MSC MUSICA UNABLE TO DOCK IN CAPE TOWN, DAY 2.

[Streblo]

Due to high winds, the cruise from Walvis Bay, Namibia by MSC Musica has been unable to safely dock in Cape Town, South Africa port. She arrived Thursday 24th January around 07:00 and has been bobbing off Green Point ever since. Latest reports say she will most likely only dock in the early hours of Saturday morning. Unless you're a retired Cape Town resident, with nothing else to do and no connecting flights to catch, the free extra days on board must be wearing patience thin by now. I also feel for those who were supposed to board yesterday for the trip up to Durban for her last portion of her South African positioning. She returns to European waters in April. The real kicker is that this happened this time last year too. The Cape Doctor, as the winds are called, always come knocking to blow the ills away this time every year.

In November, Musica's sister ship, MSC Orchestra will position in SA waters. I wonder how MSC regards future Cape voyages?

 

Edited January 25, 2019 by Streblo
wording left out

[JoPublic]

We are booked on Orchestra next January. Never heard of issues with wind before. 

[Streblo]

MSC Musica departed Cape Town for Durban at 13.30 Saturday. She made two unsuccessful attempts to dock during the early hours. The winds finally calmed enough at 07:15. She is reported to have excluded a stop at Port Elizabeth and is heading, full steam for Durban to arrive on Monday in the afternoon. Captain Pinto is the man in charge having previously captained MSC Sinfonia over the years that she was in SA waters.

[Streblo]

6 hours ago, JoPublic said:

We are booked on Orchestra next January. Never heard of issues with wind before. 

I would suggest you consider joining a Facebook Group called Friends Of MSC which is set up in South Africa. It has loads of feedback from members who sail in SA waters. There, you will find all the info you need on how Orchestra is doing, in real time in local waters.

[Streblo]

MSC Musica docked in Durban, at exactly 12.00 Monday 28 January, 6 or 7 hours later than expected. Captain Pinto had the pedal-to-the-metal. I'm sure to the relief of many cruisers.