MSC Sinfonia Cruise Bookings

Grand Voyages

There are no MSC cruises off South Africa's shores in the winter, as the cruise ships relocate to the warmer climes of the northern hemisphere. In relocating there is an epic journey from South Africa to the Mediterranean (known as the "Northbound" cruise). The opposite trip happens at the start of the trip, with the "Southbound" cruise being from Europe to South Africa). The Grand Voyages are also known as "repositioning cruises". The repositioning cruises are usually great value for money, with the cost per day being lower than other cruises; and visit a swathe of different countries (some of which don't enjoy any regular cruise visits). Below are the schedules.

2017 Northbound Voyage schedule

From the 5th to the 26th May; sailing from Cape Town to Venice and along the way stopping at Walvis Bay (Namibia), Dakar (Senegal), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Canary Islands), Tangier (Morocco), Valletta (Malta) and Dubrovnik (Croatia).

2017 Southbound Voyage schedule

From the 7th to the 30th October; sailing from Venice to Durban and along the way stopping at Katakolon, Heraklion, Suez Canal, Eilat, Aqaba, Port Victoria, Port Louis and Pointe des Galets. The so-called "3 continents" trip (Europe, Asia and Africa).

2018 Northbound Voyage schedule

From the 20th April to the 14th May; sailing from Durban to Venice and along the way stopping at La Possession (Reunion), Port Louis (Mauritius), Port Victoria (Seychelles), Aqaba (Jordan) Katakolon (Greece), Kotor(Montenegro) and Split (Croatia).

Note that, at the time of writing, MSC Club discounts also apply for the repositioning cruises. Ask your consultant to provide a quotation for a package which includes the cruise, flights and the cost of an overnight stay.

Specials

• Ask our consultants about how the kids cruise free deals work, and what the limitations are.

Old specials

• 2015-04-13 Get on Board for Easter: Book an Easter 2016 Cruise by the 30th of April 2015 in order to secure an Ocean View cabin at the cost of an Inside cabin, or a Balcony Suite at the cost of a Balcony Cabin. This offer only applies to new bookings, and there are a limited amount of cabins available for this promotion.

• 2015-02-05 Room With a View: If you book and pay for an inside cabin (no window) before 28 February 2015 (on selected cruises) on the MSC Sinfonia, you will receive a FREE upgrade to an ocean view cabin! This "Room with a View" promotion has limited cabins available, so don't wait too long or you will miss out. This offer only applies to new bookings.

• 2014-10 Up to 50% discount on pre-registrations for the 2015/16 cruise season.

• 2014-01-14 Cruise from Cape Town to Walvis Bay, Luderitz & back to Cape Town. Departs on the 20th of January 2014. From R16040* for 2 adults & 2 children sharing a cabin, limited availability.

• 2013-11-07 Cruise from Durban to Port Elizabeth, Cape Town. Departs on the 9th of January 2014. From R3500* per person, limited availability.

• 2013-09-20 List of Sinfonia Cruises For example, on the MSC Sinfonia on the 14th December 2013 from Durban to Portuguese Island, Anakao & Fort Dauphin (SI13) from R10,707*per adult sharing

• 2013-08-22. Pensioner Cruise Discounts For example, on the MSC Sinfonia on the 27th January 2014 from Cape Town to Durban (SI13) from R4,269* for 2 seniors sharing

• 2013-07-31. Cruises in School Holidays on the Sinfonia from Durban to Portuguese Island (SI03) from the 4th to the 7th December 2013 R10,178* for 2 adults sharing

News

• Dec 2022 to March 2023. The Sinfonia is based in Cape Town; operating cruises to Walvis Bay, Luderitz and Mossel Bay.

• Nov 2018 to April 2019. The Sinfonia is based in Barcelona, doing western Med cruises from Barcelona to, inter alia, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Valletta, Messina, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Genoa and Marseille.

