Cruise Guide

Coffee is served to early risers on the outside deck, from 6.30 am to 7 am. Breakfast is served in the restaurant dining room from 7 am to 9.30 am, at the buffet on the outside deck from 7 am to 10 am or in cabins from 7.30 am to 10 am – in this case, breakfast is to be ordered from the deck attendant. Meals are served in two sittings. Lunch is served at 12 noon and at 1.30 pm in the restaurant dining room and from 12 noon to 1.45 pm at the buffet on the outside deck. Dinner is served at 7 pm and 9 pm in the restaurant dining room. Special diets can also be catered for, but must be requested when booking the cruise. The above times may vary depending on the ports of call and excursions

You are advised to use the complimentary safety deposit facilities on board for Travellers Cheques, jewellery and other valuables - and to ensure they are properly insured. We suggest that you use credit cards and travellers cheques wherever possible. MSC Cruises declines any responsibility for the loss of valuables.

Clothing, cosmetics, perfumes, jewellery, films, photographic equipment, glasses and sun creams can all be bought from the onboard boutiques. Furthermore, international items can be purchased from the duty free shops.

Leisure wear is recommended for life onboard ship and for the excursions. For the gala evenings and parties, we recommend black tie for men and eveningwear for women. It is a good idea to bring a pullover or shawl to protect against the differences in temperatures between air-conditioned areas and the outside. Simple clothing is recommended where excursions include visits to holy places (i.e. no shorts, Bermudas, vests, etc.).

Sun beds are available to passengers, free of charge without the need to book. Passengers are invited not to leave their personal belongings on sun beds during extended periods of absence. Beach towels are also available near the pools, and these are to be returned after use. Alternatively, beach towels can be ordered from your cabin attendant.

A detailed program of the next day’s activities, designed to keep passengers informed about the events and entertainment offered by MSC staff, will be delivered to the cabins every evening.

An extract of the main news, taken from Italian and European dailies, will be published daily. Copies of this newssheet can be requested from the Information Office.

During the cruise, tournaments - including bridge, canasta, table tennis, tennis, volley ball, shuffle board and pool games - will be arranged, as well as song contests, treasure hunts, quizzes, fancy-dress balls and beauty contests.

Medical Facility: Medical assistance is offered by doctors and nurses exclusively when at sea. The services of the onboard doctor are paid for by cruise passengers on the basis of the tariffs published by the Medical Association of Genoa. The services of the photographer, hairdresser, barber, beauty salon, sauna and masseur, as well as the laundry and ironing service, are also chargeable to the passenger. Post Office: post can be handed in to the Information Office, which will stamp and forward it via the company’s local agents, charging the service to the passenger. Radio and telecommunications: the onboard radio station operates 24 hours a day, but closes when in port. Telephone calls can be made via the INMARSAT station (+390687120483) in Rome or directly by using the numbers that appear in the table. All cabins are fitted with alternating electrical current as follows 110/220V. Current adaptors are available on request from the Information Office.

The company declines all responsibility for the loss or theft of valuables or precious items stored in the cabin or the passenger’s luggage, or left unattended. Passengers can use the safety deposit boxes available in the Information Office and in some of the ships’ cabins.

A Wi-Fi card is available and enables wireless Internet connection in certain areas of the ship displaying the sign "MSC Hot Spot Wi-Fi Area". All you need is a prepaid MSC Wi-Fi card that will enable your laptop to access the service. Configuration and Activation: Your MSC Wi-Fi card is already active and ready for use. All you have to do is reach the designated areas and open your browser. The system automatically connects you to the MSC Wi-Fi portal. Insert your Username and Password (provided on paper) and bob's your uncle!!! Remember, you can buy the card from the Information Office. The service is made possible by means of a shared bandwidth satellite connection. For this reason, the service may be slower during peak usage times. Any unused credit cannot be refunded, and the card will be automatically cancelled at the end of the cruise.

For your convenience we have created a 'cashless society' on board which means that you sign for your drinks and bar purchases. At the end of the cruise and itemised bill may be settled with Visa or Mastercard credit cards. Passengers without credit cards must deposit a minimum amount of cash per Passenger, or the equivalent, with the cashier on day 1 of the Cruise. This amount must be replenished during the cruise when expenses exceed the deposit. If all the deposit is not used then the balance will be returned with the bill. Facilities are available on board to purchase local currencies or change travellers cheques (commission charges apply) for use ashore. IMPORTANT NOTE: All accounts are settled the morning before the Cruise finishes. Thereafter passengers will need to pay for any drinks or items of a personal nature in cash. Passengers are advised to ensure that they have sufficient cash to pay for these during the last day.

SERVICE CHARGE MSC will automatically charge a modest service charge which will be billed to the Guest's account. Payment will only be requested at the end of the cruise and will depend on the number of days services were actually provided. Service charges serve the purpose of maintaining the highest quality standards of service to the passengers.