MSC Crociere has been a constant pioneer in the world of luxury cruising, with results that are clear to see in every ship, from creative cabin design and comfort to spectacular designer public areas, restaurants and entertainment facilities, extensive sports amenities and exotic spa centres.

In fact, MSC Crociere’s ships are in such a class of their own that in the past it could be difficult to fully appreciate the difference until you’d seen it on board. But now, from 18 May, you can experience MSC Crociere’s passion for excellence without leaving home. Because the same innovative spirit has led the company to launch a whole series of online 3D virtual tours, starting with MSC Fantasia, which was christened in December 2008 and met with instant acclaim as the most beautiful ship in the world.

So you simply need to open your browser to www.mscfantasia.com to explore these stunning ships in detail, “walking” around cabins, the spa centre, theatre, discotheque, swimming pools, restaurants and casino, exploring them as if you were actually on board the different families of luxury ships in the MSC Crociere fleet.

This makes choosing the right cruise supremely easy. No less important, it means that planning your holiday can be almost as much fun as actually going away, allowing you to share ideas and suggestions about the smallest details with friends and family, involving everyone in the whole exciting experience.

Never content to do things by halves, MSC Crociere has launched MSC Web TV [ www.msccruises.tv ] on the same day as these fantastic virtual tours. With High Quality Video in six languages (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese), Live programming and video streaming, MSC Web TV allows you to immerse yourself interactively in every aspect of the ships and life on board, from star performances in the state rooms to MSC Crociere’s famously flexible excursions, the ships’ christenings by the immortal Sophia Loren and their impeccable ecological credentials.

Fully-integrated in MSC Crociere’s advanced network of inter-linked websites, MSC Web TV will benefit from user-friendly navigation and customisation – including full screen mode – to suit your preferences and internet connection.

As MSC Crociere’s Corporate Web Marketing Manager, Antonello Fabozzi explains: “We are very excited about these new developments, being dedicated to providing our passengers with the best possible experience and support both on-board and online. The former has brought us a worldwide reputation for Italian style, food and service from a cruise fleet without equal, while the latter sees us investing in the full spectrum of information technology, from virtual reality gaming to web design and online customer services. These are all provided by our own teams of hand-picked web specialists to ensure a smooth, secure, efficient and pleasurable experience worthy of MSC.”

Of course, sampling the MSC experience online can never be quite the same as living it on board, but it’s the next best thing, ensuring you can plan unforgettably perfect holidays with friends and family, and start enjoying the experience even before you leave.

To explore the virtual world of MSC Crociere, simply point your browser at www.msccruises.tv

MSC Crociere currently has the most modern fleet in the world with nine ships: MSC Fantasia – the largest ship ever built for a European ship owner – MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia, MSC Opera, MSC Lirica and MSC Melody, cruising in the Mediterranean all year round, Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Indian Ocean and South Africa. MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica will be launched in 2009 and 2010 respectively. MSC Crociere is the only Company to have received the ‘6 Golden Pearls’ award from the Bureau Veritas in recognition of its high level of quality management and environmental protection.