MSC Euribia, MSC Cruises’ flagship, made a technical stop at the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban last week, kickstarting the cruise season for Durban.
Euribia is officially the largest cruise vessel to have called at a South African port.
MSC Cruises South Africa MD, Ross Volk, said the 6 334-passenger cruise vessel was one of the line’s most technologically advanced. He was speaking at the crest exchange at the port, a ceremony in which ceremonial plaques or badges are exchanged between the vessels and the port, signifying an inaugural call at the port.
Volk said the R300 million Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban was one of only two ports in the country, the other being Cape Town, that was equipped to accommodate such a large vessel.
“This marks the official start of the local cruise season and, as MSC Cruises, we look forward to welcoming avid cruisers and those new to cruising on board throughout the summer. MSC Musica, which will service South Africa for the local season, will kick off her time on local waters on November 22.”
MSC Euribia is the second ship in the MSC Cruises fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which reduces emissions of greenhouse gases by 20%. The fuel offers immediate benefits to the local port community compared with conventional maritime fuels, by reducing local air emissions (99% less sulphur oxides; 99% particulate emissions; and up to 85% less nitrogen oxides).
Volk said MSC Cruises was aiming to make sure it became the first cruise line to be carbon neutral by 2050.
“We're already well ahead of the curve in terms of reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030, and our last sustainability report was around 37,8% reduction in our carbon emissions from where we were eight years ago.
“Euribia was actually the first cruiser ever that was carbon neutral from the port of construction through to Amsterdam and to Copenhagen… We bought carbon offset credits that allowed us to have a fully carbon-neutral cruise, so it’s quite a significant, momentous occasion for South Africa to welcome such an auspicious ship to the country in terms of our commitment to sustainability in the oceans’ economy,” he said.
The 2 400-cabin ship with its instantly recognisable design, features an almost 100-metre LED screen running along the ceiling of the central indoor promenade – the longest LED dome at sea. The ship offers passengers a choice of 10 dining venues and 21 bars, five pools that accommodate more than 1 000 guests, and one of the biggest and most intricate waterparks at sea.
MSC Euribia also offers an ultimate luxury experience – privacy and 24-hour butler services in the exclusive MSC Yacht Club – a sequestered area accessible to Yacht Club guests only.
Call centre in SA
Volk said the company had opened a call centre in South Africa to service its US, Canada, UK and Australia clients.
“Recently we also opened a call centre to service Explora Journeys (MSC’s luxury cruise line), from a global perspective. So we've now employed an additional 250 South African people who are servicing it. And I'm very proud to say that we've outperformed our counterparts internationally in terms of performance.”
For a closer look at MSC Euribia, take a tour here.
