MSC Cruises will double its capacity for cruises out of Cuba in the winter 2016 season by sending a second ship to homeport in Havana

MSC Cruises to send second ship to Cuba

MSC Cruises will double its capacity for cruises out of Cuba in the
winter 2016 season by sending a second ship to homeport in Havana.
By DEBORAH STONE
PUBLISHED: 11:50, Mon, Dec 7, 2015 | UPDATED: 12:01, Mon, Dec 7, 2015

MSC Armonia will join MSC Opera, which is already sailing Caribbean
itineraries from Havana this winter, making MSC the first global cruise
line to homeport in the Cuban capital.

Demand for MSC Opera cruises has been so high that the ship will remain
in Havana next winter when MSC Armonia arrives.

A typical seven-night cruise from Havana to Montego Bay in Jamaica calls
at Georgetown the capital of the Cayman Islands, where its British
colonial history is still apparent at Fort George and at the National
Museum – although many people will prefer visiting the famous Seven Mile
Beach or snorkeling at the Cali shipwreck site near town.

Cruises also call at Cozumel, a Mexican island with great scuba diving
and snorkeling with dolphins, manatees and sea turtles in the Chankanaab
eco park.

The highlight of these itineraries, though, will be several days in
Havana itself – famous for its UNESCO-listed Old Quarter.

"With no less than nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a long-held
tradition of hospitality, Cuba has all the makings of a top world cruise
destination," says MSC Cruises Chief Executive Officer Gianni Onorato.

"MSC Cruises is honoured to be able to support the further development
of this huge potential, and we're very thankful to the Cuban authorities
for their ongoing co-operation in this regard."

MSC Opera, MSC Armonia and two other ships from MSC Cruises' 12-strong
fleet, recently underwent fully comprehensive refits under the company's
Renaissance Programme.

MSC Cruises will be offering free all-inclusive "Allegrissimo" drinks
packages to cruises booked on selected sailings from December 15 until
February 29, 2016.

The package includes cocktails, selected wines by the glass, draught
beer, soft drinks, milkshakes, smoothies and fruit juices plus the
cruise line's paid-for Italian coffee selection and award-winning gelato.

Source: MSC Cruises to send second ship to Cuba | Cruise | Travel |
Daily Express -
http://www.express.co.uk/travel/cruise/624807/MSC-Cruises-to-send-second-ship-to-Cuba