MSC Cruises has revealed a new winter itinerary for the MSC Orchestra, which will homeport in Valencia, marking the first time a ship will be based at the Spanish port during a winter season.
The cruise line said in a statement that the MSC Orchestra will operate weekly voyages between December 16, 2023, and April 19, 2024, from Valencia to Cagliari, Sardinia; Civitavecchia for Rome, Livorno for Pisa and Florence, Italy; Marseille, France and Palma in Mallorca before returning to Valencia.
This ship’s new program is set to replace the Red Sea itineraries previously canceled due to the proximity of some of the ports of call to Israel as well as the restrictions in place in some bordering countries.
MSC Cruises added that the safety of its passengers and crew is always its priority and it will continue to monitor the situation and modify ship itineraries if necessary.
MSC Virtuosa entering the Liverpool docks, photo credit Spacejunkie2
Cruise Saudi has welcomed MSC Cruises’ MSC Virtuosa to Jeddah, making it the line’s second vessel to visit the Jeddah Islamic Port.
The ship spent around 17 hours at the port before continuing its voyage along the Red Sea.
The MSC Virtuosa joined MSC Bellissima at Saudi’s largest and busiest port, where the latter ship has been homeporting throughout the 2021-2022 Summer and Winter Seasons.
The visits are part of Cruise Saudi’s efforts to build a fully integrated, world-class cruise industry in the country, elevating tourism in line with Vision 2030 – the Saudi leadership’s transformation plan to diversify the economy, according to a press release.
Commenting on MSC Virtuosa’s visit, Lars Clasen, Chief Executive Officer of Cruise Saudi, said: “We are proud to host the flagship of one of the world’s most established and popular cruise lines. MSC Virtuosa’s visit highlights Saudi as an exciting cruise destination for international cruise lines and travellers. At Cruise Saudi, we look forward to welcoming more guests and operators to experience the glistening waters of the Red Sea as the tourism industry gathers pace.
“By supporting Saudi’s tourism industry, we are not only enabling the world to experience Saudi’s pristine islands and beaches as well as a unique culture, heritage and hospitality – but we are also opening new gateways to connect Saudi with the world and transform the country into a tourism hub.”
Cruise Saudi has welcomed several major international cruise lines since its launch including MSC Cruises, Scenic Group, Silversea, and Viking, which have completed more than 70 sailings during the 2021/2022 Summer and Winter Seasons.
In April 2021, Cruise Saudi established a five-year deal with MSC Cruises to bring their ships to Saudi. MSC Bellissima spent 2021/22 Summer and Winter Season’s homeporting in Jeddah and sailing around the Saudi coast.
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.”
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