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NEW YEAR’S CRUISE TO ​Mauritius

Cruise to Mozambique, Madagascar, Reunion & Mauritius 

Celebrate the New Year in style by making reservations for an all-inclusive New Year's Cruise to Mozambique, Madagascar, Reunion & Mauritius onboard the luxury MSC Orchestra.

​A cruise holiday in Mauritius means disembarking at Port Louis, the capital of this island nation off the cost of Madagascar, which together with its twin Réunion, represents a must-see stop on the cruise calendar to Southern Africa.

​Discover this big cruise ship, which offers the very best in relaxing and in cruising comfort: steaming sauna, bubbling whirlpools, well-equipped gym as well as the elegant wine-tasting room, the original sushi bar and the tone is set on the welcoming atmosphere. Most of the cabins have balconies, ideal for relaxing and enjoying your memorable holiday.

Come and cruise at the very best time to sail as the seas are calm and the weather sunny, ensuring the best possible setting for the best possible experience.

Highlights include:
  • All meals onboard (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner & midnight snack) 4 restaurants to choose from
  • Pizza station, burger station and buffet open 20 hours a day
  • Daily onboard activities to choose from
  • World class live entertainment at various venues every night
  • Beach excursions to Portuguese Island (weather permitting), with beach activities
  • Beach excursions to Pomene (weather permitting), with beach activities
  • Beach excursions to Nosy Be (weather permitting), with beach activities
  • Shore excursions to La Possession (weather permitting)
  • Shore excursions to Port Louis (weather permitting)

CRUISE DETAILS
Cruise Ship: MSC Orchestra
Departing from: Durban
Ports of call: Portuguese Island (Mozambique), Pomene (Mozambique), Nosy Be (Madagascar), La Possession (Reunion), Port Louis (Mauritius)
Duration: 15 days / 14 nights

​ ​Itinerary
Day
Port
Arrival
Departure
1
Durban, South Africa​
----
20h00
2
Portuguese Island, Mozambique
16h00
23h59
3
Portuguese Island, Mozambique
00h01
16h00
4
Pomene, Mozambique
09h00
18h00
5
At sea
----
----
6
At sea
----
----
7
Nosy Be, Madagascar
08h00
16h00
8
At sea
----
----
9
​La Possession, Reunion
10h00
18h00
10
​Port Louis, Mauritius
08h00
23h59
11
Port Louis, Mauritius
00h01
21h00
12
At sea
----
----
13
At sea
----
----
14
At sea
----
----
15
​Durban, South Africa
10h00
----
Picture
​*Information subject to change as a consequence of final berth or anchorage effective availability

  • Portuguese Is.
  • Pomene
  • Nosy Be
  • La Possession
  • ​Port Louis
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Set between the African coast and the Indian Ocean, Portuguese Island is a small, uninhabited island. It is located at the external limit of Maputo Bay, host to the capital of Mozambique, under the cover of Inhaca Island, the chosen location for some of the most luxurious resorts of the entire continent.

During your holiday, take some time between dips in the warm, crystalline ocean waters to stroll around this island. It is six kilometres long, about an hour walk on sand that caresses the soles of your feet (during the central hours of the day, it is best to wear open sandals because the sand becomes very hot), with only the blue of the water and the green of the low vegetation for company.
​
The mild effort involved will be repaid in kiosks serving refreshing beverages and local food. If you like rum, try the Tipo Tinto, which is distilled from local sugar cane. There is also no lack of beach activities: in addition to all the services available for those who just want to lay in the sun undisturbed, such as beach umbrellas, deckchairs and sunbeds, there is equipment for playing beach volleyball and beach tennis.

