By
Rebecca Gibson |
MSC Fantasia is to call at MSC Cruises’ new beach destination on Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from December 2016.
Working in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Ports Authority over the past two years, MSC has transformed a 1.5-mile-long section of Sir Bani Yas Island – a natural island off the southwest coast of Abu Dhabi – into a ‘beach oasis destination’.
Connected to the main island by a wooden boardwalk, MSC’s exclusive ‘tropical beach oasis’ features 36,000sqm of beaches with hundreds of palm trees, shaded cabanas and more than 2,000 sunbeds.
Key highlights include an exclusive area for MSC Yacht Club guests, which will also serve light refreshments; an MSC Aurea Spa area with beachside cabana huts; sports facilities; a children’s area with a pergola for parents; a Bedouin tent offering arts and crafts created by local communities; and a lounge space with a bar and live music. Guests will be able to visit six beach bars, various cooking stations serving local and international delicacies, and beachside charcoal BBQs serving light dishes and snacks.
“Last year we announced the new Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas,” said Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO. “Today’s announcement is further proof of our commitment to enriching our itineraries and to making unique experiences available to our guests that enable them to discover new cultures. Additionally, this new exclusive beach oasis experience stays true to our core values to provide our guests excellence in service, the best in entertainment as well as food options that are of the highest quality.”
MSC’s beach oasis also offers direct access to The Arabian Wildlife Park – one of the world’s largest nature reserves – which is located on the main island and is home to more than 13,000 indigenous and endangered animals, as well as millions of trees and plants. Guests will be able to opt for one of several excursions, including a horse riding tour, a safari-style nature drive through the reserve, and a Dhow tour around the island in a traditional powered boat.
Other shore excursion and activity options include a 4x4 expedition experience, a mountain biking session over naturally created tracks, beach volleyball, football, and watersports such as snorkelling, paddle boarding and sea kayaking. Plus, guests can visit archaeological excavation sites to learn more about the history and the culture of the island. They can also enjoy a tour to the ruins of an early Christian monastery site from 6th century AD.
Two departure ports will serve the island: Abu Dhabi and Dubai with fly-cruises offered in partnership with airlines Etihad and Emirates. The first cruise onboard MSC Fantasia departs Dubai on 3 December 2016 and calls at Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, Doha in Qatar, and Bahrain, before returning for an overnight in Dubai.