MSC Splendida arrives in Durban for maiden homeporting season 

MSC Splendida has arrived in Durban to begin her maiden cruise season in South Africa, sailing roundtrip from the new Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal. 

MSC Splendida docked in Durban for the first time following a three week repositioning voyage from Europe down the coast of East Africa to Kwa-Zulu Natal.

She will remain in the country until March next year, offering a range of Durban and Cape Town departures to Mozambique Island, Pomene Bay, Walvis Bay and more.

The Facebook group Friends of MSC posted a video of MSC Splendida coming into port for the first time, the image below is a still from the clip.

MSC Splendida is the largest cruise ship to ever homeport in South Africa, and is a sign of the resilient growth in the local home market, according to Ross Volk, Managing Director, MSC Cruises SA.

Refering to the global cruise industry, he said it was seeing a “wonderful” recovery post-pandemic, but South Africa has lagged behind with much slower growth in passenger numbers.

“South Africa has struggled a little bit but I think that’s got more to do with the current economic conditions of South Africa than it does with COVID,” he said. “I think people are really struggling at the moment with increased electricity prices, increased fuel costs, and a flagging economy.”

Volk said this has a direct impact on the ability of the South African cruising public to buy holidays, but by deploying a larger ship the cruise line is able to offer a slightly more competitive rate on a per-passenger basis.

MSC Splendida offers 1,637 staterooms for up to 3,929 passengers across five broad categories, from the cheapest inside cabins, to outside cabins, balcony staterooms, suites, and even the MSC Yacht Club.

The luxury ship-within-a-ship enclave marks the first time a Yacht Club vessel has cruised in SA waters. The MSC Yacht Club has 71 cabins, its own sundeck, pool area, dining room, lounge area and comes with a range of perks, such as concierge service and priority boarding.

There are also six restaurants on board, 13 bars and cafes, 5 pools, a nightclub, theatre, casino, spa, F1 Simulator and even a bowling alley in a sports bar that serves free burgers late into the night.

MSC Splendida’s arrival was timed to coincide with the official opening of the new Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban. 

Although the cruise terminal had a soft opening last year, the event this week revealed the cruise terminal’s official name and was attended by President Cyril Rhamaphosa, who hailed the role the local cruise industry plays in supporting South African tourism.