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Arrive | Depart | ||||||
3rd03 | AprApr | 202525 | Buenos Aires, Argentina, embark on the MSC Poesia | 17:00 | |||
Glamorous and gritty, Buenos Aires is two cities in one. What makes Argentina's capital so fascinating is its dual heritage—part European, part Latin American. Plaza de Mayo resembles a grand square in Madrid, and the ornate Teatro Colón would not be out of place in Vienna. But you’ll know you’re in South America by the leather shoes for sale on cobbled streets and impromptu parades of triumphant soccer fans. Limited-production wines, juicy steaks, and ice cream in countless flavors are among the old-world imports the city has perfected. | |||||||
4th04 | AprApr | 202525 | Montevideo, Uruguay | 07:00 | 17:00 | ||
Uruguay’s capital city hugs the eastern bank of the Río de la Plata. A massive coastal promenade (malecón) that passes fine beaches, restaurants, and numerous parks recalls the sunny sophistications of the Mediterranean and is always dotted with Montevideans strolling, exercising, and lounging along the water. Montevideo has its share of glitzy shopping avenues and modern office buildings, balanced with its historic old city and sumptuous colonial architecture, as well as numerous leafy plazas and parks. It is hard not to draw comparisons to its sister city Buenos Aires across the river, and indeed Montevideo strikes many as a calmer, more manageable incarnation of Argentina's capital.When the weather's good, La Rambla, a 22-km (14-mile) waterfront avenue that links the Old City with the eastern suburbs and changes names about a dozen times, gets packed with fishermen, ice-cream vendors, and joggers. Around sunset, volleyball and soccer games wind down as couples begin to appear for evening strolls. Polls consistently rate Montevideo as having the highest quality of life of any city in Latin America. After one visit here, especially on a lovely summer evening, you probably will agree. | |||||||
5th05 | AprApr | 202525 | At Sea | ||||
6th06 | AprApr | 202525 | At Sea | ||||
7th07 | AprApr | 202525 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 07:00 | 17:00 | ||
Welcome to the Cidade Maravilhosa, or the Marvelous City, as Rio is known in Brazil. Synonymous with the girl from Ipanema, the dramatic views from Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado mountain, and fabulously flamboyant Carnival celebrations, Rio is a city of stunning architecture, abundant museums, and marvelous food. Rio is also home to 23 beaches, an almost continuous 73-km (45-mile) ribbon of sand.As you leave the airport and head to Rio's beautiful Zona Sul (the touristic South Zone), you'll drive for about 40 minutes on a highway from where you'll begin to get a sense of the dramatic contrast between beautiful landscape and devastating poverty. In this teeming metropolis of 12 million people (6.2 million of whom live in Rio proper), the very rich and the very poor live in uneasy proximity. You'll drive past seemingly endless cinder-block favela, but by the time you reach Copacabana's breezy, sunny Avenida Atlântica—flanked on one side by white beach and azure sea and on the other by condominiums and hotels—your heart will leap with expectation as you begin to recognize the postcard-famous sights. Now you're truly in Rio, where cariocas (Rio residents) and tourists live life to its fullest.Enthusiasm is contagious in Rio. Prepare to have your senses engaged and your inhibitions untied. Rio seduces with a host of images: the joyous bustle of vendors at Sunday's Feira Hippie (Hippie Fair); the tipsy babble at sidewalk cafés as patrons sip their last glass of icy beer under the stars; the blanket of lights beneath the Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain); the bikers, joggers, strollers, and power walkers who parade along the beach each morning. Borrow the carioca spirit for your stay; you may find yourself reluctant to give it back. | |||||||
8th08 | AprApr | 202525 | At Sea | ||||
9th09 | AprApr | 202525 | Ilheus, Brazil | 08:00 | 18:00 | ||
10th10 | AprApr | 202525 | Salvador de Bahia, Brazil | 07:00 | 16:00 | ||
