MSC Cruises has suspended sailings from US ports through 30JUN, but at the same time revealed a massive ramp-up of operations in the Mediterranean, UK, and Europe this summer, with 10 of its ships setting sail.
“Today we have clarity on which European destinations and ports will initially be open this summer and we have fully reflected this into a first set of new and updated itineraries for the upcoming season so that guests can book their holidays with us with confidence,” Gianni Onorato, CEO, MSC Cruises, said.
“Plus, I am confident that in the coming weeks we will be able to further enrich some of these itineraries as well as add more ships with new ones, as more ports and tourist destinations, in particular in Spain and France, become available to receive ships and visitors.”
Three Ships in the Western Med, MSC Seashore Relocating to Miami in NOV
MSC Grandiosa is extending her current 7-night itinerary, calling at ports in Italy and Malta. The Spanish ports of Valencia and Barcelona will be added to the ship’s current itinerary as soon as these destinations confirm their availability.
MSC Seaside will start sailing on 01MAY from Genoa calling at Italian and Maltese ports. Marseille, France will be added as a port as soon as its availability is confirmed.
In addition to protected excursions developed for MSC Seaside’s itinerary, guests can also enjoy a new private beach experience developed in Puglia exclusively for MSC Seaside guests
The under-construction MSC Seashore will join the MSC Cruises fleet at the end of JUL to become its new flagship. From 01AUG until 31OCT, Seashore will offer 7-night cruises calling in Italy, Spain and France.
After her season in the Mediterranean, MSC Seashore will then arrive in Miami in NOV 2021 to sail The Bahamas and Caribbean.
Three Ships in the East Med
MSC Orchestra will now depart on 05JUN from Italy, calling on Greece and Croatia.
MSC Splendida will commence sailing from 12JUN, also from Italy, with calls in Croatia, Greece and Montenegro.
Rounding out the offering in the East Med is MSC Magnifica. From 20JUN, Magnifica will set sail from Italy and call on Greece and Croatia.
UK Domestic Cruises
From 20MAY, the line’s flagship MSC Virtuosa will sail her inaugural season in the UK. These cruises are designed for British residents only. The sailings are open to vaccinated and non-vaccinated guests. All guests will be tested prior to embarkation.
Germany, Northern Europe
MSC Cruises has delayed the start of its summer season operating from Germany until mid-JUN. MSC Seaview will homeport in Kiel, Germany starting on 19JUN, replacing MSC Virtuosa.
MSC Preziosa is planned to depart on 21JUN from Hamburg, Germany and MSC Musica on 20JUN from Warnemunde, Germany, if German ports are open by that time.
The three ships are planned to serve 7-night and longer sailings with itineraries either to the Norwegian fjords or the Baltic capitals, as per their current schedule.
“Albeit these ships represent only an initial portion of our fleet, they include our two latest jewels, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Seashore, both of which will have come into service for the first time in 2021,” Onorato said.
“Their presence in this next phase of the return at sea of our fleet in the coming weeks represent our belief in the continued attractiveness for consumers of cruises as a holiday option.”
