Duration: 4 days. Per capita cost: 5000 yuan. With whom: Friends. Ways of playing: Gourmet food, photography, independent travel, petty bourgeoisie. The author visited these places: Shanghai. Published on October 26, 2019 at 18:02. Life is diverse, and the reasons why everyone likes traveling seem to be various. The meaning of everyone’s travel may be for growth, broadening horizons, or experiencing another kind of life. I like traveling for another reason. I like thinking during the journey. I like traveling. I like looking out of the window when the journey stops and I am on a plane or train. I like the feeling of being undisturbed. Looking at the scenery constantly receding behind and the different scenes in front, and then thinking slowly, allowing thoughts to collide in my mind and create different sparks. This time I chose another way of traveling – cruise. I have long heard that cruises are an extremely labor-saving way of traveling and have always wanted to try. The cruise I took this time is the MSC Splendida, a star cruise under MSC Cruises. It arrived in Shanghai in 2018 and officially started operating on Chinese routes. The founder of MSC Cruises is the Aponte family from Sorrento, Italy. It is one of the largest family cruise enterprises in the world. With a great history of more than 300 years of shipping and exploring the sea. It is known for ‘not asking about the cost, only seeking quality’. The most luxurious and dazzling thing on the MSC Splendida is the crystal staircase with 47,400 Swarovski crystals erected in the atrium, with a cost of up to 20 million yuan. Moreover, famous paintings by artists can be seen everywhere. The pure European noble quality of magnificence, elegance and flowing colors can be enjoyed on this cruise ship at all times. Cruises are definitely a very relaxed way of traveling. Traveling on a cruise ship saves time and effort. There is no need to spend time on transportation every day, so there is a lot of time for playing. There is more time to look out of the window and think carefully. When you want to play, you only need to look at the cruise daily on the cruise ship to learn about entertainment and performance information, saving a lot of time. Four days of comfortable vacation life on the cruise ship allows you to have enough time to relax, let go of work pressure, and enjoy a comfortable vacation life. Because the vacation life is too comfortable, I once thought about bringing my family to experience it again in the future so that they can also relax. Elders don’t like tossing and turning very much. Sometimes they don’t want to travel. On a cruise ship, they will never feel tossed and turned. There are elevators up and down. You can walk to anywhere in a few minutes. When you are hungry, you can taste delicious food anytime and anywhere in the cafeteria.
The first experience of the MSC Splendida. The cruise ship enters and leaves the port at Wusongkou Wharf in Shanghai. I flew from Guangzhou to Shanghai. After taking a day to rest, I packed my luggage and set off from the hotel and took a car to the wharf to start my long-awaited cruise journey. After getting on the car, the driver will remind you to fill in the vehicle reservation entry information through the WeChat mini-program ‘Shanghai Cruise Center Assistant’. Here, whether it’s a private car or a taxi, entry into the port must be reserved. Violators will be fined 200 yuan and deducted 3 points. In fact, it’s very simple. Search for ‘Shanghai Cruise Center Assistant’ in the WeChat mini-program, and then click on reservation entry to fill in your passport number, the driver’s license plate number, the driver’s mobile phone number and verification code. From inside the car, I could see the Splendida, which is dozens of stories high, from a distance. I was amazed. Parked there, it is like a building with dozens of stories. If I hadn’t seen the MSC logo on it, I really wouldn’t have thought it would be a large cruise ship. Forgive me for someone who has never seen a large cruise ship. This cruise ship is many times larger than I imagined. At 1:30 in the afternoon, people start queuing to board the ship. First, check in the luggage. Before checking in the luggage, carry the passport with you. The staff will stick a boarding label on the passport. Then just follow the team to take pictures and get the room card. Customs inspection and security check are all very fast. Before boarding the ship, the staff will scan the room card. With the room card, you can enter the cabin. Comfortable and Relaxing Accommodation Space. While looking for the room, I saw that my checked luggage had already been placed by the staff at the door of the room. Pushing open the door, I saw the champagne and fruits specially prepared by the Splendida for departure. I stayed in a room with a terrace this time. The room space is reasonably utilized. On both sides of the entrance are the bathroom and wardrobe. Inside are the bed, TV, telephone, sofa, coffee table, dressing table, refrigerator, and minibar. The minibar contains imported drinks and snacks. The room is fully equipped with living facilities. Although there are many things, it doesn’t feel crowded. The terrace is also spacious. There is a coffee table and two lounge chairs. I like to sit here in the morning, eating fruits and pastries, quietly looking at the sea and listening to the sound of the waves. It is worth mentioning that when I first entered the room, there were two neatly arranged single beds. When I returned to the room at night, I found that the two beds had been thoughtfully put together by the staff and neatly made up into a large bed. The bathroom is also designed reasonably, with just the right size. Next to the washbasin is the MSC Mediterranean Cruises original fragrance brand MED fragrance toiletries set. The faint fragrance is particularly pleasant. Endless Projects and Unending Scenery. Will it be boring and tedious to float at sea for a few days? The answer is impossible. In this maritime metropolis, whether it’s day or night, whether it’s for playing, shopping, or enjoying delicious food, you can always find a place suitable for you here.
