Neil Palomba Named EVP, Operations, MSC Cruises USA

Posted on 19 April, 2024 by Spacejunkie2

Neil Palomba has been named executive vice president of operations for MSC Cruises USA, while Josef Jungwirth has been named vice president of food and beverage operations, reporting to Palomba.

“As a testament to our continued growth in the U.S. and focus on providing an exceptional onboard experience, we are pleased to welcome Neil Palomba and Josef Jungwirth to our U.S. Operations Team,” the company said.

Palomba will lead the operations function for the line’s U.S.-based ships and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

He held several positions from 1996 to 2013 with MSC Cruises, including Chief Operating Officer in Fort Lauderdale for MSC Cruises USA from 2006-2010, and then relocating to Geneva, Switzerland where he led multiple corporate functions. Most recently, Palomba served as President for Costa Crociere in Genova, Italy and Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Carnival Cruise Line in Miami, FL.

Jungwirth will take on the role of vice president, of food & beverage operations, at MSC Cruises USA, reporting to Palomba. He brings more than 25 years of food & beverage operations experience to the role. Previously, Jungwirth spent 11 years as the Corporate Executive Chef at Sandals Resort International and 14 years at Royal Caribbean International where he oversaw the development of the company’s annual business objectives for culinary operations.

MSC Cruises’ First Newbuilds Completes 20 Years in Service

Posted on 5 April, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Cruises’ first new build is completing 20 years in service in 2023 as the MSC Lirica was delivered to the company on March 24, 2003.

Built-in France by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, the 65,000-ton ship originally debuted in the Mediterranean.

Before kicking off its inaugural program in the region, the Lirica also became the first ship to be christened by Sophia Loren.

Later the godmother of all of the company’s newbuilds, the Italian actress named the vessel during a special ceremony in the Italian port of Naples.

In addition to the Mediterranean, the MSC Lirica also spent its first years in service sailing in the Caribbean – with U.S.-based cruises departing from Fort Lauderdale – and Northern Europe.

The vessel then debuted in South America in 2009 and in the Middle East, becoming the first MSC ship to sail a complete season in 2010.

In 2016, in another first for MSC Cruises, the MSC Lirica was repositioned to Asia for a series of year-round cruises out of China.

Upon returning to Europe in 2018, the 2,160-guest ship resumed its operations in the Eastern Mediterranean and sailed additional seasons in the Middle East.

As part of a €275-million refit plan called the Renaissance Program, the Lirica was enlarged and modernized in 2015.

After being cut in half at a drydock in Italy, the ship received a new 24-meter-long mid-section that allowed the addition of 194 extra cabins, a new lounge, a kid’s water park and more.

In addition to its new features, the MSC Lirica offers a two-deck theatre, a casino, a complete spa, four different restaurants, two swimming pools and more.

LG launches LED displays to elevate the cruise experience

Posted on 24 March, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

LG has launched outdoor direct-view LED (DVLED) displays to be used on cruise ships’ outside decks

Launching at Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale at the end of March, the screens will provide a high-quality picture, no matter the weather or the time of day.

“LG’s marine-grade DVLED technology is the ideal outdoor display medium because it can produce bright images and has the contrast necessary for watching videos in direct sunlight,” said LG Business Solutions USA director of hospitality, cruise and fitness Jake Benner.

“Outdoor areas on cruise ships can now be outfitted with movie theatre-sized displays, while providing optimal performance day in and day out, regardless of how salty, wet or unpredictable the environment is.”

LG will launch two models: one with a 6.2-mm pixel pitch and a 5,000:1 contrast ratio for where the viewer is closer to the screen. The second has an 8.3-mm pixel pitch and a 7,000:1 contrast ratio that is aimed at spaces where passengers view the screen from a distance.

Both screens have a 160-degree horizontal viewing angle and can be operated on either 110-volt or 240-volt power systems. They can function in temperatures ranging from -30C to 50C and have a powder coating to protect them against salinity and corrosion.

Mr Benner said, “Cruise operators can deliver large, captivating content that can catch visitors’ eyes from across the deck. The placement possibilities are endless, and we are excited to see how designers and owners integrate these powerful displays into their environments to elevate the cruise experience.”