Choosing Cruising Blog

Giulio Libutti, MSC Cruises’ UK and Ireland Managing Director comments, “Ex UK cruising is becoming ever more desirable and popular and we are delighted to be working with Southampton Port in 2011″.

Ex UK cruising makes for a hassle-free getaway; UK passengers can take as much luggage as they can carry and buy gifts while holidaying, without the worry of strict baggage allowances, often associated with flying. 

MSC Opera will call at Southampton for a total of 13 cruises with a choice of 8 and 10 night itineraries including Norwegian Fjords, Baltic Cities and Mediterranean cruises. Details of the cruises are yet to be announced.

MSC Cruises will be showing off their ship Magnifica in Southampton in February before it’s innaugural cruise with the aim to attract further customers following on from their buoyant 2009 UK market sales.

MSC Magnifica debuts in February 2010

See Magnifica cruises here

In an effort to bring you as much music as possible take a trip with MSC Cruises’ Poesia on 3rd Jan 2010 cruising the Carribean to see many bands perform on the 8th Annual Jam Cruise.

Jam Cruise 2010

Artists performing include: STS9, The Word feat. John Medeski, North Mississippi Allstars & Robert Randolph, Dweezi l Zappa plays Zappa, (more…)

MSC have worked with a sensory marketing company called “BRAND” who specialise in sensory retail, space consultancy and product development to launch the first fully fragranced ship alongside the signature fragrance ‘MED by MSC’  aboard MSC Splendida.

MSC Splendida

MSC is adding UK regional flights to their summer 2010 Mediterranean cruises in order to boost interest from Scotland and Northern England.

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MSC Cruises new flagship MSC Splendida was christened in Barcelona on 12 July 2009  in spectacular style by screen legend Sophia Loren. The ceremony was accompanied by a gala show including a Flamenco performance by Joaquín Cortés and special concert by world famous tenor José Carreras.

MSC Splendida celebrates in style in Barcelona

“With MSC Fantasia, we believed we had built the most beautiful ship in the world,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises this week. “Now I know we were wrong. MSC Splendida truly lives up to her name, bringing more splendour to cruising than has ever been seen before. With her arrival, our fleet now numbers ten ships, an important milestone.”

In the week before a football tournament  “the MSC Cruceros Cup” was held in Barcelona’s Palau Blaugrana arena featuring FC Barcelona, AC Milan and Real Madrid. All proceeds from the event went towards victims of the recent earthquake in Italy’s Abruzzo region.

Continuing in their efforts to improve the lives of those who are disadvantaged, MSC Cruises has recently announced a partnership with UNICEF in an initiative aimed at improving the impoverished lives of children in Brazil.

For the next three years, MSC Cruises will support a UNICEF project to ensure children and adolescents in 127 vulnerable communities in Rio de Janeiro receive a quality education. The alliance will seek to extend policies, programmes and investments in public education, benefiting not only the children themselves but also their families and the community.

Far more holidaymakers are now recognising the benefits of cruising in the Med during winter.  Costa Cruise Line, MCS and Royal Caribbean are now making strong winter promotions taking advantage of fewer crowds, comfortable temperatures, superb value, and unique holidays celebrations in culturally diverse settings.  (more…)

Have you ever thought why cruise lines bring out new ships? Customer feedback has lead to a definite demand for more relaxation and facilities. Here is a round up of all the new ships launched in 2009: (more…)

Following on from recent pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia MSC will move all African cruises via the west coast.

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Here is an overview of the smoking policies onboard the major cruise lines.

Carnival Cruise Lines
In previous years Carnival ran a no smoking ships, however today all of the ships have zones where smokers are free to light up such as in the casinos, most of the bars and lounges, the discos and in designated areas on the open decks including the outside dining area of the Lido cafe. Smoking is also permitted in the cabins and on balconies. Dedicated cigar bars are provided on some of the larger ships in the fleet. (more…)