New cruise venue opens up
WITH the 2016/17 summer cruise season little more than six weeks away, it is appropriate to begin thinking of cruising the Indian (and other) oceans once again. Already an interesting number of cruise ships have been listed as visiting either Durban or Richards Bay and in the coming weeks we will look at some of these.
On November 1 MSC Sinfonia arrives back in Durban and will that same day begin her season of cruises to mostly Mozambique destinations. The cruise ship will also undertake longer cruises to Reunion and Mauritius, as well as undertaking a number of cruises out of Cape Town, which means coastal cruises between Durban and the Mother City, and return, are possible.
Sinfonia’s cruises to Mozambique centre around calling at Portuguese Island near Inhaca, in the Bay of Maputo, and longer seven-night cruises to Ilha de Mozambique much further up the coast. The latter was introduced last season and provides a highly interesting destination, especially for those with an interest in history. It is also popular among those who enjoy more time at sea.
Now comes news that MSC Cruises is developing a new destination, not for the current season but for 2017/18. This is to an exotic peninsular 170km south of Vilanculos and 605km north of Maputo, known as Pomene Bay. Here, MSC Cruises has acquired what is described as one of Mozambique’s hidden jewels.
“This is a destination that was as irresistible to us, as we know it will be for our guests,” says Allan Foggitt, MSC Cruises South Africa’s Marketing and Sales Director.
Irresistible
“When Pomene Bay Lodge came onto the market, it was an easy call, we snapped it up. It may be challenging to reach by land, but its potential for cruise liner visitors was undeniable.”
Foggitt said that with the economic downturn, more and more people are looking local. “While we pride ourselves on providing unbeatable value, we also strive to give our guests something spectacular – something they will never forget.”
In the interim period between now and the 2017/18 cruise season, MSC Cruises intends developing its new property on the peninsula to mirror the offerings that guests experience on board. The lodge’s restaurant, bar, and sunset pool will be upgraded and extended, while new additions will include new bars and restaurant dining decks, plus a spa for ultimate relaxation.
Foggitt says MSC Cruises is developing an exciting catalogue of excursions for visitors to the peninsula. World-class snorkelling surrounded by an astounding variety of marine life, exploring the mangroves that burst with bird life and juvenile reef fish, and “forever” walks on pristine stretches of beach are just the start, he says.
Construction at Pomene Bay will be done to protect the environmental integrity of the peninsula, and will be ready in time for MSC Sinfonia’s first call in 2017.
The 2017/18 season apparently includes the return of MSC Sinfonia and not one of the other MSC ships as had been reported. It will be over a six month period starting next month and, while Portuguese Island will remain a firm favourite, 18 departures for Pomene Bay or a combination of Pomene Bay and Portuguese Island will take place.