| MSC Starlight Cruises is very excited to announce that it is now offering its passengers a really great Sea/ Air special.
Cruise Passengers can now book their flights for the cruise with Starlight at great prices adding to the affordability of your cruise experience with Starlight Cruises.
MSC Starlight has pre booked flights exclusively for its passengers on 1Time and Mango departing from OR Tambo to King Shaka with transfers from the airport to the Port for every cruise departure out of the Port of Durban.
The flights will have you arrive in Durban before 12:00 on every cruise departure giving you more than enough time to get to the Port for your cruise departure and returning in the afternoon of your arrival in Port.
The flights start at R1100.00 return and transfers are R180.00 per person (for a transfer to and from the airport)
Be sure to ask your friendly consultant for a quote for your specific departure but hurry as the seats are limited and selling quickly.
MSC Cruises to bring both MSC Sinfonia and MSC Melody for the 2010-2011 South African Cruise Season
MSC Cruises South Africa announced today that they will be operating two cruise ships simultaneously out of local ports during the upcoming 2010/11 summer season to meet increased market demand and offer variety to the South African cruise market.
The luxurious MSC Sinfonia, with a capacity of over 2,100 passengers, has enjoyed a highly successful maiden season operating out of Durban and will be back for a second extended cruise season from November this year up until May 2011. She will be joined by the smaller, beautiful ship - already well known to the South African public - the MSC Melody, with a capacity of just 1,500 guests.
“The introduction of a second vessel will increase our capacity to over 100 000 passengers for the season and give the general public, and especially the conference and incentive corporate market, a greater choice, competitive pricing and more destinations from which to choose” said Stefano Vigoriti, newly appointed Managing Director of MSC Cruises South Africa, responsible for the entire sub Saharan region. He adds “the decision to operate two ships simultaneously in South African waters clearly shows MSC Cruises commitment to the South African market. MSC Cruises will also make important investments into improving embarkation facilities at the Port of Durban as well as developing and bettering other relevant exclusive Indian Ocean island destinations”.
“The phenomenal response to the MSC Sinfonia this past season has prompted MSC Cruises to boost its presence in the South African cruising market. With the realisation that it could support a second ship, the MSC Melody was the obvious choice, as she has proven to be so popular in the South African and Indian Ocean waters” said Allan Foggitt, Marketing Director of Starlight Cruises, MSC Cruises General Sales Agent in South Africa.
MSC Sinfonia will continue its itinerary in and around the Indian Ocean Islands while MSC Melody will offer South African travellers new and varied cruise options and experiences. Itineraries will feature cruises out of Cape Town and offer longer cruises out of Durban with ports of call in Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion and Seychelles.
Both MSC Sinfonia and MSC Melody will offer early booking incentives and children under 18 years of age will still cruise and eat free - a feature that has already proved so popular for Family holiday makers.
South Africa says “arrivederci” briefly to the MSC Sinfonia on the 4th of April when she departs for the European summer season in the Mediterranean Sea. Her return to South African shores will be for an extended period starting in November 2010 and continue through to May 2011.
MSC Sinfonia hosts 777 cabins, of which 135 are suites with private balconies. The ship also boasts 3 restaurants, 7 bars, 2 pools, the MSC Aurea Spa, a business and conference centre, an internet cafe, casino, cigar room, disco, fitness centre, golf simulator, library, card room, mini club, teen's club, exchange office and medical centre. The facilities and onboard activities allow for travellers to tailor make their own experience whilst in the luxurious surroundings.
MSC Melody is the smallest ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet, and is designed to meet the highest standards of Italian style and sophistication, whilst offering a relaxed and informal cruise-ship experience. With a capacity of just over 1,500 guests, MSC Melody creates a welcoming, almost intimate feel on board, especially being the only ship designed with family in mind with 5 bed cabins available. Graceful public areas with grand high ceilings lend the MSC Melody to a sense of openness with comfortable, stylish staterooms, spacious and well-appointed. The ship's retractable, transparent Magrodome allows you to enjoy one of the two swimming pools and whirlpools even if the skies cloud over.
MSC Magnifica Flag Ceremony - The most Fleet in the World continues to Grow !
This morning, MSC Crociere officially took delivery of its new ship MSC Magnifica from the STX Europe shipyard at Saint-Nazaire (France).
In the traditional "flag ceremony", the shipyard's pennant and the French flag were first lowered, accompanied by the French national anthem, before Jacques Hardelay, General Manager of STX Europe, formally handed the ship over to MSC Crociere shipowner Gianluigi Aponte. Mr Aponte then gave command of the ship to Captain Giuliano Bossi, and the flags of Italy and MSC Crociere were raised to the sound of the Italian national anthem.
The honour of cutting the ribbon fell to MSC vice-president Mrs Alexa Aponte Vago, daughter of Mr Aponte and wife of MSC Crociere CEO Pierfrancesco Vago, who was also in attendance, as was the Manager of MSC Croisiere France & Belux Erminio Eschena. After the traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne, three blasts from the ship's siren signalled the end of the ceremony.
On behalf of MSC Crociere, CEO Pierfrancesco Vago said: "We are delighted and proud to take delivery of this magnificent new ship, bringing the MSC Crociere fleet to 11 units. Our capacity has increased 10 times in just 7 years to reach 1,200,000 passengers in 2010, an unprecedented rate of growth," he continued. "But our growth is not just a question of numbers. MSC Crociere has earned worldwide recognition for its industry-leading innovations in ship design, and MSC Magnifica is the perfect demonstration. Based on a tried and tested model, she introduces previously unseen levels of sophistication and comfort, and does so in total respect for the highest environmental standards."
In his speech, STX Europe's General Manager Jacques Hardelay said: "We are honoured that STX France has once again contributed to the growth of the most modern cruise fleet. MSC Magnifica brightly displays the know-how and constant improvement capacity of both the STX France SA's teams and our partners. This new cruise ship illustrates the excellent and exceptional collaboration between Saint-Nazaire and MSC Crociere teams."
MSC Magnifica is the eleventh ship in the fleet. 293.8m long, 59.4m tall, 32m wide, and capable of carrying over 3000 guests, her elegant design is once again the work of award-winning naval architects De Jorio Design International. With respect to her sister vessels in the 'Musica' class, her 22,000 square metres of public areas contain numerous innovations, from the Magrodome sliding roof over one of the pools to the 10-pin bowling, vintage billiard room and interactive 4D cinema.
After an inaugural visit to Southampton dedicated to the UK market next weekend, MSC Magnifica will begin her pre-christening cruise from Saint-Nazaire on Monday 1st March, calling at Cherbourg (Tue 2nd), Dover (Wed 3rd) and Amsterdam (Thu 4th) before reaching the port of Hamburg (Fri 5th) for the official christening ceremony on Saturday 6th March.
The christening ceremony can be enjoyed not only by those in Hamburg - onboard and ashore on two giant floating screens in the beautiful Landungsbrucken area of the harbour - but also by online spectators around the world on MSC TV.
Readers say Starlight / MSC Cruises adverts are the best!
Readers of The Star, Johannesburg's biggest daily newspaper, have declared Starlight / MSC Cruises tops when it comes to newspaper adverts.
Starlight Cruises, have placed regular advertisements to promote the first time arrival in South Africa and summer cruise season of the magnificent cruise ship MSC Sinfonia and readers of Independent Newspapers in Gauteng have voted the ads as the winner of the "Best Newspaper Advert" category in the annual "Your Choice Competition"
Bookings for MSC Sinfonia's maiden Southern African and Indian Ocean cruise season have already surpassed all expectations which also confirms that readers are highly astute when it comes to assessing advertisements.
The Star's "Your Choice" competition was run over six eight weeks. Readers were asked to vote for their favourite businesses in three categories: Best Services and Shopping, Best Food, Drink and Entertainment and the Best Places and Things.
The top two winners in each category were announced today in the annual tabloid supplement: The Star - YOUR CHOICE 2009.
