<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The countdown is on to the official launch of </span><a href="http://www.msccruises.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span><span style="font-family: helvetica; color: #800080;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MSC Cruises</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: helvetica;">&rsquo;s 137,000 gross ton flagship, <em>MSC Splendida</em>, on 12 July in Barcelona. "</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In an exciting first for MSC Cruises &ndash; and the first time this has featured on a European cruise ship - <em>MSC Splendida</em> will feature two innovative mini-bowling alleys in its high-tech Sports Bar," the company says.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Every aspect of these ten-pin bowling alleys has been carefully designed to provide the maximum entertainment, including a traditional-looking bowling surface that is actually made of a tough phenol compound which allows guests to join in the fun without having to change into special bowling shoes. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The alleys are scaled down to work perfectly in a bar environment, to encourage people to mix and mingle. The bowling balls have been sized slightly smaller than usual, so they are manageable for youngsters while still presenting a challenge to older players.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Increasing the fun, there are two large LCD electronic screens featuring interactive videogame animations, with a choice of Ten Pin Tour and Turkey Shoot. And of course, surrounding the bowling alleys, you&rsquo;ll find all the feature-rich facilities of the sports bar itself, with big screen TVs and a wealth of interactive sports games for solo and group play, making the Sports Bar the ideal place for a change of pace to meet friends old and new.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">MSC Splendida</span></em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> is the twin sister to <em>MSC Fantasia</em> which was launched in December 2008. Together, they are the largest cruise ships ever commissioned by a European owner and set new standards in spaciousness, comfort, facilities, design innovation and refinement. Despite being sister ships, their themed areas feature many differences, such as the bowling alleys, which are unique to <em>MSC Splendida</em>.</span></span></p>