MSC Cruises has today confirmed all the details of its 2020/2021 winter season, with more than 90 itineraries on board 12 modern and innovative ships, sailing in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, the Gulf, South Africa, South America and Asia – all regions where MSC Cruises regularly operates.
The itineraries confirmed today range from two to 24 nights, with an extensive program of Grand Voyages, and can now be booked through MSC Cruises' various platforms and partner travel agencies. The third MSC World Cruise, departing in January 2021, has also been confirmed.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, commented: “After a complete review and update of our 2020/2021 winter season, which will begin at the end of October, we are pleased to announce that our program will offer cruises in all the regions of the world where we normally operate, so that guests can enjoy the holidays they have booked with us. Most of the changes affect which ships will operate in each region, not the current itineraries.
Today's announcement coincides with the company's recent confirmation that the entire MSC Cruises fleet, along with two new ships currently under construction, will be operating from March 2021 for the 2021 summer season.
In addition, MSC Cruises today announced the voluntary extension of its suspension of operations for ships embarking in the United States until September 15, 2020. The announcement affects two ships that were scheduled to sail in this region this season: MSC Seaside and MSC Armonia. Passengers with canceled cruises will receive a Future Cruise Voucher starting July 13, which will allow them to transfer the full amount paid for their canceled cruise to another cruise of their choice (on any ship and any itinerary) until the end of 2021. Meanwhile, for the 2020 summer season, MSC Cruises recently announced the temporary suspension of its operations until July 31 in the other regions where the company operates.
In conjunction with today's announcement, the company has released a new health and safety protocol for all ships operating during the 2020/2021 winter season. This enhanced protocol was developed in conjunction with relevant government authorities and with the support of an external team of international medical experts. Full details of these new health and safety measures will be announced soon.
Summary of the winter program 2020/2021
MSC World Cruise 2021
Based on the high level of passenger satisfaction from MSC World Cruises 2019 and 2020, MSC Magnifica will sail its third World Cruise. This Musica-class ship is an excellent choice for this voyage, boasting one of the highest ratios of balcony cabins and impressive features, including a pool with a retractable roof and a large dining area. The itinerary is fully confirmed, with 119 days of travel around the world, departing from Barcelona on January 7, 2021. MSC World Cruise 2021 passengers will visit 53 destinations in 33 countries.
Mediterranean
MSC Grandiosa will replace its sister ship, MSC Virtuosa, as its delivery has been delayed by the global pandemic. All passengers with reservations on MSC Virtuosa will be transferred to MSC Grandiosa, the company's current flagship, for the original 7-night MSC Cruises "6 Pearls" Western Mediterranean itinerary, with embarkation available at all ports: Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia (Rome), Palermo, Valletta, and Barcelona.
MSC Magnifica will run two five-night Christmas cruises with stops in Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona and Civitavecchia, and a 10-night New Year's cruise with stops in Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona, Gibraltar, Lisbon (Cascais), Cadiz and Malaga.
Caribbean
MSC Meraviglia will depart every Saturday from Miami, USA, and will offer two alternative itineraries: the first includes a long stop in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands; Nassau, Bahamas; and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas. The second itinerary, which passengers can combine with the first for a 14-night cruise, includes stops in Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
MSC Armonia, based in Miami, will offer 3, 4 and 7 night cruises to Key West, Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
MSC Seaside will offer 3, 4 and 7 night cruises from the new embarkation port of Port Canaveral in Florida, USA, with stops at a wide variety of destinations including Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, George Town, Cozumel and Nassau.
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will remain a key part of MSC Cruises' offerings from the United States, with three ships calling at the private island in the Bahamas. Exclusive to MSC Cruises guests, the private island – located 65 miles from Miami – offers passengers a unique opportunity to discover local marine life, immerse themselves in the spirit of Bahamian culture, and reconnect with themselves and others.
MSC Poesia will offer 7-night itineraries through the Southern Caribbean and the Antilles departing from Fort-de-France, Martinique, visiting 7 destinations. It will also offer 14-night itineraries from Barbados with stops at some of the Caribbean's finest islands.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar
MSC Fantasia will offer seven-night itineraries with stops in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the exclusive island of Sir Bani Yas in the United Arab Emirates, as well as Bahrain and Doha, Qatar, with direct flights from Madrid and Barcelona. The cruise concludes with an overnight stay in Dubai, providing ample time to explore all that this cosmopolitan city has to offer.
South America
MSC Seaview and its incredible outdoor areas will offer seven-night cruises from Brazil, from Santos to the Northeast, stopping at the new port of Maceio, Salvador, and the island of Ilha Grande/Angra dos Reis and Buzios.
MSC Musica will replace MSC Fantasia and will offer seven-night cruises from Santos, Brazil, with stops in Itajai/Santa Catarina (Brazil), Punta del Este (Uruguay) and one night in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
MSC Sinfonia will replace MSC Orchestra and will offer eight and nine night itineraries from Buenos Aires with stops in Montevideo (Uruguay), Buzios, Rio de Janeiro and Ilhabela or Ilha Grande / Angra dos Reis (Brazil), with the possibility of embarkation in both Buenos Aires and Montevideo.
MSC Preziosa will operate an iconic itinerary from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with cruises ranging from three to eight nights.
South Africa
MSC Orchestra will replace MSC Musica and will operate departures from both Durban and Cape Town to destinations such as Maputo, Mozambique, Portuguese Island, Pomene, Mozambique and Port Elizabeth, as planned.
MSC Opera will operate its already planned itineraries from Cape Town and Durban.
The highlight of the season will be the New Year's cruise aboard the MSC Orchestra, with 14 nights and five spectacular destinations including one night in Port Louis, Mauritius.
Wild West
MSC Bellissima will offer cruises of varying lengths in Asia – a detailed program of its itineraries will be announced soon.
Spectacular Grand Voyages
MSC Fantasia will replace MSC Seaview and will operate its Grand Voyage from Barcelona, Marseille, and Genoa on November 14, 15, and 16, respectively, before arriving in Dubai for the winter season. Additionally, MSC Opera will operate its original itinerary from Italy to South Africa. All other Grand Voyages from Europe to the Caribbean, South America, and South Africa have been canceled.
In spring 2021, MSC Cruises will offer nine Grand Voyages of ships returning from the Emirates, Brazil, South Africa, Martinique and the United States to Europe for the 2021 summer season.
More information about reservations
All passengers whose reservation is affected by any changes will be automatically rebooked on another ship sailing the same or a similar itinerary. These passengers will be entitled to compensation
- All passengers with a reservation in an inside cabin or ocean view cabin will receive an upgrade
- All passengers with a balcony cabin, suite, or Yacht Club cabin will receive an onboard credit of €100/$100 per cabin (€50/$50 for a single cabin) for cruises up to six nights. For cruises of seven nights or more, passengers will receive €200/$200 (€100/$100 for a single cabin).
All passengers who booked with MSC Cruises before July 31, 2020, will benefit from the Peace of Mind Booking conditions, which offer greater peace of mind when changing or canceling their cruise between August 1, 2020, and May 2, 2021. They will also have the option to change their cruise free of charge up to 15 days before departure, or up to 21 days if the booking also includes a flight.
The new itineraries can now be booked at www.msccruceros.es.
For further information regarding existing bookings, passengers will need to contact their travel agent or visit www.msccruises.es.
