The magnificent 59,000 ton cruise ship MSC Lirica made her first ever port of call in the UAE on Friday with a stop-over in Dubai before setting sail for Abu Dhabi, her new winter season home port.

Spectacular fireworks displays and soaring water canon sprays will officially signal MSC Lirica's arrival at Abu Dhabi port, said a statement from MSC Cruises, a leading cruise company in the Mediterranean, South African and Brazilian markets.

Grand welcome celebrations to mark MSC Cruises' first season in the region will continue ashore and passengers, crew and media enjoying MSC Lirica’s maiden cruise from Dubai to Abu Dhabi can expect to disembark into a cruise terminal ceremoniously festooned with henna designs and calligraphy and whirling displays of falconry and traditional Yolla and Ayallah dancing, it stated.

MSC Lirica, which departed Genoa, Italy on October 14 on her maiden voyage to the UAE, embarks on the first of 19 scheduled eight night/seven day 2011/2012 winter season itineraries today.

She will enjoy a total of 95 ports of call and rotations in Muscat, Al Fujairah, the Musandam port of Khasab in the Sultanate of Oman and Dubai, said the statement.

Cruises will depart from Dubai every Friday till March 9, 2012 and from Abu Dhabi every Sunday through to March 4, 2012.

MSC Lirica’s current cruise season in Abu Dhabi and the Emirates is expected to realize a potential of 41,000 cruise passenger arrivals alone.

In addition the Abu Dhabi Tourism Association (ADTA) has estimated that the decision to home port MSC Lirica in Abu Dhabi will generate in excess of Dh135 million ($37 million) per season in net economic impact to, and via, the Emirate’s tourism sector.

MSC Cruises’ has also announced that it will expand its operation in the region for the following 2012/13 winter season with the addition of a second luxury cruise ship.

MSC Opera will homeport in Abu Dhabi next year to increase sailings by nearly one-third with a schedule of 25 cruises and 125 port calls, bringing a further 54,000 passengers per year to the area, said the MSC Cruises.

The luxurious MSC Lirica features a sophisticated and elegant decor, superb attention to detail in all areas, the finest Italian and international cuisine and a dazzling array of entertainment and activities.

Fine dining for the connoisseur can be enjoyed in L’Ippocampo and La Bussola restaurants and more casual dining out on deck at the La Pergola and Le Bistrot Buffet.

There are also five indoor cafes and bars, among them Lord Nelson English Pub, L’Atmosphère bar and The Beverly Hills Bar. Poolside out on deck is the La canzone del Mare bar, the statement said.

Onboard highlights include the MSC Aura Spa which provides a haven of relaxation and regeneration, the Las Vegas Casino for thrills and excitement at the tables, the mini-golf for those looking to keep their eye on the ball, and for children, the pirates-themed children’s play area that offers a never-ending source of fantastical fun.

With the introduction of Abu Dhabi and the Emirates as a new destination for the 2011-2012 winter season, and the prospect of a vast array of fascinating shore excursions, MSC Cruises has created a unique opportunity for guests to experience the very best of this enchanting region.

A line up of the best local talent is included in the world class programme of entertainment, theatre and live music designed to wow passengers aboard MSC Lirica.

The various shows and performing artists are truly international and come from the UK, Australia, Ukraine, Brazil, Italy, Spain and South Africa.

Guests can expect a bumper season with an unprecedented variety of spectacular acts from aerial acrobatics, juggling, magic and illusion, dance, Spanish Flamenco to comedy and song.

The cruise ship’s fabulous Broadway Theatre will host most of the shows on board while live music and a variety of different bands will be featured in the bars, disco’s and many other venues throughout the ship.-TradeArabia News Service