| TRAVELHOTNEWS.COM JOINS THE ULTIMATE FAM TRIP | | Jovana Arnaut |
I have been on the MSC Splendida for the Ultimate FAM trip with Thomas Cook's Sunquest, ALBATours and Encore Cruises for three days and the two main phrases that have been going through my head have been; ‘oh my God’ and ‘I can’t believe that I’m here.’
This is my first cruise. Ever. As soon as I saw the MSC Splendida at the Civitavecchia pier my jaw dropped to the floor. The 137,936 tonne ship is over 300 metres in length and has a total of 1, 637 cabins.
It has everything I can think of and some things that I can only dream of: restaurants ranging from fine dining to buffet style; entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults; and sparkling staircases designed with Swarovski crystals.
The ship also offers different levels of service to its guests. For example, our group (which consists of Aggie Stoduto, product manager, Sunquest and ALBATours; Jennifer Matthews, Thomas Cook supervisor, inside sales and training; and 30 travel agents and their companions from across Canada) is part of the MSC Yacht Club, which means that we get perks like special dining options; a secluded pool and deck area; and a butler.
That’s right: a butler.
He ensures that we are taken care of in every way and then some. In fact, the entire staff on board the ship is attentive and genuinely friendly. Everybody knows my name and is always checking up on me to see if I’m enjoying myself. I feel like a celebrity.
My experience on the MSC Splendida has been beyond exceptional thus far, with more to come.
The 10-day/eight-night itinerary travels through the Western Mediterranean and makes stops in Italy, Spain, Tunisia and Malta.
Our first destination was Genoa, Italy. Here, I went on a walking tour of the city and visited the aquarium and the Castello D’Albertis, a cultural museum inside of a castle. Genoa is a serene town, with hidden avenues and spiraling and zigzagging staircases throughout.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s article where I outline the MSC and Thomas Cook workshops, and the excursion in Barcelona.
Ciao for now!
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Lulu • 2012-11-02 | | Sounds wonderful...you sound very positive and happy. I like the enthusiasm that you write your blogs. Rejane may be a tad envious. ;) |
Rejane • 2012-10-22 | | This sounds like a sales pitch to me.
I have been on many cruises including MSC and never felt like a celebrity except maybe on Bora Bora Cruises. Keep sailing. |
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