Sea, family, tradition: Captain Dino Sagani and his journey on MSC World America

On the waves of the oceans, stories are written that have the power to inspire. Among them, the fate of Captain Dino Sagani, a man with the sea in his blood and the stars as his guide, stands out. As a scion of a famous captain's family from Trieste, Italy, he has embarked on an arduous journey - from a young kitchen helper to the bridge of the world's greatest cruise ships. In these months, he is preparing for a difficult stint at the helm of MSC World America, one of the most modern ships in the MSC Cruises fleet, continuing a family tradition that spans generations.

Roots at sea: The Sagani Family Heritage

The Trieste-born Italian was destined for a life at sea. He was born into a family of sea captains. His grandfather Clemente must have passed on a lot of experience to him, and the old sextant his father Giuseppe had given him taught him how to determine the position of a ship by the stars and the noonday sun. He has one on the ship. What if the navigation should happen to stop working?

As a child, he sailed with his father at sea and learned the beauty of the craft, especially in the Mediterranean. When he reached his student years, the choice of school was clear and he entered the Trieste Nautical School, one of the oldest maritime schools in the world. One summer, instead of a holiday, his father gave him a contract on a cargo ship, and so at the age of 15 he began his career.

First steps to seafaring

He started as a kitchen helper and over the summer gained experience that his classmates must have envied. He was able to get a feel for the overall workings of the ship. At the age of 19, he joined the Italian Navy, where he volunteered for the Milazzo, fighting in the Persian Gulf. It was here that Dino became hardened.

After the war and leaving the Navy, he started working in oil shipping. He discovered cruise ships by accident in the Caribbean. He was so impressed by the first one that he went to work for Princess Cruises, where he spent over 25 years and sailed every continent in the world. He climbed the ladder very quickly.

In 2022, he joined MSC Cruises, where he helmed the MSC Seaview. He proudly accepted the role of captain of MSC World America.

Family on board: captain and father in one

He even takes his family on the boat. Son Giulio is enjoying the captain's hat and may be the next successor to the Sagani dynasty. Little daughter Alisia enjoys sailing as much as her daddy.

And what does his day look like? It all depends on where he is sailing. But he usually gets up at 7:00 a.m. and has to have an Italian coffee and a croissant. Then he goes to the conning tower to get an update. When the ship sails or arrives in port, he has to be on the bridge and his deputy runs the ship. He also takes night orders from the captain. When he has a spare moment, he likes to spend time with the guests on the ship or in the gym.

He prefers to get lost in the city rather than use a map, and if he had to recommend music, it would definitely be the song Time To Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli.

Helena Chovancová, Riviera Tour

Photos: MSC Cruises, Navy - Ministry of Defence