MSC Cruise 2010 Caribbean Theme Cruises.

(July 15, 2009) – MSC Cruises has added five new theme cruise sailings to the Baseball Greats, Polka and Big Band themes already planned for MSC Poesia’s 2009-10 Caribbean season.

“Guests have always raved about our theme cruises and the wonderful experiences they offer,” said Richard E. Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises (USA), Inc. “These new additions to the upcoming Caribbean cruise season provide even more variety to the existing 7- and 10-night roundtrip itineraries from Fort Lauderdale.”

President’s Cruise: Nov. 10, 2009-- 5-night “Caribbean Escape” itinerary. Rick Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises (USA), Inc., will be the featured guest onboard MSC Poesia’s first sailing in the Caribbean.

Latin Music: Jan. 23, 2010-- 7-night “Eastern Caribbean Enchantment” itinerary. Rumba, samba and mambo aboard MSC Poesia to Carlos Oliva and Los Sobrinos del Juez as they perform traditional salsa dance hits and unique arrangements of pop and disco favorites with a Latin beat. Salsa dance lessons and live performances by a hot lineup of Latin music stars are sure to add plenty of flavor and rhythm to this Latin music cruise festival at sea.

Comedy: Jan. 30, 2010 7-night-- “Eastern Caribbean Enchantment” cruise itinerary. “Laughter is the Best Medicine” featuring the songs and remarkable impressions of Scott Record. The laughter continues well into the evening nightly in the ship’s comedy club with onboard performances by our featured comedians. Participate in the game show “Bonk!” (an interactive game show that is part general knowledge, part physical mayhem and all comedy).

Country Music: Feb. 20, 2010-- 7-night “Eastern Caribbean Enchantment” cruise itinerary. Boot, scoot and boogie to music by various country artists. Line dancing lessons also will be offered onboard.

Oldies Music: March 20, 2010-- 7-night “Eastern Caribbean Dream” itinerary, featuring a performance by The Lettermen – Tony Butala, Donovan Tea and Mark Preston – one of the most popular vocal groups in history. Their 45-year career of unique sound spans the big band vocal and the early rhythm and blues rock groups. The Lettermen will perfom one grand show onboard during this old time rock-and-roll festival at sea.

Plus, The Fabulous Stingrays, a party band performing songs spanning the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, will keep onboard guests rocking and rolling to the sounds of the oldies all night long. Other activities will include an Elvis look-alike contest, dance competitions, trivia games and a lecture on the rock-and-roll era.

Festa Italiana: April 10, 2010-- 7-night “Island Treasures & Ancient Temples” itinerary. This celebration of all things Italian features entertainment by opera singers and contemporary

Italian vocal artists. Dance the night away or simply sit back and enjoy performances by bands that play Italian and Italian-American favorites. Activities include Venetian mask making, a pizza throwing contest, tarantella dancing and more.

Guests have the opportunity to learn the secrets of making delicious European dishes during cooking demonstrations by top Italian chefs. They can also take a lecture on Italian Art and Architecture, Italian Automobiles or Italian Fashion and Design.

The new themes are in addition to several previously announced theme cruises:

Baseball Greats: Nov. 20, 2009-- 10-night “Dazzling Dutch Caribbean & The Panama Canal”
Big Band: Dec. 10, 2009-- 10-night “Remarkable Rainforests & The Panama Canal”
Polka: Jan. 9-- 7-night “Eastern Caribbean Enchantment”
Baseball Greats: 7-night sailings: Jan. 16, 2010 and Feb. 6, 2010 “Island Treasures & Ancient Temples”; March 6, 2010 “Eastern Caribbean Enchantment”; April 3, 2010 “Eastern Caribbean Dream”
Big Band: Feb. 27, 2010-- 7-night “Island Treasures & Ancient Temples”