MSC Cruises & Nintendo Embark on New Era in Onboard Entertainment

MSC Cruises, the fastest-growing cruise company with the most modern fleet on the seas, has teamed up with gaming leader Nintendo to bring cutting-edge interactive play to its world-class entertainment programs and facilities. The new partnership can already be seen in the line's flagship MSC Fantasia, christened by Sophia Loren on Dec. 19, 2008. The largest ship to be commissioned by a European ship owner, MSC Fantasia is equipped with 114 Wii consoles, including 9 Wii Sport consoles in the Sport Bar, 4 Wii fit stations with balance board in the Fitness Center, a competition console on the Sport Deck, and a further console in the main pool area that’s connected to a massive 23 ft x 9 ft screen for public competitions and activities. Other consoles form part of the sumptuous fittings in the elegant suites of MSC Fantasia’s exclusive MSC Yacht Club complex. And, of course, guests can buy their own Wii console and accessories in the Tax & Duty Free shops.

MSC Cruises’ uncompromising dedication to its guests is nowhere more evident than the unrivalled entertainment programs and facilities offered on board MSC Fantasia, with its interactive 4D cinema, state-of-the-art 1,603-seat theater, 18 themed bars, futuristic Liquid Disco and Casino delle Palme with more than 1,000 square feet of casino gaming. The sports amenities are equally extensive, with tennis, squash and basketball courts, shuffleboard, a jogging track and four swimming pools, including the amazing Acqua Park with its 150 fountains which provide endless fun during the day and an astonishing spectacle when lit up to music at night. The MSC Aurea Spa wellness and spa center with solarium completes the picture, for total relaxation after every exertion.

It was only natural for a leading innovator like MSC Cruises to partner with Nintendo, the leader in interactive gaming innovation. Whereas others have responded to videogame demand with increasing and some would say excessive complexity, Nintendo has totally re-thought the experience, adding a physical dimension that takes player involvement to completely new levels. But MSC Cruises was also attracted to Nintendo and the Wii because it provides so much in addition to gaming, offering passengers full access to Wii Channels for surfing the net, editing photos, catching up on the news or weather forecasts, and much, much more.

MSC Cruises, the world’s leading private cruise company with offices in 36 countries, and Nintendo, which has sold 2.4 billion video games and over 420 million consoles, plan to consolidate their partnership by organizing special events, games and tournaments for video game fans worldwide. For more information, visit the MSC Cruises website.