The popular MSC Melody, arrived in Cape Town today, Tuesday 6 December 2011, to start her 2011/12 season of cruises out of Cape Town to Walvis Bay, Mossel Bay and from Durban to the exotic Indian Ocean cruise destinations of Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion.
The classic 1 500 passenger cruise ship which has proved so popular in South Africa during previous cruise seasons because of her elegance and luxuriously intimate appeal, left Genoa, Italy on 18th November for the start of her 18 night southbound cruise. Cape Town will be her first port of call in South Africa.
MSC Melody departs in the afternoon, same day on her opening cruise of the South African season which is a 2 night Fun Cruise to Nowhere
Her calendar will then feature both Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean itineraries out of Durban and Cape Town through to 20th February 2012 when she returns to the Mediterranean, on a 18 Night cruise, visiting Walvis Bay, Jamestown (St Helena) Dakar (Senegal), Arrecife de Lanzarote (Canary Islands), Cadiz (Spain), Palamos (Spain) and finally arriving in Genoa Italy.
The festive season keeps the ship in the tropics. There is a ten night Christmas cruise to Mauritius followed by a six night New Year cruise to the popular Fort Dauphin in Madagascar
The MSC Melody also offers an 11 night Island Discovery cruise in January which sees her gracing the shores of the islands of Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius. St Dennis, capital of the French island of Reunion offers the wondrous sophistication of downtown Paris in a tropical climate. Visitors can hike the volcanic mountains to enjoy panoramic views of the rainforest. Mauritius is still South Africa’s favourite playground and the optional excursions offered on board cover everything from the beaches at Grand Baie and Ile Aux Cerf to the Pamplemouse Botanical Gardens and the markets and shopping district of Curepipe. A new stop at the unspoilt Madagascan island of Ile St Marie is sure to be a highlight for all.
The Cape cruises in the Atlantic hold the promise of whale and dolphin sightings plus a rich variety of migrant sea birds, and long days brought to a close with glorious sun sets into the ocean.
Guests can also expect magnificent views of the Cape Peninsula mountains from the sea. They will also enjoy the rare treat of sailing past both Cape Point (where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet) and Cape Agulhas (Africa’s most southerly tip), on the cruises to Mossel Bay and the 4 coastal cruises between Durban and Cape town and Vice Versa. Passengers will quickly understand why early explorers named the region the “Fairest Cape of them all”.
MSC Melody is the smallest ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet, and is designed to meet the highest standards of Italian style and sophistication, whilst offering a relaxed and informal cruise-ship experience. With a capacity of just over 1,500 guests, MSC Melody creates a welcoming, almost intimate feel on board, especially being the only ship designed with family in mind with 5 bed cabins available. Graceful public areas with grand high ceilings lend the MSC Melody to a sense of openness with comfortable, stylish staterooms, spacious and well-appointed. The ship’s retractable, transparent Magrodome allows you to enjoy one of the two swimming pools and whirlpools even if the skies cloud over.
