flowers, which the lovely lady accepted with a hug and kiss. Then, after a succinct line or two in Italian, she lifted the scissors and cut the ribbon that sent the champagne slamming into the ship's side.
The fireboat sprayed, the sun set, and legions of Venetians looked on. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2006.Ê
As the golden brew dripped down the smooth white flanks of the MUSICA, the ship's whistle blew, a tug sprayed forth its plume of "Acqua Venezia", and confetti was fired from cannons both on the ship and along the platform. Leaving us spellbound, the goddess/godmother was escorted off the stage and into our memories. The fireboat lingered as did many of us, while the sunset behind Piazza San Marco gradually dimmed and the lights of the city switched on.
Dinner andÊthe MUSICA's nightime journey down Canale Giudecca to Stazione Marittime was followed by a spectacular fireworks show off our port bow. I missed the latter, unfortunately, but did manage to get a few much-need hours of sleep before the crew safety drill began in earnest this morning.
The American media group was left to its own devices today. My agenda included a frothy cappuccino on the second tier of the atrium visiting with friends, wandering for several hours to document the splendid new ship, and enjoying lunch with Cruise Critic's Jana Jones, Porthole's Marcia Levin, and Travel Weekly's Johanna Jainchill.
I stole away enough time for a quick workout in the spa, then headed back to the Gli Archi Cafe for a solo dinner. My choices included a delicious garlic and tomato-basted fish, and some pesto ravioli that was well worth their caloric intake. An army of crumbly cookies and marzipan biscuits followed, perfect companions as I stared into another setting Venetian sun, this one beaming from behind a tiara of purplish clouds. My glass of chianti worked quickly with a touch of jet lag to lull me off to slumberland, well before my usual late hour. Enroute to my cabin, I marveled at the intensity and festive spirit of those gathered on the midship decks facing the large LCD screen to watch the World Cup games. When I awoke early the following morning, I learned Italy crushed Ukraine 3 to 0.
A quick breakfast gathering with media friends, then off we went to catch our coach to Venice's congested San Marco airport and our various flights home.
Click here to go to Peter Knego's five page tour of MSC MUSICA
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