According to Salvador's adopted son Jorge Amado, "In Salvador, magic becomes part of the every-day." From the shimmering golden light of sunset over the Baía do Todos os Santos, to the rhythmic beats that race along the streets, Salvador, while no longer Brazil's capital, remains one of its most captivating cities. A large dose of its exoticism comes down to its African heritage—at least 70% of its 2,675,000 population is classified as Afro-Brazilian—and how it has blended into Brazil's different strands, from the native Indians to the Christian colonizers. Salvadorans may tell you that you can visit a different church every day of the year, which is almost true—the city has about 300. Churches whose interiors are covered with gold leaf were financed by the riches of the Portuguese colonial era, when slaves masked their traditional religious beliefs under a thin Catholic veneer. And partly thanks to modern-day acceptance of those beliefs, Salvador has become the fount of Candomblé, a religion based on personal dialogue with the orixás, a family of African deities closely linked to nature and the Catholic saints. The influence of Salvador's African heritage on Brazilian music has also turned the city into one of the musical capitals of Brazil, resulting in a myriad of venues to enjoy live music across the city, along with international acclaim for exponents like Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, and Daniela Mercury. Salvador's economy today is focused on telecommunications and tourism. The still-prevalent African culture draws many tourists—this is the best place in Brazil to hear African music, learn or watch African dance, and see capoeira, a martial art developed by slaves. In the district of Pelourinho, many colorful 18th- and 19th-century houses remain, part of the reason why this is the center of the tourist trade. Salvador sprawls across a peninsula surrounded by the Baía de Todos os Santos on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. The city has about 50 km (31 miles) of coastline. The original city, referred to as the Centro Histórica (Historical Center), is divided into the Cidade Alta (Upper City), also called Pelourinho, and Cidade Baixa (Lower City). The Cidade Baixa is a commercial area—known as Comércio—that runs along the port and is the site of Salvador's indoor market, Mercado Modelo. You can move between the upper and lower cities on foot, via the landmark Elevador Lacerda, behind the market, or on the Plano Inclinado, a funicular lift, which connects Rua Guindaste dos Padres on Comércio with the alley behind Cathedral Basílica. From the Cidade Histórica you can travel north along the bay to the hilltop Igreja de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim. You can also head south to the point, guarded by the Forte Santo Antônio da Barra, where the bay waters meet those of the Atlantic. This area on Salvador's southern tip is home to the trendy neighborhoods of Barra, Ondina, and Rio Vermelho, with many museums, theaters, shops, and restaurants. Beaches along the Atlantic coast and north of Forte Santo Antônio da Barra are among the city's cleanest. Many are illuminated at night and have bars and restaurants that stay open late. | |||||||
11th11 | AprApr | 202525 | At Sea | ||||
12th12 | AprApr | 202525 | Fortaleza, Brazil | 10:00 | 18:00 | ||
Called the "City of Light," Fortaleza claims that the sun shines on it 2,800 hours a year. And it's a good thing, too, as the coastline stretches far beyond the city. To the east, along the Litoral Leste or the Costa Sol Nascente (Sunrise Coast) are many fishing villages. To the west, along the Litoral Oeste or the Costa Sol Poente (Sunset Coast), there are pristine stretches of sand. The shores here are cooled by constant breezes and lapped by waters with an average temperature of 24°C (72°F).Today Fortaleza, a large, modern state capital with more than 2 million inhabitants, is Brazil's fifth-largest city. It's also on the move, with one of the country's newest airports, a modern convention center, a huge cultural center with a planetarium, large shopping malls, several museums and theaters, and an abundance of sophisticated restaurants. At Praia de Iracema there's a revitalized beachfront area of sidewalk cafés, bars, and dance clubs. But if you wander along the shore, you're still bound to encounter fishermen unloading their catch from traditional jangadas—just as they've done for hundreds of years. | |||||||
13th13 | AprApr | 202525 | At Sea | ||||
14th14 | AprApr | 202525 | At Sea | ||||
15th15 | AprApr | 202525 | At Sea | ||||
16th16 | AprApr | 202525 | At Sea | ||||
17th17 | AprApr | 202525 | At Sea | ||||
18th18 | AprApr | 202525 | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain | 08:00 | 16:00 | ||
Perhaps the prettiest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is an almost circular isle with the peak of Pozo de Las Nieves, its highest point, at the centre. With a wealth of natural beauty and all the exciting attractions of city life in the capital, the island offers the best of both worlds. You will no doubt wish to see the sights of the capital’s old quarter, which dates back to the 15th century and encompassses the Vegueta and Triana districts, and wherever you go you can enjoy the glorious subtropical climate, perfect for growing exotic palms and fruits. | |||||||
19th19 | AprApr | 202525 | Funchal, Madeira, Portugal | 08:00 | 17:00 | ||
