Bookings for MSC Cruises' 2013/14 South African sailings officially opened for bookings this week, with great discounts available for early-birds. 

Sales & Marketing Director, Allan Foggitt said that the new season’s programme had only just been finalised, but that pricing and the complete schedule are now available via the MSC Cruises website.

There are a number of enhancements to the programme for the upcoming season but, added Mr. Foggitt, fares will remain consistent with the current 2012/13 season.

"In some instances, the fares are even cheaper and, for those early planners, we are offering a 40 percent discount as opposed to the 30 percent offered at the start of the 2012/13 season," he added.

Both the MSC Sinfonia and Opera will return to local waters for the new season. Opera will arrive earlier than it did last year, docking in South Africa on November 15. The vessel will operate an extended season, ending April 25. Sinfonia will arrive on November 30, departing on March 17.

"There are a series of new seven-night cruises for the MSC Sinfonia planned and these will include two or three ports of call, visiting the Portuguese islands as well as Madagascar," said Mr. Foggitt, who added the Sinfonia’s Cape Town schedule would kick off slightly later than it did during the 2012/13 season, with its first cruise out of Cape Town operating on January 13.

Opera will be positioned in Durban for the duration of the 2013/14 season and operate a number of three- and four-night cruises as well as an increased number of two-night cruises, which, said Mr. Foggitt, had proved exceptionally popular.

Additional changes include an adjusted New Year itinerary. 

"This cruise will leave a bit later (December 28) and run a day longer," said Mr. Foggitt. "The itinerary will also include three stops instead of two and arrive in Mauritius this time on January 3."

For more information and bookings, visit www.msccruises.co.za