For the first time two cruise ships, Msc Magnifica and Msc Poesia, leave together from the same city, Genoa, to go around the world on different routes.
An absolute premiere greeted by a show with 33 flag-wavers, to pay homage to all the countries that will be visited on the journey (117 and 119 days respectively) from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea via the Suez Canal, Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the United States and Canada, before returning to Europe via Greenland and Iceland.
And if the average age on board is 67/68, cruises aren't just for pensioners: there are also those on board who will continue to work, doing smart working.
"We have some cases of entrepreneurs who have activities that they can delegate for four months and given that there is the possibility of doing smart working on board, remaining connected 24 hours a day with their company, we also have couples aged 45/50 who have embarked and children who will be able to do remote lessons" says Simone D'Addato, manager of events, groups and on-board services of MSC Magnifica.
On board even over eighty.
The majority of passengers on MSC's two round-the-world cruises, who embarked today in Genoa to begin the journey that will take them to all five continents, over 30 countries and 50 tourist destinations, are Italian and French, but not other nationalities are missing.
The 4-month super holiday has costs starting from 25,000 euros, not really accessible to everyone, but the two ships have filled up.
"My husband is retired, I'm on leave: it's an adventure we wanted to do, before we get too old" says Antonella who arrives from Sanremo with Giuseppe.
And such a long sea voyage is a "first" also for Monica and Giacomo, dancers, who will perform on board the Msc Magnifica.
"The fact that Genoa is the port of departure for these wonderful journeys around the world is further confirmation of the importance of Ligurian ports in the cruise sector," said the president of the Liguria Region, Giovanni Toti.
Cruises are a significant resource for Ligurian tourism, which has just closed 2022 with the record number of 15 million visitors".