Formed by a volcanic eruption, Madeira lies in the Gulf Stream, about 500 miles due west of Casablanca. Discovered by Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco in 1419, this beautiful island became part of Portugal’s vast empire and was named for the dense forest which cloaked it - 'Madeira' means 'wood' in Portuguese. Sugar plantations first brought wealth here, and when King Charles II of England granted an exclusive franchise to sell wine to England and its colonies, many British emigrants were drawn to the capital, Funchal. Today’s travellers come to Madeira for the varied and luxuriant scenery, from mountain slopes covered with vines to picturesque villages and a profusion of wild flowers. The natural beauty of the island has earned it many pseudonyms such as ‘The Floating Garden of the Atlantic’, 'The Island of Eternal Springtime' and ‘God’s Botanical Gardens’ and our selection of excursions aim to show you why. | |||||||
20th20 | AprApr | 202525 | At Sea | ||||
21st21 | AprApr | 202525 | Leixões, Portugal | 08:00 | 18:00 | ||
Ever since the Romans constructed a fort here and began using it as a trading post, Oporto has been a prosperous commercial centre. In the 15th and 16th centuries the city benefited from the wealth generated by Portugal’s maritime discoveries, and later, the establishment of a lucrative wine trade with Britain compensated for the loss of the spice trade. Today, Portugal’s second-largest city is a thriving, cosmopolitan place and is famous for its production of the fortified, sweet 'port' wine. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city was also awarded the status of European Capital of Culture in 2001. A large sandbar prevents ships from sailing into Oporto itself, so for over a century they have used nearby Leixões instead, a man-made seaport constructed nine miles from the city. Leixões is one of Portugal's major sea ports and is also home to one of the country's oldest football clubs, winners of the Taça de Portugal cup in 1961. | |||||||
22nd22 | AprApr | 202525 | La Coruña, Spain | 07:00 | 17:00 | ||
La Coruña, the largest city in Spain's Galicia region, is among the country's busiest ports. The remote Galicia area is tucked into the northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula, surprising visitors with its green and misty countryside that is so much unlike other parts of Spain. The name "Galicia" is Celtic in origin, for it was the Celts who occupied the region around the 6th-century BC and erected fortifications. La Coruña was already considered an important port under the Romans. They were followed by an invasion of Suevians, Visigoths and, much later in 730, the Moors. It was after Galicia was incorporated into the Kingdom of Asturias that the epic saga of the Pilgrimage to Santiago (St. James) began. From the 15th century, overseas trade developed rapidly; in 1720, La Coruña was granted the privilege of trading with America - a right previously only held by Cadiz and Seville. This was the great era when adventurous men voyaged to the colonies and returned with vast riches. Today, the city's significant expansion is evident in three distinct quarters: the town centre located along the isthmus; the business and commercial centre with wide avenues and shopping streets; and the "Ensanche" to the south, occupied by warehouses and factories. Many of the buildings in the old section feature the characteristic glazed façades that have earned La Coruña the name "City of Crystal." Plaza Maria Pita, the beautiful main square, is named after the local heroine who saved the town in 1589 when she seized the English standard from the beacon and gave the alarm, warning her fellow townsmen of the English attack. | |||||||
23rd23 | AprApr | 202525 | Bilbao, Spain | 09:00 | 18:00 | ||
Time in Bilbao (Bilbo, in Euskera) may be recorded as BG or AG (Before Guggenheim or After Guggenheim). Never has a single monument of art and architecture so radically changed a city. Frank Gehry's stunning museum, Norman Foster's sleek subway system, the Santiago Calatrava glass footbridge and airport, the leafy César Pelli Abandoibarra park and commercial complex next to the Guggenheim, and the Philippe Starck AlhóndigaBilbao cultural center have contributed to an unprecedented cultural revolution in what was once the industry capital of the Basque Country.Greater Bilbao contains almost 1 million inhabitants, nearly half the total population of the Basque Country. Founded in 1300 by Vizcayan noble Diego López de Haro, Bilbao became an industrial center in the mid-19th century, largely because of the abundance of minerals in the surrounding hills. An affluent industrial class grew up here, as did the working class in suburbs that line the Margen Izquierda (Left Bank) of the Nervión estuary.Bilbao's new attractions get more press, but the city's old treasures still quietly line the banks of the rust-color Nervión River. The Casco Viejo (Old