MSC Cruises reveals new details about Dubai-bound mega ship MSC Bellissima

It is now less than 100 days until MSC Bellissima enters service as MSC Cruises newest and largest cruise ship, and just one day short of a year until she sails her first roundtrip Dubai cruise for the 2019/2020 season.

To mark the countdown, MSC Cruises have announced a number of new features and experiences that will debut aboard the new mega ship, in addition of course to the digital assistant Zoe, that will provide Alexa and Siri-like assistance to passengers in seven languages.

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MSC Bellissima will be home to a new tapas restaurant concept from two-Michelin-starred Spanish chef Ramon Freixa on Deck 6.

HOLA! Tapas Bar is designed as a social dining experience where guests can enjoy shared plates.

Throughout the day, HOLA! Tapas Bar will be a bustling venue with both communal and individual seating, featuring a delicious range of traditional and inventive dishes in a contemporary but warm open space.

“I want guests to enjoy a true taste of Spain through appetizing tapas and a cheerful bar atmosphere. I am delighted to be collaborating again with MSC Cruises,” said Freixa. “This partnership is special to me as we have such strong shared values, and this new restaurant embodies our passion for sharing the joys of Mediterranean food.”

HOLA! Tapas Bar will be one of 12 international dining venues and 20 bars to choose from aboard MSC Bellissima.

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The ship will also be the second MSC Cruises ship to feature Cirque du Soleil at Sea, with two brand new show concepts designed exclusively for MSC guests to be revealed this December.

This partnership will also result in four additional shows created for sister ships MSC Grandiosa, launching November 2019, and MSC Virtuosa, launching in 2020.

Up top, the ship will feature a Grand Canyon-themed aquapark with three water slides, and down below there will be a full-size bowling alley, F1 simulator and XD cinema.

Six new Broadway-style performances will debut aboard MSC Bellissima when she is launched, and will be performed in her cavernous 985-seat theatre.

The kids area will also be expanded with 7,534 ft² of children’s play area with a brand-new School of Magic program and weekly Magic Talent Show.

MSC Bellissima will spend her inaugural cruise season in the Mediterranean offering seven-night cruises to some of the region’s most popular ports before moving to the UAE, cruising from Dubai on 7-night cruises in the Arabian Gulf.

After her Dubai cruise season, MSC Bellissima will reposition to China, where she will be based throughout the summer in 2020.