MSC Cruises is rolling out the red carpet for its MSC Yacht Club guests, with exclusive shore excursions in various ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

The MSC Yacht Club is MSC Cruises’ ‘ship-within-a-ship’ concept and offers guests privacy and exclusivity to elegant suites in a keycard-access area of the ship.

Guests can enjoy added luxury in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere with dedicated facilities, such as a private sundeck and pool, restaurant and lounge, as well as the personalised service of a 24-hour butler and concierge desk.

Available on many of the MSC Cruises ships, the MSC Yacht Club offers its guests a secluded retreat while enabling them to enjoy the facilities and entertainment options available throughout the rest of the ship.

In keeping with the MSC Yacht Club experience, MSC Cruises offers more than 90 specially designed and curated MSC Yacht Club shore excursions for various international departures, providing even more exclusivity for guests to explore their destinations more intimately. Whether guests want to try their hand at making their own personalised eau de cologne at one of the oldest perfumeries in southern France, indulge in authentic Greek cuisine onboard a private catamaran in Santorini, or relax in a secluded cabana in tropical Jamaica, guests will have a multitude of meticulously crafted experiences to choose from.

The experiences fall into several categories to suit all tastes and range from authentic culinary experiences, to learning about local artistry, to visiting architectural treasures, or getting involved in upscale adventure activities. Highlights among the 90-plus new shore excursions include the following.

Cannes, France
Guests will have the exclusive opportunity to participate in an unforgettable and captivating sensory experience creating a personalised eau de cologne with citrus and orange blossom fragrances in one of the oldest family-owned perfume factories in the south of France. About an hour’s drive from Cannes, the town of Grasse is often referred to as the perfume capital. After making their own fragrance, guests will be guided by a professional perfumer on a behind-the-scenes tour of the factory, before taking home their unique creations in an 100 ml bottle with a personalised case.

Genoa, Italy
In this excursion, guests can immerse themselves in a unique and authentic Italian food experience, discovering the secrets of pesto in an exclusive cooking lesson at Santa Margherita Ligure. Guests can learn some of the cooking techniques that make Italian cuisine so iconic before enjoying an upscale dining experience of local cuisine and wine. After lunch, guests can explore the charm of Portofino, visit the luxury shops, venture through its historic alleyways and enjoy the Church of St George square.

Akureyri, Iceland
This excursion offers MSC Yacht Club guests an experience for the mind, body and soul, where they can enjoy the remarkable mineral-rich water of the geothermal Fontana baths, located on Lake Laugarvatn. It’s the ideal place to relax and admire the view of the lake while enjoying the beneficial effects of the water. Guests will also be offered the opportunity to sample freshly baked rye bread made in the geothermal bakery right next to the baths. The excursion also includes the opportunity to experience the Thingvellir National Park, an area surrounded by mountains on a vast lava plain covered with green moss and wildflowers.

Invergordon, Scotland
The excursion offers guests the chance to visit the world-famous Glenmorangie Distillery, renowned for its malt whiskies since the 19th century, and which through the generations has mastered the fine art of distilling. A guided tour will acquaint guests with every step of the distillation process and offer the chance to try two drams before guests are transported to the 12th-century town of Dornoch to admire its oldest buildings, an impressive cathedral and the town square.

Cozumel, Mexico
Guests can spend the day sailing on a catamaran off the coast of Cozumel. Guests will have a personal, local guide for the journey and the opportunity to snorkel in the clear waters of the Caribbean, discovering the rich marine life that lies underneath the surface. The guide will take them to Colombia Reef, a snorkelling area hailed as one of Cozumel’s finest, where they could spot sea turtles, eagle rays and schools of fish.

Falmouth, Jamaica
Guests will spend their day in a private cabana along the Martha Brae river, surrounded by forest and tranquillity, with a personal butler. Guests can enjoy a dip in the nearby swimming pool facilities or take advantage of the riverside bar and grill while enjoying their cabana oasis.

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www.msccruises.co.za