MSC Sinfonia is the largest and most modern cruise ship ever to operate out of a local South African port. The first of 39 cruises departing out of Durban started on 14 November and will continue until April 2010.
Crest Exchange Ceremony Celebrates Msc Sinfonia's First Visit To South Africa
The arrival of MSC Sinfonia on Southern African shores gives the country hope that the future will be much brighter for the shipping industry the Minister of Transport, Mr Sibusiso Ndebele, said in a prepared speech to mark the cruise ship's maiden visit to South Africa.
MSC Sinfonia's arrival in Cape Town was celebrated by a Crest Exchange between the honourable Minister Ndebele and the city's harbor master Captain Ravi Naicker and the ship's Captain Ciro Pinto and Mr Achille Staiano, the Commercial Manager International Market for MSC Cruises at a function aboard ship in Cape Town on Tuesday 10 November 2009.
The time honoured maritime custom of the traditional Crest Exchange involves an exchange of commemorative plaques to signify a ship's first visit to a country.
Key national, provincial, city and port authorities, the media, travel agents and invited guests attended the special onboard function to mark the much anticipated arrival of the nine storey, 58600 ton MSC Sinfonia which has capacity for 2100 passengers.
"Today's occasion also spurs us on to look at better ways to make this industry bigger and more competitive in South Africa and the rest of Africa. The training of seafarers is but one way of ensuring that we become an active player in the cruise ship industry but also in the maritime industry as a whole. This is a key challenge which faces the industry in future," said Minister Ndebele.
Minister Ndebele said South Africa was already making strides in this regard. In October the African Union adopted the African Maritime Charter during its Minister's Conference held in Durban. The charter seeks to propel the industry from where it is to the stratosphere through a battery of interventions including training and security.
"In addition to the development of the maritime industry our mandate includes the regulation of activities at sea and the protection of a huge piece of seabed from abuse by criminal elements of all sorts.
"We are therefore inextricably linked to the cruise ship industry and have the great pleasure of being part of this occasion today. The arrival of MSC Sinfonia on the shores of South Africa today gives us hope that tomorrow will be a much brighter day for the shipping industry."
In referring to major advances in enhancing safety and security to ensure a sustainable maritime and cruise ship industry, Minister Ndebele said the South African Maritime Safety Authority's (SAMSA) new Centre for Sea Watch and Response (CSWR) had recently launched a long range identification and tracking system (LRIT).
This had the capacity to identify and track vessels up to 1 000 nautical miles (1850 kilometres) from the South African coastline as well as South African registered vessels anywhere in the world.
"Safety together with security are key to sustainable maritime and cruise ship industry. Cruise ships have borne the brunt of the latest wave of piracy along the North East Coast of Africa. If we want to develop this industry we have no option but to ensure that safety and security are guaranteed. Cruise ships must become the immediate direct beneficiaries of a safer maritime environment."
Minister Ndebele said the economic impact and benefits of cruise ships was associated with spending by cruise passengers and crew, cruise line expenditures for operations and port services, marketing and operating expenses for their headquarters and capital expenditures for port terminals.
This was according to a recent study commissioned by the Western Cape government. The industry comes with additional spending on goods and services generated by the cruise industry's port-side suppliers.
"The study says there is also expenditure on vessel maintenance and supplies; spending by cruise lines for port services at home ports and ports of call: shore-side staffing by the cruise lines for their headquarters and marketing operations."
"Finally, we have no doubt that the cruise industry will play a huge role in the 2010 Soccer World Cup. We maintain that the 2010 World Cup is not just about soccer. Its success depends largely on the ability of all modes of transport to carry people from all corners of the world.
"Soccer fans will descend on our shores by road, they will come by air, by rail and they will come by sea. When they come by sea, we must make sure they do so in style, in the comfort and sophisticate luxury that we see here this evening. It is our duty to give them lasting memories similar to the lasting memories we are making today," said Minister Ndebele.
TOKYO GROOVE - on board the MSC Sinfonia - 13 November
They exploded onto the music scene with their debut hit single "Get Down Saturday night", held the Number 1 spot on 94.7's & Kfm's Homebrew for over a month and now Tokyo Groove will be in Durban to play live on deck under the stars aboard MSC Sinfonia!
