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As a consequence of the volatility of the Rand, as well as the weakening euro/rand exchange rate, MSC Cruises has urged all passengers who have booked for the upcoming 2015/16 South African Sinfonia cruise seasons, to pay all outstanding cruise fares as soon as possible.
All bookings paid in full by 16 September 2015 will not be considered for any currency adjustment in the event that the incurring becomes necessary.
Passengers are able to check their outstanding balance due and make payment electronically by logging in to the MY MSC Area on the MSC Cruises website. Alternatively, passengers can contact the MSC Cruises call centre on 087 075 0888 to establish their outstanding balance, and make payment by providing their credit card details telephonically.
The MSC cruises marketing and sales director Allan Foggitt, said in a statement the cruise operator is "entitled to apply a currency surcharge and fuel levy should either become necessary," as per the operator's terms and conditions.
“The weakening Rand certainly has a negative effect on the MSC local season, because many of the costs incurred in the operation of the ship are US Dollar- or Euro-based. We are therefore carefully monitoring the currency and hope that the slide in the rand will halt and we can avoid applying any currency surcharge."
Last week, South Africa's Rand hit an all-time low, tumbling to its weakest level since December 2001.
Weighed down by a decline in commodity prices, slowing growth in China, and the possibility of a Federal Reserve interest rate increase, combined with the electricity shortage and persistent fiscal and current account deficits – all signal a tough time ahead for the rand.
Traveller24 reported in November 2014 that the MSC Sinfonia was one of a few MSC cruise ships that underwent a 200 million Euro upgrade in Palermo, Sicily.
READ: Big bucks to be spent on MSC Sinfonia
MSC Sinfonia's Desi Antonella told Traveller24 the new improved cruise liner emerged from dry dock at the end of March this year with renewed amenities and enriched on-board spaces for guests.
The improved MSC Sinfonia will set sail on South African seas during the 2015/2016 cruising season.
MSC Cruises has also re-imagined the on-board dining experiences as part of the upgrades. Three restaurants offer quests more choice, with a new on-board bistro giving a more informal lunch time option. The buffet will now remain open 20 hours per day and see increased buffet service lines over peak periods.
Additional Mobile bars and soft drink stations will also be available catering for the large South African demand.
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