Johannesburg - The renewed MSC Sinfonia is the second ship of four MSC Cruises ships to have entered the company’s Renaissance Programme, an ambitious two-year plan to make these magnificent ships even bigger and better.
The “new” MSC Sinfonia offers more balcony cabins, a greater choice of dining options, dedicated areas for children, larger open spaces, and a specially designed disembarkation bay for zodiac landings. It will also have a fantastic new Spray Park – a fun-packed, wet zone with interactive jets, slides and ingenious water features.
Day 1, February 8 – depart from Durban
Make sure you are on deck for the sail-away party as she casts off en-route to Portuguese Island.
Day 2 – Portuguese Island
Portuguese Island is an uninhabited natural paradise – a protected reserve of unspoilt beaches. As the ship’s chef prepares a beach BBQ, you can relax on the beach, swim in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, or quench your thirst at the MSC Island bar.
Optional excursions can be booked on board and include snorkelling, sea kayaking or a trip to neighbouring Inhaca Island, which is an inhabited subtropical paradise and neighbour to Portuguese Island. It has a wealth of breath-taking beaches, coral reefs and exotic marine life.
MSC Cruises guests will also have the option of using the facilities of the renowned Pestana Inhaca Lodge, or of visiting the village for traditional fare and shopping.
Days 3 and 4 – at sea
Two full days at sea to spend exploring this magnificently renewed ship and all that she has to offer, or simply relaxing on the pool deck and watching the world pass by. Nights are a dazzling experience, with floor shows, cabaret artists, comedians, dancers, magicians, and live entertainment every night at sea.
The casino offers blackjack, roulette and slot machines, and the disco operates until the early hours.
Day 5 – Ilha de Mozambique
As soon as the ship has been cleared by immigration, disembarkation will commence for your day visit on the island of Ilha de Mozambique.
Situated in Nampula province in northern Mozambique, it has a historical and architectural heritage that is unmatched in the rest of Mozambique and Africa. It served as the capital of Mozambique for nearly four centuries under Portuguese colonisation before Lourenco Marques (now Maputo) became the capital.
Long before the arrival of the Portuguese, it had been used as a major base for Arab traders since about the 8th century.
The island is only 3km long and narrow, and has been declared a Unesco World Heritage site.
It boasts many beautiful old buildings, including the Fort of São Sebastião and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte.
Days 6 and 7 – at sea
With three meals a day, a midnight buffet and gala dinner, cocktail parties, and tea and pastries served at intervals, the waistline will be your only concern as the MSC Sinfonia sails serenely back to Durban.
Day 8 – Durban
Your early morning arrival in Durban signals the end of a magical voyage.
Included in your fare are:
l Accommodation in the category of cabin booked.
l Three meals a day, midnight snacks.
l Captain’s cocktail party and gala dinner.
l Floor shows and disco every night.
l All games, daily activities, aerobics and entrance to the gymnasium
Independent Travel Club members get a 10 percent discount off regular brochure prices (not applicable to cruises already discounted), valid until the end of March.
l For details or to make a reservation, go to www.msccruises.co.za or call 0860 114 411.
Saturday Star