Quarter)—also known as Siete Calles (Seven Streets)—is a charming jumble of shops, bars, and restaurants on the river's Right Bank, near the Puente del Arenal bridge. This elegant proto-Bilbao nucleus was carefully restored after devastating floods in 1983. Throughout the Casco Viejo are ancient mansions emblazoned with family coats of arms, wooden doors, and fine ironwork balconies. The most interesting square is the 64-arch Plaza Nueva, where an outdoor market is pitched every Sunday morning.Walking the banks of the Nervión is a satisfying jaunt. After all, this was how—while out on a morning jog—Guggenheim director Thomas Krens first discovered the perfect spot for his project, nearly opposite the right bank's Deusto University. From the Palacio de Euskalduna upstream to the colossal Mercado de la Ribera, parks and green zones line the river. César Pelli's Abandoibarra project fills in the half mile between the Guggenheim and the Euskalduna bridge with a series of parks, the Deusto University library, the Meliá Bilbao Hotel, and a major shopping center.On the left bank, the wide, late-19th-century boulevards of the Ensanche neighborhood, such as Gran Vía (the main shopping artery) and Alameda de Mazarredo, are the city's more formal face. Bilbao's cultural institutions include, along with the Guggenheim, a major museum of fine arts (the Museo de Bellas Artes) and an opera society (Asociación Bilbaína de Amigos de la Ópera, or ABAO) with 7,000 members from Spain and southern France. In addition, epicureans have long ranked Bilbao's culinary offerings among the best in Spain. Don't miss a chance to ride the trolley line, the Euskotram, for a trip along the river from Atxuri Station to Basurto's San Mamés soccer stadium, reverently dubbed "la Catedral del Fútbol" (the Cathedral of Football). | |||||||
24th24 | AprApr | 202525 | At Sea | ||||
25th25 | AprApr | 202525 | Southampton, England, disembark the MSC Poesia | 07:00 | |||
Lying near the head of Southampton Water, a peninsula between the estuaries of the Rivers Test and Itchen, Southampton is Britain’s largest cruise port. It has been one of England’s major ports since the Middle Ages, when it exported wool and hides from the hinterland and imported wine from Bordeaux. The city suffered heavy damage during World War Two and as a result the centre has been extensively rebuilt, but there are still some interesting medieval buildings including the Bargate, one of the finest city gatehouses in England. |
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
If you're looking for something a little different that's fresh as the sea and oh so healthy then the Kaito Sushi Bar is the place to go. A unique concept where food is all prepared by hand by our experienced master Sushi chefs in an authentic Japanese minimalist restaurant setting, providing a genuine taste of Japanese cold and hot dishes, including sushi, sashimi, tempura etc.
Situated on deck 13, The gelato comes in a wide variety of around 16 different flavours from vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, pineapple and coffee to pistachio, kiwi and lemon.
Located on deck 5, serving a wide variety of dishes, prepared by hand with the freshest ingredients, there's a great variety of choice to be had in the restaurants . One of two main dining rooms onboard, guests will find everything from freshly baked bread, to Italian and Mediterranean styled food here.
Villa Pompeina is the ship's buffet and pizzeria, located on deck 13 with seats for 472 guests.
Open from 6.30 to 7.00am for an early birds coffee, the breakfast buffet with a range of stations from eggs to fresh fruit, cereals and yogurts to cold meats, cheeses and breads is served from 7.00am to 10.00am.
The lunch time buffet opens from 12.00 to 2.30pm with food on offer ranging from salads, pastas, carved meats and fish to cheeses, breads, burgers, hot dogs, fries, sandwiches, pizza and desserts. The grill section and pizzeria remain open until 4.00pm when an afternoon tea is served until 5.00pm (with self service sandwiches, filled rolls, pastries, cookies and desserts) and from 6.45pm to 8.45pm a dinner buffet is served with a scaled down selection remaining on offer until 3.30am.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
The Pigalle Lounge is located on deck 7 of the Poesia and has its own bar and dance floor along with seating for 330 guests.
It is a large cabaret style lounge with live shows and bands for guests' entertainment.
The Zebra Bar is the ship's second show lounge served by its own bar and dance floor.
It is situated on deck 6 with seating for 477 guests.
Entertainment and activities range from bingo, seminars, Italian lessons and salsa dance classes to audience participation game shows, karaoke and international dance music.
The ship's card room is located on deck 7 and seats 28 guests.
