Article originally published in LUXURY Holidays & Corporate Travel magazine Issue 24, 2014.
Any cruise line that’s earned its stripes in the Mediterranean clearly knows a lot about cruise holidays. After all, you don’t achieve success in the sunny heartland of cruising without running a pretty smart operation.
And then when you venture into other waters – such as the Caribbean – you can bring a little of that European esprit to the world’s other great nautical playground.
As a family-owned cruise line with a strong European provenance, MSC Cruises certainly lives up to expectations. The company’s heritage shines through in the elegant fusion of Italian and Mediterranean fare served onboard – and it also makes its presence felt in the onboard ambience. As they say, “the Mediterranean cuisine is more than where we come from, it’s a spirit we take with us wherever we sail. We believe that life should be measured in moments, not minutes… and that every moment should be savoured.”
Of course, an MSC Cruise isn’t just about ambience. With shopping galleries, libraries, Internet cafes, theatre, cabaret, live music, casino, 4D cinema, mini golf, pools and Jacuzzis, there’s an abundance of onboard facilities. If that’s not enough to keep you pampered, there’s 24-hour room service, beauty and medical treatments, a hair salon, sports and spa and fitness centres on all MSC Cruise ships.
Families will find one feature particularly attractive. As a family-owned cruise line, the company lets children under the age of 18 cruise for free.
On four of the MSC vessels you can enjoy the world of MSC Yacht Club: 71 suites in an exclusive area with butler services, your own private pool and bar area, luxurious facilities and distinctive inclusions that will enhance your cruise. This club-style, personalised service includes exclusive check-in and check-out areas, and a private VIP lounge at the forefront of the ship.
In the Caribbean, MSC offers regular departures from Miami and Santo Domingo. Cruise itineraries take in the stunning variety of the region, including Puerto Rico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Dominican Republic. Don’t forget, the Caribbean also offers some enchanting destinations on the Central American mainland, including the coastlines of Mexico and Honduras, where mysterious Mayan ruins can be discovered. It’s no wonder this tropical region is one of the world’s premier cruising destinations.
More and more people from Australia and New Zealand are discovering the delights of Caribbean through cruising. MSC Cruises has put together some stunning Fly/Land/Cruise packages, so all you have to do is turn up at the airport with your passport and luggage. For a once-in-a-life-time experience, MSC Divina will be embarking on a Grand Voyage from Miami to Rome stopping in Bermuda, New York, Portugal and Spain. The only problem may come when it’s time to leave the luxurious surroundings of your MSC Cruise ship and come home again.
For more information: www.msccruises.com