MSC CRUISES WELCOMES MSC PREZIOSA TO THE FLEET AND COMPLETES ITS FABULOUS FANTASIA CLASS SERIES
MSC Cruises continues its rapid expansion with the announcement that the company has finalized negotiations with STX France and signed a contract to take over a 140,000 ton cruise ship following the termination of the agreement with the original owner.
The new ship is named MSC Preziosa and will become the 13th addition to the MSC Cruises' fleet, as well as the precious fourth ship in the series of fantasia-class ships, which include MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida and the long-awaited MSC Divina. MSC Preziosa is in fact the sister ship of MSC Divina, who is currently having her final touches applied in the STX ship yard in St Nazaire, France, before her christening in May 2012.
"The new ship represents an investment of 550 million euros and will be delivered at the end of March 2013. Negotiations with STX France have lasted over nine months; a significant but understandable period of time considering the importance of the investment and the unexpected nature of the takeover," said Mr Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO MSC Cruises. "When MSC Preziosa is delivered we will have four ships of every class, giving us a total capacity of over 40,000 berths and the strength to sail in all seas. MSC Preziosa herself will sail the Mediterranean, exploring the beauty of Greek Islands, which represents the highlight of European cruising."
"STX France is delighted with this successful outcome after months of negotiations. The length of time necessary to settle them is the perfect illustration of the challenges faced by the cruise industry in terms of financing, which impact our industry directly. It's the new Achilles' heel, after competitiveness, on which our efforts are now focused," said Laurent Castaing, STX France General Manager. "In this context, the integration of X32 into the prestigious MSC Cruise's fleet is a relief and a real pleasure for STX."
MSC Preziosa will boast 1,751 cabins, 26 lifts, and 18 decks, 14 of them for passengers. Guests will be able to enjoy four main restaurants, two speciality restaurants, 21 bars, a casino, four swimming pools, including an infinity pool, 12 whirlpools, a bowling alley, a sports area with playing fields, a fitness centre, a children's area and the superb MSC Aurea Spa.
An exclusive feature of MSC Preziosa - and of all fantasia-class ships in the MSC fleet - is the MSC Yacht Club. Privileged passengers staying in the 69 exclusive MSC Yacht Club suites will be able to take advantage of the private bar, solarium, hydro-massage pools, and the spectacular glass-walled observation lounge with amazing ocean views. A butler service will offer assistance at check-in, transport luggage, unpack, serve traditional English afternoon tea as well as arranging cigars and beverages, booking tables at restaurants, treatments in the MSC Aurea Spa, ad hoc excursions and even arrange private parties.
MSC Preziosa's total construction is 45% complete, and her mechanical zones are 70% complete. The best, however, is yet to come! MSC Cruises will soon begin the fitting and furnishing of the 333 metre long, 38 metre wide ship and work its unique Mediterranean magic on turning MSC Preziosa into a stylish masterpiece and a perfect mix of advanced technology, elegance and exclusive services.
Cruise guests who want to play their part in reducing carbon emissions can also relax in the knowledge that MSC Preziosa's green features, including an advanced waste water treatment system (AWT) and advanced energy saving systems, with a focus on air-conditioning, will gain the same impressive industry-leading ecoship and cleanship credentials as her sister ship MSC Divina.
MSC OPERA AND MSC SINFONIA TO OFFER NEW DESTINATIONSFOR THE 2012/2013 CRUISE SEASON
MSC Starlight Cruises recently announced the return of MSC Sinfonia, and the addition of MSC Opera to South Africa for the 2012/13 summer season. Both Ships will bring elegance and glamor to South African guests, offering select new cruise destinations as part of their Summer 2012/13 itineraries.
The MSC Opera will arrive in Cape Town on the 20th November 2012 and will proceed onto Durban where she will be based for the summer season, operating the popular three and four night cruises to Maputo, Portuguese Island and Barra Lodge in Mozambique. The ever popular Christmas cruise has been changed slightly, sailing to Portuguese Island and then on to the tiny beach village of Anakoa in Madagascar. This unspoilt port of call is known for its diving, fishing and surfing alongside a quaint fishing village where the locals still craft seaworthy dhows right on the beach.
An 11 Night festive New Year cruise on board MSC Opera has also seen a new addition with New Year’s eve celebrated under the Reunion skies. The MSC Opera arrives in Mauritius on New Year’s day where the ship will remain in port for 3 nights.
The MSC Opera also has Port Elizabeth as a port of call towards the end of her season and will perform a couple of cruises out of Cape Town to Mossel Bay, Walvis Bay, and Luderitz before leaving South African shores for the European summer.
The MSC Sinfonia will arrive back in South Africa on the 28th of November 2012, for her 4th season, allowing the Cape Town market a more luxurious cruising option out of their home port. A firm favourite in South Africa, she will operate a series of cruises to Mossel Bay, Hermanus, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and, for the first time ever, an 11-night roundtrip cruise to Walvis Bay and St Helena. Long a requested destination for MSC to visit, St Helena is one of the most isolated islands in the world, and used to serve as an important rendezvous point and source of food for ships that were travelling from Asia en route to Europe. French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to, and is buried on the Island.
