The MSC Cruises experience embodies the elegant side of the Mediterranean to create unique and unforgettable emotions for guests, through discovery of the world’s cultures, beauties and tastes. MSC Cruises translates its passion for the sea into a commitment to excellence in hospitality, professionalism, dedication and mastery of every single detail to ensure the complete happiness and satisfaction of each and every guest.
A centuries-old relationship with the sea: Having a history is a privilege. While others need to invent theirs, we have a true story to tell. It begins more than 300 years ago, with the seafaring Aponte family from Sorrento in Italy.
We were invited to the MSC Divina Cruise Tour NYC-2018, as the ship was docked at Pier 88 New York City, see exclusive coverage ,of the MSC Divina in our World Liberty TV Travel and Tourism Channels by clicking here.
Philippine Airlines is flying to the Big Apple, New York City, on March 15, 2015, marking the carrier’s much-awaited network expansion to the US east coast. In announcing the New York service, PAL Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Lucio C. Tan said, “This auspicious start of regular flights to New York will coincide with PAL’s 74th founding anniversary.” The four-times-a-week service – Manila-Vancouver-New York – will operate at Terminal 1 of New York’s JFK International Airport. PAL will have full traffic rights between Vancouver and New York. The addition of New York will bring to five the total US destinations, following Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and Guam. The flight to New York – distance of 14,501 kilometers or approximately 16.5 total flying hours – will be PAL’s longest route.
Flight PR 126 departs Manila every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 11:50 p.m. Arrival in Vancouver is 8:50 p.m. on the same day. After a two-hour transit stop, the service continues on to New York at 10:50 p.m., touching down at Terminal 1 of JFK International at 7:00 a.m. the following day. The return service, PR 127, departs New York at 11:00 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving in Vancouver at 1:50 p.m. It departs the Canadian city at 3:20 p.m. and lands back in Manila at 8:35 p.m. the following day. PAL will utilize the Airbus A340-300 jets, which seats 36 passengers in business class and 218 in economy. On board, passengers can expect to be pampered with PAL’s signature “at home” in-flight service, which features business class seats that convert to full-flat beds; in-flight entertainment system such as audio-video on demand in business, and gourmet cuisine designed by top international guest chefs.
The New York service will have the added benefit of boosting PAL’s Canadian operation. From March 15, 2015, the current daily service between Manila and Vancouver will spike to 11 flights weekly with three departure times from Manila – mid-afternoon, early evening and late evening – providing wider schedule choices to passengers. Manila-Toronto will add a fourth weekly frequency, increasing capacity on this long-haul route in time for the peak summer travel period out of Manila.
PAL’s return has been keenly anticipated by the huge Filipino-American communities along the U.S. eastern seaboard ever since the flag carrier pulled out of the region in 1997. About half a million ethnic Filipinos reside on the East Coast, with over 253,000 in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, 90,000 in Virginia, 75,000 in Washington, D.C. and environs, and 31,000 in the Philadelphia metro area. Overall, Filipinos on the East Coast account for 15% of the estimated 3.4-million-strong Filipino population in the U.S., comprising a natural base market for PAL.JFK Airport is located at Queens Borough, 15 miles to midtown Manhattan, with convenient connection to the New York subway train system (MTA).
About PAL
Philippine Airlines is the flag carrier of the Republic of the Philippines. Now on its 73rd year of existence, the full-service legacy carrier covers South and North Asia, Australia, the Middle East, North America and Europe. The airline, which has embarked on fleet modernization, route network expansion and service innovations, is best known for its trademark Filipino brand of service marked by warmth, charm and hospitality. PAL has a wide route network covering 29 domestic and 36 international destinations. With its wide range of product offerings, the airline enables passengers to book their flights based on actual needs.
World Liberty TV, Travel & Tourism Channel team was on hand at this Historical announcement here in New York City, see our World Liberty TV, Travel and Tourism Channel for Exclusive Interviews and the Movers and Shakers of PAL.
MSC Meraviglia, the first ground-breaking mega-ship ship in the Meraviglia Generation to be introduced into the MSC Cruises fleet, has been designed to meet every need of today’s cruise guest – with cutting edge technology, flexible dining options, exclusive, world-class entertainment, facilities for families and children of all ages, luxurious pampering and wellness and comfortable accommodations. MSC Meraviglia is truly a next-generation cruise ship that has never been seen before.
At 1,034 ft. long and 214 ft. tall, with an impressive 19 decks and capacity of 5,700 guests (4,488 at double occupancy), MSC Meraviglia is not only poised to become one of the biggest cruise ships at sea, but also one of the hottest holiday destinations, packed with innovative features to provide an unforgettable experience.
Galleria Meraviglia: This 315-foot central promenade is filled with boutiques, restaurants and tranquil spots for shopping, eating and relaxing… as well as socializing with friends and family. And in the evening, it comes alive with music, parties and entertainment.
Horizon pool: The Horizon pool offers superb sea views and more open-air deck space for sun worshipers during the daylight hours.
At night, the area will be transformed into a stunning outdoor spot for dancing and all kinds of entertainment under the stars.
The Broadway Theatre: Every cruise offers at least 6 different shows – even on a 7-night cruise – featuring innovative world-class and standing ovation entertainment.
Carousel Productions at Sea: Enjoy an all-new entertainment concept blending breathtaking acrobatics, dance and live music to create exclusive original productions specially designed for MSC Meraviglia Class ships.
It offers avant-garde artistic and immersive performances combined with the innovative technology in a surprising mix of new expressions and experimentation that will make you feel part of the show.
On board MSC Meraviglia, you’ll have the unique opportunity to admire two spectacular productions: ROCK CIRCUS, featuring acrobats, musicians and the greatest rock hits, and HOUSE OF HOUDINI, a celebration of some of the most wondrous illusions of Harry Houdini.
