By
Alice Chambers |
MSC Cruises’ MSC Splendida is set to operate 35 sailings from Durban and Cape Town in South Africa between 2023 and 2024.
The ship will homeport in Durban from November 2023 and offer a range of three to 14-night itineraries to Namibia and Mozambique.
“MSC Splendida will take cruising in South Africa to the next level and its deployment further demonstrates our commitment to help drive both the country’s tourism industry and the cruising sector with a resultant positive economic impact to the nation,” said Ross Volk, managing director of MSC Cruises South Africa. “The ship will be staffed by nearly 1,400 crew, many of whom will be sourced and trained locally through our own Shosholoza Ocean Academy in Durban.”
MSC Splendida is a 14-deck-high vessel that accommodates 4,363 passengers and features the MSC Yacht Club, which is a ship-within-a-ship concept that has a 24-hour butler service and a private restaurant and leisure area.
The vessel was built in 2009 and refurbished in 2015 to incorporate themed bars and dining venues, four swimming pools and gym facilities, as well as The Strand Theatre and Club 33 nightclub for evening entertainment.