Caribbean-bound fun aboard MSC vessels
European-style tours set for late fall and winter
With summer in the rear-view mirror, Caribbean cruises are now front and centre, luring vacationers with promises of warm weather, sandy beaches and carefree days.
MSC Cruises (cruise.center/ msc) is bringing its European style of big-ship fun to the Caribbean this winter with three sailings from Florida: the 3,502-guest MSC Divina, and the 4,138-passenger MSC Seaside, which made her inaugural debut last December. MSC Seaside will do the heavy lifting on the weeklong Caribbean circuit, with a selection of seven-night itineraries to the Western and Eastern Caribbean.
Port calls are made to some of the most popular stops, like Cozumel, Mexico, George Town, Grand Cayman, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
The smaller MSC Divina, which returns to North America this November after a successful summer in the Mediterranean, takes on the longer runs that will be of interest to folks who have some experience in the Caribbean already.
On the Western Caribbean side, MSC Divina has two great 11-night itineraries that visit out-of-the-way ports of call like Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, Oranjestad, Aruba and Willemstad, Curaçao.
Over on the Eastern Caribbean, MSC Divina sails one 10-night itinerary (multiple departure dates between November and February) that visits Road Town, Tortola, St. John’s, Antigua, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
A third vessel, the 2,500-passenger MSC Armenia, operates MSC’s first cruises to Cuba from Florida this winter.
Several itineraries are offered departing round-trip Miami, all of which include true overnight calls in Havana, giving visitors a day-and-ahalf of exploration.
I’ve found in the past that MSC cruises can be a somewhat polarizing experience: people either love the company or hate them.
MSC has a very international flair to it, and your fellow guests will be predominantly European.
You’ll hear plenty of different languages spoken, and many announcements — and the mandatory lifeboat drill — are conducted in several languages.
This can get a little grating, particularly when bingo is announced in English, French, Italian and German. North Americans might also be put off by the line’s smoking policy, which permits lighting up in certain bars and lounges as well as selected open decks (smoking in cabins or balconies is, however, prohibited).
But MSC’s differences are what help to set the company apart from the dozens of other lines sailing in the Caribbean, many of which offer a product that is more similar than not.
MSC offers evening entertainment that is mercifully different from other lines. Because of the number of spoken languages, evening production shows tend to be very visual and musical in nature.
MSC also has some of the most unique and trendy ships afloat. The company isn’t afraid of using bold colours, unique furniture and interesting attractions.
MSC also offers on-board bicycles aboard MSC Seaside, along with guided cycling excursions in select ports of call. It’s a great perk for those who seek something more active in the Caribbean.
The company also excels in its on-board kids’ clubs and facilities, which are elaborately top-notch, and children even sail for free on select voyages.
Those looking for a slice of the good life will want to book the MSC Yacht Club, the line’s luxury ship-within-a-ship concept that adds upgraded staterooms, a private forward-facing lounge with inclusive beverages, and an exclusive restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Happy cruising.