MSC Cruises has officially opened sales for the 2027/2028 South African local cruise season and has announced MSC Sinfonia’s return to local shores. The season will start on 12 November 2027.
The season will have a total of thirty-two sailings scheduled to depart from Durban’s Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal and the Cape Town Cruise Terminal, with 3, 4, 5, 7 and 12-night itineraries to popular destinations including Pomene, Maputo and Portuguese Island in Mozambique, Walvis Bay in Namibia and much-loved stops, Port Louis in Mauritius and La Possession in Reunion, during the iconic annual New Year’s cruise.
The ship will commence the season in Durban, operating cruises to Mozambique. Following the New Year’s cruise, she will reposition to Cape Town in January 2028 to operate cruises to Namibia before returning to Durban to conclude the season.
Ross Volk, Managing Director, MSC Cruises South Africa, says, “MSC Sinfonia has had much success in South Africa, and we are confident that guests will be very happy with what this great vessel has to offer. We are always mindful of the preferences and entertainment profile of the South African traveller, and MSC Sinfonia is just one of the ships in our fleet that best suits the local market. We look forward to welcoming everyone onboard in 2027 for what promises to be another successful cruise season.”
MSC Sinfonia, a member of MSC Cruises’ Lirica class, has a stylish design combining clean lines and modern comfort and every onboard venue has its own unique feel. The vessel can accommodate just over 2 500 guests in 976 elegant cabins.
The 13-deck vessel has six bars and lounges, four dining venues, three outdoor bars, two swimming pools, and an onboard shopping area. Guests can enjoy a comprehensive range of carefully crafted worldly entertainment and leisure activities tailored for all ages and tastes.
Younger travellers have a dedicated spray park and kids and teens clubs, developed in partnership with LEGO®, Chicco® and Namco®. For relaxation, the MSC Aurea Spa offers a variety of beauty and wellness treatments, while the fully equipped Technogym® allows guests to maintain their fitness routines while travelling.
Guests can also enjoy evening entertainment with world-class productions in the theatre, try their luck at the casino or can end the night in the disco.
MSC Sinfonia also offers flexible onboard conference and event facilities, making it an ideal venue for meetings, incentives, conferences, and special events. The ship can accommodate corporate gatherings ranging from intimate meetings of 130 delegates to larger-scale events for up to 550 delegates.
Destination highlights include:
- Portuguese Island, Mozambique – Located at the external limit of Maputo Bay and set between the African coast and the Indian Ocean, Portuguese Island is a small, uninhabited island and one of the most enchanting MSC Cruises’ destinations. Guests can enjoy a dip in the warm ocean waters or take a long leisurely walk around the island.
- Maputo, Mozambique – Stroll through the lively port city of Maputo where intense flavours of the continent are seasoned with a hint of Portugal. Take in the sights in the busy neighbourhood of Baixa, discover the marvellous architecture of the railway station designed by Gustavel Eiffel in the 20th century and visit the Mercado Central public market and try out some exotic fruits and vegetables.
- Pomene, Mozambique – Pomene is one of the most picturesque locations in Mozambique, and is part of the Pomene Nature Reserve, a protected marine area. With its warm hospitable locals and stretches of white sand that blend into the horizon, Pomene is perfect for some relaxation on the beach or exploring the hidden gems that the island has to offer.
- La Possession, Reunion – One of the most unique stops for any cruise to Southern Africa, La Possession is located on Punta des Galets. Here, guests can enjoy and admire two volcano craters, the Dolomieu and the Bory and take long walks in the small towns that run through a lush forest. Guests also have the opportunity to see 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.
- Walvis Bay, Namibia – Thanks to its rich marine life, Walvis Bay is one of the places of most outstanding natural beauty in Namibia. The natural lagoon remains one of the highlights of Walvis Bay with its abundance of seabirds, including flamingos and pelicans. For lovers of extreme sports, quad-biking, dune buggy racing and sandboarding are just some of the activities to consider when visiting this wonderful destination.
For the full South African sailing itineraries for the upcoming 2026/2027 season with MSC Armonia and the 2027/2028 season with MSC Sinfonia, please click here.
