He graduated from the Nautical institute Francesco Caracciolo in 1983 and immediately after proceeded to work on cargo ships with rank of Deckhand and then moved up in different ranks. In 1996 he was promoted First Officer.
Captain Battinelli joined MSC after twenty years of experience with Carnival Cruise Lines. Despite his prestigious career, Stefano underwent a month of training before becoming the MSC Orchestra Master in December 2017. Master Battinelli has a wide experience in New Building and has been in charge of various classes of ships including those with adjustable propulsion.

On board MSC Orchestra*

*Information subject to change
(Updated 2018)

After obtaining his Nautical diploma in 1988, Captain Benini commenced his maritime career by serving in the Italian Navy. In 1990, he transitioned to the cruise sector, joining his first cruise ship as a Deck Officer.

He rose through the ranks and assumed his first command in 2006. From 2015 to 2017 he held the role of Fleet Captain of a major cruise company. In February 2024, he brought his wealth of experience to MSC Cruises, assuming the position of Master.

Captain Domenico Calise was born on the beautiful island of Ischia, Italy and was inspired by the ocean that surrounded him to embark on a career at sea. In fact, he learnt to swim before he could walk!

Graduating from Nautical school ITN F.Caracciolo of Forio D'Ischia in 1996, Captain Calise left the island, like so many generations before him, to start a life at sea in 1997.

He joined the cruise industry five years later and joined the MSC Cruises family as a Staff Captain in 2023.

He loves to sail into any Mediterranean port, as they are steeped in centuries of history.

His favourite thing about being a Master with MSC Cruises is the precious times when colleagues are reunited after past years of working together.

Married since 2006 to Silviya, the couple shares two sons and their dog ‘daughter’, Cuba!

When not at sea, Captain Calise loves to travel with his family, take care of his garden and enjoy barbeques at home with friends.

 

Despite initially dreaming of becoming a firefighter, Captain Danilo Cha discovered a love for the sea during childhood snorkeling expeditions, finding peace in the silence and beauty of his surroundings.

A graduate of the Nautical Institute "Andrea Doria" in Imperia, Captain Cha began his sea career as a Deck Cadet on cargo ships. He eventually moved into the world of cruise ships and, more than 20 years later, he became a welcome member of the MSC Cruises family. 

Captain Cha’s favourite port is Genoa, Italy and his favourite ship is MSC Grandiosa. 

As a Captain, he strives to be recognised by guests and crew alike for leading the delivery of the very best holiday experiences possible. He would like to be remembered as a person with moral integrity, someone who inspires trust and a feeling of safety, and above all, as a family man.

Captain Cha believes in achieving wellness through contact with loved ones and taking the time to do things that make him feel good. He spends as much of his free time as possible with his partner and young son, travelling, exploring the great outdoors, going to the gym, cooking, watching movies and listening to music. Interesting fact: he has an impressive vinyl collection! 

Captain Cha firmly believes in facing fears head on - he previously got over a fear of heights by forcing himself to make a parachute jump, he tackled his shyness by grabbing the microphone at karaoke and aspires to battle his fear of sharks with plans to swim with them in the future!

 

With over 25 years of experience in the cruise industry, Captain Chrisam has built an exemplary career at sea. After graduating from the Nautical Technical Institute ITNS S. Venier in Venice, he began his maritime journey as an officer in 2000. His dedication and expertise earned him the role of Captain in 2017 for a major cruise line.

In 2023, seeking further professional growth, he joined the MSC Group, distinguishing himself as a leader of exceptional skill and passion.


Born on the picturesque Lido of Venice, an island steeped in maritime heritage, Captain Sebastiano was inspired from an early age by the shipyards and the majestic ships that docked in his hometown. This connection to the sea shaped his childhood dream of becoming a Captain, a dream he now fulfils with pride.


When not at sea, Captain Sebastiano cherishes time with his family and enjoys sports. A nature enthusiast, he finds solace and inspiration in the Dolomites, where the vibrant alpine landscapes offer him a rejuvenating contrast to life at sea.

The son of a cargo ship Captain and born in the traditional Italian seafaring region of Sorrento, Captain Marco Valerio Colonna, followed a natural career path to the sea.