The entertainment facilities onboard the Mediterranean Splendor are exceptionally comprehensive. There are five swimming pools both indoors and outdoors, a water park, F1 racing, a 270-degree sea view gym, a grand theater, a 4D cinema, a spa and beauty center, Lego maritime playground, children’s club, various themed restaurants, and duty-free shops, among others. It is suitable for couples, friends, and family trips alike, offering a wide array of entertainment options that create joyful memories of cruise travel. The 14th deck features a bustling and joyful water park, often hosting pool parties or sea BBQs. The activity dome keeps the pool at a constant temperature, allowing for a leisurely soak in the warm water jets. There is also a large water slide, offering the thrill of a fast descent. The outdoor leisure deck on the top level is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic and leisurely time in the warm sunset glow. The F1 racing experience is incredibly realistic, offering a true sense of speed and excitement. After racing, the thrill and excitement are palpable, with the speed being so fast and the steering wheel so responsive that the slightest loosening of grip can make controlling the car difficult. Another thrilling entertainment option is the 4D cinema. I usually avoid roller coasters, but I bravely tried it this time, and it was incredibly realistic, causing me to feel a bit dizzy from the motion. The Technogym sea view fitness center is perfect if you feel that life onboard is too leisurely and you want to get some exercise. The experience of sweating while watching the sea view is something few places can offer. The sea has a healing power, and watching the waves roll in and out brings a sense of tranquility. The grand theater presents different themed performances every day. You can choose to watch your favorite show based on the reminders in the cruise daily. There is also a place onboard that is particularly suitable for relaxing and healing. That is the spa and beauty center. When you are tired or physically exhausted, you can enjoy a Balinese professional’s care at the spa and beauty center. It is one of the top five best cruise spas rated by the Berlitz Cruise Guide, with professional therapists from Bali and over 20 health and beauty treatment options to choose from, allowing you to feel the relaxation and comfort of your body and the peace and freedom of your mind. The cruise ship’s bars offer a variety of styles, with a total of 13 bars, each with a unique decoration style and music performance. There are bars with classical elegance, fiery Latin, bourgeois jazz, and romantic lyrical themes. The Purple Jazz Bar on the 7th deck features live band performances every night, including charming jazz music, passionate Latin melodies, and fresh and gentle tunes.
The ambiance is particularly enchanting with the purple decor accompanied by jazz music. There are dance lessons available, such as Rumba, Blues, and Mixed Latin dances. Join the musicians for some impromptu swaying. A daily schedule is provided in the rooms for specific timings. The resplendent fifth-floor bar features a Swarovski-embellished piano playing melodious tunes, with talented live singers performing passionately to the music. Gently sway to the rhythm as the ship’s captain might make an appearance for interaction and photo opportunities. The fourteenth floor is also exceptionally comfortable, where you can sit in the bar, listen to music, enjoy the sea breeze, and savor expertly crafted cocktails. A personal favorite musical performance is at the Dim Sum & Tea House, featuring a foreign guitarist and singer who is adept at Chinese pop songs. His rich voice is particularly captivating when singing love songs, providing a very relaxing listening experience. There are three LEGO sculpture installations on the cruise ship, masterpieces by LEGO master builders, waiting for you to find and take pictures with them. Parents traveling with children can take their little ones to the LEGO Sea Paradise, which has exclusive clubs and 30 entertainment facilities for children. Professional childcare and attentive care are provided on the cruise. Just drop off and pick up your child at designated times. The Mediterranean Splendor features two Swarovski crystal staircases, one located in the cruise ship’s atrium and the other in the Mediterranean Yacht Club area. Composed of 47,400 Swarovski crystals, these staircases are worth a staggering 20 million. Walking on the crystal staircase feels dreamlike, as if you own thousands of Swarovski crystals. Due to their extravagant nature, tourists flock to take pictures. It is recommended to wear red or white formal attire for particularly beautiful photos. The duty-free shops on the cruise ship offer a wide range of products with significant discounts, including cosmetics, watches, jewelry, and luxury goods – there will always be something that captivates you. For food enthusiasts, the culinary journey at sea is of utmost importance. On the Mediterranean Splendor, you can experience different lifestyles through一日三餐, with various themed restaurants. Among them are four complimentary restaurants: Pago Pago, Bora Bora Buffet, Regia Main Restaurant, and Vela Verde Main Restaurant; and three paid restaurants: Steak House, Sea Pavilion Hot Pot, and Dim Sum & Tea House. Each evening features a menu themed around different countries, such as passionate Spanish, natural Greek, and romantic French. The diverse culinary offerings at the restaurants cater to both our Chinese palate and our constant exploration of exotic cuisines. Signature dishes personally crafted by three star chefs further elevate the taste experience.
