In the days leading up to our embarkation on 24 January 2022 we received numerous updates on the weather in Cape Town. The prediction was for very strong winds during the afternoon. If the winds were too strong the ship would not be able to leave the harbour. On Saturday MSC Cruises advised that all embarkation times would be moved up by 2 hours and requested everyone travelling on Monday to try and change their travel times to Sunday.
My embarkation time was scheduled for 09h00 but we arrived at the harbour at 07h00 to ensure we missed the early morning traffic. I decided to see if I could board immediately. The friendly crew members quickly directed me where to go and soon I was sitting down for my Covid Antigen test. The results came back quickly – negative! I left the testing station and greeted the beautiful MSC Orchestra.
Soon I was on board. It was a beautiful ship. Crew members assisted with setting up wi-fi and handing out our drinks vouchers. Our cabins were not ready yet, but we were told that breakfast was served on deck 13. I made my way to the cafeteria and sat down for a delicious breakfast. I could not ask for a better view.
After breakfast I explored the ship. It was really beautiful. I giggled at the net over the tennis court. I could just picture someone jumping off the ship to fetch the ball when it is hit off the court!
Embarkation was in full swing by now and the deck was filling with people happily chatting, everyone excited that the big day had finally arrived. I saw few people I knew making their way to breakfast and stopped to chat for a while. It was already very hot, but I took a few minutes to photograph some of the birds in the harbour. There were Sandwich Terns, Hartlaub’s Gulls and Kelp Gulls flying around the ship.
Just after 12h30 the ship started moving! I rushed to our little deck at the stern to watch the pilot boat drag us away from the dock. It is hard to describe the feelings of excitement and nervousness I experienced!
The big ship turned with the help of the pilot boat and soon it’s bow was pointed to the exit of the harbour and she was moving on her own. I watched the pilot boat as we left it behind.
The iconic Cape Town view was spectacular.
We headed south and then turned west. A few Cape Fur Seals did not seem to bothered by the presence of the huge ship.
I saw some dolphins in the distance. I could not get any photos, but the expert guides identified them as Heaviside’s Dolphins. We had lovely views of Robben Island – a place that has played a big part in our country’s history.
We saw some large flocks of Sabine’s Gulls.
We received communication that about 50 guests could not get to the ship in time for departure. But the ship had to leave the harbour before the wind picked up. As a result the ship would drop anchor just off Cape Town and dispatch a couple of boats to return to the harbour and wait for them. While we waited we enjoyed the sights. And they were spectacular.
Once again I was left speechless by this insane view.
Large flocks of Cape Cormorants flew past the ship.
There were also a few Great Crested Terns.
And then one of the highlights of the day – a Hump Backed Whale! The huge mammal slowly made its way past the ship towards Robben Island. It was such a fabulous sighting, I was left rather speechless. And also incredibly humbled by this sighting.
With a last wave of its tail it disappeared.
Finally we saw the little boats with the last passengers returning. From high up on the ship the ocean did not look too rough. but watching the little boats approach, it was obvious that the water was not as smooth as it appeared. It did not look like a fun ride at all!
We watched the passengers embarking under the watchful eye of the NSRI crew. Then the little boats were tucked away.
This process still took a while, and I headed to the Port side of the ship. And then another incredible sighing – my first ever view of a Sunfish! 
It was such a cool creature, and I was so happy to have seen it!
The crew was still busy getting everything ready for our departure, and we headed to the restaurant for a delicious dinner. While we were enjoying our food, I felt the ship starting to move. I quickly finished my meal and rushed up to deck 13.
I had been looking forward to this first sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.
I joined some passengers and one of the guides on the deck. He pointed out my first seabird lifers – Cory’s Shearwaters and Sooty Shearwaters.
The light was fading rapidly, and it was very windy. It was all of a sudden much cooler after the heat of the day. We did not stay outside too long. By the time the last rays of the sun disappeared behind the clouds there was no sight of land either, and we were truly on our way to the Southern Ocean!
Scroll to top