Rated as one of the country's top cover bands, Tokyo Groove, will bring their extensive repertoire of rock, reggae and classic party song tracks to the invitation only 13th November function where almost 2000 guests from around the country will be on board to celebrate MSC Sinfonia's first visit to South Africa, her arrival in Durban and launch of her maiden cruise summer season in the Indian Ocean.
Mesmerizing is the word used to describe Tokyo Groove's on-stage performances while lead vocalist Sangoma (formerly the front man of the successful group Denim) continues to amaze audiences with his range and versatility. Sangoma has had the opportunity to perform for the creme de la creme of society both locally and internationally, has had a string of hits, and produced various tracks for television but it is with Tokyo Groove that Sangoma has finally come into his own and adds a phenomenal energy to the seven piece band bringing the music to life.
Focusing on classic party tracks like September, Lady Soul and more, Tokyo Groove appeals to a wide audience and will get guests dancing the night away. Having performed at the most prestigious functions and sporting events in Southern Africa and enjoyed repeated corporate bookings with the country's top Blue Chip corporate companies - all of which endorse the band's reputation for professionalism, quality and really getting a party going.
2009 has been a land mark year for the band with the release of "Get Down Saturday Night" which is still charting on all major radio stations nationally while a second single looks set to go even bigger and better. Already these singles have managed to encompass both the sophistication and vibe of the band and boost their reputation as one of South Africa's Top Party Bands.
While Tokyo Groove will play out on deck on 13 November the remainder of the ship's entertainment will be on show as is when she is cruising.
The various shows are truly international with artists coming from the United Kingdom, Australia, Ukraine, Brazil, Italy, Spain and South Africa. The line-up is quite fantastic and includes from aerial acrobatics, juggling, magic and illusion, dance, Spanish Flamenco to comedy and song.
Those who enjoy more of a local flavour should look out for the special theme cruises which will have additional South African guest artists performing on board. They include Kurt Darren, Danny Fisher, Ian von Memerty, Gino Fabbri, Victor Siljeur, Lana English, Max Kaan, Adrian the Magician, Henk Grimsell, Santiago and DJ Black Sparrow.
And the entertainment doesn't end with the evening shows. Live music, including four South African bands, in several venues and the nightly disco will sustain the mood until the early hours.
MSC Sinfonia is being described as the finest floating hotel South Africa has ever seen. The nine storey, 58600 ton, cruise ship with her distinctive Italian design, style and service is the biggest and most modern cruise ship ever to operate out of a local port for a full summer cruise season.
MSC Sinfonia is one of MSC Crociere's illustrious stable of 10 ships. As leaders in the Mediterranean cruise market, the MSC cruise ships - with their distinctive Italian design, style and service - represent the most modern cruise fleet in the world and operate in top destinations around the globe
MSC Sinfonia Cruise Season Bookings Top 46 000 One Month Ahead Of Ship's Arrival
First cruise departs Durban 14 November
A bumper summer cruise season is forecast for Southern Africa as passenger bookings for the largest and most modern ship ever to operate out of a local port have already soared to over 46 000 even though the ship's arrival is still a month away.
The nine story, 58600 ton MSC Sinfonia with capacity for 2100 passengers, docks in Durban for the first time on 13 November after a maiden southbound cruise from the Mediterranean and a one day stop-over in Cape Town.
Described as the finest floating hotel ever to visit South Africa, MSC Sinfonia opens the season with a two day cruise out of Durban on 14 November. A full schedule of long and short cruises to Mozambique and the Indian Ocean islands of Madagascar, Comores, Mauritius and Reunion continue through to April 2010.
Over 46 000 passengers have already booked cruises on MSC Sinfonia which makes it quite obvious that the ship has proved a major hit with the South African travelling public," said Allan Foggitt, director of Starlight Cruises, the general sales agents for MSC Crociere in South Africa.