At the age of 18, in 2005 and with aspirations to follow in his father’s footsteps to become a Captain, he joined MSC Cruises as a Deck Cadet. Captain Colonna credits this time as an invaluable life experience, where the sea taught him that everyone, regardless of background or status, is equal, that discipline is paramount and that team members must live and work well together to achieve great results.
 
Through his passion and dedication to progress, Captain Colonna rose through the ranks in the roles of Navigator Officer, Environmental Officer and Safety Officer, before achieving the position of Staff Captain (second in command) in 2016.

Since then, as well as being promoted to Captain, he has launched two new MSC Cruises ships and coordinated two epic World Cruises. His career highlight though was taking Command of MSC Musica, which Captain Colonna says was a dream come true.

Captain Colonna partly credits his success to being a gentleman who is available to and communicative with his crew, and someone who maintains a focus on inspiring new generations of seafarers.

Captain Colonna lives on the beautiful Balearic Island of Palma de Mallorca, having married his Spanish sweetheart, herself a former MSC family member, and with whom he has two young children.

He started his career as Deck Cadet in 1998 on cargo vessel. On 2003 he has been transferred on cruise division, on board MSC Lirica as 2nd Officer. He embarked several times on MSC Lirica and MSC Opera as navigator and stability Officer. From 2006 until 2011 he followed the building of new constructions in the Saint Nazaire shipyard as Safety Officer. On 2011 he was promoted as Staff Master and he was also involved in the start-up of MSC Divina and MSC Preziosa.

19 years service with MSC, 1 year experience as Master
On board MSC Poesia*

*Information subject to change
(Updated 2017)

Captain Cilento was born and raised in Montechiaro, a small village of the Sorrento Peninsula. His dream as a child was to work at sea and in 2005, after graduating from the Nautical Academy Nino Bixio, in Piano di Sorrento, Italy, he started working on board the container vessel MSC Melissa. In 2010, after gaining the Officer of the Watch License he moved to the cruise ship division and boarded MSC Melody. In 2015 he was promoted to Safety Officer and he was assigned to the role of Fleet Safety Trainer, assisting Captains and Crew during safety inspectios preparations. In 2017 he was promoted to Staff Captain and worked on several ships until 2022 when he was promoted to Captain of MSC Opera.

His professional journey started in 2002 on the MSC Melody, as Junior Deck Cadet. After some time with MSC Medlog in Antwerp, he continued his development on MSC Cruises ships undertaking various responsibilities, until the role of Safety Officer in the 2012. In 2016 he was promoted to the position of Staff Captain, and in 2022 he was in Doha to support the World cup project. In July 2023 he has been promoted Master of MSC Musica.

He started his career in 1997 on MSC cargo Vessels. In 2005 he was transferred to the Cruise Ship Line and, in 2007, received the upgrade to First Officer for onboard Safety. In 2012 he was moved to the Main Offices to train crewmembers regarding safety procedures on board. He then felt the urge to get back on the Cruise Ships in 2013 and became Staff Captain. In 2017 he was involved in following the constructions of the new buildings in the STX Yard in Saint Nazaire and, in 2018, in Monfalcone Fincantieri of the flagships MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaview. In 2018 he became Master in MSC.

*Information subject to change
(Updated 2019)

Raised in the Italian Sorrento peninsula, where seafaring traditions are strong, he attended the Nautical Institute Nino Bixio. During his career, he acquired considerable experience as first Officer, Staff Captain and Master for several shipping lines. For ten years he has been Master on MSC cargo vessels, before moving to the MSC cruise division

He joined MSC Cargo in 1981 at the very beginning of his career as an ordinary seaman on MSC Juba. Strong performance ensured swift progress, taking him to the rank of Second Officer when he moved to his first passenger ship in 1990, and bringing his first command as Master of a cargo ship in 1996 when he was just 30 years old. Returning to passenger vessels in 2005, Master Galano has commanded ships in MSC’s Fantasia, Lirica and Musica classes for fourteen sailing periods to date.

35 years service with MSC Cruises, 11 years experience as Master
On board MSC Magnifica*

*Information subject to change
(Updated 2016)

Captain Alessandro Galotto graduated from the Nautical Academy in 1977. After graduating he undertook his first role on board a cruise ship by serving as a Deck Cadet.

From here he climbed the ranks earning a wealth of experience in many roles. He achieved his first command in 1996. He joined MSC Cruises in January 2024.

