11 Night Cruise sailing from Hamburg roundtrip aboard MSC Magnifica.

Opulent and magnificent - get ready for a new class of luxury liner unlike any other. MSC Magnifica is the latest 'Musica-class' luxury cruise ship from MSC Cruises.

The MSC Magnifica ship carries 2,500 passengers and most can enjoy the luxury of a sea-facing cabin with balcony. Lucky guests on MSC Magnifica are expertly looked after by a 1,000-strong crew, enjoying the best of modern Italian style as they embark on their chosen voyage.

At the heart of MSC Magnifica is a lush haven of tranquillity, the luxurious MSC Aurea Spa. This sumptuous wellness centre offers a myriad of relaxation options from saunas and Turkish baths to a fitness centre, beauty salon, Thalassotherapy room, relaxation area and massage rooms. Why not give in to the magic of an authentic Balinese massage from professional masseurs?

Recreation options onboard MSC Magnifica are endless. Soak up the sun in the solarium or choose from 3 swimming pools, one under the ingenious 'Magrodome' retractable roof - perfect for winter cruising. Anyone for tennis. or basketball for that matter, not to mention jogging!

MSC Magnifica boasts all the fine dining and entertainment amenities you would expect on a superior luxury cruise ship, and much more besides. With a choice of 5 restaurants, numerous bars, an internet cafe and cigar lounge - not forgetting the plush 1,200-seat theatre, cinema, casino and disco - the MSC Magnifica truly lives up to her Italian name - magnificent!

Highlights of this cruise:

Hamburg
Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city after Berlin and one of the country's key hubs for media and industry. The second-largest port in all of Europe, Hamburg is the ninth largest port city in the world. But don't be put off by these 'seconds'; Hamburg is at the front line of energy and dynamism.

South Queensferry
Queensferry (often referred to as South Queensferry to distinguish it from North Queensferry), originally a Royal Burgh in West Lothian is now part of the City of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located some 16 km's to the west of the city centre, on the shore of the Firth of Forth between the Forth Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge, approximately 13 km from Edinburgh Airport. The town is named after Saint Margaret of Scotland who used to cross the firth by ferry from "Queen's Ferry" to visit her chapel in Edinburgh Castle.

Queensferry is an extremely popular place due to its proximity to Edinburgh, but it has also been an important trading and fishing port in its own right and offers an interesting collection of buildings. Oldest is St Mary's church, which dates from 1441. The oldest house is "Black Castle", built on the High Street in 1626. The nearby Tolbooth was built in the 1600s, though the tower dates back only to 1720.

Belfast
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom and the second largest city in the island of Ireland after Dublin, the capital of Eire (Republic Of Ireland). Situated at the mouth of the River Lagan on Belfast Lough, Belfast is surrounded by low hills.

After years of violence and political unrest ,in recent years the center has been polished up, and it is a pleasure to wander its pedestrianized lanes, to shop in its upscale arcades, to linger in its historic pubs and to dine in its excellent restaurants.

The city is easily divided into walkable quarters: the City Center spreads out from around the impressive, domed City Hall building and bustling Donegall Square. This is the best place for shopping, particularly along Donegall Place, which extends north from the square, onto Royal Avenue. Bedford Street, which travels south from the Donegall Square, becomes Dublin Road, which, in turn, leads south to the University Quarter, the leafy area around Queen's University. This is where you'll find the Botanic Gardens, art galleries and museums, as well as a buzzing nightlife scene. Heading north from Donegall Place, it's a short distance to the Cathedral Quarter, which surrounds Donegall Street, and holds, as the name implies, the city's most important cathedrals, as well as many vast Victorian warehouses. Finally there's the Golden Mile -- the area around Great Victoria Street beyond Bradbury Place. It's considered the city's best address for restaurants and pubs.

The sectarian areas, with the famous I.R.A. and Protestant murals, are just to the west of the city center. The most famous of these are on the Shankill and Falls roads. It's perfectly safe to drive the roads and take photos yourself, or you could take one of the Black Cab tours if you want a guide to explain what it all means.

Amsterdam
Amsterdam, the capital of The Netherlands is built around a concentric network of canals spanned by over 1000 bridges.One of the most attractive ways of viewing the city is on a canal tour. Many of the houses date back to The Netherlands' golden age in the 17th century. These narrow-fronted merchants' houses are characterised by the traditionally Dutch ornamented gables. The oldest part of the city is Nieuwmarkt, located near the first canals - Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht - built to protect the city against invasion.

Amsterdam is famous for its liberalism regards soft drugs and its thriving sex industry. The city has also long been a centre of diamond cutting and it is still possible to see diamond cutters at work. Boasting 53 museums, 61 art galleries, 12 concert halls and 20 theatres, Amsterdam also has a booming cultural life.