*This content was translated by AI.
- On the 27th, Lotte Tourism established a strategic partnership with 'MSC Cruise' at its Seoul branch
- MSC Cruise's first charter ship contract in Korea...Asia's largest cruise 'MSC Belishima' departs in June 2027
- Lotte Tourism Development "Recognized 15 years of know-how...Will provide the world's best cruise experience"
Asia's largest 170,000-ton cruise, which covers three football fields, will depart from Korea.
Lotte Tourism Development announced on the 28th that it has established a three-year strategic partnership with world-class cruise ship "MSC Cruise" at Lotte Tourism's Seoul branch on the afternoon of the 27th and held a charter cruise contract ceremony to announce the official entry of "MSC Cruise" into the Korean market for the first time.
Oliviero Morelli, president of MSC Cruise Asia, and Baekhyun, CEO of Lotte Tourism Development, attended the contract ceremony to formalize the cooperative relationship between the two companies.
"This charter contract is the result of Lotte Tourism Development's 15-year-old know-how in operating chartered ships and trust from global shipping companies," said Baekhyun, CEO of Lotte Tourism Development. "Through a strategic partnership with MSC Cruises, we will raise the level of the Korean cruise market to the next level, provide customers with the world's best cruise experience, and suggest the direction of the future cruise industry."
The core of this contract is 'MSC Velishima', which will depart from Incheon Port for the first time in June 2027. Asia's largest super-sized cruise ship, MSC Velishima, weighs 171,598 tons, three soccer fields (about 315.83 meters) and 20 floors of apartments (about 65 meters). It can accommodate about 5,600 passengers and about 1,500 crew members. Usually, cruises are classified as "extra-large" if they exceed 150,000 tons depending on their size. The "Costa Serena," which has been operated by Lotte Tourism Development as a chartered cruise ship, is a "large" ship of 114,000 tons, and the "MSC Belishima" is more than 50,000 tons larger than the "Costa Serena," and the number of people has increased by nearly 2,000.
In addition, it has the world's longest LED skydome trail, Michelin chef-concept dining, as well as Broadway-class performance facilities and advanced smart ship systems. In 2024 and 2025, it was selected as Asia's best cruise ship for two consecutive years, officially recognizing the completeness and service competitiveness of the ship.
This contract is the first time for an MSC cruise to officially enter the Korean market and the largest for a domestic charter cruise. In particular, it is expected to be a new turning point in the Korean cruise market in that it is a strategic partnership based on long-term cooperation rather than a single-shot contract.
Under the contract, Lotte Tourism Development will introduce a seven-day, six-night chartered cruise product in June 2027 on the MSC Bellissima, Asia's largest cruise ship. The product is scheduled to depart from Incheon Port on June 14 and return to Incheon after a port call between Kirong in Taiwan and Sasebo in Japan.
Lotte Tourism Development will prepare a variety of on-board performances, events, and gourmet programs so that customers can fully feel the sensibility of "MSC Bellishima." Beyond simple means of transportation, the plan is to deliver the value of a "cruise trip in which the stay on board itself is the purpose" to customers.
It will also introduce MSC's premium service, 'MSC Yacht Club'. The "MSC Yacht Club" is a luxury service called "Ships in Ships" in the cruise industry, and customers who choose the yacht club can use private restaurants, lounges, and private swimming pools as well as exclusive suite rooms. The 24-hour Butler service, priority boarding and disembarkation, and exclusive concierge service are also provided, allowing you to enjoy the infrastructure of large cruises and the comfort of private yachts at the same time.
In addition, Lotte Tourism Development and MSC Cruises agreed to supply MSC Cruises' premium service cruises to the Korean market by gradually expanding the input of ships to two ships in 2028 and up to three ships in 2029, starting with the contract for the operation of one chartered ship in 2027.
MSC Cruises, the world's three largest cruise shipping companies, is a global cruise line based in Switzerland and a global shipping company based on MSC Group, founded in 1970. It is now the No. 1 cruise ship in Europe and the No. 3 cruise ship in the world.
Meanwhile, Lotte Tourism Development has been leading the domestic cruise market by starting the charter cruise business since 2010. In addition to outbound charter cruises, it is responsible for inbound travel to Korean ports by global shipping companies such as Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, MSC Cruises, NCL Cruises, and Viking Cruises. This year, it is expanding its business with the goal of attracting about 50,000 people annually.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
