MSC Cruises has announced that, for the first time, guests traveling in the MSC Yacht Club can book a carefully curated selection of exclusive shore excursions.

The new shore excursions will help MSC Yacht Club guests discover new places, new cultures and new people, while fully immersing themselves in the destinations they visit.

“The new offering has come following customer feedback and a desire for a more exclusive experiences for MSC Yacht Club guests,” Marialuisa Iaccarino, head of shore excursions for MSC Cruises, said in a press release.

MSC Seashore. Photo by Jackie Sheckler Finch 

“Guests will benefit from a seamless experience between the butlers’ service onboard and the excursion experts ashore as well as having the opportunity to relax and fully immerse themselves into each destination’s culture, cruising and traditions,” Iaccarino said.

                                               Ship-within-a-ship                               

The MSC Yacht Club is MSC Cruises “ship-within-a-ship” concept combining added privacy and exclusivity with elegant suites in a keycard-access area of the ship. Offering luxury in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere, this exclusive area provides dedicated facilities including a sundeck, pool, hot tubs, restaurant and lounge, along with personalized service provided by a 24-hour butler and concierge desk.

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

Keeping with the MSC Yacht Club experience, the cruise line is introducing more than 90 specially designed MSC Yacht Club shore excursions at various ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Northern Europe, with more to come in other regions later this year. Providing even more exclusivity, the excursions run with only small groups, enabling guests to explore their destinations more intimately.

From the MSC Yacht Club, guests will enjoy priority disembarkation coupled with private transportation for extra comfort during travel, ensuring a feeling of relaxation with all the details taken care of.

MSC Seascape. Photo by Jackie Sheckler Finch 

Whether guests want to try their hand at making their own personalized eau de cologne at one of oldest perfumeries in Southern France, indulge in authentic Greek cuisine on board a private catamaran in Santorini, or relax in a secluded cabana in tropical Jamaica, they will have a multitude of meticulously crafted experiences to choose from.

The experiences fall into several categories to suit a variety of tastes, ranging from authentic culinary experiences or learning about local artistry to visiting architectural treasures or getting involved in upscale adventure activities.

Highlights among the 90+ new shore excursions include:

Cozumel, Mexico: A luxurious catamaran and snorkeling experience

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

Falmouth, Jamaica: A plush cabana in forested grounds near Martha Brae River

Guests can enjoy their day in a private cabana along the Martha Brae River, surrounded by forest and tranquility with a personal butler catering to every need. Guests can take a dip in the nearby swimming pool or take advantage of the riverside bar and grill while enjoying their cabana oasis.

Cannes, France: A sensory experience and exclusive perfume-making workshop

An exclusive perfume-making workshop. Photo courtesy of MSC Cruises

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

 Genoa, Italy: An authentic pesto cooking class in Santa Margherita Ligure

In this excursion, guests can immerse themselves in a unique and authentic Italian food experience, discovering the secrets of pesto—the world-famous sauce—during an exclusive cooking lesson at Santa Margherita Ligure. Guests can learn some of the cooking techniques that makes Italian cuisine so iconic before enjoying an upscale dining experience with delicious local cuisine and wine. After lunch, guests can discover the charm of Portofino, a village characterized by the boats swaying in the small harbor and the orange, red and pink houses surrounding the bay. There are plenty of opportunities to visit luxury shops, venture through the town’s historic alleyways or enjoy the scenic square of the Church of St. George.

Enjoy a day at a luxurious beach club in Kusadasi, Turkey. Photo courtesy of MSC Cruises

Akureyri, Iceland: The Fontana geothermal baths

This excursion offers MSC Yacht Club guests a rejuvenating experience for the mind, body and soul, allowing them to enjoy the remarkable mineral-rich water of the geothermal Fontana baths located on Lake Laugarvatn. This spa is the perfect place to relax and admire an incredible view of the lake while enjoying the beneficial effects of the water. To make this experience even more enjoyable, guests will be offered the rare and exclusive opportunity to taste freshly baked rye bread made in the geothermal bakery right next to the baths. The excursion also includes the opportunity to experience the scenic Þingvellir National Park, an area surrounded by mountains and the vast lava plain covered with green moss and wild flowers.

Invergordon, Scotland: Try world-famous whisky at Glenmorangie Distillery in Scotland

The excursion offers guests the chance to visit a distillery that has been famous for its malt whiskies since the 19^th century and has mastered the fine art of distilling through the generations. 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 12^th-century town of Royal Dornoch to admire its oldest buildings, an impressive cathedral and its town square.

Savor a long lunch at a 16th century hotel in Santiago de Compostela. Photo courtesy of MSC Cruises

Cover photo – Spend the day cruising in Cozumel on a private yacht. Photo courtesy of MSC Cruises

 

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