MSC Cruises SA announces changes to 2015/16 itineraries

MSC Sinfonia, as part of a seven-night sailing out of Durban, will travel to the former capital of Portuguese East Africa. The island is home to colonial architecture, historical buildings including historic forts, chapels, museums and the ancient slave market.

Ilha de Mozambique was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and the island has enjoyed a period of rejuvenation and has a blend of African, Portuguese, Arab and Indian cultures.

The addition of this popular tourist destination replaces the previous call to Fort Dauphin. The change has been brought about as a result of the MSC Sinfonia now being unable to berth alongside at the port of Port d'Ehoala Madagascar.

Two days on island

Four-night cruises will now offer travellers two full days at the island, catering for feedback and demand. Previous seasons saw cruise enthusiasts wanting to maximise time on the island and have the option of a second day to take advantage of facilities and shore excursions. Beach braais, snorkelling, hiking, sea kayaking and the popular pass to Inhaca are amongst the activities that people can maximise over the two-day period.

The Cape departures include the Namibian destinations of Walvis Bay and Luderitz. For those wanting a longer cruise experience over the festive and New Year periods, Mauritius and Reunion beckon.

Meanwhile, the MSC Sinfonia emerged from dry dock late March 2015 with renewed amenities and enriched onboard spaces for cruise guests. MSC Sinfonia is the second MSC Cruises ship to undergo restyling and extension, after her sister ship MSC Armonia returned to sea in November 2014.

MSC Sinfonia was carefully bisected and a 24 metre midsection was inserted which includes 193 extra cabins, 94 new balcony cabins. The ship then underwent renovation to much of the interior. Key improvements include the purpose-built areas for children, as well as a new dedicated Baby Club, Mini Club, Young Club and Teens Club.

Improved dining experience

With an extra 600m² dedicated to dining on board, MSC Cruises has also reimagined the onboard dining experiences. Three restaurants offer guests more choice, with a new on-board bistro giving a more informal lunch time option. The buffet will now remain open 20 hours per day and see increased buffet service lines over peak periods.

Additional mobile bars and soft drink stations will also be available. The new vitamin bar experience is sure to please serving up delicious virgin or alcoholic fruit cocktails. Passengers are now able to choose from a variety of beverage packages before departure. Drink prices on board remain unchanged from the previous season and compare competitively with local upmarket land based hotels.

Two restyled open pool areas, two whirlpool baths and a power walking track measuring 200 metres allow for a greater sense of passenger well-being. MSC Sinfonia also now boasts a modified starboard tender platform which opens out of the side of the ship at sea level, especially designed to fit the special new ZODIAC tenders which have been especially designed for this operation.

These 80 seater craft are used to whisk passengers ashore at Portuguese island in a fast and comfortable fashion. The beach day offers a fun zone, watersports, beach bar, live band, local souvenir shopping and a huge restaurant where the ships chefs prepare the biggest beach braai under Indian ocean skies.

For more, go to www.msccruises.co.za