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MSC Preziosa

The MSC took delivery of the MSC at STX France dockyards on the 14th March 2013. The Preziosa is the latest addition to the Mediterranean Shipping Company's fleet and the MSC Divina's sister ship, part of the amazing Fantasia Class of ships. Originally designed to ferry Muammar Gaddafi and his family around the world, the MSC & STX have worked their magic and turned it into a graceful, floating dream. The Preziosa has a children's water park called Doremi Castle and a waterslide which is the longest on any cruise ship.

We are now taking cruise bookings for the 2013/2014 season for the MSC Preziosa. You can check availability by filling in the form below (email cruises@southafrica.to if you're experiencing difficulties).

News

  • 28 April 2013. MSC Preziosa cruise - Marseille, Barcelona,...

  • 1 April 2013. The maiden voyage on the MSC Preziosa from Genoa (passes the MSC Lirica on its way out), to Naples (passes the MSC Melody), Messina, Barcelona and Marseille. Also footage of the vertigo water slide.

Reservations

MSC Preziosa Cruise Enquiries
Fill in this form to check availability and pricing.
  • If more than 20 people, please specify the number in the special requests field.
  • Please note that the child must still be under 18 at the date the cruise RETURNS to be included as an under 18
  • Please note that the infant must still be under 2 at the date the cruise RETURNS to be included as an infant
  • If you would prefer not to share one cabin, please indicate the number of cabins you require. Cabins on the Preziosa sleep a maximum of 4 people.
  • Honeymoon must fall within 6 months of wedding date and you must be able to show proof.
  • A valid driver's license, ID or current passport will be required for validation at the pier.

We discovered this picture of the MSC Preziosa in construction on a really cool website called Shipspotting.

MSC Preziosa

Inside the Preziosa

The MSC Preziosa is the latest edition to the MSC fleet. The inaugural cruise is scheduled to set sail on the 14 March 2013. The ship will include the luxurious MSC Yacht club as well as the relaxing MSC Aurea Spa. The Preziosa boasts 3 main restaurants. Recent news also states that MSC has a new and exciting partnership with the famous food chain Eately and the MSC Preziosa will be the very first ship to have this resaurant 'at sea'.

Cabins & Suites

Inside cabins consist of single beds that can be converted into a double bed (on request), spacious wardrobe, bathroom with shower, interactive TV, telephone, availability of internet connection by laptop(on payment), mini bar and safe and air conditioning. Size is some 16 square metres.

Outside cabins consist of single beds that can be converted into a double bed (on request), spacious wardrobe, bathroom with shower, interactive TV, telephone, availability of internet connection by laptop(on payment), mini bar and safe and air conditioning. Size ranges from 17 - 20 square metres.

Balcony cabins consist of single beds that can be converted into a double bed (on request), spacious wardrobe, bathroom with shower or tub, interactive TV, telephone, availability of internet connection by laptop(on payment), mini bar and safe and air conditioning. Size is some 22 square metres (including balcony).

Aurea Suite with panoramic sealed window consist of single beds that can be converted into a double bed (on request), spacious wardrobe, bathroom with tub, interactive TV, telephone, availability of internet connection by laptop(on payment), mini bar and safe and air conditioning. Size ranges from 22 - 31 square metres.
All guests that book an Aurea Suite cabin will enjoy the following welcome benefits:
- Spa Doctor personal consultation
- Welcome Herbal Tea
- Entrance to Thermal SPA for the duration of the cruise

Dictators' Paradise, Phoenicia

I read that the Gaddafi family got annoyed by the fact that they couldn't just charter a cruise ship whenever they wanted to. Apparently they struggled with the concept of people actually booking and paying for their cruises up to a year in advance. Spontaneity must run thick in their family's veins. Hannibal Gaddafi then decided that they simply must have their own cruise ship and decided to buy one. He called it Phoenicia and told the engineers that the main attraction onboard will be a massive shark tank with 6 sharks inside. Wow. I never realised that dictators cared so much about sharks; then again, they are actually very similar, aren't they. Cold blooded, ruthless...anyway, the plans for their cruise ship came to an abrupt end when their rule was overthrown in June 2011.

Refitting of the MSC Preziosa

Thankfully, the MSC Preziosa will not bear any tacky gold statues or ridiculously ornate columns, dictator style. With about 45% of total construction complete, and 70% of the mechanics sorted, they will soon start to fit out this stately ship and give it the glamour and stylesynonymous with the other ships in the MSC fleet.
The ship will most like have about 1 751 cabins and should be able to carry 3 478 passengers. Since it has not yet been completed, I do not want to guess as to the exact specifications, but since the MSC Preziosa is the MSC Divina's sister ship, I think we can safely assume that it's going to be just as incredible, with the now obligatory infinity pool and MSC Yacht Club included. The gross tonnage of the new ship is 139 000 and the length will reach up to 333 meters.


For updates on the progress of this ship, you can have a look at one of my favourite cruising blogs, Cruise Diva.

Ask our travel consultant your questions here. She would love to assist.


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