FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (March 31, 2010) - MSC announced it will be operating two cruise ships simultaneously out of South Africa during the upcoming 2010/11 season in order to meet increased market demand and offer variety to the South African cruise market.
MSC Sinfonia, with a capacity of 1,544 guests, has enjoyed a highly successful maiden season operating out of Durban. She returns for a second extended cruise season from November 2010 until May 2011. MSC Melody, with a capacity of 1,064 guests, accompanies her to the South African market.
The decision to operate two ships simultaneously shows MSC Cruises' commitment to the South African market. MSC Cruises will also make important investments into improving embarkation facilities at the Port of Durban as well as developing and enhancing areas of Portuguese Island in Mozambique.
Stefano Vigoriti, newly appointed managing director of MSC Cruises in South Africa, said, "The introduction of a second vessel will increase our capacity to over 100,000 guests for the season providing the general public, and especially the conference and incentive corporate market, greater options, competitive pricing, and more destinations from which to choose."
MSC Sinfonia will continue its itinerary in and around the Indian Ocean islands while MSC Melody will offer South African and international travelers new and varied cruise options and experiences. Itineraries will feature cruises from Cape Town and offer longer cruises in Durban with ports of call in Madascar, Mauritius, Reunion, and Seychelles.
For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.cruising2europe.com, call 800-738-8837.
About MSC Cruises:
MSC Cruises has the most modern fleet in the world with eleven ships: MSC Magnifica, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia, MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia, MSC Opera,MSC Lirica and MSC Melody. The fleet cruises year round in the Mediterraneanand seasonally in Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean,US and Canada, (Fall 2010), South America, the Indian Ocean, and South and West Africa. MSC Cruises recently forged a three-year, million-dollar partnership with UNICEF to fund a community project in Brazil while increasing awareness of this cause onboard its ships.