Jose KunnappallyBarcelona: The Emirates flight from Mumbai to Barcelona via Dubai was seamless and spent in anticipation of my upcoming maiden cruise experience on-board the world’s fourth largest cruise vessel, MSC Meraviglia. The ship is now operating in the western Mediterranean, calling on ports such as Malta, Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina, Valletta, Civitavecchia and Palermo, and also sailing to Scandinavia and the Baltic capitals, in her inaugural season. In the fall of 2019, she will reposition to Miami, sailing to the Caribbean as part of a North American expansion program by MSC.
The weather forecast for our itinerary was between 10-20 degrees at all three ports – pleasant and ideal for spending time outdoors. It takes about 20 minutes to travel from the airport to the Barcelona Cruise Port, one of the largest in Europe with world-class facilities and four terminals. Looking at the gigantic vessels of some of the popular cruise liner brands docked, I wondered why this cannot be in India with our expansive coastline and unique tourism experiences.
Cruise experience on-board the world’s fourth largest cruise vessel, MSC Meraviglia, is absolute fun and remarkably lively. Taking entertainment and luxury at sea to a whole new level, the vessel is a modern day marvel offering an assortment of amenities including exquisite and authentic dining options and premium accommodation.
After embarkation and handing over the baggage (hassle-free and not under the sun), we set out for a tour of Barcelona. The bus shuttle service from the port terminal is the best and cost effective way to reach the city centre (Placa de Catalunya) and La Rambla the primary shopping district and tourist hot spot close by. We chose the e-rickshaw tour of the Old Town.
At €10 per person, the e-rickshaw which can accommodate three is a very modest option to experience the city steeped in culture and heritage. The weather was pleasant and the ride with cool breeze brushing on the face was refreshing. The driver doubles up as your guide and the ride offers a ‘selfie’ stop at every point of interest: Font de Canaletes; Christopher Columbus Monument; Barri Gotic; The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, also known as Barcelona Cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona; and beachfront featuring W Hotel, popularly known as Hotel Vela (sail hotel) due to its shape. A couple of hours is just not enough to see it all.
And if you would like to see around Barcelona a little more, flying in a day earlier and putting up at one of the many good hotels in town is a good idea. Back at Meraviglia, the Fire and Safety Drill (sacrosanct) was followed by a guided tour of the giant flotilla.
There are many firsts to its credit. In a war of boasts, Meraviglia will win hands down. “We have significant plans for expansion through a $12-billion investment which will double the current capacity by 2022 and triple it by 2026,” says Kunal Sampat, General Manager, MSC Cruises India. “Meraviglia, Seaside, Seaview, Belissima, Grandiosa and World Class are all part of this strategy. That is 12 new ships by 2026 which will make MSC Cruises the most modern fleet.”
2017 was a great year for the company with MSC Meraviglia being launched in June and MSC Seaside in December. 2018 June will see the launch of Seaview (sister ship of Seaside) and in 2019 March MSC Belissima will hit the seas followed by Grandiosa in November. These ships are already open for bookings. Cruising vacations are for the elderly is a widely held belief among tourists. But the guests at MSC Meraviglia were not all senior citizens. Rather, it was an eclectic mix of all age groups. The average age of their cruising customer is only 45.
The Perfect Blend of Comfort and Style
MSC Meraviglia has a wide variety of elegant accommodation, including family options, duplex suites with a private whirlpool bath, and the highest ratio of sea-view balcony staterooms forany cruise ship. MSC Yacht Club is a ship within a ship offering the ultimate in exclusivity and privacy. It has its own Top Sail Lounge and a la carte Restaurant; One Pool Deck with swimming pool, whirlpool baths, sun deck and bar; separate embarkation zone and dedicated elevators for direct access and 24-hour butler on call service for all the suites and interior rooms.
Each of these elegant suites is fitted with Myform Memory ergonomic mattresses, a choice of Dorelan pillows for your personal comfort, Egyptian cotton bathrobes and bedding by Italian company Mascioni, lavish marble bathrooms with shower or bath, fully stocked mini bar, and exclusive goodnight chocolates by Venchi. Royal Suites boast the additional luxury of a private whirlpool tub on the balcony.
The other accommodation options are the Duplex Suite, Suite with Angled Balcony, Staterooms for families, Balcony Room, Ocean View Room, Interior Room and Interior Studio Room. Staterooms for families comprise two or more connecting Staterooms in the Balcony, Ocean View, and Interior categories, each with its own bathroom.
Up to three rooms can be connected to accommodate up to 10 guests. This kind of accommodation is only available with the Fantastica Experience. “This is a great sell for our Indian guests who travel as large extended families and would like to be together always,” says Falguni Parekh, Partner, Sanskruti Vacations.
There are four levels of ‘experience packages’ to suit every need and budget, excluding MSC Yacht Club: Bella Experience (room and select ‘value for money’ benefits); Fantastica Experience (offering additional comfort like pre-booking of dining slots and room service without surcharge); Wellness Experience launched in 2017 which offers one complimentary shore excursion which is activity based and personal trainer in the gym; and Aurea Experience (all inclusive comfort for balcony and suite cabin guests and includes separate check-in, unlimited beverage package (alcohol, water, juices etc.), one complimentary massage and access to thermal spa area).
