The MSC Bellissima arrived in Shanghai on March 15, marking MSC Cruises' return to China after a four-year hiatus.
One of Asia's largest cruise ships, with a capacity for 4,500 passengers, will now offer a total of nine short cruises from its new home port in China.
The operation includes four- and five-night itineraries departing from the Baoshan Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal in Shanghai.
According to MSC Cruises, the cruises sail to destinations in neighboring countries such as Fukuoka, Kagoshima and Sasebo.
The spring season will run until the end of April and is scheduled to be followed by a longer local program later in the year.
After offering cruises in Japan and Taiwan, the MSC Bellissima returns to mainland China at the end of June for a series of 16 cruises departing from Shekou and Shanghai.
Sailing to destinations in Japan and South Korea, the itineraries will be offered until early September and include visits to Osaka, Shimonoseki, Okinawa and Jeju Island, among others.
Part of the company's Meraviglia Class, the MSC Bellissima entered service in early 2019. The 167,600-ton cruise ship was built in France by the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard.
One of the main attractions of the ship's public spaces is the Galleria Bellissima. This 96-meter-long central promenade features an 80-meter LED dome, as well as the largest shopping area in the fleet and a selection of restaurants and bars.
While the MSC Bellissima returns to Japan for the winter season, MSC Cruises will deploy a second ship in China during this period.
Returning to Asia after four years, the MSC Splendida will arrive in Shenzhen at the end of November to conduct short cruises to Japan and Hong Kong.
This means that MSC Cruises will be the only international cruise line to deploy two ships in China in 2024, the company said in a press release earlier this year.
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