MSC CRUISES LAUNCHES FOURTH CYCLING CRUISE

On 5 October 2012, luxury cruise ship MSC Splendida will leave Civitavecchia (Rome), for an eastern Mediterranean cruise with a sporting twist.

During calls in Barcelona, Spain, Tunis, Tunisia, La Valletta, Malta, Messina (with the option to visit Taormina) and Rome, Italy, cycling enthusiasts can get on their bikes and discover capital cities, cultural treasures and beautiful scenery through pedal power alone.

Groups will be arranged according to the length and difficulty of routes, and technical assistance will be available during all cycling excursions. Last year's Giro d'Italia champion, Canadian Ryder Hesjedal, and multi-event winning Mario Cipollini, the Italian favourite nicknamed the "Lion King" for his powerful final sprint, will be on board MSC Splendida to meet, train and chat with cycling enthusiasts.

Guests can also test-drive a Cipollini bike, enjoy cycling-themed evenings and meet and greet Mauro Vegni and Stefano Allocchio, the top management of Giro d'Italia. All participants will receive a special DVD featuring various cruise activities and a t-shirt from La Gazzetta dello Sport magazine, joint organizers of this fourth MSC cycling cruise together with the "Viaggi e Cultura" travel agency.

This original themed cruise offers guests the very best that land and sea has to offer, and state-of-the-art MSC Splendida, with its four swimming pools, sumptuous MSC Aurea Spa, delicious Mediterranean and international cuisine, and exclusive MSC Yacht Club, is the perfect haven for tired legs to unwind after each exhilarating cycle ride.