• May to October 2018. The Sinfonia is based in Venice; doing 7 night cruises from Venice to Split, Mykonos, Santorini, Dubrovnik and Ancona; before heading back to Venice.

• 6 Nov 2017. The first ever cruise from Durban to Pomene takes place on board the grand MSC Sinfonia.

• 9 Jan 2017. Pomene is added as a new destination from Durban, for the 2017/2018 season. The first cruise to Pomene leaves Durban be on the 6th November 2017.

• 19 Nov 2015. The new, lengthier Sinfonia arrived on South Africa shores (in the 2014/2015 season it was only the MSC Opera cruising our shores).

• 12 June 2015 - Ilha de Mozambique becomes the latest addition to the MSC Sinfonia's itinerary. The first cruise to the new destination takes place from the 21st to the 28th of December 2015, and the second cruise from the 8th to the 15th of February 2016.

• 12 Jan 2015 to 16 Mar 2015 - The MSC Sinfonia enters the dry dock to be streched and have some 200 cabins added, water features (including cannons) and more shops. Great news for those of us with kids is that the Sinfonia will be fitted with lego-themed playrooms. Kids under 3 can play with Lego Duplo, kids from 3 to 6 can use the limited edition bricks, and kids from 7 to 11 can use the vertical play wall and classical lego bricks. There will be seperate clubs for Babies younger than 3, a mini-club for 3 to 6 year olds, a junior club for 7 to 11 year olds, a young club for 12 to 14 year olds and a teen club for 15 to 17 year olds. The work is being done in Sicily, at the Fincantieri’s shipyard. The ship is being sliced in half, the two ends drawn apart slowly, and then the new block is placed in the middle. MSC Cruises is making similar changes to its other Lirica class ships - the MSC Opera, MSC Armonia and MSC Lirica.

• On the 1st of March 2014 she left Durban for the last time on her way to Cape Town via Port Elizabeth, and then on the 17th of March 2014 she said her final goodbyes to Cape Town and South Africa, as she started an epic 20-day cruise to Italy. The Sinfonia had been offering passenger cruises in South Africa since November 2009.

• 22 May 2013 - SouthAfrica.TO offers 5 MSC Sinfonia cruise prizes in an eTV competition.

• 10 May 2013 - Greeted by a horse show, the MSC Sinfonia arrives at Mahón on Friday, the capital of Menorca Island.

• 1 Mar 2013 - Huisgenoot cruise on the MSC Sinfonia, from Durban to Portuguese Island

• 18 Jan 2013 - The Sinfonia 2012/2013 cruise schedule is announced. She'll be arriving in Cape Town on the 11th November 2013.

• 28 Mar 2011 - The Sinfonia makes its maiden stop at Port Elizabeth, as part of a 4-day Durban to Cape Town cruise, leading up to its repositioning cruise. The marketing director of MSC Starlight Cruises, Mr Allan Foggitt, said: "We are very excited about including Port Elizabeth in our itinerary. It gives us a rare opportunity to showcase the uniquely different characteristics of our three leading port cities to our foreign guests. Best of all it allows our loyal local passengers to join the cruise from their home port. Port Elizabeth and the surrounding areas in the Eastern and Southern Cape areas fits into this pattern as well and we are talking about people of all ages. Increasing numbers of couples are also celebrating their weddings or other romantic functions on board ship and cruising is always popular for corporate incentives and conferencing."

• 15 - 19 Nov 2010 - Some footage from the Rainbow cruise on the Sinfonia:

• Aug 2010 - Starlight Cruises introduces priority boarding on the MSC Sinfonia.

• 13 Nov 2009 - The MSC Sinfonia embarks on its first cruise from Durban.

• Nov 2009 - The MSC Sinfonia cruises from Italy to South Africa via the Strait of Gibraltar.

• 9 Nov 2008 - The MSC Sinfonia embarks on an 18-day cruise from Italy to Brazil; visiting Barcelona, Lisbon, Casablanca and Salvador de Bahia.

