STAY & CRUISE

The Stay & Cruise package includes:

 

• 7 nights cruise
• 2 nights Hotel stay with breakfast included. In New York, there is also the possibility to choose a 3-night stay.
• Transfers: For stays before the cruise: Airport/Hotel and Hotel/Ship. For stays after the cruise: Ship/Hotel and Hotel/Airport.
• 1 excursion to discover the top attractions of the city
  
  

For specific details about each destination, call us at XXX XXXXXX

Which are the hotels foreseen for pre-cruise stays until summer 2023?

The Stay & Cruise fare offers accommodations (bed and breakfast) as follow:

 

• Hotels in Miami (Downtown): Hotel Holiday Inn Port of Miami or alternatively Miami Holiday Inn or AC Miami Brickell 
• Hotels in New York: Riu Hotel New York or alternatively Hotel Riu Plaza Manhattan, Hotel Riu Plaza Times Square or Park Central Hotel
• Hotels in Cairo: Hotel Safir Dokki or alternatively Hotel Ramses Hilton
• Hotels in Venice: Stay City Aparthotel, Michelangelo Hotel or similar
• Hotels in Istanbul: Avantgard Sisli Hotel Collection or similar

Which is the excursion included?

• Excursion in Miami (MSC Divina, MSC Seascape guests):
  Guests will start their memorable tour of Miami's top attractions with the double-decker bus. They can take a seat inside the air-conditioned lower level if they want to stay cool, or head to the open-top upper deck to enjoy unobstructed views of the Miami's renowned collection of art deco architecture, the largest in the world.
  They will peer out at beautiful Miami Beach as they learn from our guide how art and music drive the city's dynamic culture.
  
  
• Excursion in New York (MSC Meraviglia guests):
  5 hours tour of Manhattan that gives a comprehensive view of the different neighborhoods and landmarks in Manhattan, discovering the Big Apple with the help of our professional tour guide. Among the landmarks that guests might be able to see are Lincoln Center, the legendary Central Park, the Trump Tower, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, the Flatiron Building, the Bull of Wall Street. The tour will also drive through Greenwich Village, Soho, Little Italy, Chinatown, the Financial District, Battery Park, when traffic conditions permit. Guests will have the opportunity to cross the East River to end the tour at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. 
  
  
  
  
• Excursion in Cairo (MSC Splendida guests):
  On day 2 after breakfast, guests will meet an Egyptologist Guide at the lobby of their hotel. They will visit the complex of Saqqara , home of the famous step pyramid. They will see the Unaas Pyramid and some of the burial Mastabas before heading to the open air museum of Memphis the ancient capital of Egypt. After a lunch at the local restaurant, in the afternoon guests will have the chance to visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza & the Sphinx about ten miles southwest of Cairo city center. This experience will be something perhaps few travelers ever decide to do. According to previous visions and experiences, the red granite blocks in the King's Chamber , have been the most profound and prophetic in some people’s lives. Later, guests will come back to the hotel for their free evening and the overnight in Cairo.
  On day 03 there will be a morning half day tour visiting the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. After breakfast and checkout, guests will meet their guide at the lobby to start a short drive to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities As the doors open, the Egyptologist will start his/her explanation about the power of every single piece in the surrounding. After lunch at local restaurant, guests will have their transfer to Ain Sokhna sea port to embark for their cruise.

 

