MSC Musica arrives in Durban, signalling start to 2024/25 cruise season

MSC Musica has arrived in Durban, signalling the start of the 2024/2025 cruise season, with her first departure of the season scheduled for Friday.

The three-night roundtrip cruise to Portuguese Island is a staple of the season, with the vast majority of these roundtrip itineraries from Durban visiting either Pomene Bay (four nights) or Portuguese Island off Maputo.

MSC Musica is a popular ship with the South African cruising public, having already spent several seasons homeporting in Durban.

Entertainment offering range from live shows every evening in the Teatro la Scala theatre, to more intimate live music sessions at a range of bars and cafes around the ship.

“MSC Musica is a great ship for the South African traveller, with plenty of bars and lounges, ample deck space and endless entertainment for everyone to enjoy,” said Ross Volk, Managing Director at MSC Cruises South Africa. “We are excited to welcome new and regular cruisers alike, onboard throughout the summer.”

To celebrate South Africa’s vibrant cultures, MSC Musica’s onboard experience is tailored to the flavours and preferences of the local market, with cuisine that features local twists and entertainment by popular local artists and performers.

The ship also features an array of facilities for families, with dedicated Mini, Junior, Young and Teens Clubs and an Amusement Arcade.

MSC Musica’s 2024/25 Durban season

The popular Portuguese Island cruise takes guests to an idyllic, uninhabited island off Mozambique’s coast, where they can enjoy crystal-clear waters and local cuisine.

Other voyages include the remote Pomene in Mozambique and the stunning islands of Mauritius, Madagascar and Réunion.

In early 2025, MSC Musica will reposition to Cape Town, where she’ll offer cruises to Namibia’s Lüderitz and Walvis Bay, known for their remarkable coastal landscapes and marine life.

Although MSC Musica’s deployment to Durban for the 2024/25 season, which runs from November to March annually, is a downgrade from MSC Splendida, which homeported in the city last year, MSC Cruises and local cruise tourism officials anticipate robust growth in the coming years.

Jeannie Sarno, chairperson of uMhlanga Tourism, said cruising tourism plays a large role in the tourism growth and the GDP. Last year, 243,000 local and international cruise tourists visited Durban.