MSC staged a physical representation of the MSC ‘Yacht Club’ interior at a travel trade function at the Country Club Johannesburg on Wednesday, May 3, giving the trade a sneak peek at what premium clients will experience onboard the Splendida when it arrives for its South African cruise season in November this year.
The Yacht Club is an exclusive, high-luxe area of suites and staterooms on the ship, with its own facilities, but allowing those premium guests access to all the activities onboard ship. Splendida will be the first ship with the Yacht Club to ply South Africa’s coasts for the local cruise season.
MSC Cruises’ South African MD, Ross Volk was the host at the MSC Cruises’ annual Golf Day and trade function.
Volk provided insights into what to expect when MSC Splendida launches to the South African market on November 23 in Durban, as well as the highlights from the previous cruise season.
The cruise line will operate one ship only in the coming season, Splendida, which carries 4 363 passengers in addition to 1 370 crew members, performing both its Cape Town and Durban cruises. Two- to five-night itineraries are available from November 24 through to April 3, 2024, sailing from Durban to Pomene, Portuguese Island, Port Louis and La Possession, and from Cape Town to Walvis Bay.
An interior cabin, for a two-night cruise starts from R3 400 per person. Splendida’s themed cruises such as Christmas, Matric, New Year, Oppiwater, Bhangra, Super Sokkie, Love Jazz and Bokboot are open to agent bookings.
Taking into account MSC’s long history in South Africa, Volk says the cruise line is proud of its contribution to the local economy and job market through its new Johannesburg-based call centre and cruise staff training programme at Shosholoza Ocean Academy.