• Excursion in Venice (MSC Opera, MSC Lirica and MSC Sinfonia guests): 
  Check in Day 1 - Check in at the Hotel (starting from 15:00). Guests will be provided with the « Chorus Pass/Pass Chiese» from our MSC Staff who will also provide useful info about the city and confirm program timings for the following day. Day 2 - Guests will enjoy breakfast in the hotel, then will be transferred by bus from the hotel to Venice Port Terminal and then by private boat to city center where the Private Guide will be waiting for you. Here, you can discover one of the most beautiful and unique cities in Europe with a 90 minutes walk tour into the heart of Venice (no entrances). After about 25 minutes of panoramic boat transfer along the Giudecca Canal, get ready to start your walk around San Marco, the Venice most famous square.
  You will admire the Marciana Library and the Loggetta del Sansovino, the imposing bell tower of San Marco, the Clock Tower with its bronze Moors, the two wings that embrace the square respectively called Procuratie Vecchie and Procuratie Nuoveas well as the San Marco’s Basilica in its magnificence. Next to it, you will see the Doge's Palace, one of the architectural masterpieces of the Venetian Gothic which, with its ornamental façade and particular loggia, has been the official residence of the Doges of Venice over the centuries as well as the Serenissima’s center of power. Next to the Palace you will find the renowned Ponte dei Sospiri (“Bridge of Sighs”) which used to connect the Palace to the Prisons. Your guide will lead you through the famous Venetian streets to the Grand Canal with a splendid view of the Rialto Bridge. Enjoy free time for lunch in a typical local restaurant or to visit the countless shops in the area. The morning after, guests can enjoy breakfast in Hotel and will be then transferred to the Terminal Port for embarkation.
  
  

• Excursion in Istanbul (MSC Splendida guests): The Stay & Cruise package is available as precruise and postcruise experience and guests can chose to book the stay with and without excursions. Find here below details for included tours for 1 or 2 Nights Stay.  

• 1 Night Stay includes the following half-day excursion - PERA & GALATA NEIGBOURHOOD TOUR
  Guests will start this tour with exploring the elegant Istiklal Street and Beyogludistrict. Known as the Cadde-iKebir (Grand Avenue) during the Ottoman period, when it attracted an intellectual crowd, Istıklal Street later became the place to stroll for the French Levantines, who knew it as the Grand Rue de Pera. With its many shops, cafés, and historic sites it became İstiklal Street following the creation of the Republic of Turkey. Aside from the obvious shopping opportunities, there are many historic sites cinemas, passages, churches, consulate buildings, and innovative art galleries. Guests will then continue the tour in the vibrant streets of Galata which has been a Jewish community neighborhood for centuries with many synagogues bustling street life. Guests can then ascend the Genoese Galata Tower and enjoy stunning views across the Golden Horn, Marmara Sea and the Princess Islands. Free time and lunch (not included).
  2 Nights Stay includes the following half-day and full-day excursions - PERA & GALATA NEIGBOURHOOD TOUR + ISTANBUL CLASSICS – OLD CITY TOUR
  This walking tour will take guests to Istanbul’s most important sites, including The Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Binbirdirek Cistern & Grand Bazaar. Istanbul’s Hippodrome was once the heart of Constantinople’s political and sports life and was the largest of its kind. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is an historic mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. Hagia Sophia is a magnificent architectural landmark, a monument that was important for both Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Binbirdirek is the second largest underground cistern in Istanbul. One of the largest and oldest covered bazaars in the world, Grand Bazaar, a mind-boggling labyrinth of 4000 tiny shops selling jewellery, antiques, carpets, leatherwear and souvenirs. To take a well-deserved break from shopping, guests can stop by one of the many famous coffee houses (lunch and dinner not included).
  

• ROME – VATICAN CITY
  Guests will embark on an enlightening journey, exploring the majestic Vatican Museums and the iconic Sistine Chapel, all with exclusive skip-the-line access. As guests navigate through these cultural wonders, they will be captivated by the timeless works of old masters such as Michelangelo and Raffaello, showcased in the Pio Clementine Museum, the Belvedere Courtyard, and other remarkable treasures.
  Guests will feast their eyes on the exquisite beauty of Michelangelo's La Pietà at St. Peter's Basilica, an experience that transcends artistry and leaves an indelible mark on the soul. This morning excursion is meticulously designed for our guests, featuring transfers from the hotel to Vatican City at 9:00 am and from Vatican City back to the hotel at 6:30 pm. Let this journey be a source of inspiration, awe, and spiritual reflection as guests immerse themselves in the profound artistic legacy of Vatican City.

 

• VENICE
  Guests will embark on an inspiring 90-minute walking tour into the heart of Venice, a journey devoid of entrances. After a scenic 25-minute panoramic boat transfer, guests are poised to commence their exploration around San Marco, Venice's most famous square.
  Guided by insightful commentary into the history of Venice, guests will admire the Marciana Library, the Loggetta del Sansovino, the imposing bell tower of San Marco, and the Clock Tower adorned with its bronze Moors. The Procuratie Vecchie and Procuratie Nuove, embracing the square, provide a timeless backdrop, alongside the magnificent San Marco’s Basilica.
  
