The South African Tourism invited Carve Africa to experience life on the MSC Splendida for an Easter campaign that promotes local travel and the beauty of traveling with your loved ones in a different vibe.
This Durban to Cape Town MSC Splendida experience had everything on board; perfect for that family time where every and any activity is available for everyone to enjoy from leisure, wellness and entertainment it was all there.
We landed in Durban on Friday morning ready to sail away with SA Tourism for the Sho’t Left experience. We had a quick breakfast and a moment for a quick freshen up at the Elangani Hotel before we took off. The check in process on the MSC Splendida was seamless, they have a mobile app that you can use for self check in, which also then holds all your information for the trip to guide you on all there is to know about life on board. There is also a bag drop that goes through vigorous scanning of all the items in your bag to ensure not only your safety but everyone else’s. I loved that, mine came with stickers detailing that I have a pair of scissors and an extension cable.
So while we waited for our bags to be dropped off to our rooms we chilled at one of the buffet dining halls that serves food for most parts of the day so whenever you need to nibble and balance, then they have you sorted, no hassle – grab whatever you would like. How cool is that? Definitely no hunger formed against us had a chance to prosper here.
I mostly enjoyed their breakfast and lunch, dinner wasn’t that great though but we made up for it by looking divine every night. See receipts below, where is the lie?
On Friday night we had a quick pow wow session with all the groups that joined SA Tourism on this experience, had cocktails at the main deck with live music in the background before we had our first dinner. A seat at the table… as I connected with actors, the brand team, and some media. We tried some karaoke after dinner, but didn’t stay for long – I wanted to sign up but gwababa had me, so I headed back to the main deck, and this time around there was a DJ blasting through the best yanos, but not as nostalgic as the best way I topped off the evening through which was through a great dance session in the club.
Next morning, I kicked off the day with some green tea as we marvelled at the breathtaking view’s and then headed to the gym! As a fitness enthusiast, I had to tick that off the list for things I needed to experience on the ship, and and it was amazing, a bit challenging though because while you running on the treadmill there is a lot of motion from the ocean, but we were focused on the views because they were GIVING!
It felt out of this world, that was a major highlight for me.
After gym, we had a super filling buffet breakfast, took a nap and woke up ready to hit the cruise streets again. Wore a green number and had a young arcade experience and later chilled at the indoor bar for some margaritas and live music. I was so happy to be in that moment, my mom always wanted us to go on the cruise but we never had a chance to, and in that moment of live music it truly felt that I was there with her in spirit, another personal key highlight of the trip – I will forever be grateful for the opportunity, parts of my soul healed out at sea.
Every evening like clockwork, before dinner I bumped into the same group of ladies who always asked me to take their content as they headed out for dinner, when I tell you that I lived for those impromptu moments of sharing and celebrating with them, trust me – it was a beautiful movie every night by those lifts. Thanks universe for that because it can’t be a coincidence right?
KOTW and Daliwonga entertained us on Saturday and Sunday in the club, fun was had. The poolside chill moment on Sunday was EVERYTHING, Sundays are chilled days for an unwind session to connect with self. After a much needed pamper session in my room I headed out for a hot tub session with a friend that was also onboard, before we joined the others we hung out with on the ship. I brought my moms sun hat and took some beautiful snaps on deck. Gorgeous right?
After two blinks we were in Cape Town and it was over, this girl needs a 10 days adventure… that’s for sure because there’s surely more to explore; but side note: watch out for motion sickness though, my head was spinning for a good 4 days after we returned. Listen to the experts when they have those motion pills, don’t be hard headed like me.
I would give the experience a 9, the 1 is just stuff out of our control but the 9 is everything great about the experience and all the beautiful pockets of joy and connections made with so many amazing people. Sho’t Left, you did it! More seats and more tables please.
