CRUISE INFORMATION
At Giftings Tours our mission is to do everything we can to make your holiday as relaxing as possible
from the moment you book it to the moment you disembark your ship.
Travel Insurance
Cruise Embarkation
Luggage
Onboard Payments
Park and Cruise
Prive Lounge
Travel Documents
Stay before/after cruise
Transfers/Transport
MSC Experiences
TRAVEL INSURANCE
For your peace of mind, it is important for all guests to have in place a travel and medical insurance policy that covers them risks such as cancellation, interruption, and medical assistance, including hospitalization and repatriation expenses.
Should you need travel and medical insurance cover, our travel insurance partner may be able to help you.
Not having a travel and medical insurance in place you might be exposed to additional costs that could not be covered by the Cruise Company.
Please note that travel insurance is included in the cruise package for local South African departures.
CRUISE EMBARKATION
Embarkation begins at the check-in time shown on your cruise ticket. Check-in closes 1.5 hours before the ship is due to depart in all embarkation ports. Before arriving at the port, please ensure that all personal details shown on the embarkation form in your e-ticket are checked and correct. You will be required to show your embarkation form before boarding.
MSC Yacht Club : As an MSC Yacht Club guest, we welcome you with a bespoke check-in experience. As part of your exclusive privileges, you have the flexibility to check in at your convenience, aligned with the ship’s operational schedule and at least 2 hours prior to the ship’s departure. You will also be personally escorted by a butler to the Top Sail Lounge, where you will be greeted by the Concierge and start a relaxing holiday.
LUGGAGE
Each guest is limited to checking in:
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two suitcases per person* (not exceeding 90x75x43 cm in size and 23 kg in weight per bag)
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two pieces of hand luggage per person* (not exceeding 56x45x25 cm in size and 23 kg in weight per bag).
If you are travelling to your departure port by air, please check the luggage size and weight limitations with your airline as this may differ from the MSC Cruises policy.
The maximum amount of luggage in each cabin must not exceed 100 kg and/or 8 pieces total for all passengers in the same cabin.
Any piece of luggage exceeding the allowance will not be accepted at Check-In.
ON BOARD PAYMENT
All on board purchases can be made with the personal cruise card, eliminating the need to carry cash or credit cards on board. After embarking and collecting the Cruise Card from your cabin, You should activate it for onboard purchases by self-registering your credit/debit/prepaid card at one of the Cruise Card Activation Points. You can do this independently, at any time from embarkation until 11:00 pm the following day, at any of the Cruise Card Activation Points located around the ship. These new devices let you register your card simply, rapidly and securely. Please note that you will be asked to enter the PIN number. Alternatively, you can leave cash deposit at the Reception – Guest Service.
PARK & CRUISE
Driving to your departure port?
If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to park your car and embark, then Park & Cruise is the answer.
Leave your car in safe hands
Our new Park & Cruise option offers the most convenient way to take care of parking at each of the ports listed below. How it works varies from port to port, with a range of different services on offer, from valet parking to self-service parking in the immediate vicinity of the cruise terminal. Simply leave your car at the luggage drop-off zone and board the ship (in some cases as an alternative there is a shuttle bus service from the car park to the terminal and vice versa). The parking charge is added to your onboard account, which you settle before disembarking. Then all you have to do is present the receipt to collect your car.
FEE: R140 per day.
MSC PRIVE LOUNGE
Priority embarkation Durban. Dedicated baggage drop-off area., priority security lane, dedicated check-in counter, expedited immigration procedures, access to the terminal MSC Prive lounge including light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages. The experience applied to embarkation only and does not include any dedicated procedures for disembarkation.
Adult: R350
Child: FREE
TRAVELLING WITH KIDS
BE AWARE THAT CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 TRAVELLING IN AND OUT OF SOUTH AFRICA WILL BE REQUIRED TO CARRYAN UNANBRIDGED BRITH CERTICIFATE AS WELL AS A VALID PASSPORT UNDER NEW REGULATIONS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN
FOR CHILD WITH BOTH PARENTS
Requirements:
(i) Such parents must produce an unabridged birth certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child(ii) Adopted children to provide proof of adoption by means of an adoption certificate. Note: These regulations apply to all the travelers. Foreign as well as South A frican; on departure as well as arrival. In the case of foreign countries that do not issue unabridged birth certificate, a letter to this effect issued by the competent authority of the foreign country should be produced. All documents must be original, or copies certified as a true copy of the original by commissioner of oaths or the equivalent commissioning authority, should commissioners of oaths not be a practice the country concerned.
