MSC Cruises today revealed details of the company’s new Red Sea itinerary for the 2021/2022 winter season. These cruises, featuring calls in Saudi Arabia for the first time, as well as Egypt and Jordan, promise rich cultural destinations, some of the world’s best beaches, and an opportunity for passengers to discover cultural gems and immerse themselves in the region’s rich traditions.
Departing from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, MSC Magnifica will offer seven-night cruises from November 13, 2021, through the end of March 2022. From Jeddah, the ship will call at the Saudi port of Ras Al-Abyad, then Aqaba to enjoy Petra in Jordan, Safaga to visit Luxor in Egypt, followed by the Saudi ports of AlWajh and Yanbu, before returning to Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia is exceptionally rich in culture, traditions, and heritage. With five UNESCO World Heritage sites, including historic Jeddah and the archaeological site of Al-Hijr in Al-Ula, both accessible to MSC Magnifica passengers, the Kingdom offers an unparalleled journey of discovery. It is also home to stunning natural wonders, breathtaking landscapes, and unexplored archaeological treasures. Boasting year-round sunshine, some of the world's most beautiful beaches, and the rich marine ecosystem of the Red Sea, the Kingdom is a must-visit destination this winter, ticking all the boxes on your bucket list.
This itinerary will take MSC Cruises back to Egypt, stopping at the historic port of Safaga. From there, passengers can travel to Luxor, the world's largest open-air museum, home to world-renowned Ancient Egyptian sites. Completing this incredible itinerary is Aqaba in Jordan. Dating back to 4000 BC, this port offers a unique opportunity to visit Petra, the famous archaeological site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, commented: “As an internationally renowned cruise line that offers passengers unique opportunities to explore and discover the world, it’s only natural that we are now making another entirely new destination more accessible to our passengers. The introduction of Saudi Arabia to our winter program is a unique itinerary, as it also includes Egypt and Jordan, offering an unparalleled combination of sun, sand, tradition, and culture. Our passengers can discover the unspoiled beauty of this region to the fullest and explore many exciting destinations. Not to mention that traveling through the Red Sea on a cruise is one of the most spectacular ways to admire the stunning coastline and enjoy the unique and still pristine beauty of the sea and the region’s natural landscape.”.
And as if that weren't enough, while the Kingdom prepares to host the inaugural 2021 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on December 5 in Jeddah, guests will have the opportunity to follow this exciting global sporting event during their journey aboard the MSC Magnifica.
Sales will open on May 1st for all future passengers, and MSC Voyagers Club members will benefit from an additional 5% discount exclusively for a period of 10 days, in addition to their usual 5% discount.
Mark Robinson, Commercial and Operations Director of Cruise Saudi, notes: “The historic partnership with MSC Cruises is a perfect starting point for our journey and aligns with our vision to develop conventional cruising along the Saudi coast, with Jeddah as the key homeport offering a wide variety of pre- and post-cruise accommodation options. Jeddah benefits from its proximity to Europe and is easily accessible by air in five hours from most major cities on the continent. Thanks to its warm climate, Saudi Arabia is an ideal winter holiday destination and has the potential to offer year-round cruising.”.
MSC Magnifica is one of MSC Cruises' most popular ships and offers a masterful and elegant design, relaxed refinement, a high proportion of balcony cabins, large dining areas with four restaurants and eleven bars, a swimming pool with a retractable roof magrodome, a spectacular theater, a large-scale casino, a panoramic nightclub and a 4D cinema.
For a stress-free holiday, Fly & Cruise packages will be available through a dedicated partnership with the country's national airline, Saudia, a SkyTeam member. With Friday evening flights from most major European airports and New York, travelers will arrive comfortably in Jeddah the night before their cruise departs. Furthermore, thanks to the ship's late departure on Saturday evening, there will be ample time to enjoy Jeddah before the cruise sets sail, making the most of their stay. Additionally, the airline will offer the same variety of return flights on Saturday morning, providing passengers with maximum comfort and peace of mind to fully enjoy their holiday.
MSC Virtuosa will also make its Saudi Arabian debut, as its 2021 winter program in the Persian Gulf has been enhanced with calls at the port of Dammam, visiting the Al-Ahsa Oasis, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. MSC Virtuosa will spend its first winter season in its homeport of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. From there, the ship will sail to the nearby metropolis of Abu Dhabi, and then on to Sir Bani Yas Island, where passengers will have the opportunity to discover an exotic array of wildlife or soak up the sun on pristine beaches – all exclusive to MSC Cruises on its ships' port calls. In addition, the ship will also call in Doha, Qatar's futuristic capital, before returning to Dubai with an overnight stay in the city to discover all the wonders it has to offer.
