By
Rebecca Gibson |
MSC Cruises has released details of MSC Armonia’s inaugural cruise, which will take place after she re-emerges from drydock at Fincantieri’s Palermo yard in Italy.
Departing the Italian port of Genoa on 19 November, MSC Armonia will sail a ten-day inaugural cruise to various Mediterranean destinations including the island of Gibraltar, Marseille in France, and the Spanish ports of Cartagena, Cadiz, Funchal, Santa Cruz de La Palma and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
To celebrate the ship’s relaunch, MSC has organised special onboard gala dinners and theatre shows, as well as in-port entertainment, such as gifts for passengers, musical and dance performances, and fireworks displays in Marseille and Tenerife. Throughout the cruise, guests will also be able to watch a documentary highlighting the work undertaken to extend and refurbish MSC Armonia.
MSC has also developed a varied shore excursion programme for its guests, offering them the opportunity to enjoy city tours in Cartegna and Cadiz, a guided tour of Seville’s gothic cathedral, a visit to the wine cellars of Jerez de la Frontera, and explore the volcanic and win-producing region of Fuencaliente in Santa Cruz de La Palma. In addition, guests can participate in 4x4 tours of Madeira’s capital city Funchal, the local tradition of toboggan riding in the streets of Pico dos Barcelos, or take a whale and dolphin watching boat tour off the south coast of Madeira.
Following her inaugural cruise, MSC Armonia will sail a range of seven-night cruises to destinations such as the Canary Islands, the Sahara Desert in North Africa, Marrakech and Agadir. And the stunning vistas under clear skies and constant spring-like temperatures of the Canary Islands’ will provide the perfect respite from the European winter.
MSC Armonia is the first of four Lirica-class ships to undergo renovations as part the line’s €200 million Renaissance Programme. Earlier this month, Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri separated MSC Armonia’s 14,000 tonne bow around 30m away from her stern, to insert a 24m mid-ship section, which included a total of 194 passenger cabins.
During her 11-week drydock, the vessel will also be fitted with a new Mini Club and Young Club for children, a Teens Club and additional areas for the Baby Club, which were built in partnership with Chicco. The ship will also offer a library and a refreshed spray park area, which includes a pathway of water features and water cannons.
Meanwhile, the operator has enhanced onboard services for its passengers. The buffet will be open for 20 hours per day, offering improved features, a new lounge area and an extended restaurant.
To reduce her environmental impact, MSC Armonia will be fitted with a variable speed drive inverter, which will adjust the ship’s energy consumption according to operational conditions, and LED technology in all public areas. The ship will also receive a new hull treatment to minimise drag and lower water resistance, which will reduce fuel consumption. MSC is also working with a blade manufacturer to design a new, energy-efficient propeller.
Built between 2003 and 2005 at the STX France shipyards in Saint-Nazaire, MSC’s four Lirica-class ships will be 275m long, weigh 65,000gt and carry up to 2,680 travellers each after the Renaissance programme is completed in 2015.
Next year, MSC Sinfonia will enter drydock from 12 January to 16 March, while MSC Opera will undergo renovations from 2 May to 4 July. MSC Lirica will be renovated between 31 August and 9 November 2015.