The 'Splendida', the flagship vessel for Asia operated by MSC Cruises, the world's third-largest cruise line, is set to make its return to the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal on August 1st. For the upcoming summer and autumn season spanning 2026, which includes the summer holidays, Mid-Autumn Festival, and National Day Golden Week, the ship will introduce a series of significant upgrades.
These enhancements will cover various aspects of the onboard experience, including entertainment, dining, wellness, and shore excursion programs. Key new features will include the MSC Smart Concierge service, Unitree robots, curling, K-POP parties, and authentic Italian cuisine recognized as intangible cultural heritage. The aim is to offer guests a relaxing and high-quality maritime holiday filled with enjoyment.
From August through October, during the peak travel period, the MSC Splendida will operate 15 selected itineraries from Shanghai. These voyages will take guests to popular destinations in Japan and South Korea such as Okinawa, Jeju, Busan, Fukuoka, and Sasebo. Whether families are looking for a cool island getaway during the summer break or early autumn, or seeking a holiday that combines family reunions with relaxation during the Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays, the diverse routes and onboard experiences are designed to cater to different preferences.
Once onboard, guests can enjoy a range of new entertainment options curated by MSC's entertainment team, alongside global cuisine that caters to both Chinese and international tastes. Ashore, they can explore refreshing island scenery, relaxed resort atmospheres, and vibrant cityscapes, finding their own peaceful rhythm amidst the blue seas and skies.
For younger guests, the ship offers a full schedule of round-the-clock activities. Guests can release energy through music and dancing or engage in fun competitive games to build camaraderie and meet like-minded travelers. Focusing on the needs of families traveling together, MSC has crafted a variety of interactive tech experiences, intelligent services, and exciting performances for Splendida guests. This transforms the concept of "the cruise ship as the destination" into a tangible, interactive, and memorable family holiday at sea.
The Unitree humanoid robots and intelligent robotic dogs, which have been popular since their debut earlier this year, will make an upgraded appearance. For the new season, beyond their existing interactive and patrol functions, the ship will introduce more educational robot interaction experiences. Younger guests will have the opportunity in the kids' club to explore the technology behind these robots up close. Additionally, the Unitree robots and robotic dogs will feature in the Doremi Family Disco and select parties, performing mechanical dance moves similar to those seen in the Spring Festival Gala.
For families with children, the focus is on learning through play, with upgraded and diverse interactive experiences designed to provide quality family time and shared growth opportunities. The ship's international dining options cater to a wide range of taste preferences, while its 20 distinctive bars offer enhanced beverage tasting experiences. Guests can also cool off and enjoy immersive water fun at the Arizona Water Park.
The official shore excursion offerings from MSC Splendida are designed to be more convenient and service-oriented, extending the boundaries of the maritime holiday. For most summer sailings, itineraries will connect two to three international destinations, allowing guests to effortlessly experience the scenery and diverse cultures of multiple cities. From the slow-paced sea breezes of Okinawa and the dynamic cityscape of Busan nestled between mountains and sea to the cool, leisurely atmosphere of Jeju, guests can pack the joy of both being at sea and exploring ashore into one holiday.
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