MSC Sinfonia is one of MSC Cruises illustrious stable of 10 ships. As leaders in the Mediterranean cruise market, the MSC cruise ships - with their distinctive Italian design, style and service - represent the most modern cruise fleet in the world and operate in top destinations around the globe
Mr Foggitt said sales for MSC Sinfonia are currently 20% ahead of the combined sales at the same time last year for the two cruise ships, MSC Melody and MSC Rhapsody, operated out of Durban last year. This is in spite of the current trying financial times.
"We attribute this phenomenal response to the fact that MSC Sinfonia represents exceptional value especially with the option of up to two children under the age of 18 being able to cruise free if accompanied by two adults. It is certainly the most affordable, exotic, romantic and exciting local holiday option," he said.
Taking over the helm of MSC Sinfonia on 16 October for the upcoming season will be the well known and highly respected Captain Ciro Pinto who has come to think of South Africa as a second home after some 30 years of regular sailing off her shores.
"'I'm honoured to be captaining MSC Sinfonia during her maiden cruise season in Southern Africa. For me it will be like a proud home-coming to bring such a beautiful ship to a country that I've got to know so well as captain of MSC Melody and before that on MSC Container vessels.
"South Africans can look forward to an entirely new floating resort experience on MSC Sinfonia. She is a newer and bigger ship and without doubt the best local hotel afloat. I am very excited about it and can't wait to show her off."
MSC Sinfonia sets a new standard in South African cruising by offering an extensive range of onboard facilities in an elegant, contemporary environment. It features 777 cabins, of which 132 are suites with private balconies, 3 restaurants and a buffet, 7 bars, a cigar lounge, disco, casino, business and conference centre. There is also a Spa and beauty centre, 2 swimming pools, a sports centre, golf simulator, library, card room, children's playroom, teenagers club, a shopping area with duty free shops and boutiques, an internet cafe and a medical centre.
Proof of Yellow Fever Vaccination.
If you are travelling on SI 01 or SI 38 - this notice is for you!!
From September 2009 South African and Namibian Health Authorities require that all passengers arriving from previous African ports are compelled to show proof of Yellow Fever vaccination.
Therefore, concerning MSC Sinfonia Cruise departing on 24 October and 1st April, any failure to provide proof of vaccination will result in passengers being denied boarding
Travel The Drakensberg Or Durban Express And Get More Out Of Your MSC Sinfonia Dream Cruise!
Demand for the upcoming summer cruise season aboard the MSC Sinfonia is proving so great in Gauteng that two special coach tour packages to include an overnight stop in either the Drakensberg or Durban have been introduced for passengers departing for the ship from Johannesburg.
Passengers can opt to travel on the Sinfonia Drakensberg Express for an overnight stay at Bergville's Sandford Park Country Hotel in the magnificent northern Drakensberg or go directly to Durban on the Sinfonia Durban Express for a night at the Holiday Inn Garden Court in the city's South Beach..
" We've been inundated with queries from people wanting to add on a visit to the Drakensberg or spend more time in Durban itself as part of their MSC Sinfonia cruise package. The result is this great special coach tour offer which not only takes the hassle out of travelling to and from Johannesburg to Durban but allows passengers to start their holiday just minutes after leaving home!" said Allan Foggitt, director of Starlight Cruises, the general sales agents for MSC Cruises.
The Johannesburg pick-up and drop-off points for both the Sinfonia Drakensberg Express and Sinfonia Durban Express will be the Menlyn Park Shopping Centre and the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Bedfordview.
On the morning of the ship's departure passengers will be transferred directly from their respective hotels to N.Shed in Durban Harbour in time for boarding the MSC Sinfonia.
Likewise the coach will be there waiting for them in the harbour on their return from their cruise, ready to depart for Johannesburg - and home.
Actual travel time between Johannesburg and Durban should pass in a flash as passengers will travel in luxury air conditioned coaches fitted with soft reclining seats. DVD/Audio and PA facilities will also allow passengers to watch a movie and listen to music while enjoying a courtesy snack box.
Other refreshments will be on sale but no alcohol will be sold or allowed on board the coaches. A broad spectrum of dietary requirements has been catered for but passengers requiring strictly vegetarian, Halaal or Kosher meals will need to make their own arrangements for the journey.