• 23 Nov 2007 -The MSC Sinfonia visits Lisbon for the first time.

• Mar 2005 -The MSC Sinfonia enters service for MSC Cruises.

• Jul 2004 -The MSC European Stars is auctioned to MSC Cruises (a division of the Geneva-based MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company) for 220 million, and renamed the MSC Sinfonia (it is said to be inspired by great European symphonies).

• 19 Jan 2004 - Following Festival Cruises declaring bankruptcy, the MS European Stars is impounded and laid up in Barcelona.

• 25 Apr 2002 -MS European Stars has its first cruise to Barcelona.

• 18 Apr 2002 -Newbuilding X31 is delivered to Festival Cruises in Saint-Nazaire, and the following day is named MS European Stars

• 4 Mar 2001 - Having been ordered by Festival Cruises, Newbuilding X31 (its yard number was X31) is launched in Saint-Nazaire (France) by Chantiers de l'Atlantique.

Reviews

• 2019-02-27 : "My cruise, with Parents...What better way to celebrate Dad's 60th? A pleasure to cruise with your esteemed company. Although it was a "Cruise to Nowhere" from Durban, we had had the most exciting weekend of our lives. As we entered the port, I spotted the Majestic Machine, standing still, peaceful, I knew that I was going to have a ball aboard the Sinfonia. Exceptional Meals! The cruise was delayed, which meant we were going to be immediately directed to the Dining Deck. Scrumptious, to say the least! Cabins. I barely remember, I hardly slept, with there being so much activity. Although, quite chuffed to get Cabin 8210 as I am born in the 10th month of '82. Music and Entertainment. I particularly enjoyed this aspect of the cruise. The nightlife is awesome. Great music, pool deck, take-out, casino, all par excellence. I am eagerly looking forward to cruise in 2020 with my partner. There's so much more to experience that I want to do it again." Kreshentha Sanasy

• 2017-12-05 Rating 5/5 : "I had the most professional service from SA Travel with my booking to MSC Sinfonia 1-4 December. Thank you for making my trip commence without any hazards from booking to checking. It was an amazing trip, even though weather did not permit us to dock for the islands, a pity, as this is actually highlight of the trip...and I went prepared with protecting myself against heat and sun..... but safety first. Furthermore, I enjoyed the excellent food, friendly staff...even though they worked double shifts to accommodate the Captain Morgan O'Ship passengers, (which was, honestly a challenge.) The Shelagh bar was place to relax and listen to country, afrikaans and some great 80's songs. Tried the casino, had some luck there...😎 even though I do not gamble as a rule. Overall, great...thanks to SA Travel and staff member Liesl Muller." Johanlie Wanty
  

• 2017-01-12 Rating 5/5 : "I would to share my experience on a cruise I did on 05 November 2017 to Nowhere land. It was an awesome experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the shows and even though we had a rainy weekend it did not put a damper on the amazing things to do on the cruise. The meals were tantalizing and desserts were even better. The staff on board were really great and always eager to help. I will definitely recommend anyone to go on MSC to have a wonderful experience and I am planning to send my daughter and her husband on her second anniversary." Sharda Ramdeo
  

• 2016-05-18 Rating 5/5 : "I went on the MSC cruise to Mozambique this year. It was indeed a memorable experience. I will now like to take my kids on the cruise and hoping to get a good special. The four days on the ship was an adventure. The meals were yummy. I hope to go back because it was indeed a beautiful holiday." Sherona Loykisoonla
  

• "My family and I had a great time on the MSC Sinfonia. Everything about the cruise was just great, Portuguese Island was magnificent. South African Travel agents are a great team... will be back for more." Jenny Padaychee

• 2015-12-03 Rating 4/5 : Inari Prinsloo experienced a cruise to Mozambique on the newly renovated MSC Sinfonia, and enjoyed exploring Maputo.
  

