Johannesburg - MSC Cruises has announced that sales for the inaugural summer 2017 cruises of MSC Meraviglia, the first of its next generation of ships, have opened.
Sales of sought-out cruises on this ground-breaking 315m-long ship will at first be open exclusively to MSC Club members, as befits a programme that rewards and best serves loyal guests across MSC Cruises’ growing fleet. Next week, sales will open to meet the already strong demand from other cruise lovers and experienced travellers.
Gianni Onorato, chief executive of MSC Cruises, declared: “MSC Meraviglia is a true maritime marvel and will be one of the greenest and safest ships in the industry, as well as one of the most technologically advanced.
“This ship is perfect for cruising year-round in any destination almost everywhere around the world in outstanding comfort and style.”
MSC Meraviglia will be the biggest and most innovative cruise ship yet built by a global European-based cruise line. The cutting-edge 5 700-guest, 167 600-ton ship – due to be delivered in May 2017 – will spend her first summer sailing the western Mediterranean, and will be the first to have three homeports: Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona. MSC Meraviglia will be able to call at any cruise port in the world, meaning travellers from the more than 150 countries from which MSC Cruises sources its guests will be able to explore more of the best destinations.
MSC Meraviglia will be a ship full of cutting-edge technology and will feature a range of services ranging from “Near Field Communication” technology to mobile applications and the use of smart devices throughout the ship, thus enabling guests to interact with the ship and the onboard community or select and plan their activities.
This technology will also allow guests to make payments, access their cabins or geo-locate children, friends and onboard locations using their cruise card or smartphone.
An industry first will be a 480m2 LED screen, which forms the entire ceiling of the ship’s interior promenade. Like a digital sky, this LED image vault will beam out compelling images and vistas day and night – including highly impactful visual events – creating a variety of powerful atmospheres at all times.
With such an innovative ship, the company also introduces new cabins that will enhance the care it takes of its guests, with specially crafted Family and Super Family cabins, duplex cabins and an extended MSC Yacht Club, the wholly self-contained luxury area on the prestigious foredecks, a vast solarium and a private lounge and restaurant. She will be packed with extraordinary features that make it ideal for cruising all-year round in any destination, including wide dining options and entertainment choices, stunning panoramic spaces, a large theatre and a spectacular amusement park linked to an outdoor aqua park, as well as a three-deck interior promenade.
MSC Meraviglia is the first of two identical ships on order from STX France, the second of which will be entered in to service in 2019. In addition, MSC Cruises has options for two further Vista project ships to be delivered by 2022.
Saturday Star