The Sea Pavilion Hot Pot Restaurant: Mastered and signed by Asian star chef Leung Tze-Kin, this Chinese restaurant is tailored for the ‘Chinese stomach’ with the signature Sea Pavilion hot pot. Carefully selected high-end fresh ingredients such as Boston lobster, Japanese Wagyu beef, and abalone are paired with the meticulously crafted soup base by Chef Leung, making it a mouth-watering dining experience. Enjoy the hot pot surrounded by a 270-degree sea view. The Steakhouse: The American-style steakhouse on the sea is a carnivore’s paradise, featuring naturally raised Angus beef. The steak has a tight texture, low fat, and is juicy and mellow with a rich chewiness. It is complemented by 170-year-old Morton brand sea salt from the Mediterranean, which enhances the freshness of the beef. The set menu includes appetizers, main courses, and desserts, making the formal Western meal even more abundant. Dim Sum & Tea House: All-day leisurely tea drinking on the sea, offering Hong Kong-style dim sum, various noodle dishes, and exquisite Asian teas to satisfy the ‘Chinese stomach’. The Mediterranean Yacht Club’s authentic English afternoon tea on the MSC Splendida is worth mentioning. Only 4% of the cruise ship’s passengers can access this exclusive ship-within-a-ship, akin to a luxurious yacht on a giant cruise ship, which is only available to MSC Yacht Club members. They enjoy exclusive docks, VIP lounges, ticket counters, VIP channels, and exclusive services, enabling them to start their prestigious identity and exclusive passes at the earliest opportunity. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with champagne and a fresh fruit plate, free unlimited drinks, a minibar, custom luxury fragrance brands, Med toiletries, daily exclusive VIP newspapers, and free access to exquisite European breakfast and authentic English afternoon tea. The English afternoon tea restaurant in the Mediterranean Yacht Club is located at the bow of the ship, with a view almost the same as the captain’s, facing the sea with a 270-degree sea view. In the afternoon, the captain’s cocktail party and music performances are held here, which can be attended by checking the schedule. The English afternoon tea is served on a three-tiered porcelain plate, with tea being the indispensable main character. Earl Grey tea is chosen this time, and the fragrance of the tea wafts through the air when brewed. Lemon and milk can be added when drinking tea. Remember, lemon and milk should not be mixed together~ The time spent on tea breaks seems to take one back to the Victorian era. The British place great importance on etiquette during tea time, accompanied by a rich and delicious selection of snacks, creating a tranquil, pleasant, and sumptuous atmosphere for tea drinking. Enjoying a ceremony-filled afternoon tea makes me pay more attention to life. As the writer Henry James wrote in his book, ‘In certain circumstances, there are few things more pleasant in life than spending time on a ceremony called afternoon tea.’ Encountering the beautiful sunset and dusk, board the top deck of the cruise ship and watch the sea sunset. The surrounding sea is a vast expanse of blue, and the distant Pacific Ocean merges with the sky.
The setting sun was just right, with no clouds to obscure its beauty. The sunset on the cruise ship was as beautiful as an illusion. The sky continuously changed colors as the sun set. Watching the sun gradually disappear on the horizon, until it was nowhere to be found. Perhaps I should also prepare to say goodbye to the Mediterranean Splendor. The moment I stepped out onto the deck, I paused to look back at the Mediterranean Splendor that had carried me on a four-day journey. It was enormous, and I, like an inconspicuous ant, looked up at it. Today, all the passengers on board will disembark, while the crew remains busy. They need to quickly tidy up the cabins and replenish the ship’s supplies because they will soon set sail for the Pacific Ocean. During these days on the cruise, I saw the crew’s sincere smiles and politeness every day, which filled the cruise ship with warmth. That enchanting sunset, the exciting adventures at sea, and quietly watching the ocean from the balcony, countless thoughts also emerged in my mind. I loved those days walking on the deck, let me carry on with these memories. Additionally, I have some good news to share: the Mediterranean Splendor has finally come to the south, and you can take a cruise ship in Shenzhen now. The cruise will head to Da Nang and Okinawa. Cruise vacations are no longer exclusive to the northern areas, and southern tourists can also enjoy the authentic European cruise vacation experience. The specific routes are these few~ (Original text and images by Mo Mo Li who loves to travel)
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