MSC Orchestra Cruises
Fast Facts
Vessel: MSC Orchestra
Cruise Line: MSC Cruises
Star Rating: Not yet rated
Tonnage: 89,6000 GRT
Max Passenger Capacity: 2550
Entered Service: May 2007 (Sister ship MSC Poesia due in 2008, MSC Magnifica will follow, the 133,550-ton MSC Fantasia due in 2008 and MSC Splendida due in 2009.)
Facilities: Orchestra features mostly outside or balcony cabins, five restaurants, 10 bars, two of which are open-air, three meeting and conference rooms, a shopping area, fitness centre, day spa, disco, show lounge, two swimming pools for adults, one for children and four jacuzzis.
Onboard currency: Euro
For further information you can call 1300 028 502 or visit www.msccruises.com.au.
Orchestra
MSC Cruises launched its flagship this May, a sister to Musica.
Determined to maintain its domination of the Mediterranean, MSC Cruises launched its new flagship, MSC Orchestra, in May. Screen legend Sophia Loren did the honours in the port of Civitacecchia, in Italy, and Lynne Clarke, general manager of MSC Cruises Australia and New Zealand, was among those present.
Clarke welcomes Orchestra to the fleet of MSC's Musica-class Panamax ships. "It's wonderful we have another larger vessel with balcony cabins to offer to clients," she says.
Orchestra is a sister ship to MSC Musica, launched in June 2006, and the second in this new generation of MSC Cruises vessels. The third launch in the Musica class, MSC Poesia, is planned for 2008 and recently a fourth vessel, MSC Magnifica, was ordered from the Aker Yards in France.
In addition, MSC has announced the launch of two 133,550-ton state-of-the-art ships, MSC Fantasia due in 2008 and MSC Splendida due in 2009.
"Every new vessel is pushing us towards being one of the leaders in the cruise industry," Clarke says. She supports the push to increase MSC's fleet to 12 ships within the next three years. "We need these ships to meet the demand for passenger capacity."
Clarke says Orchestra is a superbly designed ship that has been decorated with the same Italian flair as all MSC vessels "plus a little bit of wow factor".
While Orchestra and Musica are similar in technical specifications, each is designed to feel unique as a result of choices in colours, laminates, flooring and textiles.
For example, on Musica the Cristal lounge features a theatrical architectural theme and seating is in a semi-circular area with the bar and dance floor at opposite ends. On Orchestra this area is called the Shaker Lounge and has been designed for daytime use as well as at night. To achieve this, the area is asymmetrical and panoramic windows stretch across three sides to maximise the view. The dcor includes the use of steel and glass, with low-level partitions in violet and clever lighting to complete the theme.
Another difference concerns one of the restaurants. Instead of a sushi bar, Orchestra features a Chinese restaurant decorated with black and red lacquer and furnishings gilded in gold.
In all, there are five eateries on board - two restaurants seating more than 700, an la carte restaurant seating 250, the Chinese restaurant and the La Piazzetta cafeteria.
In keeping with the Italian spirit of hospitality that is the trademark of MSC Cruises, Orchestra prides herself on offering great food to suit all palates.
Italians are also known for their enjoyment of life, so it is fitting that Orchestra offers eight bars or lounges indoors, two poolside bars, a disco and a show lounge. This array of meeting places ensures you'll always find a quiet nook to read a book, or if you're feeling social, there are plenty of places for enjoying a conversation over a drink or two.
Of the cabins, 80 per cent are outside balcony cabins. There are also 18 suites measuring 25 square metres, including private balconies. Each suite offers a bathroom with bathtub, TV, mini bar and internet connection by your own laptop (for a small payment).
There are 809 cabins with balconies and a standard size is 15.3 square metres. Each contains single beds that can convert into a double bed, a bathroom with shower, TV, telephone, mini bar and internet connection by your own laptop (also for a payment).
There are also 173 cabins without balconies measuring 17 square metres and 275 inside cabins measuring 14 square metres.
In all there are 13 passenger decks serviced by 987 crew and public areas include an internet cafe, cinema, casino, library, card room, Turkish bath, golf simulator, teens' club and children-only swimming.
And while the kids are entertained you can take yourself off to the Mind & Body Spa for a facial or relaxing aromatherapy massage. Or if you're looking for some exercise you can try the golf simulator, the jogging track or have a quick hit of tennis.
Clarke says, like Orchestra, each MSC ship has its own personality and she's looking forward to the launch of the first of the larger vessels, MSC Fantasia, next year.
"It's the aim of the company to provide smaller ships in the fleet where crew get to know you, through to the mid-size ship experience and then the larger vessels that some people just love. It's all about providing choice," Clarke says.
Written by Toni Eatts - Issue 28 Winter 2007