MSC Sinfonia will take over the Portuguese Island, Maputo and Barra Lodge cruises from the MSC Opera on the 18 February out of Durban and will operate an extended season , only ending on the 12 of April 2013. This includes school holidays and Easter which is sure to be in huge demand.
Another new destination for the ship will be Anakoa (Madagascar) as part of a 7 night cruise including Portuguese Island and Maputo, This departure is scheduled for the 25th March 2013.
For the real cruise enthusiasts there is a long cruise scheduled to Mauritius, Reunion and Ile St Marie in Madagascar on the 6th of February or the ultimate cruises - those to & from Italy to Cape Town, 18 & 19 night itineraries from Venice or Genoa to the fairest Cape with calls at Valencia, Toulon,Lisbon, the Canary Islands & Walvis Bay .
Bookings for the new season are already open for both MSC Opera and MSC Sinfonia, with attractive offers for early bookings as well as special promotions for senior citizens and honeymooners.
MSC Opera has 856 cabins of which 172 are balcony cabins and 28 are balcony suites. The ship has four restaurants, eleven bars, two pools, and two whirlpools. The liner boasts the MSC Aurea Spa and Solarium, a disco, video games room, internet cafe, casino, team building facilities and a medical centre. The ship has a wonderful array of duty free shopping and caters for kids with the Buffalo Bill children's play area. Additional facilities include the 'Cotton Club' bar and a stage on deck for outdoor entertainment.
MSC Sinfonia has 777 cabins, of which 132 are balcony suites. The ship also boasts four restaurants, 10 bars, two swimming pools and the luxurious MSC Aurea Spa. Guests can enjoy world class performances in the San Carlo Theatre and take advantage of the state-of-the-art fitness centre, golf simulator, casino, mini club, teen's club, disco, internet cade and luxury shopping. Additional facilities include a business and conference centre and medical centre.
MSC CRUISES OPENS UP NEW DESTINATIONS IN GUADELOUPE AND MARTINIQUE
Enter a world of breathtaking beauty and historical discovery.
With the introduction of the French Antilles as a new destination for the 2012-2013 winter season, and the prospect of a vast array of fascinating shore excursions, MSC Cruises has created a unique opportunity for guests to experience the very best of this idyllic region.
The 59,000 ton MSC Lirica features 780 cabins, a sophisticated and elegant decor, superb attention to detail in all areas, the finest Mediterranean and international cuisine and a dazzling selection of entertainment. The luxury cruise ship boasts 4 restaurants, 8 bars and lounges, the 1,000 m2 MSC Aurea Spa, a running track, a mini golf course, numerous boutiques, a casino, a 700-seat theatre, a nightclub, and a children's club.
On 30 November 2012 MSC Lirica will depart from Genoa, Italy for a 16-day/15-night cruise, arriving at her new homeport in Martinique just over two weeks later. MSC Lirica's course will take her from the Mediterranean Sea through the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, with scheduled stops in Marseilles, France, Barcelona, Spain, Funchal, Portugal and, after five full days at sea, Bridgetown, Barbados. Scheduled stops then follow in Saint George in Grenada, Basseterre in Saint Kitts and Nevis and Castries in Saint Lucia, with MSC Lirica arriving in Fort-de-France in Martinique on 15 December 2012. With a total of 7 full days at sea, this cruise provides guests with the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the many impressive facilities on board the luxury ship.
From 15 December 2012 through to 16 February 2013, MSC Lirica has a full schedule of ten 7- day/8- night cruises, departing every Saturday from Fort-de-France, Martinique, and every Sunday from Pointe-Ã -Pitre, Guadeloupe.
The French Antilles will say farewell to MSC Lirica on 23 February 2013, when she starts her 16-day/15-night return cruise from Fort-de-France in Martinique to Genoa in Italy. Scheduled stops are, Pointe-Ã -Pitre, Guadeloupe, Castries, Saint Lucia, Funchal, Portugal, Malaga, Spain, Barcelona, Spain and Marseille, France.
During the Caribbean experience, guests on board MSC Lirica can enjoy the region's most charming attractions and discover not only the breathtaking beauty but also the rich history of the islands, with scheduled stops in St John's in Antigua and Barbuda, Road Town in Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, Santo Domingo and La Romana in the Dominican Republic, and Philipsburg in St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles.
Itineraries offer up the perfect balance of relaxation, adventure and historical discovery through a diverse choice of shore excursions.
You can take sight-seeing city and sea tours, view the stunning sea life and tropical fish, hike in tropical forests, sample the delicious local cuisine, and visit picturesque villages, stunning beaches, waterfalls, botanical gardens, plantations, and much, much more.
The adventurous will not be bored, with spectacular bird's eye views of the rainforest on offer in the zip-lining Canopy Tour, and opportunities to swim and snorkel with stingrays, discover the region on horseback, swim with dolphins in a natural lagoon, kayak, go off-road in 4 X 4 Jeeps, river raft and ride along the coast in a speed boat.
