Take the journey of discovery you've always dreamed of with an MSC Grand Voyage

For travellers who long to embark on an authentic journey of discovery and who dream of leaving the routine of normal life behind them for an extended period, MSC Cruises’ Grand Voyages are the perfect escape this winter.

Extended cruises from one continent to another with multiple days at sea, these transatlantic voyages evoke memories of a bygone era, when the journey was as important as the destination and when a voyage meant travelling in comfort and in style, at a slower, more relaxing pace.

An MSC Grand Voyage presents the perfect opportunity to experience a truly diverse range of cultures, people and places on one single journey, and during this winter’s itineraries, guests’ journeys of discovery will extend well beyond visits to destinations through MSC’s updated lecture programme and regionally inspired entertainment and cuisine nights.

Historical and cultural lecture programmes

First of all, two fascinating lecture series have been added to the 2012 grand voyage programme. A ‘behind the scenes’ lecture series will explore MSC history, navigation and ship engineering, while a fascinating programme of history lectures presented by experts from top European universities will be tailored to each itinerary in English, German or Portuguese. Guests will learn not only about the history, geography and culture of each destination they visit, but will be transported back in time to the old days of sea travel, discovering the dawn of early navigation along the same routes. Lectures which include titles such as South Africa’s Tumultuous Centuries; Casablanca, A City of Spies; Don’t Cry for Me Buenos Aires and Blackbeard, Calico Jack, and Long John Silver: the notorious piracy of the Caribbean will bring destinations and their stories vividly to life.

Delicious culinary journeys

A combined dining and entertainment programme will take guests on some delightful culinary journeys. Every detail has been taken into account, with cocktails, flair bartending demonstrations, aperitivo, cooking shows and special menus in the restaurants all inspired by the local traditions of ports visited on the itinerary.

When a ship calls in Casablanca, guests will be treated to a delightful Moroccan themed evening including a bazaar, a delicious North African themed menu and a screening of the much loved classic film Casablanca. Brazilian night will be a carnival for all of the senses, with numerous themed cocktails including “One Million Brazilian Colours” and dinner menus including typical Brazilian fish and meat dishes. On fabulous French evenings, a typical aperitivo will be available in a ‘French corner’ of each bar, followed by a rich menu in the restaurant to complete the gastronomic experience.

Certain countries that aren’t included in itineraries will also be celebrated during days at sea. During an Italian themed day at sea, for instance, guests can watch ice cream making demonstrations, attend a Nutella party and enjoy an Italian wine tasting session, while during a British themed night on board they can sample some of Britain’s best whiskies.

Entertainment and enrichment

And the sensory pleasures doesn’t stop there. Unique to MSC Grand Voyages, five classical concerts will also take place during each cruise, with performances including works from Mozart, Strauss, Verdi, Puccini, Italian opera classics and more. Highlights include Musica in Maschera, an Italian association that organizes classical concerts and operas in Venice and whose director is maestro violinist Francesco Manfrin on board MSC Fantasia and MSC Lirica, as well as Maestro Janos Acs,  conductor of Luciano Pavarotti and the three Tenors, performing together with Brazilian violinist Tania Camargo Guarnieri on board MSC Opera.

Other onboard activities have been designed to last for several days and to create a shared journey for guests enjoying the cruise. MSC Stars, for instance, is based on reality TV talent contests and lasts throughout the entire voyage, with castings, selections and performances helping audiences decide exactly which guests have the ‘MSC factor’.

Each grand voyage will continue to offer a traditional and comprehensive enrichment programme,  including Argentinian tango, Brazilian samba and rock ‘n’ roll dance courses, hands-on arts and crafts sessions, art carving events, English, Spanish and Portuguese language learning adventures, and chess and bridge lessons and tournaments. Classic and modern film and documentary screenings linked to every voyage have also been added to each itinerary. Guests heading for the clear blue skies and seas of the Caribbean can now travel alongside Captain Jack Sparrow, with the entire series of Pirates of the Caribbean amongst the films available, while guests on their way to South Africa can enjoy films including the powerful Invictus and the light-hearted Madagascar.

Grand Voyage Itineraries 2012

On 27 October 2012, MSC Magnifica will leave Genoa, Italy and set sail on a 16-day/17-night cruise to Santos, Brazil, calling in Marseille, France, Barcelona, Spain, Lisbon, Portugal, Las Palmas, Spain, and Recife, Maceio, Salvador and Ilha Grande, Brazil, before arriving in Santos on 13 November 2012.

On 1 November 2012, MSC Opera will leave Venice, Italy and set sail on a 18-day/19-night cruise to

Cape Town, South Africa, calling at Valletta, Malta, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Casablanca and Agadir, Morocco, Dakar, Senegal and Walvis Bay, Namibia, before arriving in Cape Town on 20 November 2012.

On 9 November 2012, MSC Sinfonia will leave Genoa, Italy and set sail on an 18-day/19-night cruise to Cape Town, South Africa, calling in Toulon, France, Valencia, Spain, Lisbon and Funchal, Portugal, Mindelo, Cape Verde, and Walvis Bay, Namibia, before arriving in Cape Town on 28 November 2012.

On 11 November 2012, MSC Fantasia will leave Genoa, Italy and set sail on a 15-day/16-night cruise to Santos, Brazil, calling in Barcelona, Spain, Lisbon and Funchal, Portugal, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, Salvador and Buzios, Brazil, before arriving in Santos on 27 November 2012.

On 11 November 2012, MSC Poesia will leave Genoa, Italy and set sail on a 15-day/16-night cruise to Port Everglades, US, calling in Barcelona, Spain, Casablanca, Morocco, Funchal, Portugal, Bridgetown, Barbados, Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands, and Freeport, Bahamas, before arriving in Port Everglades on 27 November 2012.

On 18 November 2012, MSC Musica will leave Venice, Italy and set sail on an 18-day/19-night cruise to Buenos Aires, Argentina, calling at Valetta, Malta, Barcelona, Spain, Casablanca, Morocco, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil before arriving in Buenos Aires on 7 December 2012.

On 25 November 2012, MSC Orchestra will leave Genoa and set sail on a 14-day/15-night to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, calling at Villefranche-sur-Mer, France, Valencia, Spain, Casablanca, Morocco, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, Recife and Salvador, Brazil, before arriving in Rio de Janeiro on 10 December 2012.  

On 30 November 2012, MSC Lirica will leave Genoa and set sail on a 14-day/15-night to Fort de France, Martinique, calling at Marseille, France, Barcelona, Spain, Funchal, Portugal, Bridgetown, Barbados, Castries, Saint Lucia, and Basseterre, Guadeloupe, Saint George, Grenada, before arriving in Fort de France on 15 December 2012.