MSC Cruises revealed today that it will deploy its MSC Splendida to China as of May 2018.

In connection with this, following in the footsteps of the announcement of the opening of the new MSC Cruises own office in Shanghai and a new management and operations team based there, the company is taking another key step to further improve its ability to serve the Chinese home market.

Built in 2009, MSC Splendida will also become one of the largest, most modern cruise ships operating in the region.

She features 1,637 cabins, 76 per cent of which come with a balcony and can accommodate a total of 4,363 guests.

In her new positioning, MSC Splendida will join MSC Lirica, which has been serving to great success the Chinese market since May 2016 and has recently moved her homeport to Tianjin, to serve the thriving north China market during the winter season.

Speaking earlier today at a press conference in Beijing, Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ chief executive, commented: “Deploying MSC Splendida to the shores of China is a further testimony of our commitment to this key growth market.

“In fact, since it came into service MSC Splendida has been the most popular ship for Chinese and other Asian guests cruising the Mediterranean with us.

“MSC Splendida represents a second, strong step towards meeting the growing demand for our unique product and ultra-modern ships by Chinese guests.

“She will also undergo significant dry-dock enhancement in late 2017, ahead of her deployment, to further improve and customise her already amazing range of services.”

MSC Splendida will visit many popular cruise destinations in China, Japan and Korea.