The newly renovated MSC Opera will be based in Havana for the 2015/2016 winter season.
MSC Cruiseshas announced that, starting in December 2015, MSC Opera will be based in Havana for the 2015/2016 winter season, offering its 2,120 passengers 16 spectacular Caribbean cruises.
MSC Cruises will offer its customers from all over the world the unique opportunity to travel aboard a fully renovated MSC Opera, part of the Renaissance Program (valued at 200 million euros), to sail through Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Mexico, as well as spend two nights and two and a half days in the Cuban capital.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, stated: “We are especially proud to have this exciting new destination available to our guests. I would like to personally thank everyone who has worked with us over the past few months to make it possible for MSC Cruises to launch Cuba as a destination for its guests. In particular, I would like to thank the Minister of Transport and Tourism of the Government of Cuba and his representatives for their professional and ongoing support.”.
Onorato added: “The new Cuba itinerary testifies to our firm commitment to offering our experienced clients and tourists the best and most sought-after destinations as they become accessible, allowing us to further enhance our overall offering while providing travelers with first-class experiences and services.”.
“The inaugural cruise will be in less than six months from now,” the CEO concluded, “but we can definitely vouch for the strong demand for the product, given the perfect combination of Cuba’s appeal as an excellent cultural destination, coupled with the fact that it is offered through MSC Cruises’ extensive experience.”
Seven-night cruises will be available to MSC Cruises customers as part of a combined cruise and flight package. Specifically, flights will be included from Spain, Italy, France, Germany, as well as Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. The company is also pleased to announce that sales for these itineraries will open through all MSC Cruises channels on Thursday, July 9.
To offer shore services and excursions, MSC Cruises has made an agreement with “Cubanacan”, a group based in Cuba, created more than 20 years ago and known for both its professional experience and its high-quality services.
The first cruise will depart from Havana on December 22, 2015. Prior to this, MSC Opera will have sailed an MSC Grand Voyagefrom Genoa to Cuba on December 2, 2015. To ensure guests have the opportunity to enjoy and explore the Cuban capital, the Grand Voyage will include a stop in Havana on December 18 and will resume its Caribbean itinerary before returning to Cuba for its final stop on December 21. On April 12, 2016, the ship will depart Havana for its return voyage to Europe, finally docking in Warnemünde, Germany, on May 7, 2016.
Relax and disconnect
During their two-and-a-half-day stay in Havana, MSC Opera will have the opportunity to explore the stunning historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and discover its history, culture, and architecture. No visit to Havana is complete without a stroll along the famous Malecón, a vibrant waterfront promenade where the city's renowned laid-back lifestyle is on full display.
The island of Cozumel, on the Yucatán Peninsula, boasts some spectacular Mayan ruins in Tulum. Travelers can snorkel simply to see sea turtles enjoy the natural beauty of this island, located just off the coast of Quintana Roo.
In Montego Bay, on Jamaica's west coast, MSC Cruises guests can enjoy an exciting rafting trip on the Martha Brae River, tour an old plantation at the "Good Hope Estate," or learn about the mysteries of Rose Hall Great House – a fascinating colonial relic shrouded in intrigue.
In Georgetown, Cayman Islands, travelers can snorkel in Stingray City , take a catamaran to the coral reefs, or simply relax on the pristine Seven Mile Beach, located on the west coast of Grand Cayman Island and famous for its beautiful cobalt blue water and coral-colored sand.
Renaissance Program – MSC Opera
As part of the investment plan, worth 5.1 billion euros and announced in 2014, MSC Cruises had set aside 200 million euros to renovate and modernize, through a cutting-edge renovation project called the "Renaissance Program", four of its ships: MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Lirica and now MSC Opera (65,542 GRT), currently in dry dock and hoping to resume sailing at the beginning of this month.
Other itinerary changes
Regarding the implementation of Cuba as a destination, the original schedule for the 2015/2016 winter season for MSC Opera in the Canary Islands, Madeira and Morocco has been cancelled.