Learning about the region, its history and culture is easy and enjoyable with the many informative excursions on offer. You can visit the fishing village where Christopher Columbus landed in 1502, historic plantations and distilleries, and take the Chocolate Tour to the Caribbean's largest organic cocoa processing plants where only the most exquisite raw materials are used. Discovering historical Philipsburg is especially enjoyable on the bicycle tour, and you can revisit the 1950s on the Creole Bus Sensation Tour, as well as appreciating the enchanting views of Sabana Grande de Boya' which also commemorates the region's fight to abolish slavery.
By providing so many imaginative options, MSC Cruises is confident of offering guests an unforgettable Caribbean adventure.
ENJOY THE AUTHENTIC ARABIA WITH MSC CRUISES
MSC'S ARABIAN DREAMS CRUISES PROVIDE AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE FOR GUESTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
MSC Cruises recent addition of Abu Dhabi and the Emirates as a new destination has brought holidaymakers a truly special experience of this extraordinary region's rich tradition and vibrant modernity. That's because its new cruises are the latest expression of an MSC tradition that brings every cruise an authentic local flavour, from the elegance of Europe to the brio of Brazil and the charisma of the Caribbean.
The exquisite MSC Lirica is the floating resort from which you can now explore the wonders of Arabia on a choice of 7-night cruises, departing from Abu Dhabi every Sunday or alternatively from Dubai every Friday until early March 2012.
With leisurely calls at Khasab, Muscat and Al Fujairah, you'll be enthralled by a world of spectacular contrasts, from the beauties of nature and the desert, centuries-old traditions and ancient monuments, to futuristic cities offering an entertainment and shopping experience that's thrillingly unique.
Relaxing in a refined Italian designer ambience, cosseted in comfort and surrounded by superb modern leisure facilities, you'll truly be able to immerse yourself in the many wonders of this enigmatic land, from the authentic regional music and entertainment on board to the beautifully-varied shore excursions, including dolphin watching, dhow cruises, jeep safaris, souk shopping and the Ferrari World Theme Park with the fastest roller coaster ride in the world.
MSC personal service makes all the difference on board and ashore, for example ensuring that Muslim guests from the region and worldwide can rely on a delicious array of correctly prepared halal food, appropriate service and of course proper facilities for prayers and ablutions. There are even special check-in arrangements available for women to combine respectful observance with full security.
Throughout your cruise you'll relish the warm welcome for which MSC is renowned, served attentively by staff speaking 6 languages to help you cruise just as you choose, whether that takes you to the pool complex, cyber cafe, children's playroom and kids club, or to the mini-golf, dance shows, casino, cabaret and discotheque, to MSC Aurea Spa beauty and wellness centre or a night at the theatre after a sumptuous dinner in your choice of the four magnificent restaurants on board.
MSC has focused its legendary attention to detail on every aspect of these Arabian Dreams cruises on MSC Lirica, ensuring that guests of every age and gender from every culture will enjoy a holiday like no other, exploring the spectacular magical world of Abu Dhabi and the Emirates.
MSC MELODY, ARRIVES CAPE TOWN, TUESDAY 6th DECEMBER 2011
The popular MSC Melody, will arrive in Cape Town on Tuesday the 6th December 2011 to start her 2011/12 season of cruises out of Cape Town to Walvis Bay, Mossel Bay and from Durban to the exotic Indian Ocean cruise destinations of Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion.
The classic 1 500 passenger cruise ship which has proved so popular in South Africa during previous cruise seasons because of her elegance and luxuriously intimate appeal, left Genoa, Italy on 18th November for the start of her 18 night southbound cruise. Cape Town will be her first port of call in South Africa.
MSC Melody departs the same day on her opening cruise of the South African season which is a 2 night Fun Cruise to Nowhere.
Her calendar will then feature both Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean itineraries out of Durban and Cape Town through to 20th February 2012 when she returns to the Mediterranean, on a 18 Night cruise, visiting Walvis Bay, Jamestown [St Helena] Dakar [Senegal], Arrecife de Lanzarote [Canary Islands] , Cadiz [Spain], Palamos [Spain] and finally arriving in Genoa Italy.
The festive season keeps the ship in the tropics. There is a ten night Christmas cruise to Mauritius followed by a six night New Year cruise to the popular Fort Dauphin in Madagascar.
The MSC Melody also offers an 11 night Island Discovery cruise in January which sees her gracing the shores of the islands of Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius. St Dennis , capital of the French island of Reunion offers the wondrous sophistication of downtown Paris in a tropical climate. Visitors can hike the volcanic mountains to enjoy panoramic views of the rainforest. Mauritius is still South Africa's favourite playground and the optional excursions offered on board cover everything from the beaches at Grand Baie and Ile Aux Cerf to the Pamplemouse Botanical Gardens and the markets and shopping district of Curepipe. A new stop at the unspoilt Madagascan island of Ile St Marie is sure to be a highlight for all.
