Neapolitan Music Cruise: a talent show for schools and the rediscovery of Ercolano

by Marco Milano

The “Cruise of Neapolitan music, art and culture” is back on board MSC Grandiosa. Everything is ready for the 16bis edition on board the ship which will have a space dedicated to the promotion of the archaeological park of Ercolano and includes a talent show reserved for high schools with the aim of introducing young people to Neapolitan music. The announcement came from Scoop Travel, the tour operator based in Vomero, which presented the other day in Naples, on board MSC Divina, the 16Bis edition of the “Cruise of Neapolitan Music, Art and Culture”, which will sail the waters of the Western Mediterranean from 28 September to 5 October 2025 on board MSC Grandiosa. For the first time, this edition of the cruise includes the promotion dedicated to Ercolano, with the aim of enhancing the archaeological site, a UNESCO heritage site and a symbol of the ancient history of Campania, which represents a fundamental stage for rediscovering local roots and culture. “The aim is twofold – it was explained – to preserve our tradition on the one hand and at the same time promote cultural diversity. Every culture has a unique heritage of knowledge, traditions and values ​​and, when these cultures mix, there is mutual enrichment”. The presentation of the initiative was attended by the Campania Region Tourism Councillor, Felice Casucci, the Mayor of Ercolano, Ciro Buonajuto, the emeritus representative of Libera Campania, Geppino Fiorenza, the commercial director of MSC Crociere, Luca Valentini, and the organizer of the “Cruise of Neapolitan Music, Art and Culture”, Francesco Spinosa, a historic Neapolitan tour operator. And as announced, the cruise designed by Scoop Travel on board the ships of the MSC Crociere fleet, wants to be “a unique and unforgettable journey to discover Neapolitan music, art and culture, a show that is broadcast on the sea and lasts a week”. On board Msc Grandiosa live shows, performances and shows with a cast of artists composed of singers, actors, comedians, experts and lovers of healthy Neapolitan culture, and who are chosen every year as testimonials of the authentic and true Neapolitan culture. In addition, in the ports touched by the ship there are cultural exchanges that Francesco Spinosa, creator of the event, organizes in harmony with the tourist offices, local authorities and territorial associations with the aim of rediscovering the familiarity and affinity between the peoples of the Mediterranean. But not only. The “Cruise of Neapolitan Music, Art and Culture” has launched this year the project “2026: Naples on Board” reserved for secondary schools. A talent born with the aim of uniting generations, young performers and great classics for a journey between past and future on the notes that have made history. “The project was born from the desire to offer young people – it was explained – opportunities for redemption and personal growth through music, rediscovering the very rich Neapolitan musical heritage and will be structured on frontal lessons on classical Neapolitan music, practical singing workshops, including itinerant ones, and masterclasses with professional Neapolitan artists. The students will perform reinterpreting classics of Neapolitan songs and an internal jury of the school will evaluate the performances and select the best talent who will represent the school in the final event during which the winners of the selections of the individual schools will perform celebrating Neapolitan music”. The winner will win the opportunity to participate in the “Cruise of Neapolitan Music, Art and Culture 2026”, with the opportunity to perform in front of an international audience. A project that starts from the deep roots of tradition and that wants to “give an answer to modern false myths, contrasting the true identity expressed by musical tradition with contemporary digital illusions”. Guests of the 2025 edition of the cruise will include artists such as Amedeo Colella, Francesco Procopio, Luciano Capurro, Monica Sarnelli, Roberto Colella and the Napulantica with the participation of the very young Fuliggine who will stage their extraordinary art for guests with afternoon live shows and evening performances. “Eighteen years ago, when Naples did not yet enjoy the fame and success it enjoys today,” said Francesco Spinosa, “we decided to focus on its extraordinary cultural resources, an authentic heritage known throughout the world but perhaps undervalued by the local population. We felt the responsibility to give prestige to this wealth, and so the idea of ​​the 'Cruise of Neapolitan Music, Art and Culture' was born. An event that aims to celebrate in an exceptional way everything that makes Naples such a special place: its rich music scene, its lively artistic tradition and its unique cultural heritage. At a time of rebirth for Naples, we are happy to be an integral part of this tourist fervor that is invading the city. We have always believed in its potential, even when others turned their backs. Today, we are pleased to see the fruit of our efforts, contributing like drops to this vast ocean of visitors who are rediscovering the beauty and uniqueness of Naples.” The MSC Grandiosa program includes eight days and seven nights of stops from Civitavecchia to Palermo, from Ibiza to Valencia, up to Marseille and Genoa, thus circumnavigating the pearls of the Western Mediterranean. Felice Casucci, Councilor for Tourism of the Campania Region, speaking at the presentation, found in the title of one of the most famous songs by Domenico Modugno, “Tu si na cosa grande”, the definition for the initiative, “which focuses on art, music and culture, assets in which the Region itself – Casucci emphasized – has always invested a lot”. Tradition and culture are the key words chosen by Luca Valentini, Commercial Director of MSC Crociere. “We have always supported Francesco Spinosa and Scoop Travel in the 'Cruise of Neapolitan Music, Art and Culture' initiative – he said – We have believed in this project from the beginning, which focuses on the tradition and excellence of the city of Naples in the cultural field and which is renewed every year with new ideas and proposals. This year's cruise aboard MSC Grandiosa will touch enchanting locations in the Western Mediterranean, where Neapolitan tradition will meet history and local customs in the usual cultural exchange promoted by the 'Cruise of Neapolitan Music, Art and Culture'. With this type of initiative, MSC Crociere intends to confirm its international vocation and enhance local cultures in the places visited by its cruises”. Development and tourism are the opportunities as underlined by the mayor of Ercolano Ciro Buonajuto. "It is important that Ercolano presents itself to tourist flows other than the traditional ones, in this case to those who decide to see Naples and its beauty arriving on a cruise ship - said the mayor - a widely used tool and important for us because we go beyond what are the institutional channels of promotion. Ercolano is a city that through tourism can achieve significant economic and social development. Our city has grown in the last ten years thanks to tourism, culture and its beauty and wants to become an international player increasingly legitimized and recognized by tour operators. Collaboration between public institutions and the private sector when it is positive as in this case, is a driver of development".