MSC Cruises has announced that this summer, MSC Seaside passengers will be able to enjoy a private beach experience in Taranto, Puglia, exclusively for them. This is in addition to the two previously announced destinations in sunny southern Italy: Taranto and Syracuse in Sicily.
This is the first time that MSC Seaside, one of MSC Cruises' most iconic ships, will spend a season in the Mediterranean, giving passengers the opportunity to discover and experience it. Designed as the ship that follows the sun, everything about MSC Seaside is designed to connect its passengers with the sea, making it the perfect ship for the warm Mediterranean weather this summer. With generous outdoor spaces and a host of innovative features, passengers aboard MSC Seaside can enjoy an unforgettable holiday at sea.
MSC Seaside will join the company's flagship MSC Grandiosa in the Mediterranean and will welcome passengers from May 1st with a new itinerary offering embarkation in all four Italian ports, with 7-night cruises and stops in Genoa, Valletta in Malta, Syracuse, Taranto and Civitavecchia (Rome).
According to MSC Cruises' current health and hygiene protocol, shore excursions are only possible as part of a protected tour, allowing passengers to go ashore to discover and explore the various attractions while maintaining a safe social bubble. However, a summer holiday wouldn't be complete without a visit to the beach, so MSC Cruises has developed a special offer in Taranto where MSC Seaside passengers can spend a day at the beach safely and with exclusive access to swimming pools.
MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato commented: “As we continue to offer one of the safest ways to travel, we knew we had to ensure we met all the elements of a summer holiday, and this meant finding a way to allow our guests to also spend a day at the beach, while maintaining the same high standards of health and hygiene on land as on board. Therefore, we have worked to privatize three swimming pools with all the amenities of a beach club so our guests can enjoy this beautiful stretch of coastline in Puglia, near Taranto. Furthermore, we have also established a plan for this type of experience and will work this summer to introduce more private beach experiences in other destinations.”.
Mr. Onorato continued: “We are delighted to be introducing another new destination, Taranto, to our itineraries this summer. We have been working closely with the Mayor of Taranto and the regional authorities of Puglia to offer a range of different protected excursions, allowing our passengers to discover this beautiful part of Italy. We offer something for every type of traveler, from visits to historical sites and tours to admire the stunning scenery, to enjoying the regional cuisine and, of course, a day at the beach.”.
In Taranto, a variety of protected excursions are available, including: a tour of Taranto city; a visit to the Sassi caves; Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996; Lecce, the famous Baroque city; the art and flavors of Puglia; and Ostuni and its olive oil mill. MSC Seaside will also call at another new destination for MSC Cruises, the Sicilian port of Syracuse, where passengers can discover the rich historical and archaeological sites of this area, including the Greek theater of Syracuse. For those seeking breathtaking scenery, they can experience Europe's largest volcano, Mount Etna, with thrilling and unforgettable views of the ancient splendors of beautiful Taormina.
MSC Seaside rewrote the rulebook of cruise ship design, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor areas to connect passengers with the sea like never before, with generous open-air spaces. The ship features a unique promenade, located on Deck 8, lined with places to eat, drink, shop, swim, and sunbathe. For those seeking exclusivity and privacy, the ship offers the MSC Yacht Club area with private club amenities and 24/7 butler service. Specifically designed for warmer weather and best enjoyed outdoors, this ship is the perfect choice for the start of summer in the Mediterranean.
The current MSC Seaside itinerary has been extended until the end of July, along with the current MSC Grandiosa itinerary. Both the MSC Seaside and MSC Grandiosa itineraries are currently available to residents of Schengen countries and Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania.
