Madrid, October 15, 2018 – Less than two months remain before MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately owned cruise line and the leading cruise line in Europe and South America, includes Miami in the MSC Armonia. Starting December 10 of this year, MSC Armonia will offer exclusive 7-night Caribbean cruises departing from Miami and calling at Montego Bay (Jamaica), Georgetown (Cayman Islands), and Cozumel (Mexico), before arriving in Havana for an overnight stay from Saturday to Sunday.
On its 7-night itinerary to Cuba, MSC Cruises will include two days in Havana over the weekend. In addition to the significance of this first for the company, MSC Cruises will also introduce new culinary and entertainment options on board to further enhance the passenger experience: incorporating characteristic elements of Havana, a new specialty restaurant, original theatrical performances, and much more.
MSC Armonia will join MSC Seaside and MSC Divina in Miami, further expanding the company's offerings in this destination. MSC Cruises passengers will enjoy not only a new and exciting itinerary, but also a wide range of enhancements to make their MSC Armonia even more memorable. Onboard, passengers can indulge in new entertainment options and the latest gourmet, while ashore they can enjoy an evening in Havana and fully immerse themselves in the city's vibrant culture.
These are some of the highlights of the cruise to Cuba:
NEW CULINARY ENHANCEMENTS ON BOARD
A new restaurant with delicious specialties
MSC Armonia will add a new specialty restaurant to its culinary offerings. With seating for 38, the “Surf & Turf” will serve a delicious menu where passengers can select an appetizer, main course, and dessert from a wide variety of gourmet.
For main courses, the “Surf & Turf” menu offers the best of both worlds, including a delicious filet mignon and a tempting lobster tail. Other standout main courses include lobster Thermidor, baked in its shell and served with a creamy mushroom sauce, and a 500-gram bone-in, certified Angus beef steak. Desserts are as varied as they are exquisite, featuring guava cheesecake with a warm rum sauce, red velvet cake, and a seven-layer Mexican chocolate cake.
Havana-inspired mojito bar
MSC Armonia brings the Cuban atmosphere on board and transforms one of its bars into a typical Havana establishment, with a wide variety of mojitos to choose from, whether traditional or innovative.
Improved pub menu
The White Lion on MSC Armonia will feature a new complimentary menu, including such fitting dishes as the Cuban sandwich, chicken quesadilla with mojo sauce, a taco with avocado and tuna salad, and a spinach and artichoke dip. The pub will also continue to serve a wide selection of beers, including four new additions: Heineken, Newcastle Brown Ale, Murphy's Irish Stout, and Lagunitas IPA.
New delicacies included
MSC Armonia will also be adding some extras to the onboard experience. MSC Cruises is already famous for offering some of the best ice cream at sea, and from now on these creamy treats will be included with the cruise, giving passengers plenty of opportunities to try all the flavors onboard.
Finally, passengers on the Aurea Experience will have the option of dining in the reserved outdoor area, with the sea as a backdrop.
NEW CONCEPTS OF ENTERTAINMENT
In addition to the popular White Party and Silent Disco, a favorite among MSC Cruises' most loyal guests, one of the highlights of MSC Armonia will be the addition of local Cuban music while docked in Cuba. Direct from Havana, several musicians will come aboard to offer passengers the best of Cuban music on Saturday night, the day the ship is in port.
The evening entertainment options at the MSC Armonia, with a full lineup of new shows to be presented on board. Cruise passengers can expect to enjoy new and varied shows each night, including dynamic virtual sets with a central LED screen displaying a wide variety of perspectives for each performance. These are the shows that can be seen:
- ABYSS: The spectacular adventures of a mermaid under the sea.
- THE TIME OF MY LIFE: Inspired by the famous 80s movie "Dirty Dancing", the show includes songs, dances and a story that still captivates audiences today.
- ADDAMS FAMILY: The eccentric family stars in this hilarious show, inspired by the satirical and ironic portrayal of the model American family of the 20th century.
- FRENCH FOLLIES: A variety show with an undeniably French flair, featuring artists, dancers, and singers who come together to create an elegant and joyful spectacle.
- THE GREATEST: Passengers will be able to enjoy the best and most iconic pieces of Broadway musical theater.
- ITALIAN TOUCH: True to MSC Cruises' Mediterranean heritage, this show will feature the most unforgettable Italian songs.
MORE TIME TO ENJOY HAVANA
With an overnight stay in Cuba's vibrant capital, MSC Armonia can make the most of everything the city has to offer, both day and night. Passengers can fully immerse themselves in many aspects of Cuban culture, both day and night. As a new feature, this cruise includes two complimentary shore excursions in Havana, allowing passengers to discover all the wonders and charms of the Cuban capital. These excursions will explore highlights of Cuban music, art, and architecture, the classic cigar, rum distillation, and much more. Passengers will be able to:
- Traveling in vintage American carsis a must-do experience in Havana. On this tour, passengers will tour the city in classic vehicles along Fifth Avenue and the Malecón boulevards, facing the sea. The car will stop so passengers can take a photo of the historic Plaza de la Revolución and then head to the famous Cristóbal Colón Cemetery. During the ride, participants will be able to admire some of the city's most prominent monuments.
- Savor local rum and classic Cuban cigarsto learn more about a fundamental aspect of Cuban culture. Passengers will visit a cigar factory and witness the extraordinary skill of the torcedores (cigar rollers) as they hand-roll Cuban cigars. Following this, cruise passengers will head to theHavana Clubto discover how freshly cut sugarcane is distilled into rum before tasting the final product.
- Dance at Havana's largest nightclub, the famous Tropicana. Founded in 1939 in the Marianao suburb of Havana, the Tropicana is an iconic celebration of Cuban culture in a tropical setting. Visitors will enjoy live music and a spectacular show featuring a wide variety of performers in their vibrant costumes, while sipping on local cocktails and dancing the night away.
Before these latest onboard upgrades, MSC Armonia underwent an expansion in late 2014 and was the first ship modified as part of MSC Cruises' $250 million Renaissance Program, which refurbished all four ships in the fleet and added a wide variety of new onboard features. The ship is equipped with a wide range of services and facilities for families, including a new children's water park, exquisite and varied dining options, exceptional entertainment, a wide selection of relaxation and rest areas, and more—all with MSC Cruises' signature European style.
For more information about MSC Cruises' Cuba itinerary, the MSC Armonia , or to make your reservation, please consult your travel agent or visit https://www.msccruceros.es/es-es/Homepage.aspx
