by Thinus Ferreira
Chef Ruben Riffel will whip up delectable cuisine aboard an MSC ship for a second time, when he boards the MSC Magnifica that is making her maiden call in Walvis Bay after anchoring in Gqeberha and Cape Town.
After Ruben Riffel boarded the MSC Poesia last February to create a curated menu for passengers between Gqeberha and Cape Town when that ship visited South African waters, MSC asked Ruben Riffel if he was interested in returning for the MSC Magnifica that is visiting South Africa and Namibia for the first time this month as part of the ship's 2025 world cruise.
In response to a media query, MSC South Africa tells me that its partnership with Ruben Riffel is similar to last year's project for the MSC Poesia's world cruise in 2024 when that ship visited locally.
"The iitinerary was very successful and his three-course authentic South African menu was very well received by the international guests onboard."
"When it came time to do a similar project for the same local leg of MSC Magnifica's world cruise 2025, naturally, for MSC Cruises he was a top consideration for this. That and the fact that his accolades speak for themselves as a notable local restauranteur and chef."
It is the first time ever that the MSC Magnifica will anchor in two South African ports and one in Namibia, with Ruben Riffel who will cook for passengers in the sailing between Gqeberha and Cape Town.
The ship will visit the ports of Gqeberha and Cape Town on 14 and 16 April before sailing to reach Walvis Bay in Namibia on 18 April.
The MSC Magnifica can carry 3 223 passengers in 1 259 cabins and has 11 bars and lounges, 5 gourmet restaurants, a spa, indoor and open-air pools, a "4D" cinema and a 1 200 seater theatre. The ship started her journey on 18 January and includes port calls in Florida, Chile, Australia, Senegal and Italy.
Ross Volk, MSC Cruises South Africa managing director, says "MSC Magnifica’s stops in Africa highlight MSC Cruises’ growing confidence in the region’s ability to accommodate and support its ships".
"Cruise passengers from around the world eagerly anticipate the opportunity to explore these sought-after destinations. With 3000 international visitors on board, MSC Magnifica will provide a significant boost to local tourism, bringing valuable economic benefits to communities through onshore spending."
He notes "It's also exciting to see increasing interest from local travellers in our international cruises".
Ruben Riffel says that he "enjoyed working with the MSC Cruises team tremendously last year" and that he "can't wait to work alongside the chefs on board and to treat the passengers to some local Cape flavours".
His menu this year will have a seafood starter with flavours of spice synonymous with Cape cuisine.
"Then we will have lamb and a beautiful gorgonzola polenta with a rich red wine just before ending with a South African favourite, malva pudding.”
MSC SA told me its still too early to comment on the current 2024/25 South African cruise season but will have more information about it soon.
"The MSC Musica, which returned to the country for a second season with the first being in 2019, was very well received by the local market. For this season, the MSC Musica carried over 90 000 passengers out of Durban and Cape Town, with 65% of passengers being women."
According to MSC SA, MSC Musica completed a total of 32 sailings with a mix of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 12-nights itinerarie with destinations that ranged from the Portuguese Island, Pomene, Port Louis, La Possession, Cape Town, Walvis and also included the "Flock to Sea" charter to Marion Islands.