However, a piece of advice for all: don’t stop as soon as you get off the tender t that brings you to the island, look for a more secluded bay; they are just a short, pleasant stroll away. For those who wish it, it is also possible to circumnavigate the island and admire the coast and the bay of Maputo in a traditional dhow: boats with a triangular sail of Middle-Eastern origins that have sailed the waters of the Indian Ocean for centuries.
​
From Portuguese Island, it is possible to reach the nearby main island of Inhaca, where, in addition to fantastic beaches, there are restaurants, bars, a market and even a Marine Museum and old lighthouse.
Explore one of Mozambique’s best-hidden treasures, Pomene Bay, an unspoilt area just 170km south of Vilanculos and 600km from Mozambique’s capital Maputo. Think clear blue water, powdery white sand, palm trees lining the beach - Pomene Bay something straight out of a movie. There are 2000 kilometres of coastline, characterised by stretches of white sand that blend into the horizon, blue lagoons and unexplored coral reefs. Here one can sunbathe at their pristine beach or explore Pomene through a range of exciting, and educational, tours. Those who prefer some peace and quiet should head down to the beach. The crystal clear water, coupled with the white sand, is heaven.

Smiling and hospitable people, magical beaches, colonial cities and hut villages, baobab and mangrove forests, unspoiled islands and some of the most stunning beaches on the African continent.
​
During your cruise holiday you can disembark in Pomene Bay, one of the most picturesque sites in Mozambique. The lagoon that protects this extraordinary bay, set between the blue Indian Ocean and the waters where the mangroves grow – these extraordinary plants appear to float on the surface of the water, like a forest in a fairy tale – is part of the Pomene Nature Reserve, a protected marine area that has managed to preserve its authentic and wild beauty thanks to its remote location.

An excursion to this sun-kissed place offers you the opportunity to relax with long walks or horseback riding on the beach, to explore the surrounding nature with the help of a guide, immersing yourself in lush leafy vegetation, with an abundance of different species, or watch the sunset while lying on the fine sand of Pomene Bay. Your MSC cruise ship will take you to an African paradise that is also famous for diving and snorkelling, perfect for lovers of the underwater world. Mozambique is a land full of natural beauty spots that never cease to surprise and amaze.
Nosy Be is an island off the northwest coast of Madagascar. Nosy Be is Madagascar's largest and busiest tourist resort. It has an area of 320.02 square kilometres (123.56 sq mi). Nosy Be means "big island" in the Malagasy language.

It’s Madagascar’s quintessential beach-holiday destination, with a delightful climate almost year-round and white-sand beaches so pure they squeak. Its coral reefs are colourful and prolific and the tropical waters, warmed by the Agulhas Current, beckon you in. Inland, forested reserves and lush ridges are home to island birds, peculiar reptiles and lemurs, making Nosy Be an unmissable destination for sun seekers and nature lovers alike. Explore the warm waters or simply soak up the sun on the white, sandy beaches.

Go snorkelling or scuba diving: Nosy Be’s inshore waters are shallow and protected by colourful coral reefs, making this one of the safest swimming spots in Madagascar and perfect for families. Marine highlights include hawksbill-, loggerhead- and green turtles, which swim through the underwater meadows and use beaches on the nearby archipelagos for nesting. Reef visitors include clownfish, pufferfish, batfish and butterflyfish and lucky divers might spot dolphins, humpback whales or even a whale shark at the right time of year.
Cruise ships rarely visit the port of La Possession, on the splendid Punta des Galets. This makes it one of the most unique stops of an MSC cruise to Southern Africa. As soon as you disembark, you can head off on an excursion to the so-called Circus of Salazie, the remains of an enormous volcanic caldera located a few kilometres from La Possession.

Instead of geysers of lava, extinguished centuries ago, you will find an explosion of life, where marvels of nature live side by side with small towns scattered throughout a lush forest. The view you will enjoy as you ascend along the windy road is indescribable. However, not all of the fire has gone out. In the Piton de la Fournaise, you can still admire two active volcano craters, the Dolomieu and the Bory, which filled with lava in 2007.
​
During your cruise holiday, another excursion offered by MSC will introduce you to Saint-Denis and its impressive examples of Creole architecture. Its houses, a product of the woodworking skills of the local boat builders going back to the 1800s, stand side by side with the bold architectural works of the 20th century.

