From the camel farm straight onto the MSC Magnifica: The unforgettable story of delegate Terka

Last night, we celebrated 15 years since the MSC Magnifica, which is now on a round-the-world cruise, first officially put to sea. For one of our delegates, this is truly a "heart" ship. Why? You'll find out from the entries in her Delegate Diary.

Sailing on board MSC MAGNIFICA (March 2017)

From the diary of a DELEGATE: Tereza Samiecová, at the time of the Františáková cruise

It was 2017, March, when I first got on the MSC Magnifica. I found out that I was going to be a delegate on this ship the day before the departure of the group on the cruise from the Czech Republic, when I was on a cruise in the Persian Gulf with my clients, and the excursion in Abu Dhabi was underway. I remember it like today, when the moment the company phone rang, we were in a camel farm and I was with cell phone to my ear listening to Mr. Chizh ask me if I could hop in a cab and take the first flight back to Vienna tomorrow after arriving in Dubai, where I would board a bus that would take my group and 54 others on a Western Mediterranean cruise from Genoa to Madeira and the Canary Islands on the MSC Magnifica. I still have a vivid memory of standing there and across from me a camel that chews its way from left to right with

The next day I arrived at Vienna airport in the evening, where a bus with clients was waiting for me and a laughing Mr Číž with the words: "On the bus you have a bag from the house with warmer clothes". In my mind I said, thanks, I'm going. Upon arriving on the bus, as is only proper and proper, I wanted to introduce myself to the clients, saying that I was finally here and that I was looking forward to enjoying a wonderful 14 days together on this cruise. Of course that wouldn't have been me if I hadn't said something faster than my brain started thinking, I don't know, maybe he still had Jet Lag. And instead of saying I'd be happy for everyone to high-five me, so that we could create a nice and friendly atmosphere, I said to everyone, and I'd be happy for you all to high-five me, so that there would be a better and more pleasant atmosphere. There was grave silence in the bus for a few seconds and then a huge burst of laughter from all the clients because they understood what I actually wanted to say and I understood what I said. At that moment I was laughing too and I knew this group was going to be great.

And so, as I thought it would be, it was.The ship absolutely captivated everyone, at that time the MSC Magnifica was the "golden mean". Not small and not big. Of the smaller ships the ship had its cosiness, welcoming atmosphere and family feel, of the larger ships it had its modernity, elegance and timelessness. All of this was complemented by the absolutely amazing staff who always complete the overall and memorable impression on cruises. All the clients regularly went to the theatre performance every night, which left them breathless and did not go to sleep in the cabin after the theatre, even though we had a busy trip to our destinations the next day. The clients always went on to the animation program because the animation team that was on this cruise was able to get just about everyone involved. The fact that the second day people in the destinations were more tired and more exhausted was a result of having a really great evening. And when I saw them, I always said to myself, well they're definitely going to sleep tonight, they're not going to make it. I was wrong. I don't know where they found that energy, but they were totally fresh people every night. Well, halfway through the cruise, I realized that I was going to be the most devastated and devastated of the cruise, not the clients.

We had beautiful weather at our destinations. How is it possible that I still remember it today is the memory of an information session before Casablanca, where I told the clients that although it doesn't seem like it, the sun is very harsh and it really has power, so they should use sunscreen, headgear, or try to hide in the shade because we will be in the city all day. I probably didn't say the phrase that the sun is harsh and strong emphatically. As dinner was being served, I looked around the restaurant at our people and thought to myself that somehow people look different today. Yes, they did. Their red faces and red noses shone across the restaurant. In another destination, the Canary Islands, everyone was buying caps to cover their sunburned faces.

Even though as a delegate I had dozens more on various ships from MSC's photos after this cruise, to this day I know that the MSC Magnifica is my heart ship and this cruise is linked to it. Therefore, I would like to wish her carefree nautical miles and happy clients as we were on her 15th anniversary.

Tereza Samiecova, Riviera Tour delegate