Starlight Cruises, South Africa’s only operator of regular cruises from and around the South African coast, has announced that the Luxury Liner, MSC SINFONIA, will from November 2009 operate cruises from Durban to destinations in the Indian Ocean and Mozambique Channel. At 58600 tons and close to 2100 passengers, the MSC SINFONIA will be the largest and most luxurious ship to have ever operated from a South African port.

The MSC SINFONIA is a new and modern ship hosting 778 cabins, of which 135 are suites with private balconies. The ship also boasts 3 restaurants, 7 bars, 2 pools, spa, business and conference centre, internet café, casino, cigar room, disco, fitness centre, golf simulator, library, card room, mini club, teen’s club, exchange office and medical centre. The facilities and onboard activities allow for travelers to tailor make their own experience whilst in the luxurious surroundings.

“The market appears to be calling out for a world class liner in the region,” says Starlight director Allan Foggit, “the South African economy suggests to us that our timing is exactly right. We believe the SINFONIA represents the highest level of luxury cruising at the best value, and offers the most exciting local holiday in these trying times. This is definitely the biggest single development in the local cruise industry in South Africa since we first pioneered leisure cruising off this coast.”

From daytime activities to evening entertainment, all tastes and needs are catered for. Children are more than welcome with relevant facilities offered. Children up to the age of 18 travel free.

Interesting points to note on the MSC SINFONIA visiting South Africa include – it will effectively increase annual capacity near 70,000 in the 2009/2010 season. Revenue to the Port of Durban in the form of Port Charges and taxes will be around R20,000,000 per annum. Local hotels, transport and ground service providers in Durban will see huge increases in demand. Food and beverage suppliers too are looking at a very substantial increase in ships victualing, of a similar percentage to those of the hotels and other ground service providers. Local airlines will enjoy increases of similar magnitude in catering for “upland” cruise guest who travel from their home cities to and from Durban

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