MSC World Cruise - April 1-17, 2025 Highlights

Описание: The Indian Ocean was very kind to us making our crossing on the MSC Magnifica from Australia to the Maldives smooth & very fast. In fact it was so fast that we arrived in Male, Maldives an entire day early!

Male, Maldives - Day 1 - We were excited to have the extra day & even though we had a planned snorkeling excursion with MSC for our second day, we found a wonderful small group snorkeling experience through Secret Paradise Maldives on Viator. A few friends joined us making a total of 4 of us, which was fantastic! Our guide Kami, is a very experienced marine biologist so was able to answer all of our questions & point out different species & behaviors.

We started the tour at Kurumba where there is a huge drop off surrounding this small island making the marine life extraordinary. We saw a Hawksbill Sea Turtle, multiple Parrot Fish, Powder blue Surgeonfish - Blacktip Reef Sharks, Spotted Unicorn fish, Octopus, Crown of Thorns Starfish, Granular Sea Stars and many other fish & coral.

We took a break and headed to a sand bar, noticing how super clear the water was along the way. At the sand bar we took a few minutes to collect plastic remains left by others. Afterwards we sat in the water enjoying some fresh watermelon and counting our blessings. We were all so thankful to have the opportunity to be there that day.

A little more snorkeling then on to watch dolphins as the sun set. What a perfect day!

Day 2 was our MSC snorkeling tour. Instead of 4 of us there were 35-40 and 6 guides. We saw the same type of fish with an additional few - Long-spine Porcupinefish & Moray Eel. The experience was a very abbreviated more crowded version of the day before. It was fun, but not as special.

That evening the Soul of the Maldivian Rhythm, a local dance troupe came aboard and shared their traditional dances.

Port Victoria, Seychelles - We charters a boat with our friends to experience more snorkeling. We went to the St Anne Marine National Park and Seche Island first. The blue water color was something that I've never seen before. It was beautiful! After a few hours of snorkeling we headed to a sand bar near Round & Long Islands. Here we played catch, lazed about and saw rays and other fish. Lunch at the Beach Bar on Ile au Cerf island was delicious and provided a unique experience.

Nosy Be, Madagascar - We signed up for the MSC tour Amazing Tany Haly & The Island of Nosy Komba. It was fun and interesting, but it wasn't very organized & the guides did not communicate or share information very well. We spent a lot of time just hanging around waiting for what's next. At Tany Haly we opted for snorkeling & saw a giant clam, some fish, and a jelly fish, that snuck up on me. At Nosy Komba we ate lunch at Chez Jojo - the food was okay. After lunch we walked to Lemury, Zolwie I Kameleony, the lemur national park. Along the way we learned about coffee, vanilla, local life, and the crafts made on the island. At the park we learned about lemurs, tortoises, chameleons, snakes along with black pepper, cacao, lemons and more.

Arts and Crafts - Mary decorated a tote bag

Port Elizabeth, South Africa - We signed up for a safari with LangLoe Travel to visit Schotia Safaris private game reserve to see the Big 5. We split into groups of 8 - 10 & traveled in open air safari vehicles - seating 3 across. Our guide Taz was an animal behavioralist and was very good at explaining about the animals that we saw. The animals were fairly free-roaming - they do keep the buffalo from the lions as the buffalo are expensive animals to replace. Except for the buffalo, the animals are not supplied food & have to find there own - we did see skeletal remains of giraffe & other animals around the reserve. Animals we saw included lions, elephants, zebra, rhino, hippos, crocodile, wildebeests, warthogs, antelope, and many others.

That evening the Amandla Zulu dance troupe performed their native dances in the theatre.

Cape Town, South Africa - We signed up for the MSC Tour - Cape Peninsula & African Penguin Colony. Our guide Cameron was entertaining and informative. He is an aspiring screen writer so was able to use his story telling skills to keep us entertained. We drove south from the cruise port past Table Mountain to Hout Bay where we stopped to take some photos. We rode along Chapman's Peak Drive, a very scenic coastal road that was cut on the layer between sandstone and granite. It was quite a fun & beautiful drive. At Cape Point Nature Reserve we saw baboons & ostriches & took the Flying Dutchman Funicular to New Cape Point lighthouse. We walked the Lightkeepers Trail & then the trail to Dias Beach and the Cape of Good Hope. From there we headed to Simons Town driving north along the coast from the cape. At Simons Town we went to Boulders Beach to see the African Penguin colony.

As a special viewer request, we included a sunset from the ship. We hope that it helps raise their spirits.