The MSC Armonia recently completed its 25th year of service, having been delivered by Chantiers de l’Atlantique on June 22, 2001.

Built at the French shipyard for Festival Cruises, the 1,900-passenger vessel originally debuted as the European Vision.

An enlarged version of the company’s first newbuild, the Mistral, the ship spent its inaugural season in the Mediterranean.

In addition to offering cruises to the Greek Islands, Turkey and Italy, the European Vision also served as a floating hotel for a G8 meeting in Italy, welcoming leaders of the world’s leading nations a few weeks after entering service.

With Festival facing financial challenges, the vessel was arrested in the Caribbean in early 2004 before being sold in an auction a few months later.

The ship was then acquired by MSC Cruises and renamed MSC Armonia, becoming one of the company’s first modern cruise ships.

For its first season with the company, the vessel offered seven-night cruises to Italy, Greece and Croatia departing from Venice.

Ten years later, in 2014, the MSC Armonia was cut in half as part of MSC’s Renaissance Program, which aimed to enhance and enlarge the company’s four Lirica-class ships.

After spending 11 weeks in drydock, the vessel emerged with a new 25-meter section, as well as additional cabins and new features.

Currently sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean, the MSC Armonia is offering seven-night cruises to the Greek Islands, Montenegro, Croatia and Italy.

The ship’s regular itinerary departs from Marghera, a port near Venice, and includes visits to Brindisi, Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor and Corfu.

In early November, the vessel embarks on a repositioning voyage ahead of making its debut in South Africa.

The Armonia is scheduled to sail in the region for the first time in 2026-27, offering a series of three- to 12-night cruises from Durban and Cape Town.

In addition to South Africa, the itineraries feature visits to destinations in Mozambique, Namibia, Réunion and Mauritius.