MSC Cruises is highlighting its Summer 2023 program spanning the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and Japan with 22 ships, 140 destinations, 40 countries and more than 50 embarkation ports.
Three ships sailing will sail from the U.S. with New York City as new embarkation port, all calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Additionally, more MSC ships will sail in the Eastern Mediterranean with enhanced itineraries and increased capacity on 7-night cruises to the Greek Islands, Turkey and Israel.
Some highlights of the summer itineraries include:
1. Copenhagen, Denmark: MSC Cruises' newest ship – MSC Euribia – launching in JUN 2023, will be visiting Copenhagen this summer. As the 2023 UNESCO World Capital of Architecture, the historic city offers landmarks for visitors to explore, from the Christiansborg Palace on the island of Slotsholmen to the of Christiania. Guests can also take advantage of MSC Cruises’ list of shore excursions, including a visit to Dragør, known for its alleyways, cobbled streets and traditional brightly painted Danish houses.
Beyond Copenhagen, MSC Euribia’s seven-night Northern Europe itineraries offer guests a chance to discover the cities of Kiel, Germany; and Hellesylt, Alesund, and Flaam in Norway.
2. Svalbard, Norway: Only available for four sailings during summer 2023, Svalbard is an exclusive destination on MSC Preziosa’s itineraries for guests wishing to explore the Arctic Circle. MSC Cruises’ PROTECTOURS sustainable tour program offers an experience to discover fjords via hybrid-electric catamaran, allowing guests to enjoy views of the Svalbard landscapes while keeping their eyes peeled for seals. Guests can also take advantage of other excursions available to explore this destination, discovering the Arctic on a hybrid-electric speedboat to visit a walrus colony or e-biking through a polar bear country – home to more than 3,000 polar bears.
Svaldbard (port name – Longyearbyen) is available on 14- or 15-night sailings from Hamburg, Germany.
3. Zakynthos, Greece: The Greek Island of Zakynthos is a new destination for MSC Cruises. Here, white shorelines meet turquoise-blue waters and clifftops like Kampi, which offers views of the sea. Guests can soak up the island's atmosphere of local traditions or explore its ancient culture. Limestone cliffs, historical monasteries, and the Shipwreck Beach, are among the hotspots to discover.
Zakynthos is included on all weekly seven-night summer itineraries for MSC Lirica beginning in MAY.
4. Istanbul and Kusadasi, Turkey: Guests will have the opportunity to explore Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, reaching across the Bosphorous, from Europe to Asia. Filled with historic landmarks, culture, cuisine and architecture, guests have a variety of options. Excursion options include visiting iconic sites like the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace. Additionally, Fly, Stay & Cruise packages will be available for Istanbul through Turkish Airlines. Depending on the departure airport, guests can arrive one, two or three nights before the cruise to enjoy the city. Flights will depart from many of the major European airports including the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland, among others.
Kusadasi is a beach resort overlooking the glittering Aegean Sea, where guests can visit the city of Ephesus, knkown for its well-preserved ancient ruins.
Both cities are included as part of MSC Splendida’s 9- and 10-night Eastern Mediterranean cruises.
5. Messina, Sicily: MSC World Europa, the line’s new flagship that launched in NOV 2022, will offer sailings to the Western Mediterranean this summer, sailing 7-night cruises to Genoa, Naples and Messina (Italy), Valletta (Malta), Barcelona (Spain), and Marseille (France).
Messina offers the first sight of Sicily, with the town spread up the hillside beyond its Mediterranean harbor.
6. Japan: This summer, MSC Cruises is offering six sailings from Yokohama, Japan. These itineraries allow guests to journey through ancient cultures, discovering Japanese art, history and traditions, as well as the country’s modern present. Some itineraries include stop at the island of Kyushu; Kagoshima, a seaside city best known for Sakurajima, an active volcano that faces Kinko Bay; and Fukoaka.
MSC Bellisima offers sailings beginning in JUN and departing from Yokohama, located just south of Tokyo. For more information, please click here.
7. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve: This private island destination was founded on a commitment to the conservation of marine life and coexistence with the local ecosystem. Due to a number of initiatives, including the MSC Foundation’s Supercoral Program, which aims to restore endangered corals, and the implementation of other conservation and educational programs, the island has been transformed and offers two miles of white sandy beaches surrounded by blue waters, where guests can soak up The Bahamas.
Guests can reach Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve this summer on MSC Seascape, which offers 7- or 14-night sailings from Miami, MSC Meraviglia from New York, and MSC Seaside from Port Canaveral/Orlando.
For more information, visit MSC Cruises' web site.
