Sailing from mid-November until April, MSC Magnifica will call at Hamburg, Ijmuiden (Amsterdam), Zeebrugge, Le Havre and Southampton during a series of seven-night cruises.
The line said the itinerary had been created following the popularity of UK-based “sea-cations” this summer as the cruise sector made its comeback and “ongoing demand” for Northern Europe.
Passengers will benefit from extended stays in the port of up to 12 hours and embarkation will be possible in each city visited – sales open on Wednesday (6 October).
MSC’s the UK and Ireland managing director Antonio Paradiso said the Northern Pearls programme would offer Brits “direct and convenient access” to some of Europe’s best cities “for a great winter cruise”
All guests aged 12 years and above must be fully vaccinated and passengers aged 2-11 must provide proof of a negative PCR test or antigen taken within 48 hours of their cruise departure.
Travellers over the age of 12 must be fully inoculated to avoid the requirement and those under the age of 12 are exempt.
All arrivals must complete an online health form a maximum of 72 hours prior to travel. Tourists do not need to complete the form if they’re transiting through Turkey on the way to another country.
UK visitors will need to either show proof of vaccination, recent recovery from Covid-19 or a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before travelling if unvaccinated.
The destination, which reportedly welcomed two and a half million British tourists in 2019, was removed from the UK’s red list on 22 September.
The Turkish Tourism Board in the UK said the country is “ready and excited” to welcome back UK tourists “With no requirement for PCR tests, and following our removal from the UK government’s red list, travelling to Turkey couldn’t be easier,” it added.
“With warm temperatures, welcoming people, stunning coastlines and wonderful local cuisine all just a few hours flight away, Turkey is the perfect destination for UK families this half-term.”
Jet2.com and Jet2holidays chief executive Steve Heapy said the airline and operator have experienced “enormous demand” from customers for trips to Turkey since it was removed from the red list.
“Turkey is one of our most popular destinations for customers who want some late-summer sunshine, an October break or some winter sun, so this really is fantastic news for UK holidaymakers,” Heapy added.
“Additionally, it is another welcome step on the road to reopening international properly. We urge other overseas governments to follow the Turkish government in allowing UK holidaymakers to reap the benefits of the vaccine rollout.”
MSC Cruises may be the biggest cruise brand based on confirmed resumption plans (as of late April 2021) and ships and berths back in service by August 31, using data from the 2021 Cruise Industry News Annual Report.
On a corporate level, Carnival Corporation will have the most ships and berths back in service, with six brands set to operate 13 ships by late August at press time, and indications are that more announcements are forthcoming.
Top 5 Cruise Lines Back in Service by August 31:
MSC Cruises Ships: Ten – MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Seashore, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Preziosa, MSC Splendida, MSC Magnifica, MSC Orchestra and MSC Musica Total Berths: 37,066 Regions: Europe – Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean and Northern Europe
The restart fleet includes two newbuilds, the MSC Virtuosa, slated to offer cruises in the United Kingdom, and the MSC Seashore, poised to spend its inaugural season in the Mediterranean.
Royal Caribbean International Ships: Six – Odyssey of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and Vision of the Seas Total Berths: 19,500 Regions: North America, Mediterranean and Asia
Costa Cruises Ships: Four – Costa Firenze, Costa Smeralda, Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa Total Berths: 13,976 Region: Europe – Western Mediterranean and Eastern Mediterranean
Starting in August, the Norwegian Joy will sail from Jamaica, while the Norwegian Gem will sail from the Dominican Republic. In Europe, the Norwegian Jade will be based in Greece starting on July 25.
P&O Cruises Ships: Two – Iona and Britannia Total Berths: 8,811 Region: Europe – United Kingdom
Carnival Corporation’s British cruise line, P&O Cruises, will resume service in June, with domestic sailings in the United Kingdom.
Sailing from Southampton, the company plans to use its two newest ships, the 5,200-guest Iona and the 3,611-guest Britannia.
Numbers by Corporation
Carnival Corporation Ships: 13 Brands in Service: 6 out of 9 Total Berths: 38,557
By Brand
Costa: 4 ships and 13,976 berths AIDA: 2 ships and 5,424 berths P&O: 2 ships and 8,811 berths Princess: 2 ships and 7,200 ships Cunard: 1 ship and 2,092 berths Seabourn: 2 ships and 1,054 berths
MSC Cruises Ships: 10 Brands in Service: 1 out of 1 Total Berths: 37,066
By Brand
MSC: 10 ships and 37,066 berths
Royal Caribbean Group Ships: 15 Brands in Service: 5 out of 5 Total Berths: 36,982
By Brand
Royal Caribbean: 6 ships and 19,500 berths Celebrity: 3 ships and 7,840 berths TUI: 3ships and 8,300 berths Hapag-Lloyd: 2 ships and 746 berths Silversea: 1 ship and 596 berths
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ships: 1 out of 3 Brands in Service: 1 out of 3 Total Berths: 9,000
By brand
Norwegian: 3 ships and 9,000 berths
Genting Cruise Lines Ships: 6 Brands in Service: 3 out of 3 Total Berths: 8,486
By Brand
Dream: 2 ships and 5,204 berths Star: 1 ship and 1,090 berths Crystal: 3 ships and 2,192 berths
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