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MSC POESIA VISITS PAPUA NEW GUINEA
from Journeys
By Pauline Riman
On Sunday 5th March 2023, Papua New Guinea warmly welcomed MSC Cruises with the maiden call of one of its stunning cruise liner vessels – the MSC Poesia
The MSC Poesia graced the shores of Milne Bay Province visiting two ports of call in Alotau and Kiriwina, then cruised onward to Rabaul in East New Britain.
“We bid a warm Papua New Guinea welcome to the passengers and crew of the MSC Poesia, one of the first ships from the well-known MSC Cruises company to visit our country,” said CEO of the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, Mr. Eric Uvovo.
“Cruise tourism has huge potential benefits for the country, and the PNGTPA is committed to supporting the tourism industry in maritime provinces develop their cruise tourism products and infrastructure”
“Developing cruise tourism requires a whole of government approach, most important of all, it needs a provincial government working together with its local tourism businesses to develop a conducive environment for cruise ships and the tourists they bring,” Mr. Uvovo further stated.
An official welcome party by the Milne Bay Provincial Government, the local tourism industry and government agencies cordially greeted the cruise ship’s management, exchanging gifts and putting on a cultural performance.
MSC Poesia comes from a modern fleet of cruise vessels by MSC Cruises – the world’s third largest cruise brand. MSC Cruises is a subdivision of MSC Group, a Swiss-based shipping and logistics corporation spanning over three centuries of maritime operations.
A spectacular vessel, the MSC Poesia is a 293.8 meter long and 59.64 high ship, carrying over 3,000 passengers serviced by a crew of 900 plus. The cruise ship has 16 decks, including three swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, a Zen Garden and more. Most impressive of all is the ships environmental technology, which has an energy saving and monitoring system that includes an onboard wastewater treatment plant.
Papua New Guinea was fortunate enough to welcome MSC Magnifica – another elegant cruise ship vessel from MSC Cruises. MSC Magnifica arrived in Alotau on the 26th of March.
