Our Staff

Giovanni Attanasio dreamt of becoming a ship’s captain, growing up in a community of seafarers in Sorrento, Italy, where the sea is an intrinsic part of daily life.

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!

Captain Stefano Battinelli was born and bred on the beautiful Italian island of Procida, where he still lives with his family. 

Surrounded by the smell and sounds of the ocean, and with a seaman father, it is unsurprising that a seafaring career was his childhood ambition.

Captain Battinelli was educated at Nautical Institute Francesco Caracciolo, began his working life at sea in 1983, was promoted to Captain in 2011 and joined MSC Cruises in 2017.

His favourite port is Naples, Italy – perhaps understandably, given his home is so close by! His favourite part of being a Master with MSC Cruises, aside from “being in command of the most beautiful ships in the world”, is fostering high levels of teamwork that truly makes a crew stand out.

Captain Battinelli, who is married, with two daughters and two granddaughters, is a firm believer in achieving wellness through having a positive attitude, smiling and enjoying life and strives to be remembered by guests and crew as a good person and leader. 

Captain Paolo Benini’s childhood dream was to become a firefighter - inspired by the impeccable uniform, authority and charisma associated with the role. He found all three things instead in life at sea! 

Captain Benini fell in love with the ocean during his mandatory service as a Junior Officer in the Italian Navy in 1989, moving to his first cruise ship as a Cadet Officer in 1990. Having progressed through the ranks, Captain Benini was promoted to Captain in 2006.

Captain Benini is a relatively new, though very welcome member of the MSC Cruises family, having joined MSC Euribia as his first ship in 2024. His favourite part of the job, aside from manoeuvres, is meeting new people, having the responsibility of bringing a team together to ensure guests have a memorable experience, and making sure his crew takes home their own memories of having been a part of a great team on board. 

In his spare time Captain Benini enjoys trekking, mountain biking, ski-ing, playing ping-pong, and is a self-professed non-stop home DIY-er!

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 barbecues 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!

 

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.

Captain Vincenzo Cilento aspired to have a life at sea as a small child watching ships from his seaside village home and listening to the stories of his seamen neighbours. 

He began his career with MSC Group in 2003 in the MSC Cargo division as a Deck Cadet, progressing through to the position of Second Officer. He transferred to MSC Cruises in 2011 and promoted through the ranks to become a Captain, 11 years later, in 2022.

Captain Cilento’s favourite port is Naples, his favourite ship class is the MSC World Class and most enjoys sailing itineraries in the Middle East.

The things Captain Cilento most enjoys about his job are meeting new people, discovering new places and aligned with MSC Cruises values, always having the opportunity to grow in a truly family environment where team members can count on each other.

In his spare time Captain Cilento enjoys spending time with his loved ones, including his beautiful labrador Dante! If not trekking in the mountains, gardening or following his favourite (undisclosed!) football team, Captain Cilento can be found in the kitchen – he claims to be a passionate creator of delicious pasta!
 

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.

Captain Michele Di Mauro’s passion for the sea came from his father and grandfather, both of whom were fisherman in Lesina, Italy. Having whiled away many school holidays on the boat whilst his father fished, a young Michele was inspired to become a ship’s captain and explore the beauty of the world.

He started his ocean career in 1997 in the cargo division of MSC Group, transferring to MSC Cruises in 2004. He became First Officer for onboard safety in 2007 and transferred to land to train crew members in safety procedures on board.

But the call of the sea was strong, and he returned to as Staff Captain in 2013, becoming a Master in 2018.

Captain Di Mauro leads his crew, always with his favourite quote in mind: “A happy family is but an earlier heaven", by George Bernard Shaw – the goal therefore to make guests feel like part of the MSC family, creating lifelong memories and wonderful vacation experiences.

When not onboard ship, Captain Di Mauro likes to spend time having fun with his family, relaxing or playing soccer.

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

Originally having dreamt of a career in an airplane cockpit, Marco Franza ended up in a career wearing a different Captain’s uniform, as an MSC Cruises Captain!

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.

Captain Giuseppe Galano has been a proud member of the MSC family since 1981, when he began his career as a young deck boy aboard the MV Juba in the MSC Cargo division.

His love for the sea developed while working on ferries in his Italian hometown, and he chose a life at sea over his first childhood dream of becoming a doctor!

With over 40 years of experience, Captain Galano is known for his dedication to safety, hospitality, and strong leadership at sea. He considers MSC not just a company, but a family, and takes pride in mentoring his crew and delivering exceptional experiences to guests.