“The benefits and inclusions of each ‘experience package’ need to be understood well. And it makes real sense both from a cost and convenience perspective for guests to subscribe to these. Buying services on-board on the fly is always more expensive,” cautions Kunal. The early morning sunrise from the Horizon Pool deck is a mesmerising experience. Sailing this itinerary does not take you out into the deep blue sea and the coast is always visible. As the sea is calm this is ideal for those worried about sea sickness.
Day two we ported at Marseille, the second largest city of France. MSC organised a shore excursion for us. Everything ran to clockwork precision. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and indulgent. The Excursion Office at the main reception area is where one can get all the information and assistance to undertake shore excursions organised by MSC.
At the heart of Marseille is the Vieux-Port (Old Port), where fishmongers sell their catch along the boat-lined quay. Notre-Dame de la Garde a Catholic basilica and the city’s best-known symbol; MuCEM (Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée); The Château d’If featured in The Count of Monte Cristo; The Palais Longchamp which houses the city’s musée des beaux-arts and natural history museum are the major attractions to visit.
We got back in time for sailing after a fulfilling day spent soaking in the rich history and culture of Marseille. It was time to experience freedom – the unlimited beverage package into the wee hours of tour last night on board.
Entertainment at a Whole New Level
The exclusive partnership with Cirque du Soleil is the icing on the cake. Twice every night, six nights a week, guests on MSC Meraviglia have the unique opportunity to see two original shows by the world leader in live artistic entertainment. The Carousel Lounge is a technology-packed, entertainment and dining venue designed specially to meet the needs of Cirque du Soleil. This custom-built lounge covers more than 10,000 sq. ft. and can accommodate up to 450 guests, including 120 enjoying the full dinner-and-a-show experience. It is a chargeable show priced at three variations: Only show; show plus cocktails; Show plus dinner.
Other entertainment options include Polar Aquapark, one of the most intricate and exciting water parks at sea, featuring three twisting slides, a ‘Himalayan Bridge’ skywalk that allows passengers to cross the vessel nearly 200 feet above water and a range of pools – provides fun and activities for all ages; TV Studio & Bar, a high-tech, multi-purpose space houses a radio broadcast suite and a TV studio broadcasting live games, quizzes, talent contests and other fun content from across the ship.
It also serves as an atmospheric comedy club, karaoke bar and live music venue; Attic Club to party with friends, enjoy a nightcap or simply dance the night away at the stylish onboard nightclub; Casino; Sportplex with F1 Simulators featuring two Formula 1 virtual-reality racing cars to compete head-to-head in a race that will get hearts racing; full size bowling alley for the first time at sea; Baby, Mini and Junior Clubs with activities and games designed in partnership with Chicco and LEGO® and a separate Teens Clubs.
On our final leg we sailed the night to reach Genoa, the port city of Italy by morning. Disembarkation was seamless too except for those deciding to pay cash for sundry expenses incurred on board. The long queue at the reception the previous evening to pay dues was shocking. A better option is to provide credit card authorisation through any of the kiosks at the front desk area during the course of your stay.
A bus took us from Genoa to Milan Airport for baggage drop and then we proceeded for the Milan city tour. The key sought-after tourist destinations are the Milan Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and seat of the arch bishop of Milan and the Arch of Peace at the gates of Sempione Park. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest active shopping mall is a not to be missed pit stop for shopaholics. That is if you have not had enough on board at the Duty Free; La Profumaria; La Boutique; Angolo Delloggetto and the MSC Logo Shop.
World Cuisine While Sailing
Exquisite and authentic dining options in 12 distinct venues kept us wanting more all through our short odyssey by sea. MSC Meraviglia’s Restaurants, Bars and Lounges offer a gourmet voyage of discovery promising something special for every taste.
- Main Restaurants: Eataly Ristorante Italiano; Butcher’s Cut American Steakhouse; Kaito Teppanyaki Restaurant & Sushi Bar; and the Marketplace Buffet open 20 hours a day. So you don’t have to wait ever for meal time. It’s when you want it to be. Including special diets like vegan, gluten free etc.
- Bars & Lounges: Jean-Philippe Maury Chocolaterie; Champagne Bar; Carousel Lounge (hosts Cirque Du Soleil); Edge Cocktail Bar
“MSC has to enhance the spread for the Indian palate,” feels Vinayak Laud, CEO, Vinaayak Holidays. “Then Indians will feel more at home while cruising.” Technology plays an important role in MSC Meraviglia’s customer experience. The MSC for Me Appallows guests to connect, enjoy and just be.
MSC for ME means your time on board is literally in your own hands. Using digital technology that interconnects guests, ship and crew MSC ensures every guest enjoys each moment in their own special way. Currently available for guests travelling on MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside and coming soon for MSC Seaview and MSC Splendida, the App is available on App Store and Google Play.
At a time when hotel guests are used to free WiFi, cruise ships surprisingly offer it at extra cost. A data package for only basic email and social media costs €19.99. More expensive and data heavy packages are also available.
MSC Meraviglia is an experience worth every moment and every penny. The onboard vibe is absolute fun and remarkably lively, ideal for families. Just that, once is not enough.
MSC is the world’s second largest shipping company with 700 vessels and 70,000 employees across 480 offices in 155 countries and clocking a revenue of $20 billion. MSC Cruises has registered a whopping 800 per cent growth in the last decade since its inception. 15 vessels (as on June 2018) cruise to destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, South America, South Africa, UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar
