Tag Archives: MSC Magnifica

MSC denies accusations of ‘slave-like’ staff conditions

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MSC denies accusations of 'slave-like' staff conditionsMSC Cruises has rejected allegations by Brazilian police that staff were kept in “slave-like” conditions on its ship MSC Magnifica.

Brazilian officials said they “rescued” 11 crew members in the northeastern city of Salvador, where the ship was docked for the day on April 1.

They claimed staff were forced to work for up to 16 hours a day. Some were alleged to have been victims of sexual harassment, reported the BBC.

MSC said in a statement:  “After reviewing thousands of pages of documentation and conducting hundreds of interviews with crew members, Labour Ministry inspectors went on board MSC Magnifica on April 1 and alleged irregularities in the working conditions of 13 crew members, and invited them to disembark.

“MSC Crociere is in full compliance with national and international labour regulations and is ready to cooperate with the authorities.”

The company said it had not received “any evidence or legal notification” from the Brazilian Labour Ministry.

The operation came at the end of a month-long investigation, following a tip-off from crew members on Magnifica.

The labour ministry identified 13 staff who had allegedly been submitted to slave-like conditions.

Two of them refused to leave the vessel and decided to carry on working, while the other 11 were taken to a hotel in Salvador.

MSC Cruises ships operating in Brazilian waters employ a total of 4,181 crew members, of whom 1,243 are Brazilians.

The line said its four ships operating in Brazil during the 2013-14 season had passed “intensive and repeated” inspections by the Brazilian Labour Ministry.

MSC Cruises to halt ex-UK sailings in 2015

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By Hollie-Rae Merrick 

MSC Cruises to halt ex-UK sailings in 2015MSC Cruises is halting its ex-UK sailings in 2015 as it looks to focus on its fly-cruise Mediterranean offering.

As part of the major refit of Lirica class ships, MSC Opera – currently sailing out of Southampton – will be out of action for part of the summer months in 2015.

The cruise line said this led to a decision to halt ex-UK sailings for a year to focus on fly-cruise capacity out of the UK.

Giles Hawke, executive director for UK, Ireland and Australia, said the line would be introducing new tools to support agents booking fly-cruises with MSC.

He said: “As market leader for Mediterranean cruises it is important that we work to reinforce this position by increasing our fly-cruise capacity, along with improving our ships to include more balcony cabins, more onboard entertainment and additional technological advancements.

“We are considering various charter options and working with our air partners to come up with the best approach to keep up with the current customer demand for fly-cruises direct to the Mediterranean.

“We will also be introducing tools supporting travel agents in order to make the fly-cruise booking process easier than ever.”

In total the Lirica class ships, made up of MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica, will be in dry dock for 28 weeks.

In September, the cruise line revealed it was doubling its capacity out of Southampton for this year by sending MSC Magnifica to join Opera for four seven-night cruises.

MSC Cruises set to double UK capacity next autumn

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MSC Cruises set to double UK capacity next autumn

By Hollie-Rae Merrick

MSC Cruises is set to double its capacity from the UK in autumn next year, with a second ship operating out of Southampton.

The line’s product and operations director Oliviero Morelli said the decision demonstrated a commitment to the British market.

The cruise line is sending a second ship, MSC Magnifica, to join MSC Opera in Southampton, for four seven-night cruises in September and October 2014.

The seven-night cruises, covering five Northern Europe destinations including Zeebrugge, Amsterdam and Hamburg, will start from £429.

Morelli said: “MSC continues demonstrating its commitment to the British market by bringing a second and bigger ship to the English shores for the very first time.

“In addition to MSC Opera already based in Southampton during the summer 2014, MSC Magnifica is providing additional capacity to a market that has considerably grown in the recent years.

“MSC Cruises has also seen a sustained increase of its own bookings and, with MSC Magnifica, is hoping to respond to the demand of its own customers.”

The vessel has a maximum capacity of 2,518 guests, with a choice of 17 bars and five restaurants on board.

The cruises include free parking in Southampton or free coach transfers. The sailings will embark from Southampton on September 17, September 24, October 1 and October 8.