MSC Offers Theme Cruises

MSC Cruises is offering eight theme cruises on MSC Poesia during the 2009-10 Caribbean season focusing on baseball, Big Band and the polka. “The complimentary theme cruise activities give guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in a favorite subject or introduce themselves to something new.

Cruise-only rates begin at $549 per person, double occupancy (government fees and taxes additional).

During the “Baseball Greats” sailing, former Major League Baseball players sail. The theme cruise includes free guest/player activities, including a player-hosted baseball trivia game, question-and-answer sessions with the players, a guest pitching contest and a story-telling session by players. Players will also host pitching, hitting, fielding and base-running clinics. Perhaps the most popular activity is the free autograph session at the end of the cruise.

Baseball theme cruises are scheduled as follows: Nov. 20, 10-night Southern Caribbean; Jan. 16 and Feb. 6, seven-night Western Caribbean; March 6 and April 3, 2010, seven-night Eastern Caribbean. The guests on these itineraries will be announced at a later date.

The 15-piece Les DeMerle Big Band, with vocalist Bonnie Eisele, will be featured on two sailings. Drummer Les DeMerle has toured and recorded with the Harry James Big Band and Wayne Newton; the band has also accompanied Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., The Manhattan Transfer, Mel Torme and Al Jarreau.

In addition to its performances, the band will present a Big Band Jazz Concert and conduct a lecture on the Big Band Era. The Big Band theme will be presented on the 10-night Dec. 10 Western Caribbean voyage and the seven-night Feb. 27 Western Caribbean departure.

A polka cruise is scheduled for the Jan. 9 seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing. Two polka bands will be onboard -- John Stevens Double Shot, a Pennsylvania-based group, and Joe Stanky and the Cadets. For more information, visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com.