Tag Archives: Europe

MSC Cruises to Increase Dominance in Europe

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MSC Magnifica in Queensferry Edinburgh, Photo credit Spacejnkie2

The European market will increase by dominated by MSC Cruises, according to the 2022 Cruise Industry News Annual Report.

By 2027 MSC will not only have the most passenger cruise capacity in Europe but also be the single largest brand, based on its new build program and projected ship deployments.

MSC Cruises, including its Explora Journeys brand, will have a total passenger capacity of 4.3 million in Europe in 2027, compared to 4.0 million for Carnival Corporation brands and 1.5 million for the TUI Group.

In addition, would be ships deployed from Carnival’s North American brands and by the Royal Caribbean Group, but their passenger sourcing, pending circumstances, is primarily from the U.S.

From 2022 to 2027, MSC will see its capacity grow by 36.2 per cent, Carnival by 3.3 per cent and the TUI Group by 41.7 per cent.

MSC is a pan-European brand, along with Costa Cruises, while national brands dominate some markets, such as P&O in the UK, AIDA and TUI in Germany.

The market capacity of the Europe-based brands is estimated at 9.2 million passengers this year and is projected to grow to 11 million by 2027.

Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas Arrives in the U.S.

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The new Wonder of the Seas from Royal Caribbean Internationals which, according to a press release, is the largest cruise ship in the world, is marking its debut reaching Port Everglades, where it arrived on Feb. 20.

The ship will spend her first few months in Florida offering five- to seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries which also includes CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island.

In May, the ship will head back to Europe, sailing seven-night Western Mediterranean voyages with passengers able to embark either at Barcelona, Spain or Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy.

In November, the ship will return to the U.S., to Port Canaveral, to offer six- and seven-night Caribbean itineraries.

“The Wonder of the Seas will energize cruising in a bolder and bigger way. Adding this ship to our already best-in-class fleet elevates the company is continuing to lead the industry with new features and innovation,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group.

The Wonder of the Seas was escorted by fireboats and welcomed with ship horn greetings.

MSC CRUISES EXTENDS BELLISSIMA’S ARABIAN GULF SEASON

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MSC Cruises has announced plans to extend its current season in the Arabian Gulf after the destination proved to be “particularly attractive” to its customers this winter.

Bellissima will finish its planned Red Sea itineraries homeporting in Jeddah on 26 March and then move to the Arabian Gulf to take over from Virtuosa on 2 April. 

The vessel will then offer additional seven-night cruises calling in Dubai, Sir Bani Yas and Doha from 2 April through to 25 June.

Virtuosa, which has sailed the region since November 2021, will sail back to Europe to homeport in Southampton for the summer season.

In July, Bellissima will move to the Far East to perform its itineraries in Japan and China. Sales for the additional Bellissima cruises opened today.

The line said its Arabian Gulf sailings have proven to be “particularly attractive” to guests this winter, thanks to the “appeal of the itinerary” with extended stays in port and two overnights in Dubai.
 
Gianni Onorato, chief executive of MSC Cruises, said: “We have seen that the itineraries in the UAE and Qatar have been very popular with our guests and so to respond to this demand we have decided to extend our presence in the region.

“The decision to deploy MSC Bellissima for this extended part of the season was taken because this is a highly popular and well-appreciated ship with a richness of features, entertainment and dining as well as offering the MSC Yacht Club.”