MSC Cruises Targets Niche Market with Specialized Golf Cruises

MSC Cruises is appealing to golf enthusiasts with niche-themed holiday packages around Mediterranean Europe later this year, taking in Genoa, Monte Carlo, Valencia, Malta, Tunis, and Civitavecchia/Rome.

MSC Sinfonia, nicknamed - the Golf Ship, will set sail October 22, 2007 on an 8-day tour of ancient seaports that offers everything an avid golfer could want. The ship has been specially adapted for golfers and has a wide variety of golfing activities, equipment and technology aimed at helping golfers enjoy and improve their game.

The latest generation of Virtual Golf simulators allows passengers to practice while on board, while mini-golf on deck ensures they can practice their putting. An open-air golf cage affords the opportunity to swing away with full-power drives.

During the Golf Cruises, MSC Sinofonia will function as a mobile golf clinic, with first-class instruction for every level of golfer on board. World renowned golf coach, Chuck Cook, offers daily clinics, lectures, lessons, demonstrations, advice, competitive matches and prizes in three packages: Basic Golf, Advanced Golf and the fully-immersive “Chuck Cook Golf Academy”. Matches will be held on board nightly and an on-shore tournament will take place in Rome on the final day of the cruise.

Chuck Cook is recognized by top golfing magazines as one of the 10 best golf instructors in the world. Four of his students have gone on to win the U.S. Open and five have won the NCAA U.S. collegiate championship. His instruction is designed to help golfers of every level, whether they are preparing to go on tour, win a local tournament or simply improve the level of their weekend game.

Passengers can play as much or as little golf as they like as MSC Sinfonia glides through the picturesque and historic Mediterranean Sea. Optional shore excursions at its ancient ports-of-call include the Genoa Aquarium, a boat and walking tour of Genoa’s old port area, the beauty of France’s Cote d’Azur and the panoramic coastal road through Nice and Cannes, the gothic architecture, cathedrals, museums and caves in and around Valencia, the exotic markets of Tunis and the history of nearby Carthage, plus the famous sights of Rome – the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica and more.

MSC Sinofonia offers up to 1,566 passengers a comfortable floating home away from home in 777 well-appointed cabins. It is one of the eight vessels that currently comprise MSC Cruises’ luxury fleet. All cabins have air-conditioning, satellite TV, mini-bar, room safe, radio and 24-hour room service. The ship’s extensive facilities include a gym and sauna, two swimming pools and whirlpools, cinema, casino, pub, three restaurants, a grill, a pizzeria, shopping gallery and Internet cafe, among many others. Facilities for younger travellers include a playroom, virtual reality centre and Childrens Club.

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