Cruise Lines - MSC Italian Cruises
A hallmark of MSC Cruises has always been its innovative itineraries and not-often-visited destinations including an extensive array of embarkation
ports. Vacationers can select from more than 120 different itineraries throughout the Mediterranean, Northern
Europe, Caribbean, Canada/New England, South America, the Indian Ocean, and South Africa on the world’s youngest and most modern fleet.
All this is presented with MSC Cruises’ genuine Italian hospitality and flair, from the warm hospitality of the Italian officers and high standards of attentive service to the elegant Italian-inspired décor and, of course, “La Cucina Italiana”, the finest of Mediterranean cuisine, combining traditional family recipes and perennial favorites. The line’s onboard entertainment has an international flavor that has earned rave reviews and standing ovations.
MSC Cruises also offers a variety of cultural enrichment experiences and theme cruises, from music and art to health and culinary delights.
Who Cruises with MSC Cruises
Guests range in age from their early 30’s to 70’s. MSC Cruises attracts couples, friends, families and multi-generational vacationers who appreciate European style and service and an international mix of guests while visiting popular as well as unusual and unique destinations.Guests on the European itineraries are mostly European with an increasing number of North American guests and guests on the Caribbean intineraries are primarily North American.
MSC Cruises Cruise Areas
MSC Cruises offers the most embarkation ports in the Mediterranean.
Some of these Mediterranean destinations include: Palma De Mallorca, Balearic Islands; Heraklion, Crete; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Limassol, Cyprus; Port Said, Egypt; Marseille and Ajaccio, France; Katakolon, Piraeus, Rhodes and Santorini, Greece; Corfu, Greek Isles; Madeira; Malta; Casablanca and Tangier, Morocco; Lisbon, Portugal; Catania and Palermo, Sicily; Barcelona, Cadiz, Ibiza, Malaga, and Valencia, Spain; Istanbul, Turkey; Odessa and Yalta in the Ukraine; as well as Monte Carlo, Monaco.
The line’s Caribbean sailings depart from Fort Lauderdale and feature alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
Canada/New England sailings featured in the fall of 2010 call in ports such as Sydney, Canada; Charlottetown, Canada; Quebec, Canada; Halifax, Canada; Newport, Rhode Island; Bar Harbor, Maine; and Boston, Massachusetts.
South American ports include: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Punta del Este, Uruguay; Portobelo, Brazil; Salvador de Bahia, Brazil; Copacabana, Brazil; and Santos, Brazil.
South African cruises make stops in Durban, South Africa; Portuguese Island, Inhabame/Mozambique; Barra Lodge, Inhabame/Mozambique; Maputo, Mozambique; Port Louis, Mauritius; and Pointe des Galets, Reunion.
In Northern Europe ships sail itineraries that explore the Norwegian Fjords and Baltic Capitals as well as destinations in Russia and England.
Awards for MSC Cruises
• Travel Weekly Gold Magellan Award, Cruise Ship/Contemporary Cruise Ship Category for MSC Splendida, 2010.
• Travel Weekly Silver Magellan Award, Cruise Ship/Promotional Video Category for Canada/New England, 2010.
• Travel Weekly Silver Magellan Award, Cruise Ship/Suite Design Category for the Yacht Club Royal Suites, 2010.
• Porthole Magazine, 12th Annual Readers' Choice Awards, “Best Onboard International Experience" (November/December) 2010.
• Top 10 Cruise Ships, “MSC Fantasia” by cruise booking specialists Cruise 1st, and listed by Reuters.
• Berlitz Guide Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships, “Large Resort Ship” excellent rating (4 out of 5) for nine ships in fleet.
• Shermans Travel, Top 10 Cruises in 2010, “Best New Domestic Itinerary”-onboard MSC Poesia for her Canada/New England cruises.
• Cruise Critic, 2009 Editors’ Picks, “Best Big Ship Luxury Enclave”-MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida and “Best Kept Secret” - MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida.
• Travel Weekly Gold Magellan Award, Cruise Ship/Eco-Friendly “Green” Cruise Ship Category for MSC Fantasia, 2009.
• Travel & Leisure, named “Best New Cruise Ships” for MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida, 2009 (April 2009 issue).
• Travel & Leisure, referred to as “Perfect for Cruisers Looking for a Great Value,” 2009. (April 2009 issue).
• Conde Nast Traveler, 2008 World Savers Awards
• Best International Cruise Experience, as named by Porthole Cruise Magazine, Editor-in-Chief Awards, 2007 & 2008.
• Cruise Critic 2008 Editors’ Picks, “Best Suites at Sea– Royal Suites” on
MSC Fantasia.
• CIAL AWARD “COMUNI RICICLONI 2009,” awarded by CIAL (National consortium for the recovery and recycling of aluminum packaging) for an aluminum recycling project started in 2007 onboard MSC Cruises’ fleet.
• Green Planet Award, 2008-2009 (MSC Fantasia) and 2006-2007 (MSC Musica), a coveted international award from Kuoni Switzerland, recognizes MSC Cruises for outstanding eco-friendly facilities.
• The Venice Blue Flag, awarded for the partnership project with MSC Cruises is aimed at preserving the artistic beauty of Italy’s canal city by setting the standard for lower ship emissions.
MSC Cruises Cruise Ships
Since launching an expansion program in 2003, MSC Cruises has introduced six newly constructed custom built ships including the recently launched MSC Magnifica. A letter of intent has just been signed for another vessel, the MSC Favolosa to be launched in 2012
MSC Armonia (formerly European Vision - entered service in 2004)
58,625 tons
1,554 passengers
MSC Lirica (christened in April 2003)
59,058 tons
1,712 passengers
MSC Melody (formerly the Starship Atlantic of Premier Cruise Lines)
35,143 tons
1,062 passengers
MSC Musica (entered service in 2006)
89,600 tons
2,550 passengers
MSC Opera (christened in April 2003)
59,058 tons
1,712 passengers
MSC Sinfonia (formerly European Stars - entered service in 2005)
58,625 tons
1,554 passengers
MSC Fantasia (entered service in 2008)
133,500 tons
3,300 passengers
MSC Orchestra (entered service in 2007)
89,600 tons
2,550 passengers
MSC Poesia (entered service in 2008)
90,000 tons
2,550 passengers
MSC Splendida (entered service in 2006)
133,500 tons
3,274 passengers
MSC Magnifica (entered service in 2010)
93,330 tons
2,500 passengers
For more information about cruises with MSC Cruises please visit : MSC Cruises