Full details with regards to departure and arrival times, inclusions and exclusions for the Sinfonia Drakensberg Express and the Sinfonia Durban Express can be obtained by contacting Starlight Cruises on 011 234 - 3840 or visit the website at www.starlight.co.za. Early bookings mean great advantages!
A world of entertainment on board for MSC Sinfonia Cruise Season in Southern Africa
The best of local talent is included in the world class programme of entertainment, theatre and live music designed to wow passengers aboard the MSC Sinfonia during the upcoming summer cruise season in Southern Africa.
"The various shows and performing artists are truly international and come from the United Kingdom, Australia, Ukraine, Brazil, Italy, Spain and South Africa. The line-up is quite fantastic with everything from aerial acrobatics, juggling, magic and illusion, dance, Spanish Flamenco to comedy and song," said Stephen Cloete, cruise director for the MSC Sinfonia.
Cloete who has over 10 years experience in providing Southern African cruise ship travellers with top of the range entertainment was responding to an item in the Daily News "Readers have their Say" of 12 August that suggested all entertainers on the MSC Sinfonia were Italian and would only be understood by Italian guests.
Live music will also feature prominently on the programme. Four of the best bands on board this year are South African and a broad range of musical genre will be on offer.
Guests will be able to do the "cha-cha" to a 4 piece band, sing-a-long in Shelagh's Irish Pub, boogie to some jazz, enjoy classical piano or rock the night away with some of the best South African DJ's in the MSC Sinfonia's sensational disco with its panoramic ocean views.
Those who enjoy more of a local flavour should look out for the special theme cruises which will have additional South African guest artists performing on board. They include Kurt Darren, Steve Hofmeyr, the Parlotones and many more.
Longer cruises to Reunion, the Comores, Mauritius and Madagascar will feature even more of South Africa's finest talent along with the top notch international acts from the season's regular line-up.
The MSC Sinfonia is one of the MSC Cruises' illustrious stable of 10 ships that offer a floating five star resort experience in destinations around the world. As leaders in the Mediterranean cruise market, the MSC cruise ships - with their distinctive Italian design, style and service - also currently represent the most modern cruise fleet on the planet.
The MSC Cruises' extraordinary new flagship - the MSC Splendida - was launched at a glittering event in Barcelona last month and christened by screen star legend Sophia Loren. The ship is a destination in itself and as dazzling as the beautiful cities it cruises to. By 2010, with the launch of the MSC Magnifica, the company will operate a total fleet of 11 ships and achieve its objective of carrying 1.2 million guests.
New West Coast Itinerary
Starlight Cruises, South Africa's only operator of regular cruises from and around the South African coast, has announced that the MSC SINFONIA will travel a new West Africa itinerary departing from Livorno in Italy and Durban in South Africa. The new route represents decisive action by MSC Crociere to completely remove any threat to its passengers from Somali pirates, following a recent episode involving the MSC Melody, which successfully evaded a pirate attempt some 600 nautical miles from the Somali coast on the evening of Saturday 25 April 2009.
The new West Coast itinerary, North and South bound routes, having been expertly designed to offer a stimulating and varied combination of city life, ancient sites, wildlife, beaches and beautiful landscapes. The SINFONIA Arrives in South Africa in early November 2009 and through the South African cruise season continues to operate cruises from Durban to destinations in the Indian Ocean and Mozambique Channel.
At 58600 tons and close to 2100 passengers, the MSC SINFONIA will be the largest and most modern ship to have ever operated from a South African port. The Liner hosts 778 cabins, of which 135 are suites with private balconies. The ship also boasts 3 restaurants, 7 bars, 2 pools, spa, business and conference centre, internet cafe, casino, cigar room, disco, fitness centre, golf simulator, library, card room, mini club, teen's club, exchange office and medical centre.
The facilities and onboard activities allow for travellers to tailor make their own experience whilst in the modern and comfortable surroundings. Children up to the age of 18 travel free. All meals are included.