FOR CHILD WITH ONE PARENT
Requirements
(i) Such parents must produce an unabridged birth certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child
(ii) Consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent registered as the parent on the birth certificate of the child authorizing him or her to enter into or depart from the Republic with the child, he or she is travelling with +copy of ID or passport of parents not travelling.
(iii) A court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child, if he or she is the parent or legal guardian of the child; or
(iv) Where applicable, a death certificate of the parent registered as a parent of the child on the birth certificate.
(v)Legally separated parents should also provide a court order when the other parent does not give consent.
YOU MAY DOWNLOAD PARENTAL CONCENT AFFIDAVIT BELOW
< Parental Consent Affidavit Form
HOTEL
Staying at a hotel before a cruise can help you explore the port city and give you time to relax. We offer stay before cruise and after cruise options, avoid stress on flight delay and traffic. We will make sure you don't miss out on your cruise holiday.
Day accommodation: from R350 2-sleeper (10am - 2pm)
from R500 2-sleeper (10am - 4pm)
Sleeper over rates will depend on availability on selected hotels.
TRANSFERS
For all your transfers, book a reliable transfer with us. This will cover airport transfers, cruise and hotel.
King Shaka > Cruise Terminal
City/Hotel > Cruise Terminal
NB: Minimum of 2 passengers and above.
MSC EXPERIENCES
Your cruise experience is at the centre of everything we do. To help
make your holiday with us truly memorable, we give you the chance to
tailor your experience to your needs and desires.
For example, you can either leave the choice of cabin to us and benefit
from the best rates available, or choose your own ideal cabin and
location, while enjoying extra flexibility and additional benefits to make
your cruise even more special
1. BELLA EXPERIENCE: Available with guaranteed cabins
Flexibility
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Cruise change for a fee.
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Cruise changes for Bella experience are applicable either on the cruise dates or on the destination. Such changes need to take place 75 days prior to departure.
Comfort
-
Modern ships with elegant cabins.
-
MSC for me (Where available).
Food and Drinks Benefits
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Extensive buffet with a wide choice of cuisine.
-
Main restaurants serving gourmet meals and offering a variety of dietary requirements.
-
Continental breakfast in cabin (additional delivery cost).
Sport and Entertainment
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Varied program of Broadway-style theatre shows available almost every day.
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Pool Area.
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Open-air sports facilities
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Well-equipped gym with panoramic view
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Entertainment activities for adults, infants and children.
-
Recreational activities for children
2. FANTASTICA EXPERIENCE: Available with Balcony, Ocean View and Interior cabins.
Flexibility
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Opportunity to choose the cabin and its location.
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1 free cruise change.
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In the event of cabin change due to operational reasons, guests will be granted the same cabin category or a cabin category upgrade but the experience remains the same.
-
The free cruise change is applicable either on the cruise dates or on the destination. The change needs to take place 75 days prior to departure.
Comfort
-
Modern ships with elegant cabins.
-
MSC for me (Where available).
Food and Drinks benefits
-
Extensive buffet with a wide choice of cuisine.
-
Main restaurants serving gourmet meals and offering a variety of dietary requirements
-
Chance to request preferred dinner sitting (subject to availability)
-
24-hour room service (delivery free of charge)
-
Room service delivery is complimentary, but food items are priced individually.
-
Continental breakfast in the cabin (delivery free of charge)
3. AUREA EXPERIENCE: Available with Balcony and Suites
Flexibility
-
Opportunity to choose cabin and its location.
-
1 free cruise change
-
In the event of cabin change due to operational reasons, guests will be granted the same cabin category or a cabin category upgrade but the experience remains the same
-
The free cruise change is applicable either on the cruise dates or on the destination. The change needs to take place 75 days prior to departure
Comfort
-
Modern ships with elegant cabins.
-
MSC for me (Where available).
-
Ocean view and Balcony cabins and Suites in the best locations.
Food and Drinks Benefits
-
Discounted drinks package option available at the time of booking.
-
Extensive buffet with a wide choice of cuisine.
-
Main restaurants serving gourmet meals and offering a variety of dietary requirements.
-
Free time dining with My Choice dining in a dedicated restaurant or area.
-
Welcome package (Prosecco + chocolate)
-
24-hour room service (delivery free of charge)
-
Continental breakfast in cabin (delivery free of charge
Sport and Entertainment
-
Varied program of Broadway-style theatre shows available almost every day.
-
Pool area.
-
Open-air sports facilities.
-
Well-equipped gym with panoramic view.
-
Entertainment activities for adults, infants and children.
-
Recreational activities for children
