MSC Euribia, MSC Cruises’ flagship vessel, which made a technical stop at the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban last week, is officially the largest vessel to have called at a South African port. 

MSC Cruises South Africa MD, Ross Volk, speaking at the crest exchange aboard the ship, said the 6 334-passenger cruise vessel was one of the line’s most technologically advanced.

He said the R300 million (€15.5 million) Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban was one of only two ports, the other being Cape Town, in the country that was equipped to accommodate such a large vessel.

 “This marks the official start of the local cruise season and, as MSC Cruises, we look forward to welcoming avid cruisers and those new to cruising on board throughout the summer. MSC Musica, which will service South Africa for the local season, will kick off her time on local waters on November 22.”

MSC Euribia is the second ship in the MSC Cruises, fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas, which reduces emissions of greenhouse gases by 20%. The fuel offers immediate benefits to the local port community compared with conventional maritime fuels by reducing local air emissions (99% less sulphur oxides; 99% particulate emissions; and up to 85% less nitrogen oxides).

Volk said the company was aiming to make sure it became the first cruise line to be carbon neutral by 2050.

“We're already well ahead of the curve in terms of reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030, and our last sustainability report was up around 37,8% reduction in our carbon emissions from where we were eight years ago.

“Euribia was actually the first cruise ever that was carbon neutral from the port of construction through to Amsterdam and to Copenhagen, where we had the crest exchange. We bought carbon offset credits that allowed us to have a fully carbon neutral cruise, so it’s quite a significant, momentous occasion for South Africa to welcome such an auspicious ship to the country in terms of our commitment is to the sustainability in the oceans’ economy,” he said.

The 2 400-cabin ship with its instantly recognisable design, features an almost 100-metre LED screen running along the ceiling of the central indoor promenade – the longest LED dome at sea. The ship offers passengers a choice of 10 dining venues and 21 bars, five pools that accommodate more than 1 000 guests, and one of the biggest and most intricate waterparks at sea.

MSC Euribia also offers an ultimate luxury experience – privacy and 24-hour butler services in the exclusive MSC Yacht Club.

Call centre in SA

Volk added that the company had opened a call centre in South Africa to service its US, Canada, UK and Australia clients.

“Recently we also opened a call centre to service explorer journeys from a global perspective. So we've now employed an additional 250 South African people who are servicing it. And I'm very proud to say that we've outperformed our counterparts internationally in terms of performance.”

 For a closer look at MSC Euribia, take a tour here.