New tune for cruise ship Melody

MSC Cruises have sold their oldest ship, MSC Melody, which has for some time looked out of place among the more modern vessels in the fleet. Melody has been bought by a South Korean company which plans to establish a regular service between Shanghai and the island of Jeju.
Originally called Atlantic, the ship was built in 1982; at 36,500 tons and carrying 1,076 passengers in 532 cabins it is a far cry from the rest of MSC’s newer and bigger ships such as the 3,500-passenger Divina, launched in Marseille earlier this year.
The MSC website lists Mediterranean cruises on Melody only until a September 1 departure. The new service is expected to begin next Februry.
In 2009 Melody was attacked by Somali pirates while on a repositioning cruise from Durban in South Africa to Genoa, Italy. She was about 300 miles from the Seychelles when six men aboard a speedboat drew alongside and started firing at the bridge.
Passengers threw deckchairs and tables at the boat before security crew attempted to repel a boarding attempt using water hoses and pistol fire. The pirates abandoned their attack and were later captured by a Spanish frigate forming part of the international defence fleet.
Melody’s move to the Far East will disappoint some traditionalists who harboured hopes that the ship might be bought by a British operator such as Fred Olsen or Saga.