MSC Bellisima at the port of Saipan, Thursday.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang welcomed Capt. Francesco Saverio Veniero, 2nd right, of MSC Belissima as well as its crew and passengers to Saipan on Thursday morning. Belissima is a Meraviglia-class cruise ship from the renowned Swiss global cruise line, MSC Cruises. Also in photo are Port of Saipan Manager/CNMI Harbor Master Jerra Mae B. Cing and MSC Belissima Hotel Director Tizaiana Sorrentino.
The passengers of MSC Bellisima began disembarking at 8 a.m., Thursday.
THE arrival of the cruise ship MSC Bellisima, with 3,800 Japanese passengers and 1,500 crew members, provided a much needed boost to the struggling island economy on Thursday morning.
The visitors, who had disembarked at 8 a.m., were whisked away by tour company buses, taxis and other vehicles to various destinations, including tourist sites, shopping centers, restaurants and Managaha.
Organized by JTB, the New Year’s cruise started on Dec. 30 when the 1,033-foot-long ship embarked on a journey from Yokohama, Japan. It sailed to Guam and then to Saipan before returning to Yokohama.
MSC Bellissima has 2,201 cabins and can accommodate up to 5,655 passengers. It is a floating resort with its own high-end shops, bars, casino, restaurants, game rooms and other amenities.
MSC Bellisima Capt. Francesco Veniero and crew were officially welcomed by Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, and Marianas Visitors Authority and other CNMI officials.
“Captain, on behalf of the people of Saipan and the Northern Mariana Islands, we welcome you … and our other visitors to Saipan,” Palacios said. “Thank you for visiting us. You must be a very, very good captain to navigate our channel. We want to make sure that your experience, albeit one day, is memorable and we hope your guests also enjoy their stay.”
Captain Veniero, for his part, said, “This morning it was very challenging in approaching this port … because the channel was very narrow. It was reported to me that this is the first time this kind of vessel [has] come inside this port. It’s my honor to bring in the vessel through this narrow channel.”
He added, “I am really proud [of] this opportunity to discover this part of the world. I believe it is the first time in my life I have come to Saipan. I am really happy to see this island, to meet you, and to have you onboard my vessel,” Veniero told the CNMI officials.
According to MVA there are other cruise ships scheduled to visit Saipan this month.