When off ship, he enjoys travelling with his family, including four children and three dogs, embracing the unique lifestyle that comes with being both a ship’s Captain and a family man.

Captain Alessandro Galotto was inspired to embark on a life at sea by his father who was in the Italian Coast Guard. In fact, he says it was love at first sight, the first time he saw the ocean!

He started in the cruise industry in 1977 as a Deck Cadet and Third Bridge Officer and first became a Master in 1996. 

Having brought decades-long experience to MSC Cruises in 2023, Captain Galotto’s daily inspiration comes from connecting with people and knowing he can make a positive difference in guest’s lives by providing exceptional holiday experiences.

A firm advocate of taking care of his mind to benefit his body, Captain Galotto relaxes with his wife, three sons and beautiful German Shepherd. 

Fun fact about Captain Galotto – his childhood dream was to become an astronaut, but he was afraid of heights!

Truly born with salt water in his veins, Captain Giuseppe Gazzano is a fourth generation seagoing Captain.

As a child growing up in Italy, Captain Gazzano would enjoy time onboard his father’s ship with his mother, experiencing all the realities of life at sea, falling in love with the lifestyle.

He became a Master in 2009, joining MSC Cruises in 2020. His favourite itineraries are in Alaska, though his favourite port is Genoa, Italy.

Captain Gazzano’s advice to anyone wishing to embark on a career at sea is to stay humble and never underestimate the power of the ocean, to sleep well, stay calm and avoid negativity!

In his spare time Captain Gazzano enjoys cooking, entertaining and DIY projects, as well as relaxing with his wife, who comes from Australia, two teenaged children and their “unique, spoilt” dog ‘Zampa’.

Captain Giovanni Guarracino was born in Sant'Agnello, Italy, and spent his childhood watching ships passing from his terrace in the Sorrento hills. Hailing from such a traditional seafaring region he remembers his ambition to be a cruise vessel Captain from the age of just three. 

Having been educated nearby at the State Nautical Institute Nino Bixio, Piano Di Sorrento, Captain Guarracino joined the MSC Group in 2004 as part of the MSC Cargo division, moving to MSC Cruises in 2008 where he first embarked in MSC Musica. In 2013 he became Safety Officer and then promoted to Staff Captain in 2018.

Captain Guarracino’s favourite two ships are MSC Musica, because it was there that he met his wife, and MSC Lirica where he held his first command as Captain.

Captain Guarracino likes to take the time to walk around the ship, speak to guests, and receive feedback on their experiences, as well as making sure his crew are happy in a positive working environment.

Away from the ships, Captain Guarracino enjoys travelling with his family, walking in the mountains with his dogs and taking care of his garden.

 

Born in the traditional seafaring community of Sorrento, Italy, Captain Raffaele Iaccarino spent hours of his childhood listening to his parents talking about the sea and its charms.

He knew from his first memories that he would only ever want a job connected to the ocean.

He joined MSC in 1996 and has been a Captain since 2012. His favourite port of call is Rio de Janeiro and his favourite itineraries are in the Fjords of Northern Europe.

Captain Iaccarino explains that the life of a ship's Captain is a unique and demanding journey, shaped by a blend of technical expertise, leadership, continual learning, emotional resilience and a deep commitment to safety and responsibility. 

Some of his favourite moments on board ship are spent on his balcony, listening to the sea singing through the waves as they pass across the wind.

Always seeking contact with the sea, Captain Iaccarino enjoys taking long walks along the beach, reading and taking care of the many homeless cats and dogs who seek refuge in his garden.

Captain Corrado Iaconis is a true MSC Cruises veteran, having joined the family in 1994 as a Second Officer. 

He fell in love with the sea at 15 years old and began his seafaring career on board oil tankers in 1979.

Life at sea takes Captain Iaconis away from his wife and three children at their home in Sorrento, but he is extremely proud of his position in his second family, which has allowed him to follow his passion of having a career on the ocean.

Having experienced many beautiful moments in his extensive career, Captain Iaconis says taking Command for the first time has been the highlight, as he fulfilled his childhood dreams. 

His favourite port is Saint Maarten, with his favourite itineraries being in the French Carribean, ideally on board the Fantastica class of MSC Cruises ship!

Having been born into island life in Italy, the sea has always been a part of Captain Francesco Iacono's life.

After starting his maritime journey serving locally on ferries to the mainland, he earned his nautical diploma and began his career as a deck officer cadet on board container ships in 2001.

He joined MSC Cruises in 2004, becoming Master in 2019.