The shows take place twice a night, six nights a week, only at the Carousel Lounge, a glamorous, modern, technology-packed venue.
Taste our Signature Cocktail while you enjoy a pre-show followed by this unique entertainment experience.
MSC Aurea Spa: The MSC Aurea Spa is a luxurious Balinese spa offering signature relaxation treatments to revitalize body and soul.
Complete with a thermal area, beauty salon and nail boutique, the MSC Aurea Spa will leave you feeling pampered from head to toe.
MSC Gym by Technogym: Equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym cardio and strength-training equipment, the panoramic gym on board MSC Meraviglia gym offers a wide range of innovative fitness courses and training programs designed to suit guests of all ages and abilities.
MSC Yacht Club: Discover a place where you can savor exclusivity and privacy in a world of choice. Indulge in the luxury of a private club, while enjoying access to the myriad recreation and entertainment possibilities that the rest of the ship affords.
STATEROOMS & SUITES: MSC Meraviglia has a variety of elegant staterooms including family options, luxurious duplex suites, balcony staterooms and ocean view staterooms.
Entertainment: Enjoy exclusive shows performed in innovative venues like the Carousel Lounge and the multi-purpose karaoke bar, comedy club, TV studio and bar.
Younger guests will love our amusement park and sports center. The whole family can have hours of fun in one of the most exciting water parks at sea.
RESTAURANTS & BUFFET:MSC Meraviglia’s main restaurants serve freshly prepared Mediterranean and international cuisine, while the ship’s specialty restaurants serve up Italian delicacies, succulent steaks, superb sushi and more.
BARS & LOUNGES: There’s a wide range of glamorous bars and lounges onboard, offering refreshment and relaxation in the ideal atmosphere for every moment.
So whether you’re looking for champagne, classic cocktails or freshly prepared patisserie, you won’t have far to go.
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve: is MSC Cruises’ new private island located in The Bahamas that features uninterrupted sweeping views of crystal blue waters and over two miles of pristine beachfront spread across eight world class beaches allowing guests to guests to connect with the natural environment and its beauty, feel the warmth, fun, and hospitality of the Bahamian spirit and immerse themselves in an ecologically-intelligent atmosphere.
Ocean Cay is founded on a deep commitment to ecological principles that shape everything from how the venues are built and how the island is run, to the kinds of activities featured on the island.
Formerly a sand extraction site, MSC Cruises has made significant efforts to clear the island and the surrounding ocean bed from all discarded debris – while removing a total of 7,500 tons of scrap metal – and relocating coral with the longer-term vision of encouraging coral to grow and repopulate.
These efforts will give guests the opportunity to learn about the protection of the oceans and the importance of preserving coral reefs through dedicated edutainment programs.
It was truly a great experience for 7 days, it was our first cruise ever, and I am glad we had the honor of cruising on MSC Meraviglia, so much to do and see while you are on the cruise.
We went to all the shows at The Broadway Theatre, with seeing all six shows, which included 2 magic shows, Broadway show, disco show and much more.
The Food was excellent, foods from all over the world were served on different days, so you are not eating the same food each day, included, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Spanish, Caribbean and many more countries. Food is Kosher and Halal. Breakfast was great you can sit in a restaurant and enjoy waiter service at no cost or you can go to the breakfast at the buffet and enjoy varieties of breakfast.
Dinner in the night again you can sign up for one of the restaurants, where you get table service by waiters who work in the restaurant from all over the world. We had great waiters taking care of us, and asking us over and over again if we need anything else, they did this on all seven days as we ate in the same restaurant, food is served very fast, from appetizers, to entrée and desserts. Food was fresh daily and you can eat buffet up to 1am in the morning. You can leave a tip if you like which I think is necessary, but not mandatory.
We enjoyed attending shows at 6 days while we were on the cruise, The Broadway Theatre, which holds close to 1000 Thousand people and was packed each night, the shows are unusually forty-five minutes each. You can take a drink in the theatre as you watch the show.
There was a 2 Broadway shows, a live entertainment by a Canadian singer titled from the stage to screen. Then there were two magic shows, card tricks, mentalist and an illusionist.
The entertainers and singers perform in 4 of the six shows, and also the lady dancers were also host’s helping out with Magicians shows.
I would have liked to see a different cast every night not the same group over and over again. With that said, the entertainment was average in my opinion.
There were many outdoor pools, Jacuzzi’s which you can swim or relax throughout the day. There was no line or waiting period you were able to find something immediately or just jump in with a stranger which did not mind.
There were many activities for Baby’s Kids and young adults, gaming rooms, Computer rooms, daycare centers, while the parents are enjoying a night out, there is all kinds of activities for kids while they are being cared by one of the staff members.
The was dancing every night starting at 10-45 pm till 2am in the morning, at the promenade, with a live DJ and live entertainment bands, music from all over the world. I enjoyed Bollywood dancing and Bob Marley Tribute. There is local bars and waitress’s coming around serving cocktails, soft drinks, Ice cream and chocolate stores are close by if you want to take a break from dancing and indulge in a dessert you like.
We had a pleasure of speaking to master Chocolatier Albert Fabian Sim, who works for jean philippe, world renowned Chocolatier, you would be able to see exclusive interview with him in our Video below.
We stopped by Nassau capital of Bahamas, visited the Atlantis Resort, Cabbage beach and different locations throughout Nassau. We were not able to do too much because of the weather.
We were not able to go to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, because of a storm and was instead diverted to Miami in Florida, I was really interested in visiting. But we had to be safe, maybe will get another opportunity next time.
One an average I would recommend this cruise, for couples or a family as there is so many things to do, eat and enjoy.
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