MSC Cruises has revealed more details of its recently announced week-long summer getaways and cruises around the British Isles, departing from the port of Southampton. Starting May 20, the MSC Virtuosa – the cruise line’s newest flagship – will travel to the UK for its inaugural season, replacing the MSC Magnifica to operate this special range of sailings to some of the UK’s most popular ports, including Portland, Liverpool, Greenock, and Belfast. The cruises are currently available only to UK residents – both vaccinated and unvaccinated – according to the cruise line. Sales will open on April 1.
The MSC Virtuosa has been designed to offer guests a dynamic and dazzling experience with innovative features and facilities, and is also one of the most environmentally advanced ships in the MSC Cruises fleet. The MSC Virtuosa was previously scheduled to serve Northern European itineraries from Germany and will be replaced by the MSC Seaview.
MSC Virtuosa will initially operate six mini-cruises, including a stop in Portland, Dorset. The four-night getaways will depart late from Southampton and include two days at sea. These will be followed by a series of seven-night cruises with stops in Liverpool and Greenock, Scotland, beginning June 12.
In addition to offering multiple embarkation ports on 7-night cruises, guests will also have the opportunity to go ashore and visit the various destinations. This is a key aspect of a cruise holiday for a rich and complete experience, and MSC Cruises' proven shore excursions offer the same high standards of health and safety as those on board. This is reassuring not only for guests but also for the destinations being visited, as healthy guests are visiting their communities and the best health and hygiene practices will be in place when visiting local attractions.
The company added: “All operations will be conducted in accordance with relevant government requirements and MSC Cruises’ industry-leading health and safety protocol will be applied.”
Passengers who are not vaccinated must show a negative test result taken within 72 hours of boarding. All passengers must also purchase specific travel insurance covering Covid-19 before departure and present it at boarding.
The Managing Director for the UK and Ireland, Antonio Paradiso, said: “Following the recent announcement of our intention to offer cruises in the UK, we have been overwhelmed by the response from MSC Cruises customers and eager cruisers keen to get back on board and experience a cruise with us this summer.”
Antonio Paradiso continued: “We want to thank the ports and various authorities across the UK for their support. These special sailings represent not only a step towards the safe restart of the cruise industry, but also of local economies. Bringing a new ship to different regional ports will allow our guests to discover the best of the UK this summer, showcasing diverse British ports throughout the country.”.
“I am personally very proud to be able to bring our newest ship, MSC Virtuosa, to the UK so that our valued British guests can be the first to officially step on board and the first to experience this incredible next-generation ship. It is the latest, most innovative, and environmentally advanced ship to join the MSC Cruises fleet, and we couldn't be more delighted to offer UK tourists and their families the opportunity to discover its facilities. This ship has a host of new experiences for our guests, including new specialty restaurants and a new immersive entertainment lounge with a humanoid robotic bartender, among others.”
Rebekah Keeler, Cruise Director at ABP Southampton, said: “We are delighted to welcome MSC Virtuosa to the Port of Southampton for its summer sailings. We are proud to be the departure port for MSC’s inaugural voyage.”.
Ian McQuade, Chief Commercial Officer of the Port of Portland, said: “The Port of Portland is delighted to be included in MSC’s plans for the resumption of passenger cruises to the UK market and can’t wait to welcome the beautiful MSC Virtuosa to port.”
Angie Redhead, director of Cruise Liverpool, said: “With the return of domestic cruising, our 2021 season in Liverpool promises to be bigger and better than ever, and we are absolutely delighted not only to welcome so many calls from such a prestigious cruise line as MSC, but also to be able to offer guests the opportunity to join an MSC cruise in Liverpool for the first time.”
Customers with reservations on the MSC Magnifica will be able to transfer their cruise to the MSC Virtuosa. Customers and travel agencies will be contacted directly.