With experience in regions like South America, the Mediterranean, and the Norwegian fjords, Captain Iacono’s favourite ports of call are Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Naples, New York, and Rio de Janeiro.

Known for his professionalism, approachable leadership style and dedication to family values on board, Captain Iacono leads always with respect for teamwork in mind.

When not on board ship, he enjoys being in nature, peaceful living, and valuable time with his wife and three children.

Captain Roberto Leotta comes from an impressive line of Italian seafarers – his Father, Grandfather and Uncle ignited his childhood dreams of a life at sea, through their many stories of places they visited during their travels.

A fascination with what lay beyond as he viewed ships disappearing over the horizon from his native port of Riposto, Italy, further fueled his youthful desire for adventure and to experience new cultures. 

Captain Leotta began his cruises career in 1988 after some years on board oil tankers and joined MSC Cruises as a Captain in March 2018. As a truly Global company, he credits MSC Cruises for allowing his dreams of world travel to be fulfilled. 

Whilst he has many favourite ports of call and destinations, including Lifou Island in New Caledonia and Wadi Rum, Jordan, Captain Leotta says it is the more than 20 rescue operations he has been involved in that are true highlights of his career, with many refugees’ stories touching his heart. This surely supports Captain Leotta’s wish to be remembered by guests and crew alike, as a wise Captain and good man.

Considering himself a “simple man with a simple life”, Captain Leotta has been married to Cristina for 27 years after meeting her at sea when he was a young Safety Officer and she a Bar Waitress. Together they are raising their three “kids”; their beloved dogs Faith, Macho and Baloo.

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.

When he is not at sea, Captain Giuseppe Maresca can be found in the air! Not only is he an MSC Cruises Master, but he also holds a pilot’s licence!

Captain Maresca started his sea-going career with the Cargo division of MSC Group in 1988. He admits that it wasn’t a particularly happy time, because he spent much of the transit between North Europe and South Africa being seasick!

Happily, for generations of cruise guests, he persevered – conscious of the limitations of seasonal summer jobs in his hometown of Sorrento and transitioned to MSC Cruises in 2000.

Grateful for the travel, people and cultures he has experienced in that time, Captain Maresca spends his time ashore reading, relaxing and at the gym. He shares his life with his wife, three daughters and dog.

Captain Lauro Maresca was inspired to embark on a career at sea by his Grandfather, who would take him to view luxury yachts at anchor near his hometown of Sant’Agnello, Naples. It sparked an ambition to lead and navigate vessels across the world's oceans as a ship Captain, where he could combine his love for the sea with a passion for leadership and technical expertise.

Captain Maresca began his seafaring career as a deck boy with MSC Cargo in 1994. After progressing through the ranks and various officer positions, he became a Master in 2006. On moving to MSC Cruises he held the position of Staff Captain from 2012, promoted to Captain in 2016.

Having achieved his ambition to become a Captain, Captain’s Maresca’s perpetual aim is to have made a positive impact through integrity, professionalism, and commitment to excellence at sea. He takes great pride in ensuring the safety and comfort of thousands of passengers and crew while navigating some of world's most beautiful destinations. He credits each voyage with bringing new challenges and opportunities to inspire his team, deliver exceptional service, and create unforgettable experiences for MSC Cruises’ guests

Captain Maresca has been happily married to Lucia since 1991. As well as a son, they have a daughter who also works for MSC Cruises, in our Excursions department, truly supporting the principle of MSC being a family company!

Captain Maresca has a (not so) secret talent for making fantastic pizza – always a hit with his crew!

Truly representative of MSC Cruises being a global company, Captain Pietro Paolo Maresca was born in Italy but now lives in Bulgaria.

Having spent his childhood on board the family fishing boat in Sorrento, Captain Maresca developed an early love of the sea, fascinated by its infinity. 

He followed in his Father’s footsteps in becoming a seaman and his been with MSC Group since 2000 when he started on container vessels at MSC Cargo. 

Captain Maresca joined MSC Cruises in 2007 in the rank of Chief Officer. 

When not on-board ship, Captain Maresca enjoys relaxing with his wife, two daughters and the family dog.

Born in Latina, Italy, and educated at the Nautical Academy School in Torre del Greco, Captain Vincenzo Miele has dedicated over four decades to a career at sea, driven by a lifelong passion for exploration and a deep connection to the ocean.

Inspired by childhood dreams of discovering the world and influenced by strong family maritime traditions, he has have served in various roles at sea aside from cruise operations, including on board cargo ships, RO-RO vessels and even as a ship pilot.

