This follows roadshows in both Durban and Cape Town for the unveiling of the latest MSC Splendida.
On Tuesday evening, the curtain-fell when Johannesburg hosted the final of the three-legged roadshow at the Wanderers Club, Rivonia.
Guests and members of the press (dressed to the nines) were informed that the MSC Splendida, can accommodate up to 4,363 passengers and features for the first time in South Africa, the MSC Yacht Club – a premium ‘ship within a ship’ concept with 71 spacious suites, a dedicated concierge desk, 24-hour butler service, private restaurant, swimming pool and sunbathing area.
Ross Volk, Managing Director- MSC Cruises South Africa said, “MSC Splendida will take cruising in South Africa to the next level and redefine holidays at sea. It will give our guests of all ages an incredible opportunity to indulge in wonderful, enjoyable and memorable experiences.
“This further demonstrates our commitment to the South African tourism sector and MSC Cruises’ aim to drive both the tourism industry and the cruising sector with a resultant positive economic impact to the country.
“The ship will be staffed by nearly 1,400 crew, who look forward to giving our guests the experience of a lifetime, many of whom will be sourced and trained locally through the Shosholoza Academy in Durban,” he said.
The gigantic cruise boast a range of themed bars and dining venues including specialty Mediterranean and American steak house restaurants.
The ship also has four swimming pools, The Strand Theatre for night time entertainment, Club 33 nightclub, an ultramodern gym, squash court and running track.
MSC Splendida will be based from November 2023 in the port of Durban- a R300m investment harbour named after former president Dr Nelson Mandela.
It will offer a range of voyages that last between 3 and 14 nights to Namibia and Mozambique.
In total the MSC Cruises will operate 35 sailings of MSC Splendida from both Durban and Cape Town during 2023-24 season.
“Thanks to the family’s investment that we can now release more ships towards Southern Africa, following the devastating pandemic. This is a sign of commitment, growth and development to the region by the group.
SA has an untapped market that must be explored, and very soon we shall be outlining out our IT systems for our passengers on board,” says Volk- better known as ‘Zulu-Boy’– for his fluency in the Nguni language.
With a tongue in cheek, he also indicated with the IT system and ‘special’ water on-board- one would never experience any loadshedding or watershedding, so go ahead and make your 360 days booking, says ‘Zulu Boy’.
Multi award winning duo Mafikizolo and comedian David Kau provided entertainment entire evening, as guests were pampered with neck, shoulder and head massage- the kind of class associated with MSC Cruises hospitality.
Indeed they’re ‘Masters of the Seas’.
Image SLM (Ross Volk, Managing Director, MSC Cruises SouthAfrica addressing members of the press at the function held at Wanderers Club on Tuesday evening).
