Step up to the plate and cruise the Caribbean with baseball greats on MSC Lirica

Ever wanted to hone your curveball techniques under the tutelage of Hall of Famer pitcher Bob Feller? Or to test your knowledge of baseball trivia -- with one-time outfield great Tommy Davis throwing out the questions? Or just listen in while former stars like Dave Campbell and Jeff Torborg swap insider tales of baseball hijinks and lowballs?

And cruise the western Caribbean at the same time? If that sounds like your idea of heaven on a stick, grab your mitt and swimsuit and prepare to strike out for the high seas version of the hot stove league.

MSC Cruises launches the opening pitch in its new series of baseball greats theme cruises on December 13, 2008 -- a seven-night voyage aboard the MSC Lirica that features all the above-named stars and more, on hand to sign free autographs, conduct clinics and pitching contests, tell some tales, and field questions from a rapt group of passenger-fans.

Between sessions, you can take a "seventh inning stretch" from baseball to explore ports of call like Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic, where the cruise line keeps a private beach retreat. The cruise runs roundtrip out of Fort Lauderdale.

Cruise-only prices start at $449 per person, double occupancy, for the lowest category interior cabin. And until April 30, you can receive a free upgrade to an oceanview stateroom by signing up for a higher-category interior cabin for $629 per person, double occupancy.

Kids under 17 sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full fare-paying adults. For all passengers, government fees and taxes are additional, as is a fuel surcharge for the first two passengers in a cabin.

The December 13 voyage is the first in a series of winter 2008-2009 baseball-themed cruises. The MSC Orchestra will host baseball greats on its January 24, February 28, March 28, and March 11, 2009, Caribbean itineraries.

For more information or bookings, click here for the MSC website or call 800/666-9333 or a travel agent.

MSC Lirica photo from MSC Cruises.