I WAS gripped with trepidation! Such is human nature. There I was, about to go on a trip by sea; and recent sea disasters came crowding my head. The disaster of Costa Concordia in which 32 persons died in mid January 2012' the averted disaster of Costa Allegra, which was adrift in the Indian Ocean before it was towed to safety in the Seychelles'Now I was scheduled for a four-night cruise experience on board Msc Sinfonia from the South African city of Durban to Cape Town.My trepidation was probably aggravated by the fact that it would be my first time on a cruise ship. However, arriving the Durban Port after a smooth flight on the South African Airways from Lagos via Johannesburg to Durban, the sight of the majestic all-white, 54-metre high and approximately 252 metre long Msc Sinfonia dispelled my fears. The gigantic cruise liner sits comfortably, a mansion afloat, dwarfing all structures within 1,000 metres radius.Despite its magnificent features, the Entertainment Director of the cruise will later reveal during an excursion that Msc Sinfonia is the second smallest ship in the 11 fleet of MSC Cruises, the fourth largest cruise company in the world, which operates in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, parts of South America, South Africa and Mozambique in Southern Africa.The deployment of the luxurious passenger liner, MSC Sinfonia, to Southern Africa in 2009 proved a turning point for local cruising and established a new trend where voyaging has become an increasingly popular vacation of choice for exquisite holiday makers.Referred to as the 'finest floating hotel' ever to operate out of South Africa, MSC Sinfonia returned for a second bumper season in November 2010 and for the 2011/2012 summer cruise season, which features a full schedule of exciting cruise destinations in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans out of Durban and Cape Town.Onboard Msc Sinfonia, the package is almost all-encompassing with free quality foods and a range of Italian snacks and English coffees round the clock serving the 777 cabins housing 1,983 passengers and over 700 crew on board. At full passenger capacity, the cabins can take up to 2,100.Night out at the Pasha disco club, hilarious musical and theatrical shows in the San Carlo theatre, which seats about 600 at a time as well as guided excursions inside the cruise are included in the long list of freebies for passengers.There were bespoke restaurants and bars that sell according to orders. All sorts of beers and wines, including largely Italian and Mediterranean foods, are available to suit the discerning passengers choice.Interestingly, all transactions in the cruise were strictly cashless. Monies, the US Dollar and South African Rand, the acceptable legal tenders, were transferred into passengers' personal cards for transactions. The cards also serve as cabin automated keys. Special charity initiative dedicated to the UNICEF project saw $1.50 deducted from each passenger's account.My cabin was situated on deck 9 called Tchaikovsky, named after the 18th century Russian composer who was famous for his Swan Lake ballet in 1876.The comfort in the cabin radiated with the waves of the Indian Ocean from the window view and a complementing decor involving twin-bed setting, a television set with several customised information channels on the cruise, a work station, a wardrobe, a mini bar, a modern shower and lavatory closet.As passengers settled into their cabins on the first day, there came a clear voice from the tiny un-noticeable speaker in the cabin, 'Hello gentlemen and ladies, welcome to the world of Msc Sinfonia. Look atop your wardrobe, get your life-vest, it's time for the safety drill.'So, all passengers rushed out after an alarm signal for the safety drill in a coordinated operation. Soon after, on Deck 11, a large crowd had gathered to grace the official welcome party enjoying drinks and dance beside the bar opposite the swimming pool. It was a whirlwind of fun seekers, who, though from different backgrounds and nationalities, swung in a wide-long circle, dancing to the tunes of salsa music.Soon it was night; the cruise in its continued smooth sailing began buzzing with plentiful entertainments. At the theatre, a humorous dance and drama, the bingo show, was sending the audience reeling with laughter after which there was a pageant contest for the 'Miss Sinfonia'.Earlier, dance lovers pertook in a special dance lesson showcasing different dance-steps across the globe. Just as the young buzzing men and ladies went clubbing all night at the Pasha disco club, the oldies enjoyed soulful live performances at the Manhattan lounge while chatting away the night. The splendid numerous entertainment offerings all through the cruise are a sure selling point.The next morning, passengers woke up to find a four-page newsletter slipped into the cabins. The newsletter highlights all the activities for the day and it became a regular throughout the five-day cruise.The jogging facility on Deck 12 provided passengers the opportunity to stretch their 'sea legs' and above on Deck 13, not a few were seen playing football and Golf game simulator.Just as many passengers took to the gym and spa for fitness and massage, respectively, others went shopping at the large jewelry and other deluxe accessory shops. A dedicated children's play room is also located on Deck 11.Msc Sinfonia berthed in Port-Elizabeth on the third day. Passengers had guided tours around the coastal city famous for the beautiful outlay of Nelson Mandela Bay. A few missed steps inside the Green Acres shopping complex confirmed I had developed 'sea legs' but I was definitely enjoying the cruise.After finally reaching my destination in Cape Town in the early hours of the fifth day at sea, it dawned on me that if the statement by Ralph Waldo Emerson, 'Life is a journey, not a destination' is true, cruising on Msc Sinfonia is sure one beautiful way to enjoy life's ride.' Abdullahi is a Public Relations/Media Executive of a Lagos-based firm.
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