MSC Musica Cruises

Life aboard MSC Musica
Until March 2020 MSC Musica sails the Atlantic coast of South America. There cruises cruisemostly between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. So, brush up on your Portuguese and Spanish. Also, consider a low cost transatlantic cruise either way and see two continents. From April through October 2020 MSC Musica runs 7-night cruises round the beautiful Adriatic Sea between Venice and Athens. (Just note that port calls can be on the short side time-wise.) Boarding at Venice or the Italian port of Brindisi, this is arguably the most popular of all Mediterranean itineraries. In late October 2020 there’s an interesting 26-night transition from Venice to South Africa. Join tours to Petra the hidden city, historical sites in Israel and Lebanon, Suez Canal transit, and overnight in the Seychelles. During the first quarter of 2021 short cruises leave Durban for the holiday regions of Mozambique. The Line offers good affordable cruise vacations the Italian Way, filled with fun activities and having a wide appeal.

Launched in 2006, MSC Musica at 92,409 GT carries 2,550 passengers. She is one of MSC Cruise Line's "Musica" family of ships. The interior décor of wood and marble, soft furnishings and colour reflects high Italian quality. English-speaking Italians have aimed this ship at English-speakers – but expect many German-speakers and others. The vessel is roomy, with plenty of lounges and bars, and has excellent alternative restaurants offering Italian and Japanese fare. Hear music day and night. Your fellow guests will be an eclectic mix from Europe and North America. MSC Cruises are family orientated, and children are very much catered for, filling the ship in school holidays. Children sail free on certain itineraries, sharing a cabin with two adults. Mini Club (ages three to ten), organises arts and crafts activities, dancing, painting courses, treasure hunts and a mini-Olympics.and crafts activities, dancing, painting courses, treasure hunts and a mini-Olympics.

Accommodation
Four out of five cabins have an outside view, and of these four out of five have a balcony. Cabins are stylish. For all cabins continental breakfast is complimentary from 7.30 to 10 am, while room service snacks can be bought at other times. In suites a basket of fruit is provided at embarkation, and replenished daily. Cabins come with a mini-bar, personal safe, ample closet, shower-only tub, terrycloth robes, flat-screen TV, and excellent 24-hour room service. Suites have in addition fresh flowers, daily tray of canapés, hangers, upgraded toiletries, bathroom with tub, and king-size bed (or two singles).

Ninety-eight ‘Ocean View’ cabins on deck 8 have obstructed views, so be alert to this. Suites also have a large lounger area and walk-in closet, vanity desk with hair dryer. Some very popular staterooms are at the aft of the ship with views of the wake from balcony cabins. There are 18 suites with a private balcony, no single cabins, and 17 that are wheelchair-accessible.

Food and Dining
The two main dining rooms, Le Maxim’s and L’Oleandro, are located aft with large ocean-view windows. There are two seatings for dinners. Instead of paying for cold water in dining rooms, fill your own bottle in your cabin, chill it in the mini-bar, and bring it with you at meal times. Guests in suites and deluxe grades are assigned seats in a quieter section of Le Maxim’s. Dishes range from traditional and tasty Mediterranean fare, to the most refined international recipes. There is the "Always Available" menu, which includes spaghetti and grilled chicken, beefsteak or salmon. Alternatively, reservations-only Il Giardino is an à la carte extra-charge venue that serves “refined Italian food.” Kaito is a Japanese sushi bar with table seating.

There’s no tea or coffee for lunch and dinner in the dining rooms, only in the buffet. You may have to ask for milk. For a quick breakfast or lunch choose the Gli Archi buffet restaurant, offering the utmost quality and variety in Italian and international cuisine, or the pool-deck eatery. Coffee/tea and pastries are available at several bars near the atrium. Each of the 16 bars is inspired by a different theme and offers an excellent wine and food selection. Restaurants at breakfast and lunch may have you seated with others of a different language, given the continental background of the passengers.

Entertainment
The state-of-the-art 1240 seat two-deck Teatro La Scala is the principal showlounge. Some productions may be short, just 30 minutes. The Il Tucano Lounge is the main centre for social dancing and functions such as cooking demonstrations. Another dance floor is in the Crystal Lounge nightclub. The young and lively go to the loud and futuristic Q32 Disco. View big-screen movies on the large screen above the forward pool. The Sanremo Casino boasts over 600 square metres of casino gaming. Play Virtual Games in the video games room. Daytime activities include a broad range of traditional competitions, quizzes and auctions, as well as Italian lessons, cooking demonstrations and exercise classes. As for shore excursions, there is a wide range of options, but the queues can be long.

Fitness programs include a small gym with classes, and courts that include a shortened tennis court, jogging area, shuffleboard, mini-golf, a golf simulator, and table tennis. The Balinese-themed spa facility comes with all the expected health treatments – colourful, and boasting two Turkish baths, three hot tubs and two saunas, all private and with great views. The Spas are operated by Steiner Leisure, and treatments include acupuncture. Children are well provided for, from three years to late teens. A “baby-parking” service is helpful when parents want to go on shore excursions.

Explore the decks

16 - Sport 15 - Cantata 14 - Capriccio 13 - Vivace 12 - Virtuoso 11 - Adagio 10 - Minuetto 9 - Intermezzo 8 - Forte 7 - Maestoso 6 - Brillante 5 - Grazioso