MSC Cruising to Portuguese Islands

Tamarin Seymour on 16 April 2018
From 09 - 12 March 2018 I had the opportunity to spend 4 days onboard the MSC Sinfonia on a cruise sailing from Durban o the to the Portuguese Islands for our annual Travel Counsellors South Africa Conference. I so look forward to these trips as I am able to give my clients my firsthand experience as to what they can expect when onboard. The queue for check-in at Durban Airport was a long one, but with everyone around us excited to board, the time passed rather quickly - however take a hat and some water and get there early, as this can be a bit of a wait. Keep your travel documents and passport handy at all times as there are 3 - 4 security checks before you actually board and at the last check they retain your passport for the duration of the trip (don't worry, you get it back the day before you disembark.) I am a rather nervous cruiser as I suffer from terrible motion sickness, but with a bit of planning and with the correct tablets and acupuncture bracelets it was time to sail away. The Indian Ocean waters are a little rougher than the Med or Caribbean but with a little practice we were making our way around the boat and exploring. The cruise includes all your meals onboard so get ready to try out as many of the restaurants as you can, there is always something happening at the pool deck where you will be entertained by the wonderful staff with dancing and games. If you don't want to leave the boat with a big bill at the end of your cruise you will also have the opportunity to buy a drinks packages which can include just sodas and waters or cocktails and coffees too. The cabins were a comfortable size; however, the bathrooms and showers are fairly small so if you do are looking for more space, I would recommend considering a Balcony Suite to make your stay more comfortable. In the evenings there is usually a themed evening that you can dress accordingly, this can be anything from tropical, carnival or nautical, so have a little fun, dress up and join in the fun. After dinner you are welcome to have your time at leisure or you can attend a show with some dancing and fun after. If you have your children with you there is a kid’s club, (I sometimes thought the children were having more fun than the adults) with loads of entertainment and activities to keep them busy you need not worry and you can enjoy some downtime. The day out at the Portuguese Islands is a really lovely treat, you can choose to spend the day on the beach and in the water or up on the decks enjoying some cocktails and music with a light lunch served as part of your onboard meals. Don't forget your sunblock and sandals if you want to do a bit of exploring. These cruises are a really great way to spend a weekend away as a couple or a family and I highly recommend it when looking for something out of the ordinary. And with the MSC Musica heading to our waters for the 2019 cruise season it's a holiday that I'm considering this for my family.