MSC Cruises MSC Divina Christening Party
While the ship was the center of attention, she had some competition from Sophia Loren, her “godmother” who was stunning.
![MSC Divina](http://cruisebuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-Shot-2012-05-26-at-12.32.59-PM-580x251.png)
![Sophia takes the stage](http://cruisebuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-Shot-2012-05-26-at-12.29.19-PM.png)
Med with Passion
Thanks to the Internet, we can do a lot of things including attending a christening ceremony for a new cruise ship. On Saturday, May 26th, MSC Cruises streamed live from the MSC Divina’s christening ceremony in Marseille, France.
![A visit from a sister](http://cruisebuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-Shot-2012-05-26-at-10.36.53-AM-580x297.png)
The MSC Divina is a celebration of Mediterranean style. The theme for the festivities was a celebration of the region.
![MSC Divina Crowd](http://cruisebuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-Shot-2012-05-26-at-10.20.13-AM-580x311.png)
The crowd, which represented a well-dressed collection of movie stars, international celebrities, selected guests, media, and the top management of MSC Cruises and online viewers were treated to a great show.
![Folk dancers](http://cruisebuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-Shot-2012-05-26-at-10.31.35-AM-580x297.png)
After the opening aerial display from the Captens Aerobatic Display Team and the Breitling Jet Team, the folk-group La Poulido de Gèmo, preformed regional dances celebrating local traditions of Provence and its traditions. Another highlight was a speech by Gerard Depardieu, who read from what looked like a script. His delivery was great but I wondered why he kept reading from his loose-leaf papers?
![MSC Divina](http://cruisebuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-Shot-2012-05-26-at-11.39.52-AM-580x300.png)
I learned about the relationship MSC Cruises has with UNICEF and their Get on Board for Children initiative, which funds a project for education equality for disadvantaged children in Brazil. Goodwill Ambassador Maxim Vengerov, a supporter of the joint MSC Cruises and UNICEF program took the stage with local children and release hundreds of UNICEF balloons, and played a violin solo.
The entertainment continued, with a performance from Italian singer, pianist and composer.
And then… Sophia
![Sophia Loren](http://cruisebuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-Shot-2012-05-26-at-12.31.22-PM.png)
![Ribbon cutting](http://cruisebuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-Shot-2012-05-26-at-12.34.42-PM.png)
Sophia Loren cut the ribbon and names MSC Divina to a crescendo of champagne, confetti, and sparkling fountains.