Captain Gazzano started his career at sea in 1981. He joined the cruise industry in 1996, where he worked his way to obtain the role of Staff Captain and eventually Captain. All along he kept on training refining his manoeuvring/ships handling and management skills alike. He finally joined MSC Cruises in 2021.

He began his MSC career as a Deck Officer in our Cargo Division in 1996, transferring to the Group’s Cruise Division as Third Officer in 1998. His dedication and professionalism were rewarded with steadily increasing promotions and experience, which took him to the rank of Staff Master in 2006.

27 years service with MSC Cruises, 4 years experience as Master

On board MSC Musica*

*Information subject to change
(Updated 2016)

He embarked upon his MSC Cruises career as a Second Officer in 1992, gaining promotion to the rank of Staff Master in 2004 and then to Master in 2009, when he gained command of his first ship at MSC’s Cargo Division. With two seasons’ experience under his belt, he transferred back to MSC Cruises to Master MSC Sinfonia, and is now in his fourth season captaining ships in the Lirica and Musica classes.

23 years service with MSC Cruises, 5 years experience as Master
On board MSC Orchestra*

*Information subject to change
(Updated 2016)

Captain Iacono joined on MSC cargo vessels in 2001, and three years later he was transferred to the cruise division. In 2008 he received the upgrade to first officer, and as Safety Officer he served on various ships, gaining experience in USA and Nord Europe. He was subsequently promoted to Staff Captain and he became Master of MSC Musica in 2019.

He started his seagoing career in 1983 as an able bodied Seaman and ships cook, on cargo ships. Dreaming of a career as a cruiseship Master, he joined the Maritime Academy in 1988. In 1993 he embarked on his first cruiseship as 3rd Navigation Officer with a major cruiseline. While sailing in all continents and having completed 3 world cruises he climbed up through the ranks to get his first appointment as Master in 2008. With his expertise he has been assigned to the shipyard to oversee several newbuild projects and has held multiple office functions. He is well proficient with both conventional as well as Azimuthal propulsion systems. At the beginning of 2022 he was proud to be welcomed into the MSC Cruises family.

He graduated from the Nautical institute “Luigi Rizzo” of Catania in 1984 and started his career aboard petrochemical ships in Genoa. In 1988 he joined Carnival Cruise Lines where his career aboard cruise ships began, rising to the role of Master in 2006. From 2015 to 2017 he took on the prestigious role of Fleet Captain overseeing operations for all Carnival Corporation Cruise Lines. After thirty years in Carnival, in 2018, he joined MSC Cruises becoming the MSC Sinfonia Master.

On board MSC Sinfonia*

*Information subject to change
(Updated 2018)

He graduated at Nautical Institute Venier in Venice, Italy, to start his career on gas tankers in 1991. After seven years he moved to cruise lines and in 2006 he became Staff Captain of azipod propulsion ships. He was promoted to Master in 2013 and finally joined MSC Cruises in 2021.

Master Giuseppe Maresca started his career with MSC Cargo in 1989 as deck cadet on MSC Ilaria. He demonstrated extraordinary skill and was given his first command of a cargo vessel when he was only 34. He held this rank for eight seasons before moving to his first command of a passenger ship in 2007, on MSC Lirica. Today he is on his 11th embark on board MSC cruise ships.
Master Maresca has commanded ships belonging to the Lirica class and Musica class.

On board MSC Splendida*

*Information subject to change
(Updated 2016)

He started his career at MSC in 1995 as a Deck Cadet. His first command came in 2006, on cargo ship MSC Veronique at the age of just 33. Between 2006 and 2012 he commanded 12 ships, including MSC Bettina, one of the largest in the MSC cargo fleet at the time. In 2012 he transferred to cruise ships, firstly as First Officer on board MSC Musica. In September 2016 he took command of his first cruise ship, MSC Lirica in China.

22 years service with MSC, 11 years experience as Master
On board MSC Lirica*

*Information subject to change
(Updated 2017)

Captain Maresca graduated from the Nautical School in Piano di Sorrento in 1998 and started his maritime career in in the cargo division. After obtaining the Master license in 2006, he moved to the cruise division where he was promoted as Safety Officer. In 2012 he was Staff Captain on the MSC Magnifica, and in 2019 he became Master.

