MSC Armonia will join MSC Opera in 2016–2017, offering an enriched Caribbean And Central American Itinerary Program

MSC Cruises has announced it will further strengthen its presence in Cuba by homeporting a second ship in Havana for the winter 2016-2017 season, to continue the rising demand for opportunities to experience the Caribbean island's uniquely rich culture.

In a move that will quickly double the number of Caribbean itineraries centred on Cuba, MSC Armonia will join MSC Opera in Havana, from November 2016, for the entire winter season.

MSC Cruises Chief Executive Officer Gianni Onorato said: “With no less than nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a long-held tradition of hospitality, Cuba has all the makings of a top world cruise destination. MSC Cruises is honoured to be able to support the further development of this huge potential cruising experience.”

MSC Armonia will sail two separate, culturally diverse, eight-day (seven-night) itineraries.

Following two days and one night in the Cuban capital,the first itinerary will take guests from Havana to the white sand beaches, pristine bays and spectacular coral reefs of Isla de Roatan (Honduras), before heading for the colonial charm of Belize City (Belize). It is then on to Costa Maya (Mexico) and finally Isla de la Juventud (Cuba), for an exclusive Caribbean beach experience, before returning to Havana.

The second itinerary will start with two and half days and two nights in Havana, then set sail for Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula visiting Montego Bay (Jamaica), Georgetown (Cayman Islands) and Cozumel, before circling back to the Cuban capital, Havana.

MSC Armonia's presence in Cuba will also offer MSC Cruises guests the unique chance to combine both itineraries into one spectacular 14-night cruise.

In addition, Havana's cruise terminal situated at the foot of Ciudad Vieja (Old Havana), a UNESCO- listed heritage site, is of prime position allowing passengers to step off the ship and straight into the local sights to discover and explore the fascinating barrio of Havana.

In December 2015, MSC Cruises will become the first global cruise line to homeport in Havana, where MSC Opera will sail to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Mexico, with two and a half days and two nights in the Cuban capital.

In addition to Cuba, MSC Cruises' ever richer Caribbean offering includes year-round sailings from Miami on MSC Divina, and as of December 2017 on the Company's next-generation cruise ship MSC Seaside. Furthermore, MSC Cruises also offers a wide range of seasonal itineraries in the West Indies from Guadeloupe or la Martinique. 

CONTACT

Marketing Department MSC Cruises (Australia and New Zealand) Pty Limited
marketing@msccruises.com.au 
02 8076 1019

www.msccruises.com.au

MSC Cruises, part of the MSC Group, is the market leader in Europe, including the Mediterranean, South America and South Africa, and sails year-round in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Its seasonal itineraries cover northern Europe, Cuba and the West Indies, South America, southern Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. MSC Cruises feels a deep responsibility for the environments in which it operates, and was the first company ever to earn the Bureau Veritas "7 Golden Pearls" for superior management and environmental stewardship. In 2009, MSC Cruises began an enduring partnership with UNICEF to support various programmes assisting children worldwide. So far, more than €3m has been collected in voluntary guest donations. MSC Cruises was born in the Mediterranean, and draws inspiration from this heritage to create a unique experience for holidaymakers worldwide. Its fleet comprises 12 modern ships: MSC Preziosa; MSC Divina; MSC Splendida; MSC Fantasia; MSC Magnifica; MSC Poesia; MSC Orchestra; MSC Musica; MSC Sinfonia; MSC Armonia; MSC Opera and MSC Lirica. In 2014, MSC Cruises launched a €5.1 billion investment plan through the order of two ships of the Meraviglia generation (plus options for two more) and two others of the Seaside generation (plus an option for a third). This means up to seven new ships will enter MSC Cruises' fleet in the next seven years, enabling the Company to double its capacity by 2022 to more than 3.2 million passengers a year.

@MSCCruisesAUS #Medwayoflife