MSC Cruises today announced its expanded range of shore excursions and services for passengers aboard MSC Meraviglia. The new offering includes 19 additional shore excursions, including five exclusive tours specially designed for MSC Meraviglia passengers. Finally, MSC Cruises is launching an industry-leading Port Information service, a complimentary assistance service that will allow guests to explore and discover more about each destination with expert advice and information.
Gianluca Suprani, Head of Global Port and Shore Activities Development, commented, “Being able to discover multiple destinations without repacking is the main reason why cruise holidays are so appealing to passengers, and we are delighted to be further enhancing the options available to guests once ashore. Not only are we adding new and exclusive excursions, but our new Port Information service is also a truly innovative feature that no other cruise line is offering free of charge.”.
The Port Information will help guests make the most of each destination on their itinerary by offering personalized, tailored, and expert information on what to see, where to eat, what to visit, and how to get to different places. In addition, the staff at the information desk will also assist passengers in booking local transportation such as train tickets, taxis, or car rentals to reach their desired destinations, or create customized private tours or experiences.
MSC Cruises has developed a service through direct links with tourist offices and local authorities. In addition, crew members stationed at the Port Information have been personally trained by local experts to offer tailored information and advice based on their own experiences. Port Information will also provide information on local events, festivals, and parades, allowing passengers to discover local culture and traditions. This service will debut on board MSC Meraviglia, with plans to extend it to the entire MSC Cruises fleet.
To further enhance the discovery of destinations by customers, MSC Cruises has also added 19 new shore excursions, five of which are exclusive to MSC Meraviglia, specially designed for families and food lovers.
Exclusive shore excursions from MSC Meraviglia:
- In Genoa, an exclusive tour of Italy's largest aquarium – a perfect family day out. Along the way, you'll stop at numerous small bars and restaurants to sample arancini (rice balls) and cannoli, a local pastry roll filled with cream. And to top it all off, the day ends with a small glass of passito, a sweet local liqueur wine made from raisins.
- In Naples, you can experience life like a local Italian – the city's highlights are complemented by coffee, pastries, and pizza. Savor the freshness of the pizza in the San Gregorio Armeno area (known as the "Street of Nativity Scenes"), then stop for Scaturchio to sample Naples' famous sweet pastry and the renowned sfogliatella (a typical Neapolitan cake), and end the day with an authentic Neapolitan coffee at Gran Caffè Gambrinus.
New family tours:
- In Naples, you can discover the ancient city of Pompeii through an interesting and educational city tour; the adventure concludes with a fun question-and-answer game for children.
- In Messina, passengers will enjoy views of the city before visiting the Villare farm, famous for its trail that allows you to experience it through the five senses: Touch, Hearing, Taste, Sight and Flavor – ending with a tasting of local and organic products.
- In Barcelona, passengers climb to the hills and the highest point of Barcelona to appreciate the wonderful views of the city, and then visit the city's amusement park, Tibidabo, with its roller coasters and Sky Walk rides for the enjoyment of the little ones.
New gastronomic tours:
- In Naples, cruise passengers will discover how to bake pizza by hand in the city's underground geothermal rock, hot enough to make a perfect pizza.
- In Barcelona, passengers will enjoy an unparalleled gastronomic experience in the world's first and only museum dedicated exclusively to Iberian Ham where, of course, there is a final tasting.
- In Malta, travelers can enjoy a relaxing motorboat cruise along the Maltese coast, passing by the iconic Valletta coastline, including the Cottonera area comprised of Senglea, Cospicua, and Vittoriosa – collectively known as the Three Cities. The day concludes with a wine tasting to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