He graduated at Nautical Institute in Torre del Greco and he started his career at sea in 1981 with "Tirrenia di Navigazione " with the rank of Deck Cadet. After proceeded to work on cargo ships covering different positions and he was assigned to FINCANTIERI New Building Team as Ship Manager . He joined the Cruise Industry in 1997 covering the Captain position for many years. Recently Captain Miele covered temporarily for eight months the position of "Pilot" in Porto Nogaro. He joined the MSC after 24 years of experience in the cruise industry.

Captain Paparo attended Nino Bixio Nautical Institute in Sorrento, and during his summer holidays he joined cargo vessels to enrich his skills. Once graduated in 1997, he started to work on ferry vessels as Deck Cadet, until 2002 when he joined the cruise industry. In 2008 he was promoted First Officer, and ten years later he reached the role of Master. He is well proficient with new generation Azimuthal propulsion vessels, as well as conventional systems vessel. Captain Paparo joined MSC Cruises in 2022, after twenty years of experience in the cruise industry.

He joined MSC Cargo as an experienced First Officer in 1993. Immediately recognised for his abilities and character over two sailing periods, he was promoted to the rank of Master and given his first command of a cargo ship in 1994. He then continued to captain MSC Cargo ships for a total of thirteen sailing periods. In 2007, he was given the command of MSC Melody, his first cruise ship, and is now in his sixth sailing period with MSC Cruises. Master Pinto has commanded various ships in the Lirica Class as well as MSC Melody, including the voyage of her attack by pirates, when his prompt skills secured the safety of all guests and crew.

13 years service with MSC Cruises, 8 years experience as Master
On board MSC Lirica*

*Information subject to change
(Updated 2016)

He graduated from the Maritime University in Gdynia, Poland 1989, when he started his career on cargo vessels. In 1995 he moved to passenger ships and served in few cruising companies up to the position of Staff Captain. In 2019 he joined MSC Cruises and took command of MSC Armonia. Captain Piotr has experience also on azimuthal propulsion.

Master Pontecorvo started his career with MSC Cargo in 1982 when he embarked on board MSC Corinna as deck cadet. In 1990 he embarked for the first time on a passenger ship as 2nd Officer and from 1995 to 2000 he held the rank of Staff Master. In 2000 he was promoted to Master of MSC Monterey and after MSC Cargo ships, where he remained until 2004 after a total of 6 embarks. In 2004 he choose to permanently command passenger ships and in 2010 he was given the command of MSC Splendida. Master Pontecorvo is in his 12th season of commands on MSC passengers vessels and has commanded all classes of the MSC Cruises' fleet.

On board MSC Fantasia*

*Information subject to change
(Updated 2016)

Captain Chris Pugh qualified from Warsash Maritime College in Southampton, England. He started his career in 2001 at the age of 16, onboard Container ships, later moving to various Cruise vessels, ferries, and other passenger vessels. He finally joined MSC Cruises in 2019 where he was promoted to Master in 2022.

Captain Rossi graduated from the Nautical Institute Leon Pancaldo in Savona, Italy. He started his career in 1992 on oil tankers, to move to ferries and subsequently to cruise lines in the year 2000, where he gained the role of Safety Officer first and ultimately of Staff Captain in 2010. He finally joined MSC Cruises where he was promoted Master in 2019.

He joined MSC Cruises as a Second Officer in 1994, having already acquired substantial experience at Renaissance Cruises. In 2001, he was promoted to Staff Master on MSC Monterey and then to Master in 2005. Now in his fourteenth season with MSC, Giacomo has captained ships in the Lirica and Musica classes as well as MSC Melody.

22 years service with MSC Cruises, 11 years experience as Master

On board MSC Lirica*


*Information subject to change
(Updated 2017)

Graduated from the Nautical Institute Nino Bixio, Piano di Sorrento, Captain Ruggiero started his career in 1995, on MSC cargo ships until 2000. He then joined the cruise industry where he was promoted to the rank of Staff Captain in 2012, and subsequently Master in 2017. Captain Ruggiero joined MSC Cruises in July 2023, after twenty-eight years of experience at sea.