The Cape cruises in the Atlantic hold the promise of whale and dolphin sightings plus a rich variety of migrant sea birds, and long days brought to a close with glorious sun sets into the ocean.
Guests can also expect magnificent views of the Cape Peninsula mountains from the sea. They will also enjoy the rare treat of sailing past both Cape Point (where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet) and Cape Agulhas (Africa's most southerly tip), on the cruises to Mossel Bay and the 4 coastal cruises between Durban and Cape town and Vice Versa. Passengers will quickly understand why early explorers named the region the "Fairest Cape of them all".
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 MELODY, SOUTH AFRICA'S GRAND DAME OF CRUISING, DEPARTS ITALY FRIDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2011
MSC Melody departs Genoa Italy Friday 18th November to return to South Africa for the start of her 2011/12 season. The classic ship will once again feature her program of short Atlantic Ocean cruises out of Cape Town to Walvis Bay and Mossel Bay, the exclusive 11 night cruise to Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius, as well as the ever popular Christmas cruise to Mauritius and New Year's Cruise to Fort Dauphin. Her 2011/12 season in SA ends late February 2012.
The classic 1 500 passenger cruise ship which has become the favourite of many South Africas during previous cruise seasons because of her elegance and luxuriously intimate appeal, will depart Genoa en-route to SA calling at Barcelona and Cadiz in Spain, Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Dakar, and Walvis Bay in Namibia.
Cape Town will be her first port of call in South Africa on the 6th December 2011.
MSC Melody sails again the same day for her first cruise of the South African season to host passengers on board a 2 day cruise to nowhere. Her calendar will then feature both Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean itineraries out of Durban and Cape Town until she returns to the Mediterranean.
The festive season keeps the ship in the tropics. There is a ten night Christmas cruise to Mauritius followed by a six night New Year cruise to the popular Fort Dauphin in Madagascar
The MSC Melody offers an 11 night Island Discovery cruise in January which sees her gracing the shores of the islands of Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius. Pointe des Galets , capital of the French island of Reunion offers the wondrous sophistication of downtown Paris in a tropical climate. Visitors can hike the volcanic mountains to enjoy panoramic views of the rainforest. Mauritius is still South Africa's favourite playground and the optional excursions offered on board cover everything from the beaches at Grand Baie and Ile Aux Cerf to the Pamplemouse Botanical Gardens and the markets and shopping district of Curepipe.A new stop at the unspoilt Madagascan island of Ile St Marie is sure to be a highlight for all.
The Cape cruises in the Atlantic hold the promise of whale and dolphin sightings plus a rich variety of migrant sea birds, and long days brought to a close with glorious sun sets into the ocean.
Guests can also expect magnificent views of the Cape Peninsula mountains from the sea. They will also enjoy the rare treat of sailing past both Cape Point (where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet) and Cape Agulhas (Africa's most southerly tip), on the cruises to Mossel Bay and the 4 coastal cruises between Durban and Cape town and Vice Versa. Passengers will quickly understand why early explorers named the region the "Fairest Cape of them all".
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.
HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL LUNCHEON ABOARD
MSC SINFONIA RAISES R365 000
FOR CAPE HOME FOR ABANDONED CHILDREN
A whopping R365 000 was raised in support of a Cape home for abandoned children at a charity luncheon hosted by MSC Cruises aboard the luxury cruise ship MSC Sinfonia during a rare port of call in Cape Town on Tuesday 9 November.
The 160 guests attending the prestigious event were generous in bidding for items auctioned at the luncheon and also opened their hearts in pledging clothing and food donations, expertise and support for the Building Blocks Foundation which has looked after over 80 babies and toddlers since opening their first home in Pinelands three years ago.
A guest even offered a new rent free house, worth over R150 000 a year, as accommodation for the establishment of a second Building Blocks Children's Home in Cape Town. The offer realises a major step towards achieving the Foundation's long term goal of establishing a total of four homes in the city and a network of similar homes around the country.
Mr Stefano Vigoriti, managing director of MSC Cruises South Africa thanked guests for opening their hearts in support of the initiative which also marked the opening of the summer cruise season in South Africa. Tickets for the event, a first in South Africa, were sold out weeks in advance.
"MSC Cruises already partners an international initiative in support of disadvantaged children through UNICEF and we are delighted to support Building Blocks in South Africa by hosting the luncheon aboard MSC Sinfonia. Its success surpassed our expectations," said Mr Vigoriti.
All funds raised at the luncheon will go to the Building Blocks Children's Home which, in conjunction with local authorities, rescues babies and children and keeps them safe by providing a loving home environment. Many of the children were found in dire circumstances, including extreme poverty, abuse, neglect and disability.
Speaking at the function Building Blocks founder Kim Killeen said their experience at the home had shown how a little baby with no hope could grow into a talented young person with the promise of a great future, if they were cared for in a loving family environment. People often dismiss these children because they think the problem is too big so rather not do anything at all.
