Tag Archives: MSC Armonia

MSC Cancels Repositioning Voyage to South Africa

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MSC Cancels Repositioning Voyage to South Africa

MSC Cruises cancelled a repositioning voyage to South Africa that was scheduled to take place onboard the MSC Armonia in late 2026.

According to a statement sent to booked guests, the sailing cannot take place due to the geopolitical situation in the Red Sea region.

“Due to the persistent geopolitical situation in the Suez region and the impact this is having on maritime transport, it is now clear that we will not be able to guarantee safe transit through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea,” the company said.

The cruise onboard the MSC Armonia was scheduled to depart from Marghera, Italy, on November 1, 2026.

Sailing to Durban, the 26-night voyage was set to visit destinations in Croatia and Greece before transiting the Suez Canal.

The 2001-built vessel was then scheduled to sail to ports in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, such as Aqaba, Mahé, Diego Suarez and Port Louis.

“Your safety and well-being are our highest priority, and we want to offer you the certainty and peace of mind you need before leaving for your cruise,” MSC continued, noting that the decision to cancel the cruise was taken “after careful consideration.”

“We know that you have dedicated time to planning your cruise, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.”

The company said affected passengers will have three options, including canceling the booking with no penalty for a full refund.

Guests will also be able to transfer their reservations to any other MSC Grand Voyage of similar duration, the company said, adding that sailings with up to three additional nights are eligible.

In this case, MSC will guarantee the more favorable cruise fare between the original departure and the new one.

The company said passengers can also move their reservations to any other cruise currently scheduled without penalty.

The price of the newly selected cruise will be applied, and any payment already made for the previous cruise will be transferred to the new one, the company explained.

Debuting in the region, the MSC Armonia is scheduled to offer cruises in South Africa during the 2026-27 winter season.

MSC Cruises Introduces Summer 2024 ‘Stay & Cruise’ Program

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MSC Cruises announced its new summer 2024 “Stay & Cruise” program, offering guests the chance to extend their seven-night sailing into a nine or 10-night voyage, according to a statement. 

 The add-on packages are available for sailings on 11 MSC ships at five destinations; Athens, Venice, Rome, Miami and New York.

Travellers can add two nights’ accommodation with breakfast before or after their seven-night voyage at a 4-star hotel in Athens, Venice and Rome or a 3-star hotel in Miami, plus the option for two or three nights at a 4-star hotel in New York.

All “Stay & Cruise” packages offer a half-day excursion to explore the city’s attractions.

 Ground transfers from airports to hotels are included for guests staying before the cruise and from the hotel to the ship.  Additionally, for guests staying after the cruise, transfers from the ship to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport are also included.

 The offer applies to the MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, MSC Musica, MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview from Civitavecchia for an extended stay in Rome before or after a cruise.

 The add-on package to explore Venice is available pre- or post-cruise onboard the MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica and MSC Sinfonia from Marghera-Venice. Additionally, guests sailing on the MSC Opera, departing from the port of Piraeus, can extend their vacation in Athens.

 The program is available for Caribbean itineraries on the MSC Seascape departing from Miami with an additional two-day stay in the city.

 Guests sailing onboard the MSC Meraviglia can also extend their trip pre-cruise in New York before the ship sets sail.

An add-on package for Istanbul will also be available soon for MSC Cruises’ winter 2024-25 ‘Stay & Cruise’ program.

MSC Cruises Celebrates Grandiosa’s Maiden Season in Brazil

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The MSC Grandiosa arrived in Brazil for its first winter season in South America.

Repositioning from the Western Mediterranean, the 4,888-guest vessel docked at its new homeport in Santos on Nov. 25.

To mark the occasion, MSC Cruises invited over 2,800 guests for a celebration onboard the 177,100-ton cruise ship, which also became the largest ever to operate in Brazil.

“It is a great source of pride to have a ship like this here, bringing passengers to travel within our country,” said the company’s Brazil Country Manager Adrian Ursilli.

He also noted that the Grandiosa is MSC’s 17th new ship to arrive in Brazil since the debut of MSC Armonia in 2004.

The event included a symbolic christening of the Grandiosa that saw Marlene Ribeiro – the longest-tenured employee of MSC Cruises in Brazil – serving as godmother.

“MSC Cruises is a family company. Everyone is always together and in good spirits. The choice of the MSC Grandiosa godmother is a demonstration of this,” said Fabio Gatti, the company’s Global Director of Entertainment.

Part of a six-ship program in the region, the MSC Grandiosa is now offering a series of cruises to different Brazilian destinations.

In addition to Santos, the ship’s regular seven-night itineraries feature visits to Salvador, Maceió and Búzios.

Set to be repeated through late March, the cruise can be started at any of the ports of call, with the exception of Búzios.

The MSC Grandiosa was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France and originally entered service in 2019.

Part of MSC Cruises’ five-ship Meraviglia Class, the vessel offers several different amenities, including the Galleria Grandiosa, a 112-meter-long central promenade that features a huge LED dome.

The Grandiosa also offers a selection of bars and lounges, as well as a complete water park, and over ten dining venues.