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Sea travel industry of today

“Home is where you drop your anchor” - Unknown

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3. SEA TRAVEL INDUSTRY OF TODAY 39 03-01 The development of air travel allowed for further and faster domestic and international travel. This meant a decrease in rail and sea travel, which became predominantly cargo, whilst the reintroduction of sea travel was a means of leisure as opposed to a means of travel from one destination to another. Air travel replaced the meaning of sea travel from what it was originally, therefore different considerations apply when comparing air and sea travel.

MSC cruises has experienced unprecedented growth the last few years and is currently one of the leading cruise companies in the Mediterranean, Brazil and South Africa. The ultra modern fleet consists of 11 vessels that are expected to carry over 1.6 million travelers and employ 15500 staff. The company was born in the Mediterranean and draws inspiration from the Mediterranean way of life which it creates for travelers all over the world (Cruise Lines International Association, 2014).

3..1. south African vessels 40 Msc opera reception foyer MSC Cruises have four identical Lirica Class vessels, two of which are used in South 03-04 Africa during cruise seasons. These include the MSC Sinfonia and the MSC Opera, which accommodate 2069 passengers and 700 staff each (Msccruises.co.za, 2014).

The South African cruise season commences in October of each year and operates until April of the following year. The two vessels travel between South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius. Cruise ships are only berthed at the port of Durban on Mondays and Fridays, therefore this will be considered in order for the new terminal to be feasible for the months or days when the building is not active.

Msc opera 03-02

Msc sinfonia 03-03 Msc opera suite 03-05

Sea travel industry of today 41 Msc sinfonia pool deck Msc lirica class deck plans 03-06 03-09

Msc opera theatre 03-07

Msc opera cabin 03-08

3.2. renaissance programme 42 New segment to be added The Renaissance programme refers to the refitting, refurbishment and additional 24 03-10 meter segment to be added to the four Lirica Class ships (MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica) This addition will include new entertainment options, technological advancements, extended shops and 193 additional cabins (plus 59 new cabins for crew members) (Msccruises.com, 2014).

The MSC Lirica renaissance programme will follow the dry dock schedule below:

• MSC Armonia (2004): 31 August to 17 November 2014 • MSC Sinfonia (2005): 12 January to 16 March 2015 New segment being fitted • MSC Opera (2004): 2 May to 4 July 2015 03-11 • MSC Lirica (2003): 31 August to 9 November 2015

Due to the “renaissance” of the Lirica Class ships, the MSC Opera will be the only cruise vessel operating from the port of Durban for the 2014/2015 cruise season (Msccruises.co.za, 2014). This means that the number of cruises will be drastically lower then previous years. However the Renaissance programme, once completed in 2015, will allow for even more passengers than previous years. The already stressed passenger terminal will further battle to meet the growing market demand in South Africa.

Sea travel industry of today 43

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3.3. Durban cruise season 44 Example of themed cruises from Durban Departure Date Nights Itinerary Ship

03-13 NOVEMBER Mon, Nov 03, 2014 4 Cape Town - Port Elizabeth - Durban MSC Opera Fri, Nov 07, 2014 3 Durban - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Mon, Nov 10, 2014 4 Durban - Portuguese Island - Inhaca Island - Durban MSC Opera Fri, Nov 14, 2014 3 Durban - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Mon, Nov 17, 2014 4 Durban - Maputo - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Fri, Nov 21, 2014 3 Durban - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Mon, Nov 24, 2014 4 Durban - Portuguese Island - Inhaca Island - Durban MSC Opera Fri, Nov 28, 2014 3 OH SHIP 3 : Durban - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera

DECEMBER Mon, Dec 01, 2014 4 Durban - Maputo - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Fri, Dec 05, 2014 3 Durban - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Mon, Dec 08, 2014 4 Durban - Portuguese Island - Inhaca Island - Durban MSC Opera Fri, Dec 12, 2014 3 Durban - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Mon, Dec 15, 2014 4 Durban - Maputo - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Fri, Dec 19, 2014 3 Durban - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Mon, Dec 22, 2014 7 Durban - Fort Dauphin - Portuguese Island - Inhaca Island -Durban MSC Opera Mon, Dec 29, 2014 11 Durban - La Possession - Port Louis - Durban MSC Opera

JANUARY Fri, Jan 09, 2015 2 Durban - Cape Town MSC Opera Mon, Jan 26, 2015 4 Cape Town - Port Elizabeth - Durban MSC Opera Fri, Jan 30, 2015 3 Durban - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera

FEBRUARY Mon, Feb 02, 2015 4 Durban - Maputo - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Fri, Feb 06, 2015 3 Durban - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Mon, Feb 09, 2015 7 Durban - Fort Dauphin - Portuguese Island - Inhaca Island -Durban MSC Opera Mon, Feb 16, 2015 4 Durban - Portuguese Island - Inhaca Island - Durban MSC Opera Fri, Feb 20, 2015 3 Durban - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Mon, Feb 23, 2015 4 Durban - Portuguese Island - Inhaca Island - Durban MSC Opera Fri, Feb 27, 2015 3 Durban - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera MARCH Mon, Mar 02, 2015 4 Durban - Maputo - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Fri, Mar 06, 2015 3 Durban - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Mon, Mar 09, 2015 4 Durban - Portuguese Island - Inhaca Island - Durban MSC Opera Fri, Mar 13, 2015 7 Durban - Fort Dauphin - Portuguese Island - Inhaca Island -Durban MSC Opera Fri, Mar 20, 2015 4 Durban - Maputo - Portuguese Island - Durban MSC Opera Tue, Mar 24, 2015 4 Durban -,Port Elizabeth,- Cape Town MSC Opera

Sea travel industry of today 45 Durban cruise routes

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