OUR STAFF
Feel the warmth of our hospitality
A genuine welcome
At MSC Cruises it is our aim to provide you with a service full of warmth and friendliness. Our staff training programmes ensure we know how to look after our guests with the right amount of respect and discretion. Whether we are bringing you drinks, preparing your food, or answering any questions you may have, we will do our best to be helpful. You will find our staff to be spontaneous and natural so you can relax and enjoy every single moment of your holiday, safe in the knowledge you are in good hands.
Comfort first
• A high staff per guest ratio, ensures an effective high quality service on board
• Our multilingual staff deliver information in languages most widely-recognised by our guests
• Our problem solving attitude, provides attentive and quick solutions to any request
Maintaining the highest standards
• Each of our highly qualified masters draws on the company’s experience to navigate our fleet of ships
• Dedicated staff operating procedures and ongoing staff training
• Thorough onboard familiarisation takes place for each new crew member during their first two weeks
• We provide motivating welfare programmes for personnel, such as the “Employee of the Month” award
• Healthy, well equipped and well trained crew: our crew undergoes extensive screening and medical checks, is thoroughly trained and strictly follows the measures of our Health & Safety Protocol
Masters

At 16 years old he went to sea as a cadet, falling further in love with the idea of life on the ocean and eventually became a 3rd officer on a container ship, before moving to MSC Cruises in 2008.
He was promoted to Captain in 2024.
Living in Germany with his wife and young daughter, Captain Attanasio says becoming a Master makes him feel as though he has arrived home – his dream has become a reality.
Describing himself as a simple person who is approachable and available, Captain Attanasio believes the secret to success is teamwork and respect for everyone.
In his spare time, he de-stresses at the gym or by spending time with his family, in his garden or cooking – and is a huge Harry Potter fan!

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 the cruise industry. 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.

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.


Captain Antonino Cuccaro was born in Sorrento, Italy, and dreamt of following in his father’s footsteps, by becoming a Captain at sea.
Visiting his father on board his MSC Cargo ship, witnessing the travel and new cultures he experienced motivated the young Antonino to join the MSC family. He began on board the former MSC Melody as a junior deck boy in 2002.
Captain Cuccaro graduated to qualify as Deck Cadet on Board MSC Opera, moving to 3rd Officer, progressed through the ranks to be promoted to Staff Captain (second in command) in 2016 and eventually assigned the privileged rank of Captain in 2023.
Captain Cuccaro is motivated daily to be a ‘Master of the Seas’, inspired by the family values of the company. He is a strong believer in the ‘human factor’ and credits the crew on board ship for the success of every single holiday experience delivered to guests.
Captain Cuccaro is married to Rosa, who he met whilst both served on board MSC Preziosa. They enjoy travelling whilst raising their young family together.



Born in the beautiful Piano di Sorrento, Captain Franza is a graduate of the Technical Nautical school of Piano di Sorrento, "Nino Bixio". Unsurprisingly, given the beauty of his childhood surroundings, he fell in love with the sea at an early age and vowed to sail the seven seas.
Having swapped his ambition in the skies for the seas, Captain Franza first joined the MSC family in 2000, at MSC Cargo, transfering to MSC Cruises three years later, as third officer on board MSC Lirica.
Captain’s Franza’s constant motivation is to ensure guests can appreciate the beauty of the ocean as he does, fulfilling their spirit of adventure.
As well as seeing the pleasure amongst guests, his favourite moments on board ship are watching the sun set, listening to the waves crash against the bow and observing dolphins as they play in the ship’s wake. Describing himself as loyal and with a sense of duty to the MSC family and guests alike, his favourite port call is Malaga, Spain, ideally on board his favourite ship, MSC Lirica.
When he is not at sea Captain Franza enjoys healthy living and travelling to places where the seas cannot reach, enjoying nature at its very finest.










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.

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 chose to permanently command passenger ships and in 2010 he was given the command of MSC Splendida.
He has commanded all classes of the MSC Cruises' fleet.


Captain Romano has led ships in the Lirica and Musica classes as well as MSC Melody.

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.



From 2003 until 2008 he was involved in the Mega Yacht Industry. In 2012 he came back to the Cruise Industry.


As a child, Captain Federico Scotto Lavina would gaze out over the bay of his home island of Procida, Italy, dreaming of exploring the world and experiencing. different cultures – so what better company to work for than MSC Cruises!
A school trip on board MSC Sinfonia confirmed his ambitions, as he watched the sea, full of challenges and rewards, inspiring him to sail forwards with courage and curiosity.
Captain Scotto began his maritime career on cargo ships in 2005, moving to the cruise industry as a Deck Officer two years later. He became a Deputy Captain in 2018 and was promoted to Captain in 2025, having joined MSC Cruises in 2022.
Captain Scotto’s favourite port is Rotterdam and his favourite ship is MSC Virtuosa.
His favourite thing about being a Captain on board an MSC Cruises ship is having the chance to lead our incredible crew and see guests enjoy their journeys, creating memories to last a lifetime.
He would like to be remembered by crew and guests alike as someone who always has a smile on his face, who is approachable, actively listens and is always willing to go the extra mile to make the journey special for everyone on board.
Captain Scotto lives with his wife Kristina, who he met on board ship and their young daughter Dora, in Trieste.


From 2003 to 2005 he followed the construction projects in the Saint Nazaire shipyard. In 2009 he was promoted to Staff Captain, and finally Master in 2018.
