5 Days on a cruise ship, what could go wrong 😉 ?? 3000 Party keen passengers, one incredible group of unplanned besties, far too many tequila sunrises and one boat ride back to the ship that felt like a rollercoaster ride. Our MSC Cruise to Mozambique was absolutely not what we expected, but one of our most fun travel journeys to date !!!
Boarding the MSC Orchestra Cruise Ship
Just some context: This was a MSC Cruise across the Indian Ocean from Durban, South Africa to Pomene, Mozambique. MSC Cruises originate in the Mediterranean and currently venture in 17 ships to 69 countries. The price range for our particular cruise is around R10k – R16k per couple (but they often have two-for-one specials).
Honeymoon expectations meet party cruise realities..
Our expectations for the cruise included romantic salsa dancing on the deck, endless shows, classical music following us through the corridors and occasional interactions with quiet, slightly older passengers.
Jokes on us! This was undoubtably, unbeknown to us, a party ship! We learnt this in our first two hours onboard when everyone was already living their best lives dancing around the pool.
We realised that we were either going to be that slightly prude “old married couple” who complained that the music was too loud, or those crazy tourists that joined in 100%. Crazy tourists “high on that vacay vibe” it was!!
One of our most special takeaways from our cruise experience was our unexpected new friendship with four other media/ travel writers. We all met while queuing for our drinks cards and clicked instantly – sharing travel stories and getting John to fetch us beers ;)! Our endless conversation alongside our keen interest to try different looking cocktails resulted in an epic first night onboard. 3am Later, with new found stomach muscles from laughing and let’s just say we woke up with a sudden case of sea-sickness.
But I’m going to leave this love story from strangers to friends to rather be read on this hilarious article on Traveller24 (written by one of the friends) >> ‘The One Where… they all go on a cruise to Mozambique’.
Waking up in Mozambique !!
Our favourite day had to be wandering around Pomene (one of our favourite places in Mozambique). The cruise couldn’t have chosen a more prime location to disembark. We’ve travelled Mozambique before and Pomene offers almost every Mozam wonder in one location. A strip of sandy mainland separated by a flamingo filled estuary to the left and an endless stretch of beachfront to the right.
Instagram vs reality – or rather – choice A or choice B !!
Choice A: The Vibe
Funny enough, all the cruise passengers really stuck together in one big mass tourism bundle. Bundle 1 was by the pool area where live music and a vibey pool party was well under way beneath the palms. Bundle 2 was on the first 100 metre stretch of beachfront.
Choice B: Secluded Paradise
Just a few steps away from the bundles was untouched, secluded paradise. How funny?! Away from the 100 metres of mass tourism was a completely abandoned coastline of more than 6kms in each direction. We took a walk and got to enjoy natural jacuzzis and ocean swims all to ourselves. We couldn’t have pictured a better way to spend one day in Mozambique!
Just in-front of the pool area is the Pomene estuary which was also completely empty and filled with sweet crabs, flamingos and endless shadey palm trees. We could’ve easily stayed here for a week!!
Top 5 Romantic Things to Do on a MSC Cruise
Although the main top deck of the ship is always a crazy and crowded “cocktail hour” (ideal for a group of friends), there are definite nooks around the ship that made our MSC Cruise to Mozambique super romantic.
- Cappuccinos in the cosy, quiet lounge areas
2. Ocean gazing from the Spa’s jacuzzi room
3. Sunset at the back of the ship
4. Sunset at the back of the ship – with cocktails !!
5. Room service breakfast on our balcony room
Disembarking thoughts
If people-watching is your thing then this cruise is paradise. The one thing we noticed which warmed our hearts – is how there was almost every version of South African on the ship. On the dance floors, in the comedy shows and it the club at 2am in the morning there was no age, race or class difference dividing anyone. Everyone was there to let loose, dress up, forget about their worries and have a great time, together. We loved seeing this and being a part of this!
We also had the opportunity to speak to the cruise management staff over lunch. They said that although South Africa is the only country in all 69 countries where they can’t offer the all-inclusive drinks package (because we have the ability to drink them into debt), they find us to be the friendliest passengers overall and that South Africans have the most laughter and lust for life”.
Until next time MSC !!