Having joined MSC Cruises 4 years ago as a Master at Sea, Captain Miele takes pride in leading diverse teams, operating some of the most advanced vessels at sea, and fostering a positive onboard culture rooted in collaboration, respect, and mentorship. He values empathy, cultural understanding, and making a positive impact—both professionally and through his volunteer work with charities local to his home, fostering a sense of support within the community.

When not on board ship, he enjoys spending time with his wife Patrizia and their children, Luigi and Elena, relaxing, fishing and reading.

Originally from Genoa, Italy, Captain Alessandro Paparo was captivated by the vastness of the ocean and the power of ships, from an early age, especially after a memorable visit to a cargo vessel with his father at the age of seven. This experience sparked a deep connection to the sea and inspired him to pursue a career that combined adventure and responsibility.

After attending a maritime high school in Naples, Captain Paparo’s dreams of becoming a sailor became a reality. He has been a Master for MSC Cruises since 2022.

Captain Paparo’s dedication to continuous learning, teamwork, and safety is evident in his approach to leadership, with a personal standout moment being the successful navigation through a challenging storm, ensuring the safety of everyone aboard. He strives to be remembered as a reliable and approachable leader who always prioritises the welfare of others.

Outside of work, Alessandro values his family life and time spent with his wife and child.

In common with his job on board ship, he enjoys exploring new places, hiking, swimming, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A firm believer in balancing mental and physical health, he makes sure to prioritise rest and self-care.

Captain Piotr Porosiński was born in Gdynia, Poland and had a childhood ambition to work at sea, after vacationing at the seaside when he was just 8 years old.

A graduate of the Maritime University in Gdynia, his sea career eventually brought Captain Porosiński to MSC Cruises in 2018 when he joined as a Staff Captain (second in command), promoted shortly afterwards to become a Master.

The most enjoyable aspect of Captain Porosiński’s job is meeting crew members and guests from many different nationalities and cultures.

Captain Ciro Pinto vividly remembers his inspiration to become a Captain at sea, more than 50 years ago as a young boy in Sorrento, Italy. He would observe as an officer, dressed in his impeccable white sailor’s uniform, would visit a friend in the building in which the young Ciro lived. His heart leapt every time he saw him, and he realised this was the job he too wanted. 

The officer that so inspired him back then was none other than MSC Group’s founder and Chairman, Captain Gianluigi Aponte.

After starting his career with MSC Cargo and being promoted to Captain, Captain Pinto transferred to MSC Cruises. 

His favourite ports are Napoli, Mikonos, Corfu, Venezia, Cape Town and Tokyo. His favourite ships are “all those in the MSC Cruises fleet”!

Captain Pinto finds joy in heading up the big crew “family” on board ship and watching sunsets as they remind him that he has lived through another precious day.

Captain Pinto has been married to Maria for more than 30 years. Together they have three daughters, six grandchildren and a dog, Penelope. He is a big Napoli football team fan and when not cheering them on, he spends time cycling around the beautiful Sorrento coastline, or at home tending to his roses and lemon trees.

Captain Raffaele Pontecorvo began his lifelong maritime learnings at the State Nautical Institute Nino Bixio, Piano di Sorrento, with the ambition of becoming a ship’s Captain. 

Born and raised on the Sorrento Peninsula, he doesn’t even remember where this almost 5 decade-long passion began, reflecting that “it was always just a part of me”.

Captain Pontecorvo started his career with MSC Group in 1984 as a deck cadet on cargo ships and has been with MSC Cruises since 1990 when he made the switch and become a Safety Officer. He took on the role of Master for the first time in 2000, on board MSC Monterey.

His favourite part of being a Master is manoeuvres into and out of port. His favourite port to conduct those manoeuvers is Valletta, Malta and he most enjoys itineraries in Northern Europe, especially Norway.

Married to his childhood sweetheart, Captain Pontecorvo has three adult children, two granddaughters and one grandson, as well as an adopted English Setter dog, Bacco.

In his free time, Captain Pontecorvo can be found immersed in nature - hiking in the mountains, gardening or taking care of the ancient citrus grove that has been in his family for four generations.

Captain Maurizio Ruggiero was born and raised in the traditional seafaring town of Sorrento, Italy. Surrounded by the ocean, it is unsurprising that he would follow a career with it at the heart.

Curious to discover the world and different cultures, he embarked on the career that would lead him to MSC Cruises in 2022.

