Culture goes cruising

Chapter 1

Franco Pili, cruise director: part one

Franco Pili, cruise director of the ‘MSC Preziosa’, is an old hand with a young heart and matchless energy for running around, talking fluently and constantly in half a dozen languages and being the very voice of the ship. For up to five months at a time Franco takes charge of everything from aerobics classes to the big nightly shows in the 1,600-seater showpiece theatre.

Chapter 2

Acrobatics with Michael and Zibi

Michael and Zibi are 24-year-old Polish acrobats who have been working together for 10 years. After backflipping their way through circuses and large-scale productions around the world they’ve boarded the ‘MSC Preziosa’. They tell Robert Bound about their acrobatic style and how on earth you stay stable at sea.

Chapter 3

Bogdan Ristea, theatre production co-ordinator

Behind the scenes we meet Bogdan Ristea, the very level-headed Romanian theatre production co-ordinator. He talks us through how you put an international group of performers together to create a ship-shape show.

Chapter 4

Franco Pili, cruise director: part two

Franco Pili, cruise director of the ‘MSC Preziosa’, tells us about the latest trends in cruising. He compares the US style with this European glitziness and reveals how, entertainment-wise, he keeps the whole thing afloat, smiling and projecting to the back row of the dress circle.