Suite Life on Deck: MSC Orchestra Cruise

My Granny, Aunt, 13 year old cousin and myself decided to test the waters and board the MSC Orchestra Cruise from Durban to Portuguese Island to kick off the festive season.

We arrived at the Durban Harbour at 10am, 3 hours before boarding gates were said to close and 5 hours before departure. Being early birds proved to be worthwhile as the harbour was abuzz with over 2000 people set to go on the ship. After a tedious line at the checking in and boarding gates, we finally managed to get onto the MSC Orchestra 2 hours later.

Inside the enormous hotel on water, I felt like I was on an episode of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (hence the title, haha). We were welcomed with a hearty lunch in the 24/7 buffet cafeteria. Each cruiser had scheduled access to one of the restaurants for a 4 course dinner each night, but many still preferred the buffet. As most know, I'm not very adventurous with my taste buds so I didn't try any new food, but the flapjacks I had every morning were worth it.

What does one even do on a ship for 4 days and 3 nights?

The cruise kicked off with The Sail Away Party on the open pool deck on the ship's roof. Although Kurt Darren's Kaptein was the perfect jam for a sail away party, if I have to hear Mandoza's Nkalakatha anytime again in the next 3 years, it will be too soon. The song was overplayed in all the different bars and lounges on the shop.

There were many fun games aboard from afternoon trivia, name that tune and other quiz shows to mini golf, basic Italian lessons and dance lessons. My favourite was the quest game show where one had to do whatever it takes to bring the items required. The host said we could buy, borrow or steal whatever we needed to win and that is exactly what my little cousin had in mind as she grabbed someone's wig off their head.

Buying vouchers for drinks earlier came in very handy as they were be a bit pricy aboard. Packages could be for ice cream and soda, all non-alcoholic or alcoholic drinks. All the pretty drinks are alcoholic so I asked Cipta, the Japanese bartender to make me a pretty non-alcoholic one. He named it the Alice in Wonderland which left me flattered and tasted sparkly and tingly.

As much as I'm an earth sign, I love water and bikinis (mostly bikinis) a lot. The ship was nothing short of my hydro dreams with the pool and mini-artificial waterfall. The jacuzzies were an even better source when the temperatures dropped a little.

The weather seemed to agree with our plans to spend the day ashore on the island. However, getting almost 2000 people off the ship and onto boats to get them to the island was a logistical nightmare. Queues to get both to the island and back on the ship were extremely tiring but the time there was worth it. Cape Town beaches are extremely cold therefore I appreciated the warm and calm Mozambican waters.

MSC Cruises has a beach house structure with a buffet and bar on the island as well therefore lunch can be served. The dj entertained us from the deck while we swam and played water games. The weather was EXTREMELY HOT on the island therefore make sure you've got lots of sunscreen, hats, umbrellas and all sorts of protective sun gear.

Back on the ship, there's still plenty of entertainment from mentalist shows, karaoke, gymnastics and dance performances in the auditorium to the casino, spa or just binge drinking in the bars if that's your thing.

There are professional photographers all over the ship at all times. The prices are, however, in dollars, therefore I'd advise everyone to pre-book the photo packages when making your cruise booking.

The entire experience does not feel like just 3 days and I'd encourage everyone to do it at least once in their lives. This was my second time visiting Mozambique and yet I still foresee at least 3 more trips in the near future.