Guests of MSC Seaside will be able to enjoy a private beach experience in Taranto, Puglia exclusively for them. This is in addition to the previously-announced two brand new destinations in sunny southern Italy with Siracusa in Sicily in addition to Taranto.
This summer MSC Seaside, one of MSC Cruises most iconic ships, will spend a season in the Mediterranean giving guests the opportunity to discover and experience a one-of-a-kind holiday at sea. Designed as the ship that follows the sun, everything about MSC Seaside is designed to connect her guests with the sea making her the perfect ship for the warm weather of the Mediterranean.
MSC Seaside will join the MSC Grandiosa in the Mediterranean and welcome back guests from 1 May with a brand-new itinerary offering embarkation in four Italian ports, with 7-night cruises calling Genoa, Valetta in Malta, Siracusa, Taranto and Civitavecchia.
Under MSC Cruises’ current health and safety protocol, ashore visits are possible only as part of a protected excursion. This way guests go ashore to discover and explore the different attractions whilst maintaining a safe social bubble. However, a summer holiday would not be complete without a visit to the beach and so MSC Cruises has developed a special offering for Taranto so that MSC Seaside guests can spend a day at the beach safely, with lidos that are exclusively for the use of MSC Cruises guests.
Time to hit the beach
Situated in the southern part of Italy in Puglia, one of the most famous and beautiful regions in the charming and sunny South of Italy, the historic port of Taranto is an undiscovered gem. MSC Cruises guests will be able to enjoy a day relaxing day at a Blue Flag beach that offers fine sand and a gentle southern breeze at the edge of the clear blue waters of the Ionian Sea – a rival for any Caribbean beach. The clarity of the sea here is incredible and with a gently sloping seabed, the crystal waters can be easily enjoyed by all whether just a gentle dip or an active swim.
Three lidos on the Marina di Taranto will be exclusively available for MSC Cruises guests on the day that the ship calls and “bubble transfers” will be on hand to take guests to the beach and then back to the ship at fixed times throughout the day. The lidos are equipped with convenient beach club facilities needed for this day at the seaside – with umbrellas for shade and comfortable loungers, a bar and restaurant as well as toilets, showers and changing cabins. Guests will have the peace of mind that the health and safety measures at the lido will follow the same as the ship and that everything is taken care of for them – all they need do is relax and enjoy the sun, sand and sea.
Guests will also have to opportunity to join a range of different protected shore excursions in Taranto.
MSC Seaside to call another new destination, Siracusa in Sicily
MSC Seaside will also call at another new destination for MSC Cruises, the Sicilian port of Siracusa where guests can discover the rich historical and archaeological sites in this area, including the Greek theatre of Siracusa the biggest ever built in Sicily and one of the largest in the Greek world or immerse themselves in the beautiful countryside and baroque cities where the world-famous Inspector Montalbano films are shot. For those seeking the perfect panoramas, experience Europe’s largest volcano Mount Etna with thrilling and unforgettable views and the ancient splendours of beautiful Taormina.
MSC Seaside’s current itinerary has been extended through to the end of July along with MSC Grandiosa’s current itinerary. MSC Seaside and MSC Grandiosa itineraries are currently available to residents from Schengen countries and Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania.