MSC Cruises, the world's fastest-growing cruise line, has wished "bon voyage" to the passengers aboard the MSC Magnifica who embarked today in Barcelona for the company's new World Cruise. A total of 2,158 passengers are participating in the voyage, including 135 Spaniards, 15 more than on the first edition of this special cruise last year.
They, along with the other passengers, will discover the world without ever having to unpack their suitcases during a 117-day voyage. They will not only visit 43 incredible destinations across five continents, but will also experience a true culinary journey through an onboard culinary program that will allow them to exclusively sample the creations of ten internationally acclaimed and award-winning chefs representing the best of their respective cuisines: Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Hawaii, China, India, and Germany.
The chefs will join the cruise ship at various points during the 2020 World Cruise to prepare complete three- or four-course menus. These special menus have been created to reflect the chef's culinary style and bring to life the flavors of the destinations the cruise will visit.
During each of these exclusive dinners, the chefs will be available to greet passengers personally while they enjoy their meals. And if that weren't enough, many of these chefs will also conduct culinary demonstrations, offering passengers the chance to see them in action and learn how to prepare dishes from around the world once they return home.
The great chefs who will surprise you with their cuisine
Known for his ability to create a balance between tradition and innovation, drawing inspiration from his Mediterranean roots, two-Michelin-starred chef Ramón Freixa will bring his innovative excellence in Spanish gastronomy aboard MSC Magnifica. Following him, the ship's kitchens will be graced by veteran Brazilian chef Allan Vila Espejo, with his intriguing cultural contributions from Brazil; Argentinian star Christophe Krywonis, with his unique take on French cuisine; Colombian Jorge Rausch, a judge on MasterChef Colombia; and Peruvian-born chef James Berckemeyer, known for his refined and contemporary style
They are joined by other important figures in world gastronomy, such as Japanese-American chef Roy Yamaguchi, with a menu characterized by Asian flavors and Hawaiian fusion cuisine; French-Canadian Serge Dansereau, “Chef of the Year” by the Sydney Morning Herald and possibly the most famous chef in Quebec; the acclaimed Jereme Leung, with his contemporary interpretation of Chinese cuisine; Michelin-starred Vikas Khanna, who will create a delicious menu inspired by his Indian heritage; and chef Harald Wohlfahrt, awarded three Michelin stars.
117 days discovering the world
After departing from Barcelona, passengers will visit Lisbon and Funchal and cross the Atlantic, stopping in Mindelo, Cape Verde. Their next stop will be Salvador de Bahia, from where they will travel along the Southern Cone with stops in such amazing places as Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt, Valparaíso, Arica, and Callao.
From Peru, the MSC Magnifica will cross the Pacific Ocean, arriving in the idyllic Cook Islands, and then, a few days later, will reach various ports in New Zealand before heading north to Australia, where it will visit Port Kembla, Sydney, and Cairns, among other destinations. From there, it will explore exotic countries in the East such as Bali, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and India. It will then cross the Suez Canal before approaching the Mediterranean Sea to enjoy the vibrant cities of Rome (Civitavecchia), Genoa, and Marseille before disembarking back in Barcelona.
MSC Magnifica, the perfect ship to travel the world
MSC Magnifica will allow passengers to travel in true comfort and style. Built in 2009, the ship boasts a masterful design, incorporating all the elements that distinguish any MSC Cruises ship, including one of the highest proportions of balcony cabins, high-quality service, fresh and authentic dining options including four restaurants and 11 bars, modern and comfortable cabins, as well as a wide range of entertainment and leisure activities. From gourmet restaurants serving cuisine prepared with fresh ingredients and inspiration from around the world to a wide variety of first-class entertainment offerings, including a large-scale casino, a panoramic nightclub, a 4D cinema, a bowling alley, the excellent MSC Aurea Spa, and much more.