In Saint-Denis, the Central Post Office, which is reminiscent of some Algerian cities, and the unique building housing the Department of Agriculture and Forestry are worth a visit; both were designed by Jean Bossu, a student of Le Corbusier. Don’t miss out on the markets of Saint-Denis, where you will be able to find spices, vegetables, fruit, flowers, the famous smoked meat boucané and a wide variety of local craftworks, such as vases, baskets and pestles for preparing the rougail, a condiment served with cari, a dish typical of the island.
Port Louis has taken its role as the country’s first city seriously and has expanded over time with new streets, buildings and a beautiful promenade. After our cruise ship has docked, you will be able to take a stroll along the Caudan Waterfront, lined with some old cannons and numerous shops. Traces of Port Luis’s colonial past can be seen on Place D’Armes, where the statue of Bertrand François Mahé, the count of La Bourdonnais and a former governor of the island, observes passers-by surrounded by palm trees.

A short distance away, stands the Government House. Dating from 1738, it is shaped like a horseshoe and protected by an iron fence guarded by the statue of a grave-looking Queen Victoria. In the same neighbourhood, there are also the central market and the city park, the Jardins de la Compagnie. However, it is a former property of the Count de La Bourdonnais to house an even more spectacular garden, the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden.

An excursion to this garden should not be missed for any reason on earth. This garden is almost three hundred years old. Over the centuries, it has been lovingly tended by expert gardeners, who have slowly enriched it with plant species from three different continents, Asia, Africa and Oceania. If you prefer the sea to vegetation, another highly recommended excursion will allow you to pass a day on the other side of Mauritius, on the splendid beaches of Ile aux Cerfs (so called because of the deer imported here for hunting).

On Board | Combining spacious, elegant interiors with the variety for which our Musica Class is renowned, MSC Orchestra promises your dream cruise  includes spacious staterooms and suites; superb Body and Mind Spa, with pampering Turkish baths, saunas and a myriad of magical massages. Active types have a Sports Centre with Gym, 5 stunning pools and even a jogging track. MSC Orchestra also takes you on an exciting culinary journey, ranging from the Shanghai Chinese Restaurant with authentic Dim Sum specialties to the Four Seasons gourmet Italian dining experience and La Piazzetta, where you can discover the finest pizza outside Naples. The designer venues on this ecological ship make every moment a special occasion, whether dancing to the live music in the leopard-style Savannah Bar, tempting lady luck in the Palm Beach Casino or catching a spectacular show in the equally spectacular Covent Garden Theatre. Kids can go wild to their heart’s content in the Jungle Adventure playroom, while teens get their own Teen’s Club. Whatever your age and dreams, you can be sure they’ll come true for you, your friends and family on a cruise like no other with MSC Orchestra.

Cabins have the following amenities: a double bed that can be converted into two single beds (on request), spacious wardrobe, bathroom with shower, interactive TV, telephone, Internet connection (payable), mini bar, safe, air-conditioning.

CRUISE INCLUDES:
  • 14 Nights accommodation, MSC Orchestra Cruise Ship
  • Inside cabin with a double bed that can be converted into two single beds (on request). 
  • All meals and snacks and activities
  • The following drinks at the buffet restaurants only:
    - Ice, cold water; hot water; American coffee by dispenser; concentrated juices; instant coffee; decaffeinated coffee; tea; milk.
  • Stop-over in Portuguese Island (weather permitting)
  • Stop-over in Pomene (weather permitting)
  • Stop-over in Nosy Be (weather permitting)
  • Stop-over in La Possession (weather permitting)
  • Stop-over in to Port Louis (weather permitting)
  • Daily activities
  • Onboard nightly entertainment - programme to be advised

EXCLUDED:
  • Any International & local flight/s
  • Transfers to the ship
  • Anything of a personal nature i.e. telephone calls, laundry, etc
  • Any services, tours, meals and drinks not mentioned above
  • Shore excursions
  • Any items not mentioned above

Child policy: 
​Children are welcome. Up to 2 children under 18 sharing a cabin with their parents or responsible adults, cruise free but only pay for the applicable Port, Baggage and Service charges of R3,291 per child (12-17yrs) or R2,465 per child (2-11yrs). This offer is subject to the availability of 4 sleeper cabins.

​Other Disclosures: 
CHANGES IN THE CRUISE, TRAVEL ROUTE OR PORTS:
  1. The Cruise Ship is scheduled to travel the route (“Travel Route”) and stop at the ports of call (“Ports”) specified in the Cruise Booking which you have booked.
  2. The Cruise and Travel Route shall be deemed to have commenced when you have boarded the Cruise Ship at the scheduled or substituted embarkation port, have cleared customs and immigration and have passed through the reception formalities to board the ship, notwithstanding when ocean navigation from the port commences. The Cruise and Travel Route shall be deemed to have been completed when you disembark at the final port of destination.
  3. In the case of a repositioning or other international non-coastal voyage or cruise, or in the event of a package or multi-modal inclusive travel booking, then the Cruise Travel Route shall be deemed to have commenced when you have cleared through passport control and entered the international departure area in the country of your domicile or the departure point for your pre-cruise travel arrangements if covered in your booking, for the commencement of international travel by air, train or other means of conveyance in a multi-modal package booking.
  4. The operation of the Cruise Ship is affected by weather and sea conditions, mechanical problems, duty to assist ships in distress, instructions of the Port and other authorities relating to departure and/or arrival and/or stoppages, the availability of Port facilities, and other factors which may be beyond MSC’s control. MSC cannot accept liability or pay compensation where performance (prompt or otherwise) of this agreement is prevented or affected by factors beyond MSC’s control.
  5. For these reasons set out in clause 17.4, the date and/ or time at which the Cruise Ship is scheduled to sail and land are approximate only and may be delayed and subject to change.
  6. MSC does not guarantee that the Cruise Ship will be able to depart the port of embarkation on or at the scheduled date or time, or at all; and/or call or stop at the Ports at which it is scheduled to call or stop; and/or that you will be able to go ashore on a planned shore excursion during the scheduled Travel Route; and/or that the Cruise Ship will travel along the scheduled Travel Route. MSC may change the Travel Route and/or Ports at which the Cruise Ship calls or stops if the master of the Cruise Ship (“the Master”) considers it necessary to do so for any of the reasons set out above.
  7. If for any reason, the Cruise Ship is unable to sail the Travel Route, MSC may transfer you to another ship or to any other mode of transport bound for the destination of your Cruise. 17.8 If the Port from which you are scheduled to board the Cruise Ship is changed by MSC, MSC will at its cost arrange for you to be transported to the Port at which you are required to board the Cruise Ship.
​
​For all cruises cancelled by MSC, you will be offered a future cruise credit voucher equal to the value of the amount for the cancelled cruise, to be used for any future sailing as per Terms and Conditions detailed in your voucher. If you wish not to continue on with your booking you will only be charged an administrative fee.


Booked Guests that found themselves not to meet any of the requirements of the MSC Health and Safety Protocol (e.g missing vaccination) and therefore that they are prevented from boarding, are asked to send written communication not later than 15 days before the scheduled departure of their cruise in order to request their voucher or reschedule their cruise according to the MSC Flexible Booking Program. 
PRICE FROM: 
ZAR22,000 per person sharing

​Price based on 2 adults sharing a 2-sleeper cabin. Single supplement applies.

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​On Request Booking (we will get back within 24 hours)

BOOKING NOTES
THE PRICE LISTED WAS CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PUBLISHING ON THIS WEBSITE, HOWEVER MAY CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. ONLY THE PRICING GIVEN TO YOU BY YOUR CONSULTANT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED THE FINAL CORRECT PRICING APPLICABLE TO YOUR BOOKING.
The above COST IS PER PERSON based on 2 adults sharing a cabin. Your cruise fare includes accommodation, all meals, snacks and activities onboard. Single supplement applies.
EXCLUDED: 

Port & Baggage Fees, Mandatory Insurance and Service Fees (Standard charges at
R3,291 per person) & as well as currency adjustments. Subject to availability. Prices are quoted in South African Rands.

Please note that all prices are subject to currency fluctuations and fuel surcharges and may change without notice unless paid in full. Offer is subject to availability and and based on double occupancy.

We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!


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