  Adjacent to this architectural marvel stands the Doge's Palace, a pinnacle of Venetian Gothic, once the official residence of the Doges and the center of Serenissima’s power. Guests will stroll next to the renowned Ponte dei Sospiri (“Bridge of Sighs”), connecting the Palace to the Prisons. The guide will lead guests through the famous Venetian streets to the Grand Canal, offering a splendid view of the Rialto Bridge.
  
  As the morning excursion unfolds, guests are encouraged to enjoy free time for lunch in a typical local restaurant (optional and not included) or explore the countless shops in the area. This tailor-made experience for guests includes morning transfers from the hotel to Piazzale Roma and from Piazzale Roma to the hotel (timings to be confirmed by the assistant).
  
  “Chorus Pass”: free for MSC Guests
  MSC Guests who decide to spend two nights in Venice with the Stay and Cruise pack will receive a complimentary "Chorus Pass" providing access to selected churches in Venice. Additionally, pass holders enjoy discounts at the Scuola Dalmata dei Santi Giorgio e Trifone and Scuola Grande dei Carmini.

 

• ATHENS
  After breakfast, guests are invited to join their tour guide in the hotel lobby and embark on a bus panoramic tour of the historic center of Athens.
  The tour includes key landmarks such as Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Panathenaic Stadium. Guests will then explore the city's most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site—the Acropolis—during a fully guided tour. They will explore the iconic site, accompanied by insightful commentary from the tour guide.
  
  As the journey continues, guests are encouraged to stroll through the narrow streets of Plaka, the oldest neighborhood in Athens. Here, they can indulge in the flavors of a popular Souvlaki wrap. After this culinary delight, guests will rejoin their bus, which will transport them to Piraeus port for embarkation.
  The morning excursion begins at the hotel and concludes at Piraeus Port, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for all guests.

 

• MIAMI
  Guests will embark on a captivating journey to discover the magic of Miami on this fascinating city tour, immersing themselves in its rich history along the way. The adventure unfolds in the Art Deco district of South Beach, a city renowned for providing an exceptional setting embraced by photographers, filmmakers, actors, supermodels, and fashion designers.
  
  As the tour progresses, guests will traverse one of the bridges leading to the towering skyscrapers of Downtown, venture into the Financial District, and experience the vibrant culture of Little Havana, immersing themselves in the true essence of Miami's Cuban heritage. The exploration continues through the beautiful surrounding neighborhoods of Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, each offering a unique glimpse into the city's diverse and captivating character.
  
  The duration of this enriching experience is approximately 4 hours, with hotel pick-up scheduled between 8:30 am and 9 am. The tour concludes at Miami Port, perfectly timed for guests to embark on their next adventure. Let the magic of Miami come to life for our guests, creating lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the city's dynamic tapestry.

 

• NEW YORK
  Departing from the hotel in Midtown Manhattan, Guests will head southbound and will pass by The New York Public Library
  and the Empire State Building up to the Flatiron district. The tour will follow with the Washington Square Park, with a look at some of trendiest
  neighborhoods such as Greenwich Village, Soho and Lower Manhattan, passing by City Hall, down to Manhattan southwest point at Battery Park,
  where it is possible to spot the Statue of Liberty and New York Bay. Guests will make our back northbound passing by the World Trade Center, arriving
  in Chinatown and Little Italy. Finally they will leave Manhattan to reach Dumbo in Brooklyn, ending the tour. Duration approx 3 hours with hotel pick up scheduled for 8:30 am - 9 am Tour will end at Brooklyn Port (around 11:30 - 12:00) for embarkation.

 

Do you already have a booking? To book your hotel package call us at XXX XXXXXX

Valid on on the cruises from the following embarkation ports and ships during the Summer 2024 season:

• Civitavecchia on MSC MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, MSC Musica , MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview
• Venice on MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia
• Piraeus on MSC Opera 
• Miami on MSC Seascape
• New York on MSC Meraviglia