MSC Splendida
By Gilly Pickup, Gilly is a freelance journalist, travel writer, author, cruise specialist and photographer who also publishes features in national and regional newspapers and magazines on travel related health, well being, women’s interest, food and lifestyle. Gilly has written six books including ‘The A-Z of Curious London’, ‘Haunted West End’,‘The Little Book of Spirituallty’ and ‘Great British Inventions: From the Brilliant to the Downright Bonkers’. Three more books are on their way. www.travellinglady.co.uk
From the exclusive suites of her Yacht Club and lavish Balinese spa to international restaurants, tropical pool areas and cosmopolitan bars, MSC Splendida combines a world of attractions in a single, unique destination.
So, there I was in Barcelona about to join behemoth Italian Beauty Queen MSC Splendida for a short Mediterranean cruise. It is perhaps apt that this, the second ship in the luxurious ‘Fantasia’ class, has as her godmother the ever-glamorous Italian icon, Sophia Loren.
I was ushered on board by smiling crew members and had soon unpacked, settled in and then set about finding my bearings – no mean feat for a navigationally challenged person like me on a 3900 passenger ship.
MSC Splendida has various cabin categories ; 80% have an ocean view. All have private bathrooms with showers while suites have a bath/shower combination. Trade up a notch to the Yacht Club, the glossy ‘ship within a ship’ facility on decks 15 and 16 forward for an extra dose of luxury on this otherwise mass-market ship.
I was ushered on board by smiling crew members and had soon unpacked, settled in and then set about finding my bearings – no mean feat for a navigationally challenged person like me on a 3900 passenger ship.
MSC Splendida has various cabin categories ; 80% have an ocean view. All have private bathrooms with showers while suites have a bath/shower combination. Trade up a notch to the Yacht Club, the glossy ‘ship within a ship’ facility on decks 15 and 16 forward for an extra dose of luxury on this otherwise mass-market ship.
This is a VIP area and then some. Besides its sparkly gold Swarovski crystal staircase in the concierge area and your own frock-coated butler to tend to your every whim, passengers here also have access to the private Top Sail Lounge, as well as a special area in the Spa and a private sundeck with pool and Jacuzzis.
Lunch and dinner in L’Olivo restaurant is also included in the price as is unlimited free room service and minibar, laundry service and a concierge lounge staffed 24 hours offering complimentary light meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner, snacks and soft and alcoholic drinks.
Lunch and dinner in L’Olivo restaurant is also included in the price as is unlimited free room service and minibar, laundry service and a concierge lounge staffed 24 hours offering complimentary light meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner, snacks and soft and alcoholic drinks.
On board, there is so much to do that it’s a struggle to fit everything in. I found myself planning my time with scrupulous care so that I didn't miss anything I fancied. There are five pools, one with magradome so passengers can swim even when the weather is chilly and an Aqua Park with 150 fountains, an eye-catching sight when lit up to music at night. For sporty types, facilities include an outdoor jogging track, mini golf, golf simulator, tennis and basketball court, bowling and the much maligned shuffleboard, while the fitness centre with its state-of-the-art cardio and weight-training equipment is just the place to work off calories. Aerobics, yoga, spinning and circuit training are also available at extra cost.
Scented with essential oils, the authentic Balinese style Aurea Spa is a many-splendoured area with glorious gold mosaics and exotic ornamental plants. Besides regular beauty procedures like pedicures and massages, you can zap those stubborn fatty deposits with liposculpture, eliminate toxins with manual lymphatic treatments, have a Turkish bath or thalassotherapy treatments.
Scented with essential oils, the authentic Balinese style Aurea Spa is a many-splendoured area with glorious gold mosaics and exotic ornamental plants. Besides regular beauty procedures like pedicures and massages, you can zap those stubborn fatty deposits with liposculpture, eliminate toxins with manual lymphatic treatments, have a Turkish bath or thalassotherapy treatments.
Then when you consider the glittery casino, library and an enrichment programme which covers classes including cookery, dancing, painting, photography, gaming and wine tasting workshops, it’s plain to see you could never be bored.
There are a variety of bars and lounges to ricochet between. The Aft Lounge has seating for hundreds and spectacular views of the sea; La Prua piano bar, is where passengers can enjoy a drink accompanied by live music and then there’s the Purple Jazz Bar, with its jolly jazz quartet. Youngsters and young-at-hearts can bop till they drop in the ultra-contemporary cabaret of colour that is Club 33 Disco .
There are a variety of bars and lounges to ricochet between. The Aft Lounge has seating for hundreds and spectacular views of the sea; La Prua piano bar, is where passengers can enjoy a drink accompanied by live music and then there’s the Purple Jazz Bar, with its jolly jazz quartet. Youngsters and young-at-hearts can bop till they drop in the ultra-contemporary cabaret of colour that is Club 33 Disco .
Onboard announcements are made in different languages but that’s hardly surprising when you consider that Splendida carries a smorgasbord of passengers of all nationalities. As far as understanding the onboard theatre entertainment, the ship cleverly navigates the language problem by featuring largely visual acts - dancers, acrobats, miming artists, magicians and so on, to enable everyone to enjoy the shows.
Splendida caters excellently well for families and this ship is the ultimate playground for kids. The enormous Arctic-themed Il Polo Nord (the North Pole) area is where trained staff offer the Mini, Junior and Teenage Club programmes, an all-you-can-eat buffet of ways to entertain your children. Besides their own swimming pool, disco and water slide which starts on deck 16 and finishes with a huge splash on deck 15, there are also treasure hunts, talent shows and games galore to keep them busy. When it’s time to chill out they can head for the ‘Virtual World’ Arcade, Formula 1 simulator or interactive 4D cinema. And, better still, kids cruise free with MSC, only paying port taxes
Splendida caters excellently well for families and this ship is the ultimate playground for kids. The enormous Arctic-themed Il Polo Nord (the North Pole) area is where trained staff offer the Mini, Junior and Teenage Club programmes, an all-you-can-eat buffet of ways to entertain your children. Besides their own swimming pool, disco and water slide which starts on deck 16 and finishes with a huge splash on deck 15, there are also treasure hunts, talent shows and games galore to keep them busy. When it’s time to chill out they can head for the ‘Virtual World’ Arcade, Formula 1 simulator or interactive 4D cinema. And, better still, kids cruise free with MSC, only paying port taxes
As with all ships, eating is a big part of the cruise experience and Splendida doesn’t disappoint with multiple places to eat, from the fun, casual Tex Mex Santa Fe serving everything Mexican from enchiladas and fajitas to burritos and tacos, the refined La Reggia with its crystal glasses and silver flatware and of course the buffet restaurants, with a huge selection of dishes to choose from. The ship also offers a drinks package, which many passengers decide to buy.
To sum up, a cruise on this big, beautiful vessel with its extravagant decor is just the ticket for people looking for a classy ship offering great value for money, friendly service, no end of onboard distractions, superb common areas and the feel-good factor in spades. You might say a shipshape sort of ship, in fact.
For more information on MSC Cruises call 0203 426 3010 or go to www.msccruises.co.uk
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All images copyright MSC Crociere
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