Exciting news for the local market is that MSC Sinfonia, also scheduled under the renaissance programme, will post her renovation and refurbishment, return to South Africa for the 2015/16 season. The ship, much loved by South Africans, will return with an inserted 24 metre section hosting greater capacity and amenities. Facilities will have an upgraded level of comfort and host more entertainment and services for passengers on board. The MSC Sinfonia will follow a similar schedule on the Renaissance programme to the Armonia, and will boast the same world class features.

On Sunday, 31 August MSC Armonia entered the Fincantieri shipyard, in Palermo, Italy, where she will remain for 11 weeks, until resuming service on Monday, 17 November with a one-off inaugural Mediterranean cruise from Genoa to the Canary Islands.

Before MSC Armonia’s arrival, Fincantieri had begun preparations for the massive project both on board and in the shipyard. On Thursday, 28 August, the new midship section was floated into the shipyard, and towed into the drydock area, where MSC Armonia will undergo her Renaissance.

Finally, on Sunday morning, MSC Armonia stopped inside the drydock, where the midship section was waiting. Work immediately started on her hull, as the cutting line was marked. The midsection will be inserted mid-September and the maiden journey out of the shipyard will be on Monday, 17 November.

In addition to new cabins, the ship will boast new areas for the Baby Club built in partnership with Chicco; also a new Mini Club and Young Club for kids to play, as well as a Teens Club. Food lovers were not forgotten as the buffet will be open 20 hours per day and exciting features will be available for an even better food experience. She will also feature a new lounge area as well as an extended restaurant.

MSC Armonia will in addition be fitted with a library for MSC travellers to enjoy their time on board even more. MSC Aurea Spa will also benefit from enrichments to please our guests. A completely new spray park will also be added, with an exhilarating pathway of water features and water cannons.

The Renaissance programme will follow the below schedule:

- MSC Armonia from Sunday, 31 August to Monday, 17 November;
- MSC Sinfonia from Monday, 12 January to Monday, 16 March 2015;
- MSC Opera from Saturday, 2 May to Saturday, 4 July 2015; and
- MSC Lirica: Monday, 31 August to Monday, 9 November 2015.

The four ships were built between 2003 and 2005 at the STX yards in Saint-Nazaire, France. They are currently 251 metres long, weigh 60 000 tons and carry 2069 travellers. After the “renaissance programme”, the ships will be 275 meters long, weigh 65 000 tons and carry 2680 travellers, boasting 193 additional cabins (plus 59 new cabins for crew members).

For more information, visit www.msccruises.com.