• 2015-01-12 Rating 5/5 : My first encounter with MSC Sinfonia was in 2012 and I have been hooked ever since. World class service from the employees present at reception, smooth card registration system. I expected to wait in a long queue inside the vessel for allocation of rooms, but my surprise was the transition from boredom to superstar treatment within a split of a second. It feels like heaven, ten star treatment no traffic cops, no thugs or critics. Everything is accessible and if there is one word that can summarise the experience it's hurricane. Ecstasy, glitz and glamour, yoh! The cruise is soooo addictive! People consider yourself warned! Mpho Ngoepe
  

• 2014-12-18 Rating 5/5 : My first cruise on the MSC Sinfornia was amazing, the class and elegance of the ship was out of this world. I travelled with my husband and at that time my 3year old daughter. She enjoyed herself so much with the live shows every night and the excellent play area that she wants to go on another cruise this January. MSC is world class traveling. It's cruising at its BEST. Well done MSC. Natasha Ramlal
  

• 2014-11-27 Rating 5/5 : We went on the 5 day Durban, Maputo, Portuguese Islands cruise. In total there were over 20 of us that went on the trip. It was the Sinfonia back then, the ship was perfect in every aspect. Friendly staff great weather and food at every turn, what more can a guy ask for. The perfect holiday, no driving, no cleaning, no cooking, just sun sea and entertainment. Shaneen Sally
  

• 2014-01-14 Rating 5/5 : My husband , daughter and I went on our first cruise on the MSC Sinfonia from 21 until 28 December. It was such an awesome experience from the moment we arrived on board. The dining experience was amazing. It was so different from the tours we usually do. The staff were incredible, friendly and so very helpful. Because we had never been on the ocean before we opted to book a cabin without a window but will definitely choose one with a window next time. Our’s was cabin 8108, very easy to find as it was near to two elevators. I checked on the MSC website and noted that the Sinfonia will be leaving our shores soon to be refurbished, I am so pleased that we were able to experience the joy of cruising with her and look forward to when she arrives on our shores again. The daily programme was fantastic, there was something for everyone to do and the shows at night were spectacular. It was great to just relax on deck 11, stare into the blue sky or read a book and doze off afterwards. We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise director, Steven Cloete’s delightful humour. We made some amazing friends and know that we will keep in touch. The photos will always remind us of the wonderful time spent on board and ashore. Also the watermelons we ate everyday were the best we’ve ever had. It really was a delightful holiday, great value for money and we are so looking forward to book our next cruise for December 2014. Definitely deserves more than 5 out of 5, I would give it a 10 . It was really a fantastic cruise , every effort was made to give the passengers a great time aboard. The midnight feast on the 25th was awesome. My friends left yesterday on the Namibian cruise, I’m so jealous. Pat P
  

• 2013-08-09 Rating 5/5 : Stephen goes on a Sinfonia cruise to St Helena Island sharing tips on how to book a massage so that you can use the Turkish Baths, and to ask the cabin attendant to split the beds to create an opening in the middle and more usable space in the cabin.

  
  

• 2013-06-11 Rating 5/5 : Nemchem goes on a Sinfonia cruise from Durban to Barra Lodge. "There was good food, good entertainment, sun, laughter, shows, you name it the ship had it". Nemchem Bulawayo
  

• 2013-04-30. Craig tells us about their anniversary cruise to Mauritius on the Sinfonia, with his adventures including becoming a wedding photographer and swimming in the jacuzzi-like sea of the island.

• 2013-04-30. A romantic cruise from Durban to Inhambane on the Sinfonia - Riaaz & Nisha: "As nature lovers and people who appreciate the beauty of the ocean and its inhabitants, we were in absolute euphoria. With increased jubilation, we decided to swim in the cool blue waters of the shores of Inhambane Bay. "

  

• 29 Apr 2013. Amanda takes her family on a last minute Sinfonia cruise to Mauritius: "At the island we swam in the lagoon, ate (yes again!) underneath a little grass ‘roofy’ (don’t know what it’s called) drank ice cold local beer & lay on the white beach sand!"

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