Huge Casino Cruise Ship MSC Sinfonia to Dock in Durban on 13 November 2009

Southern Africa looks set for a bumper summer cruise season with over 46 000 bookings for the largest ship ever to sail out of a local port, even though the MSC Sinfonia’s arrival is still a month away.

The nine-story MSC Sinfonia — which can carry 2100 passengers — docks in Durban for the first time on 13 November after a maiden southbound cruise from the Mediterranean and a one day stop-over in Cape Town.

Described as the finest floating hotel ever to visit South Africa, MSC Sinfonia opens the season with a two day cruise out of Durban on 14 November. A full schedule of long and short cruises to Mozambique and the Indian Ocean islands of Madagascar, Comores, Mauritius and Reunion continues through to April 2010, reports TVA.

“Over 46 000 passengers have already booked cruises on MSC Sinfonia which makes it quite obvious that the ship has proved a major hit with the South African travelling public,” said Allan Foggit, director of Starlight Cruises, the general sales agents for MSC Crociere in South Africa.

MSC Sinfonia is one of MSC Cruises’ illustrious stable of 10 ships. As leaders in the Mediterranean cruise market, the MSC cruise ships — with their distinctive Italian design, style and service — represent the most modern cruise fleet in the world and operate in top destinations around the globe

“MSC Sinfonia represents exceptional value especially with the option of up to two children under the age of 18 being able to cruise free if accompanied by two adults. It is certainly the most affordable, exotic, romantic and exciting local holiday option,” said Mr Foggit.

Taking over the helm of MSC Sinfonia on 16 October for the upcoming season will be the well-known and highly-respected Captain Ciro Pinto, who has come to think of South Africa as a second home after some 30 years of regular sailing off her shores.

“I’m honoured to be captaining MSC Sinfonia during her maiden cruise season in Southern Africa. For me it will be like a proud home-coming to bring such a beautiful ship to a country that I’ve got to know so well as captain of MSC Melody and before that on MSC Container vessels,” said Captain Pinto. “South Africans can look forward to an entirely new floating resort experience on MSC Sinfonia. She is a newer and bigger ship and without doubt the best local hotel afloat. I am very excited about it and can’t wait to show her off.”

MSC Sinfonia offers an extensive range of onboard facilities in an elegant, contemporary environment. It features 777 cabins, of which 132 are suites with private balconies. It also offers three restaurants and a buffet, seven bars, a cigar lounge, disco, casino, business and conference centre. There is also a spa and beauty centre, two swimming pools, a sports centre, golf simulator, library, card room, children’s playroom, teenagers club, a shopping area with duty free shops and boutiques, an internet cafe and a medical centre.

Originally posted 2009-11-02 17:31:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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