MSC Cruises has cancelled its World Cruise 2022 due to "current unavailability of ports," but has also added MSC Magnifica to its World Cruise 2023 alongside MSC Poesia.
Both ships will depart on 04JAN 2023 from Civitavecchia and 05JAN 2023, from Genoa, Italy, for simultaneous world cruises, taking different routes around the globe.
MSC Magnifica will replicate the same itinerary that was supposed to be performed by MSC Poesia for the MSC World Cruise 2022. MSC notes that the decision to cancel the 2022 world cruise was made after some consideration and assessment, as "it would not have been possible to carry it out due to there being too many ports still facing restrictions as a result of the pandemic." As such, MSC Magnifica's 2023 itinerary is intended to provide a solution for guests impacted by this cancellation.
According to MSC, guests booked on the MSC World Cruise 2022 will be contacted shortly and given priority in re-booking their existing reservation on MSC Magnifica. The cruise line also notes that impacted guests will be able to book a complimentary cruise between 01JAN and 03MAY 2022 so they can enjoy a cruise vacation during this time period.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, commented, “Unfortunately we had no choice, but to cancel the 2022 MSC World Cruise; however, we know that a world cruise really is the voyage of a lifetime for many people and so it was important to us to offer the best possible solution for our loyal guests. MSC Poesia’s World Cruise in 2023 was already sold out and so we worked to amend MSC Magnifica’s schedule, a popular world cruise ship, so that we are able to offer the same itinerary as 2022, only one year later, with the ship departing on the same date and calling at all of the same planned ports.”
MSC World Cruise 2023
Sales for MSC Magnifica’s World Cruise 2023 are now open, as MSC Poesia’s World Cruise 2023 is already sold out and has a waiting list.
MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica will set sail together in 2023 with embarkation in Civitavecchia (04JAN) Genoa, Italy (05JAN), Marseille, France (06JAN), and Barcelona, Spain (07JAN). This will be a celebratory moment for MSC Cruises’ guests on the two ships as they prepare to set sail around the world.
Once they cross the Mediterranean Sea, the ships will part ways in the Atlantic Ocean. MSC Magnifica will circumnavigate South America, cross the South Pacific Ocean, then on to the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and through the Suez Canal back into the Mediterranean Sea.
MSC Poesia on the other hand, will travel the Panama Canal and up the West Coast of Central America and North America whilst moving on to the Pacific Ocean and then an extended period in Asia. Crossing the Indian Ocean, the ship will then return to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.
MSC Magnifica's Itinerary
MSC Magnifica will visit 43 destinations in 24 countries with more than 25 UNESCO World Heritage sites across five continents. The 117-day voyage offers nine extended overnight stays and the ship will cross the equator twice.
Starting out in the Mediterranean the ship will head southwest from via calls in Lisbon in Portugal and Funchal, Madeira Island, then on to Mindelo, Cape Verde, where the ship will cross the equator, arriving to South America. Here, 11 destinations await guests across Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile, including two days in each of Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Ushuaia, Argentina.
Departing South America and crossing the South Pacific Ocean, guests will visit the islands of Tahiti, French Polynesia and Rarotonga & Aitutaki of the Cook Islands. The itinerary continues to New Zealand and Australia for destinations including Auckland, Napier, and Wellington, as well as two days in Sydney.
More exploration awaits in the beaches of Lifou & Mare islands in New Caledonia, Alotau, then Papua New Guinea before heading to the island of Lombok in Indonesia, Singapore and Port Klang for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Before reaching the Suez Canal transit, guests can experience more destinations including Colombo, Sri Lanka and two days to take in the sights of Mumbai, India, before reaching Salalah, Oman and Aqaba, Jordan for the ancient site of Petra.
With no more than four consecutive sea days, guests will enjoy a total of nine overnight calls in ports including Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Ushuaia (Argentina), Valparaiso (Chile), Callao (Peru), Papeete (Tahiti), Sydney (Australia), Benoa (Indonesia) and Mumbai (India), allowing plenty of time to explore these destinations and enjoying an evening ashore.
The 2023 MSC World Cruise is set to offer 15 shore excursions included in the cost of the cruise ticket. Other excursions can be booked both in advance or during the cruise – more information about shore excursions will be available soon. MSC Cruises is also offering beverage packages and a 30 per cent discount on laundry for this voyage.
Voyagers Club members booking the MSC World Cruise 2023 can receive an extra 5 per cent discount and Silver, Gold and Diamond members will enjoy a USD $50 per person on onboard credit on top of their usual 5 per cent discount. This offer is valid until 30NOV 2021. Members booking the World Cruise 2023 will also be credited triple membership points for the type of experience chosen. These points will be assigned at the time of booking.
To find out more about the 2023 World Cruise on MSC Magnifica, visit here.