MSC SPLENDIDA: A brand new flagship for the world's most modern fleet
South Africans looking for the most extraordinary holiday at sea in Europe will soon have the option of cruising aboard MSC Crociere's brand new flagship, the MSC Splendida, which promises to take the concept of a floating city to an entirely new level.
Described as a magical destination in its own right the MSC Splendida was officially handed over to MSC Crociere by the STX Europe shipyard at Saint Nazaire in France during a traditional flag ceremony earlier this month. She was christened in suitably splendid style in Barcelona this week by screen legend Sophia Loren.
The arrival of MSC Splendida brings the number of ships in the MSC Cruises fleet to ten. She and sister ship MSC Fantasia, launched in Naples last December, are the largest ships ever built by a European ship owner. Each capable of carrying 3,959 passengers, these "floating cities' are 333m long, 66.8m tall and weigh 137,936 metric tons.
MSC Splendida's design, by leading naval architects De Jorio Design International, boasts numerous technological innovations dedicated to ensuring unsurpassed levels of guest comfort and environmental protection.
"We are delighted to take delivery of this fabulous new flagship," said MSC Crociere's CEO Pierfrancesco Vago."With MSC Fantasia, we believed we had built the most beautiful ship in the world. Now I know we were wrong. MSC Splendida truly lives up to her name, bringing more splendour to cruising than has ever been seen before.
"Not only is she a pioneering example of environmentally-friendly ship design; but as the tenth ship in the fleet, she also represents an important milestone in MSC Crociere's growth. The 5.5 billion euro investment programme we initiated in 2003 is nearing completion, and we now look forward to the arrival of MSC Magnifica in 2010."
Mr Vago, who earlier in his career worked in Johannesburg for 15 years, said MSC Crociere is the only company in the world to receive the "6 Golden Pearls" award from the Bureau Veritas in recognition of its high level of quality management and environmental protection.
MSC Splendida's christening was as dramatic and awe-inspiring as the ship herself. Featuring an exceptional Flamenco performance by Joaquin Cortes and a spectacular display of castells, the Catalan tradition of human towers, the evening's entertainment also included a special concert by world famous tenor Jose Carreras. Performing in his hometown, the maestro was accompanied by the 60 musicians of the Orquestra Simfonica del Valles.
Completing the colourful ceremony was a parade of the ships officers and, of course, the traditional cutting of the ribbon by the godmother of the MSC Cruises fleet, Sophia Loren. The celebrations culminated in a dazzling fireworks display.
The MSC Splendida is stunningly beautiful in appearance but she can also boast quite unbelievable statistics.
First, there is her sheer size. Measuring 333.3m in length, MSC Splendida is longer than the Eiffel Tower laid horizontally, and at 66.8m high, she is as tall as a 23-storey skyscraper. She has a gross tonnage of 137,936 tons and each of her two propellers is bigger than a double-decker bus, spanning 6m and weighing over 17 tons. Together, they can move the ship at a speed of 23.3 knots - considerably faster than the average speed of a London bus!
MSC Splendida has a total surface area of 450,000 square metres, the equivalent of around 60 football pitches, including 55,000 square metres of usable floor space - more than the Palace of Versailles! The 1600-seat Strand Theatre alone occupies over 2,000 square metres: the size of 8 tennis courts. A further 1,700 square metres are dedicated to the sumptuous MSC Aurea Spa, another 1,000 square metres to the Royal Palm Casino and 400 square metres to children's play areas.
MSC Splendida has the capacity to accommodate 3,959 guests, with a ratio of more than 1 crew member for every 3 passengers.
To keep guests cool between destinations, the ship has 5 swimming pools, including 1 covered pool and a spectacular Aqua Park with 150 water jets, as well as 12 whirlpool baths.
A total of 1,637 cabins gives MSC Splendida more guest rooms than New York's famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. 82% of the accommodation is in outside cabins, and 1,256 cabins have private balconies. There are 107 suites, 99 of which are located in the luxury MSC Yacht Club zone, and 43 cabins are specially equipped for guests with disabilities.
