I was lucky enough to have spent a night on the grand Italian cruiseliner on her inaugural visit to Durban and although we didn’t leave harbour, I did manage to take in a lot of what is on offer, from the myriad restaurants and bars to the spa, gym, pool deck and magnificent theatre.
Another visit a few weeks ago – for a nostalgic tour and slap-up lunch – convinced me that if you want to party, this is definitely the place to be. You can choose to just chill out with a book or relax with a movie, but you’re bound to get sucked into the festivities, which start with a great big welcome party on deck hosted by the resident dancers and the ship’s “dream team”.
Then you can take your pick from bingo shows and musical theatre to ballroom, group and disco dancing and island excursions. There is a kids’ club to keep the young ones entertained while mom shops up a storm at duty free – and if you fancy gambling, you can do so to your heart’s content. The food is largely Italian-influenced, very good and you can choose from à la carte to buffet.
The nine-storey, 58 600-ton MSC Sinfonia with capacity for 2 100 passengers still has space available on its Christmas cruise to Mozambique and its New Year cruise to Mauritius and Reunion.
There are also still cabins available on the shorter three- and four-night cruises to Portuguese Island, Maputo and Barra Lodge over the Christmas holidays, and with children under 18 free, it certainly is good holiday value.
MSC Sinfonia once again has Captain Ciro Pinto at the helm of what is said to be “the finest floating hotel to operate out of a South African port”.
The ship has a full schedule of cruises out of Durban and will continue to offer the popular three-night cruises to the uninhabited pristine beaches of Mozambique’s Portuguese Islands. Also on offer are the four-night cruises that include stops in Maputo and the trendy Barra Lodge water sports resort, near Inhambane. New this season is the addition of Bazaruto as a port of call, and travellers can enjoy four-night cruises to this unspoilt beach destination.
One of SA’s holiday favourites, MSC Sinfonia will embark on the popular five-night Christmas cruise to the sandy beaches of Barra Lodge and the ever popular Portuguese Island. Guests will spend Christmas Eve in Italian hospitality sailing from Barra Lodge, and will celebrate the festive cheer while docked at the Portuguese Islands.
The ship’s chef will prepare a Christmas menu. The cruise leaves Durban on December 22, returning on December 27.
MSC Sinfonia will welcome in the new year under the Mauritian skies of Port Louis, with guests treated to a new year’s extravaganza on deck. The celebrations are part of the 11-night festive cruise, leaving Durban on December 27 and sailing to Pointe des Galets, Reunion and a three-day stopover in Port Louis, Mauritius.
MSC Starlight Cruises recently announced a “no currency surcharge guarantee” for the upcoming local cruise season incorporating MSC Sinfonia and MSC Melody. This guarantee is a first in the local market. “Even though the rand has depreciated in value by 18 percent in the past year, MSC Starlight cruises can now guarantee that SA rand fares published in the brochure will not be increased,” said Allan Foggitt of MSC Starlight Cruises. - The Mercury
For more information: www.msccruises.com or www.mscstarlightcruises.co.za