When planning a much needed vacation, one is always on the look-out for a unique adventure accompanied by a pristine living environment set in a beautiful location.

What would you say if I guaranteed you all the above and so much more for every single minute of your holiday?

Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well it’s not, thanks to the fleet of MSC Cruise Liners gracing our warm Durban shores every year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earlier this year I was so privileged to experience the Mediterranean way of life as I was welcomed on-board the MSC Opera (pronounced Opeh-Raah for all you rookies). My family and I embarked on a wondrous journey through the ocean.

Watching The Titanic does not prepare you enough for the elegance and marvel of life aboard a luxury cruise liner. The interior is dripping in opulence with no expense spared. The smallest of details to the grandest of gestures can all be found within this metal mammoth’s interior.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The amenities are endless: a fully stocked on-board library, a kiddie’s play-room, fully functional gym and an outdoor lifestyle haven. There’s something to keep you occupied at your own leisurely pace throughout the day.  If you enjoy more of a learning vacation, then have no worries, the amazing activity team have a packed schedule of lined up activities which include sewing classes, dance lessons and cake decorating tips; you’re sure to disembark a few skills heavier than when you first boarded.

With a liner filled with almost  thousand holiday goers and staff, one would think that there would be strict control over food and beverages. OH HOW WRONG YOU ARE! The food is of mammoth proportions! Think along the lines of all you can eat buffets, a midnight sugar feast and waffles stacked taller than your 3 year old niece!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re a guest with more of a sophisticated palette, then make certain to dine in one of the 3 main restaurants that offer breakfast, lunch and a reserved dinner. The reservation for dinner can be set when making your initial booking arrangements. Each meal here is served with the utmost care and dedication of their waiter’s. The meals range from a 5-course to 7-course meal options depending on the theme of the day.

There are at least seven bars (the ones that I visited or passed by) on the ship, with three being conveniently located on the upper deck and near the pool. They offer a vast selection of our local alcoholic beverages and soda’s as well as a tantalizing array of freshly made cocktails. Some days are “special” souvenir themed, meaning with the purchase of a certain cocktail you get to keep and take away a collectable MSC souvenir glass.

The liner also has two dedicated coffee bars that stock many variants of International brands and blends. The coffee was definitely an acquired taste no matter which blend or country of Origin I tried. The coffee bars though were a magical little setting to sit and unwind, or to fully grasp the mental extent of enjoying such luxury whilst floating along the ocean. The cold coffee frappes were extremely enjoyable and the hint of cocoa masked the bitter foreign coffee. (I desperately need to sneak in my Nescafe on my next cruise).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that the food and activities are covered, let me indulge you into the magic of the night! The MSC Opera has a fully functional theatre that is able to seat every single guest on board. The theatre’s roof is adorned with the tiniest of spotlights, giving you a starry filled sky once the main lights are off. Every night is filled with Ooohh’s and Aahh’s as the stage is filled with a kaleidoscope of colour and a mirage of moving bodies. Dancers, contortionists and acrobats take to the moving stage with immense grace, talent and enthusiasm. The acts range from comedians, renditions of well-known stage productions and interactive game shows with the audience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cruise Liner promises to be an over-abundance and overindulgence of EVERYTHING imaginable! Every single facet is impeccable, from the staff, activities, amenities, cleanliness and most importantly the FOOD!

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