MSC Cruises says 2023/24 season will take cruising in South Africa to next level

As the 2022/23 cruise season in South Africa draws to a close, MSC Cruises (the market leader in the local cruise sector), is already creating hype for the next season.

MSC Cruises says that its decision to deploy the larger MSC Splendida in Durban and Cape Town will “take cruising to the next level in South Africa”.

The cruise line told the Saturday Star that MSC Splendida will take holidaymakers on a journey of discovery to picturesque Mozambique and the white sandy beaches of Namibia.

Although the itineraries on offer are largely identical to those sailed by MSC Orchestra during the current SA cruise season, MSC Splendida offers much more in terms of passenger amenities and facilities.

The ship is huge in comparison, carrying 4,363 passengers, offering seven restaurants and a range of specialty dining options, as well as a dozen cafes and bars (including a Sports Bar with a bowling alley that serves free hotdogs and burgers late into the night!).

The dishes offered aboard MSC Splendida for the upcoming SA cruise season have been created by award winning German Chef Herald Wohlfahrt, and to burn off the extra calories, there is a world-class gym with expansive views over the bow, in addition to relaxation facilities and a wide variety of entertainment.

For the first time, MSC Yacht Club will be available in the local South African cruise market. This ship-within-a-ship luxury enclave offers guests elegant suites, a private pool area, bar, lounge and dining room, as well as the option to book private, out-of-hours shopping and exclusive viewings at the ship’s shopping area.

The Yacht Club can also design exclusive excursion packages, to better suit their preferences.

“We believe that luxury and convenience work together and the MSC For Me App, exclusively available on all the smart ships in our fleet including MSC Splendida, helps each guest enjoy their time onboard with us, easily and conveniently,” says MSC Cruises.

“Zoe, the first ever virtual cruise assistant, helps guests with a seamless, connected holiday which also saves them valuable time. With exciting new features, guests can access important information when they need it,” the cruise line added.

Unfortunately, unlike the last cruise season during which MSC Cruises deployed two ships in South Africa, with MSC Orchestra in Durban and MSC Opera in Cape Town, it looks like MSC will only be sending Splendida for the 2023/24 season.

She’ll arrive in Durban in November this year, sailing 28 roundtrip cruises of 2, 3, 4, and 5-nights until March, before repositioning to Cape Town for March and April, during which she’ll sail five 4-night departures to Namibia.