MSC Cruises has announced that the current season in the Arabian Gulf will be extended from April 2 to June 25 with MSC Bellissima, offering additional 7-night cruises with stops in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas in the United Arab Emirates and Doha in Qatar.
On March 26, MSC Bellissima will conclude its scheduled Red Sea itineraries based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and will move to the Arabian Gulf, replacing MSC Virtuosa from April 2. After the winter season, MSC Virtuosa will return to Europe for the summer season. In July, MSC Bellissima will sail to the Far East to offer itineraries in Japan.
The Arabian Gulf region has proven particularly attractive to MSC Cruises passengers this winter, thanks to its engaging itinerary, which includes extended port stops and two nights in Dubai. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the health and hygiene protocols implemented by both the company and local authorities for entry into and stay in the region has instilled a sense of security in passengers. MSC Bellissima, one of the company's most popular ships, will replace MSC Virtuosa at the end of March, as that ship heads to Europe for the summer season.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, commented: “We have seen that itineraries in the UAE and Qatar have been very popular with our passengers, and to meet this demand, we have decided to expand our presence in the region. We would like to thank the authorities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha for their cooperation and their highly effective working methods, which have allowed us to ensure the health and safety of our passengers and crew on land as well. One of the key attractions of these cruises is their accessibility, thanks to the connectivity of Dubai International Airport. We offer a comprehensive Cruise & Flight program with Emirates airline, which allows us to create a seamless experience for our passengers from start to finish.”
Highlights of the Arabian Gulf:
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates: one of the most renowned cities in the Middle East.
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: capital of the United Arab Emirates, rich in diversity and culture.
- Sir Bani Yas, United Arab Emirates: the largest natural island in the UAE, with pristine beaches and diverse wildlife.
- Doha, Qatar: recognized as one of the new 7 Wonder Cities of the World.
The MSC Bellissima is one of the newest and most popular ships in the MSC Cruises fleet. It offers passengers a rich and varied onboard experience with innovative and modern facilities.
Since August 2020, MSC Cruises passengers have been sailing under the protection of the industry-leading Health and Hygiene protocol, which has proven safe and effective throughout all phases of the pandemic. Bookings for all this winter and summer voyages will be covered by the “Book with Confidence” program, through which the company has provided safe, flexible, and enjoyable cruise holidays to more than one million passengers during all phases of the pandemic, past and present.
MSC Cruises holidays are only available to vaccinated passengers. The company will continue to implement appropriate measures to ensure its passengers can enjoy one of the safest holiday options available, while having a memorable onboard experience.
