2023-12-24 19:00:00
In Beautiful island, one of the few archipelagic municipalities in Brazil, there are 42 beaches surrounded by mountains with Atlantic Forest vegetation. There are freshwater trails, bird watching, colorful fish, and a picturesque town to explore on foot. It is no coincidence that this paradise on the coast of Sao Paulo has become one of the favorite tropical destinations for tourism and a mandatory stop for many cruises that travel along the Brazilian coast, even for the most exclusive ones.
The pandemic had a strong impact on the cruise tourism. In 2021, 4.5 million cruise passengers were registered worldwide, the lowest number in the last ten years. However, as soon as the health emergency was controlled, the sector began to rebound: in 2022 – the last year for which there are statistics -, 20.5 million of people opted for this way of traveling.
The combination of the luxury amenities of a cruise with paradisiacal natural destinations They are a perfect combo for those looking to have a complete experience. For this reason, since the sector regained strength, more and more new developments appear.
One of the last ones on the Atlantic coast is the MSC Grandiosathe largest cruise ship to sail in Brazilian waters in history and, as it could not be otherwise, included Beautiful island between one of its stops.
MSC Grandiosa, complete experience
Ilhabela is made up of 14 islets. If you land on the São José dos Campos Airport (the closest, 100 kilometers away) or at the Cumbica Airport in São Paulo (the second option, 200 kilometers away) you must take a bus to São Sebastião, from where a ferry that crosses the channel to the main island of the archipelago. The complete transfer costs between 330 and 410 reais.
On the streets of the picturesque city of 30 thousand inhabitants, there is a type of passenger that is easy to recognize: the cruise passenger. Especially during the high cruise season in Brazil, between the months of October and April, thousands of people from all over the world disembark every day to enjoy its beaches and cuisine during the day.
That is the proposal of MSC Grandiosa, which has just inaugurated a new route that offers itineraries of 6 and 7 nights with boardings in Santos and alternate stops in cities like Buzios, Ilha Grande, Maceió and Salvador.
The goal is tempting: enjoy first-class comforts and activities on board with breaks in natural tropical corners.
The cruise ship has a capacity for 6300 guests, 2421 cabins and 19 covers. At the heart of the ship is the Galleria Grandiosa, an extensive Mediterranean-style promenade with an LED roof, which acts as a social center with restaurants, bars, lounges and international brand stores.
During their time on board, guests can enjoy 11 restaurants -five of them specialized-, 21 bars and lounges, a theater with Broadway-style shows, a discotheque, the MSC Aurea SPA, a gym, five swimming pools, nine hot tubs, a large water park, children’s areas, an area of games that includes a MSC Formula Racer simulator and a who XDand the Carousel Lounge, where exclusive shows are presented.
Cruise passengers can enjoy the facilities of the MSC Grandiosa and there are options for all tastes, from a quiet breakfast on the cabin balcony overlooking the sea or dancing to Brazilian music on the side of the cabin.
On this inaugural tour, guests can also choose to disembark and spend a day among mountains and beaches in paradises such as Ilhabela.
Grandiosa, a technological city that navigates
The MSC Grandiosa is impressive and PERFIL was able to confirm it, thanks to a special invitation to participate in the inaugural voyage of the season. The ship has 460 thousand square meters, 331 meters long and 19 decks (levels), among which 2,421 cabins are distributed. In total, there is capacity for 6,300 passengers. You could say that it is a city that sails, in which passengers can meet cruise passengers from all over the world.
Some 1,700 employees are distributed between each sector of the cruise and passengers have permanent attention. But not only that. Guests have the option to download the app MSC for Me, where the schedules of each activity are detailed, you can reserve restaurants and tours. In addition, on each bridge there are technological resources with giant touch screens where you can check the itinerary.
In its quest to optimize personalized attention, in MSC Grandiosa cabins there is an artificial intelligence system (similar to Apple’s Siri) that answers questions and guides passengers.
Technology and art combine on the MSC Grandiosa. Each deck pays tribute to an artist and in the hallways of the cabins reinterpretations of Gauguin, Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and Francisco de Goya are displayed. And projections of paintings by artists such as Michelangelo are shown on the LED screen on the ceiling of the Galleria Grandiosa (98.5 meters long).
The walk through the Galleria Grandiosa includes international gear stores. All purchases on board are tax-free although, if the guest is Argentine and uses their credit card, those currently in force for purchases abroad will be charged.
Enjoy the water and sail
In addition to cutting-edge technology, one of the characteristics of the MSC Grandiosa is its multiple spaces to enjoy the water. Jacuzzis to relax, swimming pools to soak up the sun and a water park for those who prefer action… everyone has options.
In the central part of the cruise, called Atmosphere, the main pool is located, in front of a giant screen and a stage. With daily activities, there are animators who organize games, dance classes or physical activities. In the area there are lounge chairs and a drinks bar.
On the last bridge is the Wild Forest water park with two water slides and an 82-meter-long suspension bridge.
The Safari Pool is a pool covered by a retractable roof that opens or closes depending on the weather.
In total there are nine jacuzzis throughout the cruise. In addition, for those looking for more tranquility there is still the MSC Aurea Spa, where thermal treatments, therapeutic baths, massages, barbering and hairdressing are performed.
In short, a different vacation and not to deprive yourself of anything just south of the Tropic of Capricorn and just 140 km from the border with the state of Rio de Janeiro.
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