While holding two week old baby, Thomas, abandoned at birth by a heroin addict, Killeen introduced guests to 12 year old Ricky Berger, who is fostered by Jenny Berger, house mother at Building Blocks. He bravely told guests a little of his own story: "I was an abandoned baby and met my mom Jenny at the home I was placed at when I was 2 weeks olds. I now live with my family and am in Grade 6 at Pinehurst Primary School in Pinelands. My hobbies are reading, soccer, water polo, art and drama. I am interested in music and I am getting very good at rapping which I practice with my brother Dean. I would like to become a marine biologist so am studying hard for my exams. My headmaster has let me off today to come and talk to you but I am going to have to put in extra time this afternoon! I am proof of what love and care can do for children. I now live in a loving home and am very happy to be part of BBCH where abandoned babies are brought and are given a chance to start a new life," said Ricky.
Killeen said Ricky was living proof of how helping even one child can make a difference and bring so much joy to everyone's life. Ricky has a bright future now and so will Thomas.
She thanked Mr Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises for giving her the opportunity to host the luncheon aboard MSC Sinfonia in Cape Town. "I am totally overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, generosity and kindness and I am delighted to announce that MSC Cruises will be sponsoring this event again next year," said Killeen, who although based in London feels strongly about giving back to her home country. Killeen said she hoped that with additional support the Building Blocks Foundation would be able to provide high level care facilities for HIV/AIDS children and emergency care for abandoned children.
Mr Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises, said he was delighted by the success of the event. "Children are our future and we are proud to be involved in initiatives of this kind. It is something that we as a company have always been committed to and we thank everyone involved for their support," said Mr Vago.
Cape Town was the first port of call in South Africa for MSC Sinfonia which has returned to the Indian Ocean for a second summer cruise season. The magnificent cruise liner will be based in Durban until May next year and enjoy a bumper schedule of cruises to Mozambique and the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and Reunion.
For more information about Building Blocks Children's Home (Registration No: 2007/034295/08 /and NGO and NPO registration numbers: PBO 9300313714 / NPO 075-655-NPO): Please contact: Kim Killeen at info@bbch.co.za.
For more information about the Building Blocks Foundation Ltd (Registration No: 06706823) please contact: Kim Killeen at info@bbch.co.za
For more information about MSC Cruises summer season in Southern African and the Indian Ocean Islands aboard MSC Sinfonia and MSC Melody please visit: www.msccruises.com or www.mscstarlightcruises.co.za
NEXT STOP CAPE TOWN FOR MAGNIFICENT MSC SINFONIA
Cruise Ship arrives 8th November 2011
The magnificent cruise ship MSC Sinfonia makes her first call in South Africa this summer season with one day stop in Cape Town on 8th November 2011.
The 58 600 ton ship with capacity for 2 100 passengers, departed from Livorno, Italy on 22d October for her southbound voyage back to South Africa for what is set to be another record season and will arrive in the Mother City's Table Bay harbour at around 1PM.
"The arrival of the ship will be a treat for all Capetonians as her 9 storeys grace the Eastern Mole Dock and can be seen from around the harbor" notes Allan Foggitt Marketing Manager of MSC Starlight Cruises. "Her one day stop marks the start of her South African summer season where she will operate cruises out of Durban up the Mozambican coast."
The arrival of the ship will be celebrated on board by MSC hosting a fund raiser cocktail party for the Building Blocks homes in Pinelands and Observatory Cape Town. The homes are refuge for abused and abandoned babies, and the initiative is part of the cruise company's long term international commitment to support community projects for less advantaged youth.
By far the finest floating hotel ever to operate locally, MSC Sinfonia departs Cape Town at 10PM that night for Durban, in KwaZulu Natal, where she will be based until the end of March 2012.
MSC Sinfonia will operate a series of popular three and four night cruises to Mozambique with stops in the bustling capital city of Maputo, the trendy water sports resort of Barra Lodge and Portuguese Islands. The ship will once again call at Bazaruto, after an absence of 2 years, offering 3 x four night cruises during the season to the sandy idyllic destination.
One of South Africa's favourites is the popular 5-night Christmas Cruise to the sandy beaches of Barra Lodge and the ever popular Portuguese Island. Guests will spend Christmas Eve enjoying Italian hospitality and Christmas day on Portuguese Island .The Ships Chef will prepare a traditional Christmas menu and the ship will be decorated in true spirit of Christmas. The Cruise departs Durban on the 22nd December, returning to Durban on the 27th December 2011.
MSC Sinfonia will ring in the New Year with the biggest deck party in the southern hemisphere under the Mauritian skies of Port Louis The celebrations are part of the 11 Night New Year festive Cruise, departing Durban on the 27th December and calling at Reunion and a 3 day stopover in Port Louis, Mauritius before returning to Durban on the 7th of January.
MSC Sinfonia has set a new standard for South African cruising by offering an extensive range of top class facilities in an elegant, contemporary environment. It features 777 cabins, of which 134 are suites with private balconies and 503 are outside cabins, 3 restaurants and a buffet out on deck, 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.
For more Visit: www.msccruises.com or www.mscstarlightcruises.co.za
We are also on Facebook : www.facebook.com/mscstarlight
MSC Starlight Cruises offers no currency surcharge guarantee
Its good news for the South African Holiday Market with MSC Starlight Cruises announcing 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 and will ensure holiday makers great comfort and security when selecting a cruise holiday.
"Even though the rand has depreciated in Value by as much as 18% in the past year against the US Dollar and other foreign currencies, MSC Starlight cruises can now guarantee that SA Rand Fares published in the brochure will not be increased" smiles Allan Foggitt of MSC Starlight Cruises.
This in essence means that holiday makers choosing the cruise option have peace of mind as opposed to other travel options that are affected by the volatile rand. MSC Starlight Cruises will therefore carry the risk if the currency is affected.
As all international holidays involve a foreign currency component, any depreciation of the Rand after the tour has been costed will increase the final amount payable for holiday makers. Local Cruise offerings therefore become an attractive and acceptable holiday alternative ensuring passengers an 'international level experience' without the financial risk of other holiday options. Cruising offers many other benefits including accommodation, meals and entertainment all included in the fare, so the "No Currency Surcharge Guarantee" covers passengers for all these expenses that would normally be affected by a weakening rand. Children under 18 also cruise and eat free which holds massive benefits for families in these trying finical times.
As a foreign flag vessel with an international crew earning wages in euros and dollars, MSC Cruises has a large foreign exchange exposure, but in its on-going commitment to growing the South African cruising market, a decision had to be made to guarantee cruisers that no currency surcharge will be applied to the fares for the upcoming cruise season regardless of what happens to the Rand in the coming months. This surely makes cruising the best value holiday option.
MSC Sinfonia and MSC Melody will return to SA Waters in November and December 2011 respectively.
MSC Starlight sign MOI with Mozambique
MSC Starlight Cruises Operations Manager Stefano Vigoriti and The Minister of Tourism Mr Fernando Sumbana Junior, sign the MOI for further development on Portuguese Island at the recent Mozambique Tourism Investment Seminaar, held in Rosebank on the 26th October 2011. |
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Ms Isabel Macie, Tourism Counsellor Mozambican High Commission in South Africa, HE Mr F Fazenda, Mozambican High Commisioner in South Africa,
HE (stands for His Excellency) the Minister, Mr Fernando Sumbana Junior, Stefano Vigoriti [MSC Starlight Cruises],
Dr Mohamed Harun, Special Advisor to the Minister, Craig Dickinson [CFO MSC Starlight Cruises], a senior ranking officer of the Ministry and the Director General of the Tourism Ministry, Mr Martinho Muatxiwa. |
The Minister of Tourism Mr Fernando Sumbana Junior with Stefano Vigoriti [MSC Starlight Cruises], Surrounding - Ms Isabel Macie, Tourism Counsellor of the Mozambican High Commission in South Africa and Dr Mohamed Harun, Executive Advisor to the Minister. |
MSC Starlight Cruises offers no currency surcharge guarantee
Its good news for the South African Holiday Market with MSC Starlight Cruises announcing 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 and will ensure holiday makers great comfort and security when selecting a cruise holiday.
"Even though the rand has depreciated in Value by as much as 18% in the past year against the US Dollar and other foreign currencies, MSC Starlight cruises can now guarantee that SA Rand Fares published in the brochure will not be increased" smiles Allan Foggitt of MSC Starlight Cruises.
This in essence means that holiday makers choosing the cruise option have peace of mind as opposed to other travel options that are affected by the volatile rand. MSC Starlight Cruises will therefore carry the risk if the currency is affected.
As all international holidays involve a foreign currency component, any depreciation of the Rand after the tour has been costed will increase the final amount payable for holiday makers. Local Cruise offerings therefore become an attractive and acceptable holiday alternative ensuring passengers an 'international level experience' without the financial risk of other holiday options. Cruising offers many other benefits including accommodation, meals and entertainment all included in the fare, so the "No Currency Surcharge Guarantee" covers passengers for all these expenses that would normally be affected by a weakening rand. Children under 18 also cruise and eat free which holds massive benefits for families in these trying finical times.
As a foreign flag vessel with an international crew earning wages in euros and dollars, MSC Cruises has a large foreign exchange exposure, but in its on-going commitment to growing the South African cruising market, a decision had to be made to guarantee cruisers that no currency surcharge will be applied to the fares for the upcoming cruise season regardless of what happens to the Rand in the coming months. This surely makes cruising the best value holiday option.
MSC Sinfonia and MSC Melody will return to SA Waters in November and December 2011 respectively.
MSC Opera
Monday May 16th - Following the technical problems to an electrical panel experienced on May 14th, MSC Opera has being towed to the port of Nynamshamn (nearby the Stockholm, Sweden) where she arrived this morning around 11 am. Since yesterday afternoon, most of the services have been restored and this morning passengers have been offered a hot breakfast. All ship’s bars were open with complimentary beverage service. The whole crew, together with a team of technicians from STX Yards have been working around the clock to solve the electrical problem and an additional technical team has just embarked in the port of Nynamshamn.
MSC Cruises team ashore is closely working with the port of Nynamshamn and the port of Stockholm to welcome and repatriate all guests from Stockholm. MSC Cruises is issuing to all passengers a credit voucher for the whole amount of the 10-day cruise valid until December 2012.
As the work of the electrical team is not yet over, MSC Cruises has taken the precautionary measure of cancelling the next MSC Opera cruise which was due to sail out of Southampton tomorrow May 17th, in order to maintain its high standard of security, quality and comfort. All affected passengers will be contacted and offered adequate compensation.
MSC Sinfonia Departs South Africa For Europe Today (3 May) After Record Breaking 2010/2011 Summer
Departure of luxury cruise ship from Cape Town at sunset today (Tuesday 3 May) marks end of summer cruise season
The luxury cruise ship MSC Sinfonia, which has enjoyed a record breaking summer cruise season in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, arrives in Cape Town from Durban at 08h00 today (Tuesday 3 May) for a day's stop-over in the Mother City before departing at sunset (18h00) on a 18 night northbound cruise to Italy.
The magnificent cruise liner which has been operating out of Durban since November last year has become one of the most popular vacations of choice for 1000's of South Africans. The boom of her sirens this evening will signal a fond "arrivederci" (Italian for ‘until we see each other again') until she returns to the country later this year. It will also mark the end of the summer cruise season in Southern Africa.
Mr Allan Foggitt, marketing director of MSC Starlight Cruises, said it had been a record breaking season for both the 2 100 capacity MSC Sinfonia and the smaller 1 500 capacity MSC Melody which had hosted a combined total of over 110 000 passengers cruising out of Durban and Cape Town.
"We are clearly seeing a new trend in local tourism where cruising features high on the list of options," said Foggitt.
He said the phenomenal public response and enthusiasm for cruising had endorsed the company's decision to bring two ships to South Africa this past summer.
"We are confident in the South African market and committed to growing it further. Cruising is clearly one of South Africa's best value and most exciting local holiday options especially with children up to the age of 18 cruising and eating for free," said Foggitt.
Together MSC Sinfonia and MSC Melody were able to offer a greater range of cruise destinations at competitive prices to Mozambique and the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius, Madagascar and Reunion. The new Cape Collection of cruises out of Cape Town to Walvis Bay and Mossel Bay and the weekend Atlantic Ocean "cruise to nowhere" had also proved enormously popular.
"In addition we are capturing an increasingly significant sector of the conference and incentive corporate market. The wonderful romance of cruising has also opened new options for couples celebrating their weddings, renewing their vows and honeymooning.
"We are looking forward to an even better cruise season in 2011/2012 when MSC Sinfonia and MSC Melody return to our shores later this year," said Foggitt.
MSC Sinfonia and MSC Melody (which departed for Europe in March), will spend the South African winter cruising in the Mediterranean Sea. MSC Sinfonia returns to South Africa on 8 November while the smaller 1 500 capacity MSC Melody returns on 6 December.
* MSC Sinfonia's northbound re-positioning cruise to Genoa, Italy, will enjoy ports of in Walvis Bay, Namibia, Dakar in Senegal, Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Spanish Canary Islands, Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira, Malaga in Spain and Civitavecchia, the port of Rome.
MSC Cruises Announces Acquisition Of Starlight Cruises In South Africa
MSC Cruises, the fourth largest cruise company in the world and market leader in the Mediterranean, South African and Brazilian markets, has announced the acquisition of Starlight Cruises, their sales agents in South Africa of almost 20 years. The new company will trade as MSC Starlight Cruises with effect from 1 May 2011. The agreement gives MSC Cruises overall control of Starlight Cruises. It also allows for the continued management by former owners, the Foggitt family, who have operated as sales agents for cruise liners in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands for over 30 years.
Mr Pierfrancesco Vago, who as CEO of MSC Cruises oversees an ultra-modern fleet of 11 cruise ships and 43 offices around the globe from headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, welcomed the formalisation of the company's first office in the sub-Saharan Africa.
"This is an important acquisition that affirms the close relationship we've shared with Starlight Cruises since 1991. It also endorses our commitment to the future success of South Africa and continued growth of cruise tourism in the region," said Mr Vago.
Mrs Daphne Osborne (nee Foggitt) who becomes managing director of MSC Starlight Cruises said the two companies had enjoyed an excellent business and personal ‘engagement' for almost two decades. "It has been a marriage on the cards for years now, and in the wake of two successive record breaking seasons, and sure signs of a continuation of this trend, it would seem the time is right."
Mr Allan Foggitt remains marketing director of MSC Starlight Cruises. Mr Stefano Vigoriti, who has headed up MSC Cruises in South Africa until now, becomes Operations Manager for the new company.
The relationship between Starlight Cruises and the larger Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group, the largest privately owned and second largest container shipping company in the world, began soon after the company's first venture into cruise shipping in the late 1980's and subsequent deployment of the Achille Lauro and MSC Monterey to South Africa.
When MSC Cruises was established as a subsidiary of the MSC Group in 2003 after several years of unprecedented growth and a 5.5 billion euro investment programme, the popular cruise liners MSC Rhapsody and MSC Melody were added to the local line-up.
The deployment of the luxurious 2 100 passenger liner MSC Sinfonia to Southern Africa in 2009 proved a turning point for local cruising and established a new trend where cruising has become an increasingly popular vacation of choice for local holidaymakers. Referred to as the "finest floating hotel" ever to operate out of South Africa, MSC Sinfonia returned for a second bumper season in November 2010 when she operated in conjunction with MSC Melody.
Both MSC Sinfonia and MSC Melody return to South Africa later this year for the 2011/2012 summer cruise season which will again feature a full schedule of exciting cruise destinations in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans out of Durban and Cape Town.
Birding with Ian Sinclair while cruising aboard MSC Melody from Cape Town to Walvis Bay
The rich and varied bird and marine life of Africa's most south westerly coastline between Cape Town and Walvis Bay are the focus of three MSC Cruises special offer summer voyages aboard MSC Melody in January and February 2011.
Led by Ian Sinclair, a renowned birding expert and author of over 25 successful bird books, the four night cruises depart out of Cape Town, South Africa, on the 10th and 17th January and again on the 28th February for a round trip Atlantic Ocean cruise along the famed Diamond and Skeleton coasts to Walvis Bay in Namibia and back.
A noon day departure from Cape Town's Table Bay harbour will ensure magnificent panoramic views of Table Mountain plus guaranteed bird sightings as the elegant cruise liner slips into the plankton laden Benguela current sweeping north from the Antarctic to attract a myriad birds and marine activity to the region.
Whale watching and birding will get off to an early start on Day 2 of the cruise with Ian out on deck at sunrise with steaming cups of coffee and binoculars ready for sightings as the ship cruises well offshore into the bird rich Benguela Current.
"Expect to see an abundant array of seabirds, including albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels and skuas. At this time of year many species from the Arctic mingle with local and Antarctic seabirds in this part of the south Atlantic," says Sinclair.
He said similar MSC cruises in 2009 found a few mega rarities, some never seen before in Southern Africa: Fea's Petrel and Maderian Strom Petrel. Other rarities seen were Streaked Shearwater and Bulwer's Petrel. A range of whales and dolphins might also be encountered: Southern Right, Sperm and Hump-backed Whales. Dusky, Bottled-nosed and Heavyside Dolphins.
Ian, who co-authored Field Guide to Birds of SA and the highly successful Sasol Birds of Southern Africa, will also host a lecture on the second day out at sea which promises to be both highly entertaining and informative.
Day 3 will see the arrival of MSC Melody in the Namibian harbor town of Walvis Bay with optional visits to the local museum, the Birdlife information centre and the huge natural lagoon with its overwhelming abundance of shore birds as a special attraction.
Over 120,000 birds were recently counted in the lagoon including large flocks of flamingoes and pelicans which are joined annually by 200,000 migratory birds that fly south for the summer.
A fascinating excursion is also offered to the small resort of Swakopmund with its mix of history, shopping, unique scenery, superb seafood restaurants and legendary German pastries and cakes in the cafes.
MSC Melody leaves Walvis Bay for the return voyage to Cape Town late on the same day with a dramatic departure into the setting sun and a Tropical Party on deck which is described as a highlight not to be missed.
Day four is at sea and offers another opportunity to catch another of Ian's fascinating early riser whale and bird watching sunrise sessions. And once again he will follow up with a fun and enlightening wrap up lecture which will be part of the ship's scheduled daily programme.
But birding and whale watching is only part of this fabulous special offer on the popular MSC Melody cruise ship which has become much loved by the South African public for her elegance and luxurious intimate feel.
Entertainment and activities offered aboard ship are endless and cater for all interests and age groups.
By day there are deck quoits, shuffleboard, table tennis or volleyball games to play on deck or simply a comfortable chair to relax in and watch the waves go by. A gymnasium, aerobics classes, dance lessons, bridge and other card game competitions, irresistible duty-free shopping and even a creche to leave the kids in while enjoying a short siesta, a session in the beauty salon or a movie in the comfort of your own air-conditioned cabin.
Nights are a dazzling experience with floorshows, cabaret artists, comedians, dancers, magicians and three bands performing every night at sea. The casino offers blackjack, roulette and slot machines and the disco operates until the early hours.
And of course the delectable Italian cuisine on offer! In fact with three meals daily including midnight snacks and tea and pastries served at various intervals, the waistline will be your only concern as the MSC Melody steams towards Cape Town.
NOTE: Ian Sinclair will also be hosting three further birding cruises on MSC Melody this summer season from Durban to Madagascar.
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. |