The Cyber Cafe located on deck 7 is the ship's computer room with 17 workstations and a printer (Charges apply).
Costs are around €3.33 Euros for 10 minutes in the Cyber Cafe or if guests want to spend more time on the internet a number of packages are available as follows (subject to change)
The Art Gallery can be found on deck 7 of the ship. Guests can view a range of artwork from fine prints, lithographs, water colours and oils which can be purchased during the ship's champagne art auctions.
The ship's small library and reading room are located on deck 7, with seats for 15 guests. It has a small selection of books in a variety of languages for guests to borrow. It also contains a number of board games for guests' use.
The ship's smoking room and whiskey bar is situated on deck 7 and seats 32 guests.
The Cigar Lounge offers elegant surroundings with leather settees and armchairs for guests to relax on and enjoy a cigar accompanied by a drink selected from the range of fine spirits on offer.
The Ships cocktail bars are the ideal location for guests to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail with live musical entertainment.
They are located on deck 6 with seating for up to 45 guests in each bar.
The Coffee Bar is an additional charge bar, situated on deck 6 seating 220 guests and with complimentary snacks ranging from pastries to cookies and potato chips served with all drinks purchased.
Coffee packages are available and drinks on offer range from chilled liquor based coffees such as Espresso Martini, American Style Coffee, Cappuccino and Hot Chocolate.
Entertainment on offer here ranges from live music to trivia quizzes, art and craft demonstrations and cookery demonstration
The Lounge and Wine Tasting Bar with tapas and live music and can be found on deck 7 of the ship with seating for 135 guests.
Each day special wine tastings are accompanied by different bites of food, such as fried polenta with cream cheese, bruschetta and other specialties as guests are guided through the wine selection by experienced sommeliers.
The 142 seat Piano Bar on deck 5 is the ship's reception bar, featuring live piano music and accompanying orchestra.
Our casinos are elegantly designed, featuring games for all types of players. You’ll be able to try your hand at Roulette or Blackjack, challenge yourself at one of our Poker tables, or choose among a variety of slot machines.
With a live DJ and open from 11.00pm until late, the ship's disco located on deck 14 and served by its own bar. It has seating for 172 guests.
You’d normally have to travel to New York to see top-end shows, but thanks to our Broadway-style theatres you can enjoy superlative entertainment with an international line-up of artists without having to leave the ship. Take your pick from a fabulous programme, there’s sure to be a show you love.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
22 nights aboard the MSC Poesia | |||
Drinks packages available. | |||
Evening entertainment & Broadway style shows | |||
Speciality Restaurants (charges may apply) | |||
Award winning MSC Aurea Spa (charges apply) | |||
Gratuities Included | |||
Port Taxes and Fees | |||
ABTA and ATOL Protection* |
Date 3rd Apr 2025 |
Nts 22 |
Interior |
Oceanview |
Balcony £2,129pp |
Suite |
Date 3rd Apr 2025 |
Nts 22 |
Interior |
Oceanview |
Balcony £2,129pp |
Suite |
Interior staterooms | |||
IB | Interior (Bella experience) | ||
IR1 | Deluxe Interior (low deck) | ||
IR2 | Deluxe Interior (medium deck) | ||
Oceanview staterooms | |||
OB | Ocean View (Bella experience) | ||
OR1 | Deluxe Ocean View (low deck) | ||
OR2 | Deluxe Ocean View (medium deck) | ||
OO | Deluxe Ocean View with obstructed view | ||
Balcony staterooms from | £2,129pp | ||
BB | Balcony (Bella experience) | ||
BR1 | Deluxe Balcony (low deck) | ||
BR2 | Deluxe Balcony (medium deck) | ||
BP | Deluxe Balcony with Partial View | ||
BL1 | Premium Balcony (low deck) | ||
BL2 | Premium Balcony (medium deck) | £2,129pp | |
BA | Balcony Aurea | ||
Suite staterooms | |||
SL1 | Premium Suite Aurea (low deck) | ||
Fusion Cruises when selling travel arrangements is a trading name of The Midcounties Co-operative Ltd. Fusion Cruises is an Accredited Body Member of Midcounties Co-operative Travel Consortium. (ABTA:P6652, ATOL:6053).
Book with Confidence. We are a Member of ABTA which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct.
Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme but ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services offered on this website. This website will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each holiday and travel service offered before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk