Johannesburg - MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned global cruise line and the market leader in the Mediterranean and South America, has announced that, starting in December, its 2 120-guest MSC Opera will homeport in Havana for the winter 2015-16 season, to offer guests 16 Caribbean cruises.
MSC Cruises will give cruise travellers from around the world a chance to get aboard the completely renovated 65 542-ton MSC Opera, part of the company’s e200million (R2.7-billion) Renaissance programme, and cruise to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Mexico with two nights and two-and-a-half days in Havana.
Gianni Onorato, chief executive of MSC Cruises, commented: “The move to Cuba attests to our commitment to offer our experienced guests and holidaymakers the best and most sought-after destinations as they become accessible.”
The seven-night cruises will be available to MSC Cruises travellers with a combination of packages. In particular, from Spain, Italy, France and Germany, as well as Canada, Brazil and Argentina, these will include fly and cruise combinations.
To offer local ground services and shore excursions, MSC Cruises will partner with Cubanacan, the Cuba-based group created more than 20 years ago, which is known for its experienced professionals and high quality of service.
The first cruise will start from Havana on December 22, following MSC Opera’s Grand Voyage to Cuba from Genoa, departing on December 2. The Grand Voyage will include a call in Havana on December 18 and resume its itinerary in the region before heading back to Cuba for its final call of the journey on December 22.
During their two-and-a-half-day stay in Havana, MSC Opera’s guests can explore the city’s stunning old centre, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and discover its history, culture and architecture. No visit to Havana is complete without a stroll along the famous Malecón seafront promenade, where the island’s renowned laid-back lifestyle is in full effect.
MSC Opera’s original winter 2015-16 schedule in the Canary Islands, Madeira and Morocco has been cancelled.
Saturday Star