South Africa Cruise with MSC Armonia

Welcome aboard MSC Cruises! The cruise line was founded in 1970 and is the cruise division of the container shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company. MSC Cruises is the world's largest privately family-owned cruise line (Aponte family) and has many years of expertise on the seven seas. The Aponte family has also established an independent charitable organisation, the MSC Foundation, which is also present on board and supports many humanitarian and environmental projects.

MSC Cruises offers its guests a Mediterranean and modern lifestyle at a good price-performance ratio. Guests of all ages feel at home on the sometimes colourful, sometimes understated ships. The ships are also well received on the German market and the number of German guests is growing steadily. A knowledge of English is recommended, although some services are also offered in German.

With the MSC Yacht Club, the ‘ship-within-a-ship concept’, MSC Cruises offers an exclusive area on selected ships with luxurious suites, its own restaurant with five-star service and other amenities.

• Category: Lirica Class
• Built in: 2001
• Home port: Panama City
• Length: 274 metres
• Tonnage: 65,542 BRZ
• Speed: 20 knots
• Decks: 13
• Passengers: 2620
• Crew: 721
• Language: German, Italian, English, French, Spanish
• Currency: € or US-$ (depending on the destination)
• Internet: Starlink from SpaceX, internet café and Wi-Fi (fee required)

The staterooms are comfortably furnished and have a bathroom (shower and WC), minibar, safe, TV and hairdryer. The interior and ocenaview staterooms are about 13 sqm in size, but offer sufficient space and storage for your luggage. The 94 new balcony stateroom on decks 7-10 offer 15-16 sqm of space. The balcony staterooms are newly renovated and equipped with new carpets and upholstery as well as with new bathrooms. The spacious suites with balconies measure 27 sqm and also have a bathtub.

On board the MSC Armonia, it's like landing in a well-kept holiday hotel: good food, a wide range of sports, comfortable cabins and many entertainment options. Even at this relaxed and casual atmosphere, festive attire is recommended two nights a week in the main restaurants. Guests who like it even more casual can visit the buffet restaurant at this evenings where no dress code is expected.

The restaurant and buffet area was also greatly enlarged as part of the Renaissance programme. The tasty cuisine is mainly Italian in style. The culinary offering on board MSC Armonia includes numerous restaurants with something for everyone. Drinks are available for an extra charge or you can take advantage of a drinks package.

The following restaurants are already included in the price:

• La Brasserie (buffet restaurant): Here you can expect a variety of dishes from the hot and cold buffet as well as delicacies from all regions of Italy.
• Il Girasole (buffet restaurant): Enjoy delicacies from the buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• La Pergola (main restaurant): Sample freshly prepared dishes in an elegant ambience.
• Marco Polo (main restaurant): Enjoy fine dining in the à la carte restaurant.

There is a surcharge for the following speciality restaurants:

• Surf & Turf restaurant: Whether meat, fish or seafood - here you can enjoy all kinds of grilled specialities.

In the various lounges and bars (not included) enjoy a relaxing cappuccino at Caffè San Marco in the afternoon, savour delicious cocktails at Bar del Duomo or have an aperitif before dinner at The Red Bar. We also recommend The White Lion Pub, which is reminiscent of a typical English pub.

On board there are many ways to spend your holiday. Sufficient space has been created for entertainment and relaxation.

In addition to the pool area, programs such as the DOREMIX Family Disco with dance competitions offer fun for the whole family.

Furthermore, there are other entertainment options such as the casino for adults and the boutiques. In the theater you can watch breathtaking Broadway-style shows. In addition, various theme parties such as the White Party, Glow Party, Sunshine Party and Golden Party await you.

Sports enthusiasts will find an extensive gym with a beautiful view of the sea. In addition, there is also a power walking track in the fresh air.

For wellness lovers, the MSC Armonia also has a lot to offer. The Aurea Spa invites you to relax with a sauna, whirlpool, massages and cosmetic treatments.

There is plenty for children of all ages to discover, including the LEGO® play area and the Doremi Spray Park with lots of water attractions. In various family game shows, such as the LEGO® game show or the MSC BOOM show with modern technology, children can challenge their parents and win great prizes.

Childcare is also provided: babies and toddlers between the ages of six months and two years are looked after by certified staff in the Baby Club, which was created in cooperation with the leading children's brand Chicco®. In the MSC Mini Club, toddlers from three to six years play and the Junior Club takes care of children from seven to eleven years. MSC's experienced entertainers look after the children with various games and lots of sporting activities. During the day, 12 to 14-year-olds in the Young Club and 15 to 17-year-olds in the Teens Club can enjoy clubs equipped with the latest consoles, games and VR technology. The Teens Club also offers special events such as an exclusive teens' edition of the Silent Disco.

The European and especially Italian characterised atmosphere makes the MSC Armonia a lively and cheerful ship. But also a quiet place for relaxed hours can always be found on board. Cruise newcomers and families feel very comfortable on this ship. The price-performance ratio is good.