Tag Archives: MSC PREZIOSA

MSC Euribia to Homeport in Southampton in 2023/24

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MSC Euribia will take over from the sucsesfull MSC Virtuosa

MSC Cruises has just announced a brand new ship launching in October 2023, the MSC Euribia. This ship offers sailings from October 2023 through winter 2023 and 2024 based in Southampton. Its homeport in the UK comes after huge demand for no-fly cruises on MSC Virtuosa. MSC Euribia is the second ship in the MSC fleet which will be powered by liquid natural gas fuel. It is set to be a confidently sustainable ship. 

This brand-new vessel boats incredible new features including original artwork on the decks and design aspects throughout. Alex Flämig has produced the iconic design coined #SaveTheSea. This message accurately reflects MSC Cruises’ commitment to protecting the marine environment. 

Guests will be offered a wide variety of entertainment on MSC Euribia, from theatre shows and casinos to the Coral Reef Aquapark, one of the biggest waterparks at sea. MSC Euribia boasts ultimate relaxation with five swimming pools and the MSC Aurea Spa onboard. The gastronomic escapades are endless with the option of 10 dining venues and 21 bars with global and regional-inspired menus to enjoy. 

MSC Virtuosa resumed cruising with a UK itinerary during the startup of cruising from Southampton and with a successful Summer season, she sailed to the Middle East for the winter 21/22 season and then replaced the Magnifica and Preziosa with an all-year-round summer/winter homeporting in Southampton. 

MSC Cruise will Deploy the MSC Virtuosa all year around 22/23 seasons.

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MSC Virtuosa in Rotterdam photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

MSC Cruises has confirmed MSC Virtuosa will offer ex-UK cruises out of Southampton for winter 2022/23 and summer 2023.

This will be the first time the line has continuously operated one of its vessels from the UK year-round.

Virtuosa – which launched in 2021 and became the first ship to restart UK cruises in May of the same year – will now replace MSC Preziosa’s itineraries this winter offering the newly introduced Northern Pearls itinerary.

 
Antonio Paradiso, managing director of UK and Ireland of MSC Cruises, said since Virtuosa first came to the UK, the feedback from the company’s guests has been “incredible” and the ship has been a “huge hit”.

“The increased appetite for stress-free no-fly cruises out of the UK combined with the benefits of the new state-of-the-art Horizon Terminal has resulted in huge demand,” he added.

“The continued deployment of one of our newest and most innovative ships out of the UK is just further proof of the continued importance of the UK market, which began with our first full ex-UK season back in 2018.

“Since then, we have gone from strength to strength and we are committed to offering the best possible experience for our guests from the UK and Ireland.”

In summer 2023, Virtuosa will replace MSC Grandiosa offering a range of itineraries from mini cruises, and seven-night sailings to longer cruises. Further details of the full programme will be released soon.

MSC Cruises has suspended upcoming calls to St Petersburg amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

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MSC Virtuosa photo credit Spacejunkie2

From the end of May until October, the line’s four ships were due to operate Baltic Sea sailings which include St Petersburg – MSC Preziosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Poesia and MSC Virtuosa – will all suspend their calls to the city.

No MSC ships are currently calling at St Petersburg.

MSC said the health and safety of its passengers and crew was “a top priority” and that “since the onset” of the conflict in Ukraine, it had been in touch with alternative ports – such as Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn – to confirm new calls.

The decision comes after Riviera Travel cancelled all tours and cruises to Russia “for the foreseeable future”.

Carnival Corp brands P&O Cruises and Cunard amended their Baltic cruise itineraries in response to the escalating conflict, while other cruise lines and operators said they were “monitoring the situation closely”.

Viking Cruises cancelled all of its 2022 Kyiv and Black Sea departures and said it was evaluating all 2022 itineraries featuring calls in Russia.

MSC said it would communicate the details of changes on each individual sailing to travel agents and customers “as soon as possible”.

MSC’s website will also be updated to reflect the confirmed details of new itineraries to “provide maximum clarity” for existing guests and future guests looking to book Baltic Sea sailings.