He started his career on 1999 in MSC cargo ships while he was still studying at Nautical Institute in Piano di Sorrento, Italy. Since then, he continued to work for MSC cargo division until reaching the rank of Chief Officer. In 2010, he then moved to the MSC cruise division as Second Officer on the MSC Orchestra. Since then, he continued his career as First Officer, Safety Officer, Staff Captain roles and then promoted to Captain on MSC Divina in 2022.

Captain Sagani is a fourth generation ship captain. On completion of his studies at the Nautical Institute in his hometown Trieste, he joined the Italian Navy and served on a Mine-Hunter during the first Gulf War in 1990. After the Navy, he started his career on cargo vessels and in 1995 he joined the cruise industry. He quickly climbed the ranks and was promoted to Captain in 2007, since then he has been in command of many different classes of passengers ships, cruising many different itineraries around the world. Most recently, he was assigned to the newbuilding team and took delivery as Master of some new constructions from the Fincantieri shipyard. He has joined the MSC Cruises family after 27 years of experience in the Cruise industry.

Originally from Marsala, on the island of Sicily, he graduated as Master Mariner License in 1977 in the Nautical College of Trapani. His career at sea expands for over 45 years, 27 of them working in the Cruise industry, moving up to the rank of Captain in 2000. First, Captain Sammartano worked on tankers for sixteen years and spent two years in the Italian Navy. Later on he joined one of the major cruise lines, where he was also promoted to Fleet Captain. In January 2022 he joined MSC Cruises as Captain.

He started his career as Deck Boy in 1987 on cargo vessel and contined until the position of 2nd Deck Officer. On 1993 he has been transferred from the cargo to the cruise division, on board the SS Monterey as 3rd Officer and continued his career on the same ship up the rank of Safety Officer. He then moved to MSCCTD at the Safety and New Building Division, where he served from 1995 until 1997. He was promoted to the position of Staff Master on 1998. From 2003 until 2008 he was involved in the Mega Yacht Industry as Master. In 2012 he came back to the Cruise Industry as Staff Master.

On board MSC Poesia*

*Information subject to change
(Updated 2017)

Captain Sapetti graduated from the Nautical Institute Leon Pancaldo in Savona, Italy. He started his career in 1998 on reefer containers vessel, to move to cruise lines in the year 2000, where he gained the role of Safety Officer first and ultimately of Staff Captain in 2013. He finally joined MSC Cruise in 2018 where he was promoted Master in 2022.

He began his career as a deck cadet in 1992 on board the M/N Achille LAURO. In the following years he worked on MSC Symphony, MSC Rhapsody, MSC Melody and MSC Monterey.

From 2003 to 2005 he followed the construction projects for MSC Lirica and MSC Opera in the Saint Nazaire shipyard as security manager, from 2007 to 2008 for MSC Poesia and MSC Fantasia.
In 2009 he was promoted to Commander in Second, 26 years of service with MSC, on board the MSC Sinfonia.

(Updated 2018)

He joined MSC as a Third Officer in our Cargo Division in 1994. Immediately distinguished by his diligence and professionalism, he achieved steady progress with a transfer to the Cruise Fleet in 1999, promotion to the rank of Staff Master in 2006 and his first command as Master in 2012. He has commanded MSC Melody and MSC Sinfonia to date. 

22 years service with MSC Cruises, 4 years experience as Master
On board MSC Armonia* 

*Information subject to change
(Updated 2016)

Captain Tuvo hails from the beachside town of Levanto, La Spezia in Italy . He started his career onboard cargo ships just after graduating from The Nautical Institute Nazario Sauro. In 1999, he decided to make the transition to passenger ships and worked his way up the ranks, being promoted to Captain in 2016. While he has many years of sea-time experience under his belt, he always looks forward to the next adventure. His greatest joys are his family, cooking and outdoor sports such as cycling and hiking. Captain Tuvo is honoured to be a part of the MSC family.

He began his seafaring career with MSC in 1993, rising through the ranks to become Second Officer in 1999. After a period with other cruise companies, he returned to MSC as a Staff Master in 2005, continuing at this rank until 2009 when he was promoted to Master. Now in his sixth season as an MSC Master, Francesco has commanded ships in our Fantasia, Lirica and Musica classes.

17 years service with MSC Cruises, 7 years experience as Master

On board MSC Magnifica*


*Information subject to change
(Updated 2017)