• MSC Grandiosa will feature three brand new activities: MSC Dance Crew, The Drone Academy and Spy Mission
• Cruise line introduces new web series developed specifically for teens: Cabin 12006

Geneva, Switzerland (July 3, 2019) — MSC Cruises — the Swiss-based world's largest privately-owned cruise line — today released details of its brand-new kids' entertainment debuting onboard MSC Grandiosa, the Company's new flagship launching in November this year.

Each year, MSC Cruises welcomes over 350,000 children onboard its ships, with a comprehensive entertainment schedule offering hundreds of hours of activities each week. Kids can play in up to 7,534 sq. ft. of dedicated space with rooms for different age groups as well as exhilarating aqua parks, high-tech virtual games arcade and more. With the upcoming launch of its newest cruise ship MSC Grandiosa, the Company is now introducing three brand new activities — MSC Dance Crew, The Drone Academy and Spy Mission — as well as introducing a new web series targeted at teenagers.

Matteo Mancini, MSC Cruises' Children's Entertainment Manager commented: “The growing number of teens sailing with us, 13-17 year olds, now make up 40% of our young guests. This has driven our development of exciting new teen-focused entertainment activities and a new web series dedicated to teens. We are delighted to launch MSC Dance Crew, Spy Mission and The Drone Academy on board MSC Grandiosa later this year, and announce that filming is underway for 'Cabin 12006' – our new teens web series coming online early next year.”

NEW KIDS ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES LAUNCHING ON MSC GRANDIOSA

• MSC DANCE CREW – developed in partnership with Fremantle, the production company behind the globally successful TV talent shows including Idols, The X Factor and Got Talent series, this brand-new competition experience sees teams of 12-17 year old cruisers battling it out to win the title of dance crew of the year.
• MSC Cruises is working in collaboration with London-based immersive agency, The Department, who specializes in creating theatrical and technology-driven productions for a host of global brands and companies, to introduce:
  • THE DRONE ACADEMY – taking place in MSC Grandiosa's Sportsplex venue, this high-tech and high-energy drone relay race comes to life at night thanks to fluo effects and glowing drones. Teens are trained on drone piloting skills before competing in teams to race through the 4,197 sq. ft. arena navigating 15 obstacles in the quickest time possible.
  • SPY MISSION – young audiences play a central role in a new, immersive roaming spy experience, a first for MSC Cruises. Blending the lines between reality and fiction, guests are led through a number of different scenes, taking place throughout the ship to unravel unique storylines, follow clues and solve the mystery to win a host of MSC Cruises prizes.

NEW TEENS WEB SERIES 'CABIN 12006' LAUCNHING EARLY 2020

Following the success of 'Kelly & Kloe Onboard', MSC Cruises' kid's web series running for three seasons and attracting over five million views, the Company is now introducing a brand-new web series targeted at teens.

The seven-episode series follows teenager Markus as he embarks on his first ever cruise — but, his vacation doesn't quite go to plan and turns into an unexpected adventure…

MSC Bellissima's Cabin 12006 is full of unanswered questions and many surprises, and it's down to Markus and his friend Lucas to solve the mystery with the help of virtual personal cruise assistant ZOE. Meanwhile, two young guys dreaming of a career onboard a cruise ship come aboard for a unique internship and unintentionally get tangled in the tale thanks to an unexpected whirlwind love story.

The series has been written and shot in collaboration with Viacom, the media group behind kids' channel Nickelodeon, to develop an original, authentic and high-quality web series for kids.

The series features talents including Luciano Spinelli, Max & Harvey, Matteo Markus Bok, Sespo, Valerio Mazzei, Rosalba and for the first time as comedians, kids from UNICEF Ambassador group Kids United. Between them, they have millions of followers across their social channels and are known by kids and teens of all ages worldwide.

Those who have followed the Kelly & Kloe series will be glad to hear that the two main characters also make appearances throughout 'Cabin 12006'.

Filming is currently underway on board MSC Bellissima, with the episodes expected to launch early in 2020. For those who haven't seen 'Kelly & Kloe Onboard', head over to kellyandkloe.com now to watch all three seasons.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MSC CRUISES KIDS' OFFERING

These elements are just the latest enhancement to MSC Cruises' award winning* family offering that already includes:

• The LEGO Experience on-board - a whole day on every cruise itinerary that is dedicated to fun LEGO® activities, which culminates in the children receiving a Jr. LEGO® Master Builder diploma
• DOREBRO – a dedicated sports program for kids of all ages
• A range of services for babies and toddlers: including the Baby-Club for children under 3 as well as a dedicated childcare service. Many of these services are offered in collaboration with Chicco® – the leading global baby brand and yet another exclusive MSC Cruises partnership.
• Family Explorer Club - tailor-made shore excursion program to meet the needs of the whole family 

For more information about MSC Cruises' family offering please visit www.msccruises.com.

For more media information about MSC Cruises please visit www.mscpressarea.com/en_US

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

The Cabin 12006 series has been directed by Alessandro Valbonesi for Jump Cut Media, Production supervisor: One Organization. With special guest: Jonathan Guerrero. Original Soundtrack by Davide Magnabosco.

About MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is the world's largest privately-owned cruise company and the number one cruise line in Europe, South America, South Africa and the Gulf. A game-changer in the world of cruises, the Company has achieved 800% growth in its first ten years, building a global reputation in the industry and one of the youngest cruise fleets at sea. MSC Cruises is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

The MSC Cruises fleet currently comprises 16 ultra-modern, highly innovative and elegantly designed ships, offering an unparalleled holiday experience with always delicious and authentic food, award-winning entertainment, plenty of relaxation, comfortable accommodation, as well as impeccable service and expertise. 

Under its ambitious industry-unprecedented €13.6 billion (≈15.6 billion USD) investment plan, the fleet is set to expand to 29 cruise ships by 2027. To date, MSC Cruises has designed six new large ship classes, all prototypes that push the boundaries of marine architecture and design, and an ultra-luxury class with ground-breaking options for guest comfort.

MSC Cruises feels a deep responsibility towards the physical and human environments in which it operates. The Company operates with the greatest respect for the world's oceans and is on an ongoing journey to further develop innovative ways of lowering the environmental impact of its cruise passages.

MSC Cruises' vacation experiences are sold across the globe through a distribution network in 70 countries. The Company employs over 23,500 people worldwide, both ashore and on board its ships. MSC Cruises is part of MSC Group which is comprised of leading transport and logistics companies.

More information at http://www.mscpressarea.com/en_US.