Napoles is his favourite port – perhaps bringing with it a sense of home. Somewhat further away, in The Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is his favourite destination.

When not at sea, Captain Ruggiero enjoys travelling or walking, along with his wife Giusi, his two young children and their family dog, a Cocker Spaniel called Pesca.

Captain Massimiliano Rossi dreamt of becoming a ship’s Captain from a young age, inspired by the sense of freedom and adventure it would provide, and excited by the opportunities it would bring for travel and experiencing new cultures.

He joined MSC Cruises in 2019 as a Staff Captain (second in command), being promoted to Captain shortly afterwards for his first command, MSC Sinfonia.

Captain Rossi’s passion for his job knowns no limits, and he finds daily inspiration at sea in creating memorable experiences for guests, feeling part of a family and ensuring a good working environment for his crew.

Captain Rossi’s career is even more impressive, considering he started his seagoing adventures as a teenager, suffering from terrible seasickness!

It was only natural that Captain Gabriele Russo would have a career at sea – as a child he spent more time in the water than on land! Born into a nautical family, he would follow his father, also a seaman, to the water's edge whenever he could.

This early passion led him to complete a diploma at the Nautical Institute in Sorrento, after which his career travels began.

Captain Russo joined the MSC family at MSC Cargo as a deck boy in 1999, moving to MSC Cruises in 2010.

His favourite itineraries are any that take place in the Mediterranean and his favourite port is any port that is not windy! His favourite thing about the job is the people – strongly believing that a ship is just steel and furniture, it is the people around him who make it special.

Captain Russo is married with two young children and strongly believes in protecting his mental health for the good of his physical health. He does so by disconnecting and relaxing with his loved ones during his time off ship.

 

Like so many seafarers from Southern Italy, Captain Pietro Sarcinella was educated at the State Nautical Institute Nino Bixio, Piano di Sorrento.

Growing up next to the water, it was perhaps natural that he would embark on a life at sea that would eventually lead to his promotion to Captain in 2017.

Captain Sarcinella joined MSC Cargo as a cadet in 1989, moving to MSC Monterey in 1993. After a short spell outside of MSC Cruises, including time in the mega yacht industry, he returned in 2011.

A big fan of the World Crise itineraries, Captain Sarcinella favours the Lirica, Fantasia and Musica of MSC Cruises ships, because they retain an older-style charm of cruising that he enjoys.

Married to Romina, without whose support he believes he would not be a Captain, he has three children and a cat, Polpetta. 

In his free time, Captain Sarcinella enjoys travelling and, never one to be far from the sea, spending time on his fishing boat.

Captain Dino Sagani was educated at the  Istituto Tecnico Nautico Tomaso di Savoia Duca di Genova, before following in the historic footsteps of three previous generations in becoming a Captain. 

He recalls his first encounter with the sea as a three-month trip with his mother, onboard a cargo vessel commanded by his father. He has vivid memories of being on the Bridge wing with his father fixing the ship’s position using the sextant. This was the magic moment that cast the ocean’s spell on the future Captain Sagani!

At just 15 years old, the youngest possible age, a teenaged Dino spent a summer school vacation embarked in a cargo ship as a deck boy. 

His extensive career led to him becoming a Master for the first time 18 years ago, the last two of which have been with MSC Cruises.

Captain Sagani’s favourite ships are the MSC World Class – having been in Command of both MSC World Europa, the first in class, but also then becoming the first Captain of MSC World America, joining the ship in build in St Nazaire, before taking her across the Atlantic to the USA.

Captain Sagani is married with a young daughter and lives his life according to the old Roman saying: "mens sana in corpore sano ", meaning “a healthy mind in a healthy body”. He spends his free time therefore weight training, walking and swimming, as well as sailing his boat on the Adriatic Sea out of his hometown of Trieste, when not working on his “toys”, a motorcycle and Vespa. 

True to his mantra on fitness and health, Captain Sagani uses the on-board elevator only once during any spell at sea; on the first day, ensuring he uses the stairs everywhere else he goes!

Captain Antonino Sammartano began his maritime journey at the "Marino Torre" maritime school in Trapani.

His passion for the sea was sparked during summer work aboard a small tanker where he quickly learned that life at sea demands both dedication and passion for the job.

Since joining MSC Cruises in 2022, Captain Sammartano has become known for his humility, approachability, and strong team spirit.

A defining moment in his career was his first night as Captain, when he led a successful man-overboard rescue within his first twenty minutes!

Happily married with four children, Antonino enjoys sailing his small boat, promoting inclusivity onboard, and dancing to Latin music in his free time.

