MSC Cruises’ New Orchestra to Sail in the Caribbean

MSC Cruises will bring two ships to Fort Lauderdale for a 2008-2009 Caribbean season that features seven itineraries, 16 ports and the line’s first call in Bermuda. The ships will sail Deep Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, and Exotic Caribbean featuring Panama itineraries, as well as Bermuda and transatlantic voyages.

Cruise-only prices begin at $449 per person, double occupancy, for seven-night sailings and $699 for 10-night cruises; government fees and taxes are additional. Most of the itineraries include visits to Cayo Levantado, the line’s private beach in the Dominican Republic.

MSC Lirica, which has sailed n the Caribbean for several seasons, will be joined by the new ship MSC Orchestra, which debuted in 2007 and will sail its inaugural Caribbean season. At 92,400 gross tons, 961 feet long, and 16 decks, MSC Orchestra is the largest member of the line’s fleet to sail the Caribbean.

It can carry 2,550 passengers double occupancy in 1,275 staterooms; 80 percent are outside, most with a private balcony. MSC Orchestra will arrive in Fort Lauderdale Jan. 2, 2009. The following day, it will begin alternating seven-night roundtrips through April 18, 2009.

The Eastern Caribbean itinerary calls at Cayo Levantado, St. Maarten, Antigua and Nassau. The Western Caribbean route calls at Key West, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Cayo Levantado.

A special seven-night roundtrip to Bermuda departs Fort Lauderdale on April 25, 2009, and includes three days in King’s Wharf and a day in Nassau. MSC Orchestra is scheduled to depart Fort Lauderdale May 2, 2009, on an 18-night voyage that will include two days in New York before heading to Copenhagen.