Her 18 decks are served by 25 different lifts, two of them panoramic. The ship's lavish decor involves 43 different colours and includes 17,000 square metres of pile carpet, enough to carpet London's Trafalgar Square as well as Times Square in New York! You could also cover 5 ice rinks with the 8,000 square metres of marble used on board.
Such beautiful interiors deserve to be properly lit. That's why the ship is illuminated by an incredible 65,000 light bulbs: more than the entire New York subway system. What's more, if all the electricity cables on MSC Splendida were connected end to end they would stretch from Barcelona to Hamburg!
When it comes to eating and drinking on MSC Splendida, guests are simply spoilt for choice. There are 18 different bars and lounges, 4 restaurants and 2 buffets on board. Between them, they serve 14 different menus each day, comprising 2,000 different recipes - so you could try 5 different dishes every day for a whole year and still not have tasted them all!
The Splendida's six-day maiden voyage will call at the most beautiful ports in the Mediterranean: Tunis, Valletta (Malta), Messina and Civitavecchia, arriving in Genoa on Saturday 18 July. More enchanting ports of call in Malta, Greece, Egypt and Turkey will complete the ships itinerary through to the end of the year.
New Cruise Liner for Local Season
Modern MSC Sinfonia comes to SA shores offering cruising at affordable rates !
Starlight Cruises, South Africa's only operator of regular cruises from and around the South African coast, has announced that the Liner, MSC SINFONIA, will from November 2009 operate cruises from Durban to destinations in the Indian Ocean and Mozambique Channel. At 58600 tons and close to 2100 passengers, the MSC SINFONIA will be the largest and most modern ship to have ever operated from a South African port.
The MSC SINFONIA is a new liner hosting 778 cabins, of which 135 are suites with private balconies. The ship also boasts 3 restaurants, 7 bars, 2 pools, spa, business and conference centre, internet cafe, casino, cigar room, disco, fitness centre, golf simulator, library, card room, mini club, teen's club, exchange office and medical centre. The facilities and onboard activities allow for travelers to tailor make their own experience whilst in the luxurious surroundings.
"The market appears to be calling out for a world class liner in the region,"says Starlight director Allan Foggit, " the South African economy suggests to us that our timing is exactly right. We believe the SINFONIA represents most excellent cruising at the best value, and offers the most exciting local holiday in these trying times. This is definitely the biggest single development in the local cruise industry in South Africa since we first pioneered leisure cruising off this coast."
From daytime activities to evening entertainment, all tastes and needs are catered for. Children are more than welcome with relevant facilities offered. Children up to the age of 18 travel free.
Interesting points to note on the MSC SINFONIA visiting South Africa include - it will effectively increase annual capacity near 70,000 in the 2009/2010 season. Revenue to the Port of Durban in the form of Port Charges and taxes will be around R20,000,000 per annum. Local hotels, transport and ground service providers in Durban will see huge increases in demand. Food and beverage suppliers too are looking at a very substantial increase in ships victualing, of a similar percentage to those of the hotels and other ground service providers. Local airlines will enjoy increases of similar magnitude in catering for "upland" cruise guest who travel from their home cities to and from Durban.
MSC Cruises has introduced throughout its fleet a "Clean Air" policy, which will allow both smokers and non-smokers to enjoy their holidays on board in mutual respect.
After the introduction of the 'Clean Air' policy, the trials of the extensive smoke-free zones have received general approval of passengers.
'We have eliminated smoking in all areas where non-smokers and smokers would have shared the same spaces,' General Manager Emilio La Scala said. We assigned a few rooms where smokers are welcome, but the majority of indoor spaces are now non-smoking.'
On all MSC vessels, smoking is therefore only allowed indoors in the Cigar Rooms, the Casinos and in one dedicated lounge. Passengers can also smoke outside, on one side of the sun deck, but no smoking is allowed in cabins or on balcony cabins.
The rest of the ships is therefore totally smoke-free, for the benefit of non-smokers.
Thanks to the Clean Air Policy, MSC Cruises has therefore managed to satisfy both smokers and non-smokers by having a 90% smoke-free ship. |
