Following in the footsteps of Jules Verne’s Phileas Fogg, MSC Cruises has announced its first-ever World Cruise. While Phileas Fogg and his trusted companion Passepartout were engaged in a race aginst the clock, trying to travel around the world by train in 80 days, MSCCruises is taking a more relaxed approach.
Departing from Genoa on 5 January 2019 MSC Magnifica will complete her around-the-world voyage in 119 days. Crossing six continents, calling at 49 unique destinations in 32 countries, this one-of-a-kind world cruise will be an unforgettable dream come true. Guests will also have the opportunity to embark/disembark in Civitavecchia/Rome, Marseille and Barcelona.
“As a company, MSC Cruises is committed to providing truly special and unique experiences to its guests. For this reason, when developing the world cruise and its one-of-a-kind itinerary, we have listened to their feedback and know that for many the opportunity to travel the world in comfort and style is a lifelong aspiration,” said MSC Cruises’ Chief Executive Officer Gianni Onorato. “As one of the world’s truly international cruise companies, making available to our guests and travellers from around the globe a product such as a world cruise is a natural progression. Naturally, we did it in true MSC Cruises fashion, by making available the best possible ship to enjoy such a voyage – MSC Magnifica – and featuring an itinerary like no other available in the market.”
Throughout the 119 day globetrotting voyage, guests will visit some of the most historic ports, bustling cosmopolitan cities and remote, exotic island paradises around the globe. The MSC World Cruise will allow even the more demanding voyagers to experience the world like never before.
Highlights of this one-of-a-kind cruise include:
Exotic and uncharted destinations: From the warm, archipelago of Tonga and the pristine waters of Bora Bora to the thriving culture of Cartagena and oasis of Aqaba, MSC Cruises has hand-selected 49 coveted destinations across the world – many of which are only available to cruise lovers and world travellers alike via this cruise. The MSC World Cruise will also offer guests the opportunity to explore New Zealand, Fiji and the Maldives as well as an expanded comprehensive tour of “off the beaten path” Caribbean islands, with nine ports of call in the region.
Exclusive and unprecedented shore experiences: MSC Cruises continues in its commitment to providing authentic experiences to satisfy the needs of all guests with an extensive choice of excursions. Whether riding the elephants of Pinnawela, snorkelling in the lagoons of Moorea or touring the Nga Bay National Park, guests are able to immerse themselves in local culture and experience the best that each destination has to offer. Furthermore, exclusive to MSC World Cruise, guests will be able to book 15 complimentary shore excursions of their choice to really explore the globe like never before.
True discovery: In order to take advantage of the local culture and activities of each call, MSC World Cruise guests will have plenty of time to explore. With an above-industry average stay of 13 hours on shore per port of call, guests will be able to fully experience and discover at their own pace.
Extended stays in coveted destinations: For popular destinations with a range of activities, MSC Cruises has arranged extended in-port stays that no other cruise line offers, including four full days in Polynesia and three full days in both Hawaii and San Francisco, as well as two days in Los Angeles.
Quality onboard experience: Spending 118 nights on board, MSC Cruises will make guests feel at home thanks to, among others, numerous onboard discounts which include laundry services. Every little detail has been considered to ensure that it is now even easier than ever to make this the voyage of a lifetime.
In addition to the immense variety of destinations and experiences to be had whilst on shore, MSC Magnifica will enable guests to travel in real comfort and style. Built in 2009, the ship boasts masterful design and relaxed refinement, with all of the features that distinguish any MSC Cruises ship, including one of the highest ratios of balcony cabins, high quality service, fresh and authentic dining options including four restaurants and 11 bars, modern and comfortable cabins as well as a wide range of entertainment and leisure activities. From the gourmet restaurants serving cuisine prepared with fresh ingredients and authentic inspiration from around the world to the wide variety of world class entertainment offerings including a full-scale casino, panoramic discotheque, cigar lounge, 4D cinema and much more – guests will feel the attention to detail in service and design that is a trademark for MSC Cruises.
While there are plenty of activities to enjoy at sea, guests can also opt to escape to relaxation at one of the many on board havens. This includes MSC Magnifica’s Aurea Spa, with traditional Balinese massages in addition to a number of other ultramodern beauty treatments, a sauna, Turkish bath and thalassotherapy room.
For more on MSC Magnifica read MSC Magnifica – a visit
MSC Voyagers Club members who book now can benefit from a free mealtime drinks package as well as triple membership points at time of booking, allowing them to enjoy all the added benefits right away. Guests who are not already an MSC Voyagers Club member, but are in possession of a loyalty card from another leading travel reward programme can join the MSC Voyagers Club at a similar or higher level thanks to MSC Status Match.
For more information on MSC Voyagers Club and how you can become an instant VIP visit MSC Voyagers Club – instant VIP
Whether it be the traditional gap year, career break or a post-retirement adventure, travellers of all ages will be able to broaden their horizons and gain valuable life experiences by travelling around the world onboard MSC Magnifica. Having created this unique voyage with stops in the Caribbean islands of Saint Lucia and Granada, visits to Venezuela, Aruba and Colombia and the Hawaiian islands, followed by Tahiti, Bora Bora and Sydney this cruise around the world is going to be a trully unique experience.