The crew of the cruise ship MSC Magnifica yesterday exchanged gifts with Samoa Government representatives as the vessel made its first ever visit to the country.

The captain of the cruise ship, Masta Marco Massa, said his first impressions of Apia were great and he appreciated the presence of a Samoa Government delegation led by the Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, and comprised of Samoa Shipping Services C.E.O, Lautimuia Uelese Vaai, Miss Samoa, Sonia Piva, media representatives and family and relatives of 20 Samoans who are crew on the ship.

Captain Massa was presented with two traditional tanoa, fue and to’oto’o by the Government representatives and he reciprocated with gifts as well while expressing his gratitude for the warm welcome. 

“This gift represents hope because we feel hope in Apia,” he said.

The Government representatives were then taken on a tour of the cruise ship, who were impressed with the human ingenuity involved in its manufacturing, and then treated to lunch onboard. 

MSC Magnifica is a Musica-class cruise ship operated by MSC Cruises and was built by STX Europe in Saint-Nazaire and launched in January 2009. It entered service in March 2010 and initially operated in the western Mediterranean.

It departed Apia at 5.00pm yesterday for Nukualofa, Tonga.