MSC Cruises and Chelsea Football Club have jointly announced a new partnership under which MSC Cruises will become the Premier League giant’s official global cruise partner.

Commenting on announcement, Gianni Onorato, chief executive of MSC Cruises, said: “For MSC Cruises, this is an exciting opportunity to be working with the respected and highly successful Chelsea FC – the brand as well as the overall organisation.

“It is part of MSC Cruises’ strategic focus on the UK & Ireland, with the two markets being a key part of the next phase of our global growth plan.

“It is also designed to build further positive brand association as well as introduce our distinctive cruise experience to new audiences both in the UK & Ireland and globally.”

MSC Cruises is currently the leading cruise brand across Europe as well as in the Gulf, South America and southern Africa and is currently in the midst of an industry-unprecedented ten-year, €13.6 billion investment plan, which will see 17 new ships coming into service over the 2017 – 2027 period.

Chris Townsend, commercial director, Chelsea Football Club, stated: “We are delighted to announce a partnership with MSC Cruises at such an exciting time for their business.

“With the imminent launch of their new ship, it is the perfect time to begin our partnership and we truly believe that working together, we can help MSC Cruises to achieve their strategic goals, both locally, in the UK and Ireland, and globally.”

The partnership with Chelsea comes during a milestone week for MSC Cruises, as the 100-day countdown to the launch of the new MSC Bellissima begins.

The company’s new flag ship, which will be named in Southampton in a star-studded ceremony on March 2nd will be the first ship in the fleet to benefit from the partnership where signed Chelsea FC memorabilia will be on display for guests in the British pub on board.

In celebration of the partnership, ambassadors from the football club will attend the naming ceremony, as MSC Bellisima becomes the biggest ship ever to launch in the UK.