The entry level MSC experience but don’t let that put you off. You still get access to all the main restaurants, entertainment, pools and public areas. Perfect if you want a great cruise at the best possible price and you’re not too fussed about where your cabin sits on the ship.
The most popular choice for a reason. Fantastica gives you more flexibility, better cabin locations and a few extra perks that make the experience noticeably more comfortable. A solid middle ground that most first timers and repeat cruisers love.
Step it up with Aurea and you’re getting into premium territory. Aurea cabins are in the best locations on the ship, think higher decks, better views, closer to everything. You also get a spa thermal area pass included, My Choice dining and priority boarding. If you want a more relaxed, less crowded feel without going full luxury.
This is MSC’s ship within a ship. Yacht Club is a private, exclusive section of the vessel with its own restaurant, bar, lounge, pool deck, butler service and dedicated concierge. If you want a luxury cruise experience without booking a luxury cruise line, Yacht Club delivers it. Once you try it, it’s hard to go back.
MSC includes breakfast, lunch and dinner in your main dining room and buffet restaurant, all part of your cruise fare. Speciality restaurants like the steakhouse, sushi bar and Italian restaurant are available at an extra cost and worth it for a special night. Bella and Fantastica guests are assigned a fixed dining time, Aurea and Yacht Club guests can dine whenever suits them.
MSC does entertainment well. Every evening there's a show in the main theatre, think West End style productions, acrobats, live music and comedy. There's also a casino, nightclub, live music venues and themed parties throughout the cruise. You won't be bored.
Everything on the ship goes onto your cabin account: drinks, spa treatments, excursions, speciality dining, photos. You link a credit card at check in or load cash onto your account. At the end of the cruise it's settled automatically. No cash needed onboard at all.
MSC automatically adds a daily gratuity charge per person to your onboard account. The amount varies by destination and experience level. It covers your cabin steward, dining staff and other service crew. You can prepay this before you sail which is what I always recommend, it keeps your onboard account cleaner and avoids a bigger bill at the end.
Most evenings are smart casual, no shorts or vest tops in the main dining rooms. Some evenings are Elegant Nights where guests dress up. Pool areas and buffet are always casual. There are also other themed evenings, White Night and Tropical Night are favorites and usuually turns into a proper party on deck. Pack at least one smart outfit and you'll be perfectly fine.
Wi-Fi is available on all ships but is sold as a package and can be expensive. Consider purchasing a package in advance for a better rate or embrace being offline. Many guests find disconnecting one of the best parts of cruising.
Sail from Durban or Cape Town along the South African coastline with stops at beautiful ports. A great option if you want a cruise experience without the long haul flight.
The classic. Greek islands, Italian coastlines, Spanish beaches, French rivieras. Summer sailings are spectacular and the ports are endlessly explorable. First time cruiser? Start here.
White sand, turquoise water, rum punch. The Caribbean delivers exactly what you imagine and then some. Perfect for families and couples alike.
Fjords, historic cities, midnight sun. Northern Europe cruises are breathtaking and completely different from anything you'd experience in the Med or Caribbean. Best in summer months.
The Baltic is one of Europe's most rewarding but most underrated cruising regions. From St. Petersburg's to Poland, Helsinki, Oslo and the remarkable Gothic architecture of Gdańsk.
The ultimate cruising experience, 116 nights, see the world in a single voyage with around 50 ports across 29 countries. MSC does World Cruises beautifully and yes, I can help you plan one.
Alaska is bucket-list cruising. Few destinations rival the experience of sailing through Glacier Bay, watching towering walls of ice break off into the sea, and spotting whales, eagles and bears from the deck of your ship.
This is a great option for South African travellers, flight times are short, the time difference is minimal, combining ultra-modern cities with ancient souks and dramatic desert.
The MSC Voyagers Club is MSC’s loyalty programme and it’s one of the most generous in the cruise industry. Every cruise you take earns you points and as your points accumulate you move through four status levels, each unlocking a richer set of benefits. Membership is free and joining is straightforward.
We guide clients through a structured yet flexible workflow. This results in interiors that elevate everyday living.
Yes. Even on cruises that depart and return to the same country, you’ll need a valid passport for port stops. Make sure yours is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. The only exception is cruise to nowhere, these are usually 2 day cruises not stopping anywhere and then returning to the same country.
Your cabin, all main meals, entertainment, use of pools and public areas. Not included: drinks packages, speciality dining, spa treatments, excursions, gratuities and wifi. These are all extras you can add on. For South Africans, the hotel service charge is included and mandatory.
Both options have merit. MSC excursions are more expensive but guaranteed if the tour runs late the ship waits for you. Independent excursions are cheaper but you take the risk of getting back to the port on time yourself. I’ll give you honest advice port by port.
As early as possible for the best cabin selection and pricing. MSC pricing generally goes up as the sailing date approaches. That said, last minute deals do happen, especially if you have flexibility on dates and cabin type.
Absolutely. MSC ships are well set up for first timers, easy to navigate, great entertainment, plenty of dining options and a friendly international atmosphere.
Yes, that’s part of what I do. I’ll sort your flights, pre and post cruise accommodation, airport transfers and any trains you need. Everything coordinated so it all connects seamlessly. If you have a special request, let me know as I have suppliers worldwide.
