MSC LIrica refeb. program

Posted on 10 January, 2014 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Cruises announced a multi-million euro programme that will involve

all four of its Lirica class ships over the next two years.

The almost €200 million”renaissance programme” has been commissioned from FINCANTIERI in Italy, one of the world’s leading shipbuilding companies, and will be complete by 2015. The “renaissance” of MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Opera will add exciting new entertainment options, technological advancements, extended shops and up to nearly 200 new cabins per ship.

The ships will boast a completely new spray park, with an exhilarating pathway of water features and water cannons. The impressive onboard boutiques will be enhanced with new interiors, more space and an all-new perfumery with display corners dedicated to leading brands, such as Dior, Lancôme and Dolce & Gabbana.

Schedule and key figures

The MSC Lirica renaissance programme will follow the dry dock schedule below:

• MSC Armonia* (2004): 31 August to 17 November 2014
• MSC Sinfonia (2005): 12 January to 16 March 2015
• MSC Opera (2004): 2 May to 4 July 2015
• MSC Lirica (2003): 31 August to 9 November 2015

*We will follow up with an individual letter to those who booked a cruise on MSC Armonia between 31 August and 17 November 2014.

The four Lirica Class ships were built between 2003 and 2005 at the STX yards in Saint-Nazaire, France. They are currently 251 metres long, weigh 60,000 tons and carry 2,069 travellers. After the “renaissance programme”, the ships will be 275 meters long, weigh 65,000 tons and carry 2,680 travellers, boasting 193 additional cabins (plus 59 new cabins for crew members).

Best Regards,

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises to sail to Asia

Posted on 9 January, 2014 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Cruises will be making a splash in Asia for the first time ever, when MSC Orchestra sets sail on an all-inclusive voyage from Dubai to Perth next year.

In 2015, the company’s 33-night cruise – departing in February – will stop off in Mumbai and Cochin, India; Colombo in Sri Lanka; Langkawi in Malaysia; Singapore; and Bali, according to Travel Weekly.

The colourful schedule will also take in the best of Australia in the final leg of the month-long cruise, with stops scheduled in Cairns Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle.

Highlighting the emphasis placed on Asia during the voyage, Singapore represents one of two scheduled overnight stops, with Sydney making up the other.

According to the company, there has already been keen interest among passengers in the new itinerary.

Giles Hawke, MSC’s managing director for UK and Ireland, told the news provider: “We have had a number of our past passengers asking for an itinerary which will take them to the Far East and Australia and this gives them exactly what they are looking for.”

Carnival offers Wave season bonus

Posted on 16 December, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

By Tom Stieghorst

Carnival Cruise Lines said it will pay a $25 bonus commission on certain bookings in January, as the industry’s Wave season swings into gear.

The offer joins Wave season promotions from MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises that have already been rolled out.

Carnival said the bonus payments apply to cruises of six days or more made in January for sailings from May 1 to Aug. 31, 2014.

Carnival also said it has sent agents advance notice of its first consumer promotion, which discounts fares by up to $400 on cruises of six days or longer that sail within five months of booking. Smaller discounts on shorter cruises are also part of the promotion.

MSC unveiled a “2-for-1 plus” promotion through March 31, that lets consumers pick a beverage package, an onboard credit or prepaid gratuities on certain Caribbean and European cruises and transition cruises between the Caribbean and Brazil.

Earlier, Celebrity Cruises jumped the gun on Wave season, which typically starts after the holidays, by reviving its 123Go! offer of perks on bookings between Nov. 29 and Feb. 28.