He joined MSC Cruises as a Second Officer in 1994, having already acquired substantial experience in the cruise industry. In 2001, he was promoted to Staff Master on MSC Monterey and then to Master in 2005.
Captain Romano has led ships in the Lirica and Musica classes as well as MSC Melody.

Captain Lorenzo Sapetti has a passion for the sea that runs deep in his family roots.

Born on the Italian coast he always felt a natural connection to the ocean, inspired by his father - a Captain himself.

Following in his father's footsteps, he attended nautical school and pursued his calling from a young age, knowing the sea was his destiny.

Captain Sapetti joined MSC Cruises as a Staff Captain in 2021, promoted to Captain a few contracts later.

He is proud to be part of the MSC family, drawn to the company's strong sense of teamwork and commitment to continuous improvement. He believes true leadership is about growing together, sharing both success and setbacks as a unified crew.

Known for his human-centered approach and approachable nature, Captain Sapetti emphasises mental well-being as key to overall health.

Outside of work, he enjoys returning to his hometown to relax by the sea, visit family and friends, travel, and indulge in his enduring love of video games.

 

Captain Pietro Scarpato grew up in Sorrento, Italy, overlooking the beautiful Tyrrhenian Sea, and inspired to have a career at sea by his seaman father.

After graduating from Nautical School, he started his seafaring career as a deck cadet on board cargo ships.

He was promoted to Captain several years later after joining MSC Cruises.

During his time with MSC Cruises Captain Scarpati has most enjoyed itineraries in the Emirates, Brazil and South Africa, and any season in the Mediterranean.

Captain Scarpato is married with children and relaxes off ship by reading a good book or simply spending time with his loved ones.

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.

Captain Carmine Siviero knew from a young age, inspired by his father and other family members, that he wanted to travel the world by becoming a ship’s Captain.

After successfully completing Nautical school in 1992, he started out on board the cruise ship Achille Lauro as a Junior Cadet. His first command was on board MSC Sinfonia.

Captain Siviero’s favourire port is the first city that he ever called into on board ship, Istanbul, Turkey.

Married with two children, Captain Siviero believes the MSC family values are what make his job so special – he enjoys the family spirit, teamwork, passion and scope to progress.

His career highlight so far has been his first manoeuvers as a ship’s Master – realising his long-held dream had come true. Although he credits his wife with reminding him to change his rank slides when he took Command, as he forgot to do so!

In his spare time Captain Siviero enjoys physical exercise, including tennis and swimming, giving back to his community and, never one to leave the sea for long, taking sailing lessons!

Captain Michele Tuvo spent idyllic moments as a child fishing with his father, experiencing the sense of freedom the sea offered. This draw to the water led to his dream career. 

As a sociable person who loves to create unforgettable experiences with people, MSC Cruises became the perfect employer in 2022!

Captain Tuvo’s favourite port is Rio de Janeiro, where he feels the magic of every entry and exit. His favourite thing about being a Captain is being surrounded by a fantastic crew – he likes to lead by example and is dedicated every day to finding a reason to smile!

He has been happily married since 2007 and is kept busy at home by his teenager and Golden Retriever dog, Dante.

Being a Captain is a particularly rewarding position to have found himself in, as Captain Tuvo admits to having been painfully shy as a child, when he spent his days most happily in the company of bees, lovingly tending to 40 hives!

Captain Francesco Saverio Veniero grew up with the scent of sea salt in his nose during fond memories playing with friends by the seaside. He was inspired to be in command of a vessel whilst on a playmate’s fishing boat, watching closely as his friend’s father masterfully manoeuvered, battling through all weather conditions. To this day, as he enters and departs port, he recalls these childhood memories of a man he so admired.

Starting his career at sea in 1976, Captain Veniero joined the cargo division of MSC Group in 1993, having his first experience with MSC Cruises in 2000. He took command of his first MSC Cruises ship in 2009, enjoying the contact with the many thousands of passengers he has transported since.

Captain Veniero does not have a favourite MSC Cruises ship, but rather he sees the beauty and charm in every ship he commands, and every crew he feels fortunate to work with.

Captain Veniero enjoys taking time in the early hours of the day, walking around the guest areas as guests sleep soundly, knowing it is he and his incredible crew who are keeping them safe and ensuring they have wonderful holiday experiences all around the world.

Captain Veniero credits his wife and three children for understanding his passion for the sea, his many absences from home and encouraging and supporting him to be able to hold the position of Master that he so enjoys today.