Sailing around the world is a dream for many Spaniards, and today, 258 begin making it a reality aboard the MSC Magnifica. The MSC World Cruise 2026 set sail this morning from the port of Barcelona with 258 Spanish passengers ready to embark on a truly exceptional experience: a 132-day voyage around the world. Throughout this unique journey, the itinerary will visit 46 destinations in 33 countries, with stops in Europe, the Caribbean, the Americas, the Pacific, Australia, Asia, southern Africa, and the islands of the Indian Ocean.
In addition to the 258 Spanish passengers, the crew also includes Spanish members. The Youth Staff Manager and the Lead Doctor are part of the MSC Magnifica, contributing to the success of this round-the-world voyage.
A global itinerary across five continents
For four months, from January 7 to May 5, travelers aboard MSC Magnifica will have the opportunity to explore some of the world's most fascinating destinations. Starting in the Mediterranean, the ship will then cross the Atlantic to Madeira and the Caribbean (Barbados, Grenada, Bonaire, and Curaçao). From there, it will head to South America (including Colombia and a transit of the Panama Canal) before continuing through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico, and then on to the United States (San Diego and San Francisco). The itinerary will then take it across the Pacific to Hawaii and the idyllic islands of Tahiti, Samoa, and Fiji, before exploring the coasts of New Zealand and Australia, including Auckland, Sydney, the Gold Coast, and the Great Barrier Reef. The journey will then proceed through Asia to Manila and Japan (Okinawa and Tokyo), South Korea (Busan), China (Shanghai), and Hong Kong, before continuing on to Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia. The final leg will take passengers across the Indian Ocean, with stops in the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Réunion Island, before rounding the African continent with stops in South Africa and Namibia. From there, the MSC Magnifica will continue its Atlantic crossing with a stop in Cape Verde, before heading back to the Mediterranean, where this extraordinary circumnavigation of the globe will conclude.
MSC Magnifica: the keys to the round-the-world ship
This round-the-world cruise is something special. After just a few months of refurbishment in shipyard, MSC Magnifica is back sailing the seas, including, for the first time, the spaces and amenities of the MSC Yacht Club. The ship has been part of an ambitious MSC Cruises program to elevate the onboard experience and recently left the shipyard in Malta after being refurbished in record time. Thus, the world cruise incorporates, for the first time, the concept of a “yacht within a ship.”
The refurbished MSC Magnifica also boasts an enhanced MSC Aurea Spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym® fitness center with yoga and spinning studios, and two new specialty restaurants: Butcher's Cut, featuring premium cuts of meat, and Kaito Sushi Bar, inspired by authentic Asian cuisine. While the ship already offers these premium facilities, the full MSC Yacht Club experience will officially launch on MSC Magnifica, meaning the next world cruise to feature this experience will be MSC World Cruise 2027.
Beyond this new feature, combining traditional craftsmanship with elegant design, MSC Magnifica offers amenities such as an indoor pool with a retractable roof, allowing you to enjoy a perfect swim regardless of the weather; and sports activities including tennis, mini-golf, bowling, billiards, a state-of-the-art gym, and a jogging track. It also boasts a wide range of onboard entertainment, including water parks, a 4D cinema, and shows in the 1,200-seat Royal Theatre. Guests can toast in one of the 12 bars and savor impressive meals in 5 restaurants.
Cruisers aboard MSC World Cruise 2026 will enjoy 15 included excursions. Highlights include a historical walking tour of Cartagena, Colombia, and a boat trip through the Tortuguero canals in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica. They can take a scenic tour with a cultural show in Puntarenas and discover the colonial wonders of Antigua from Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. In New Zealand, passengers will enjoy a visit to the Auckland Museum and the city's main attractions, while in Australia, a tour to discover Sydney is included. In Asia, highlights include the blend of old and new in Manila, a panoramic tour of Tokyo, the Maglev train experience in Shanghai, and a visit to Hong Kong Island.
Southeast Asia will take travelers to the must-sees of Da Nang and the highlights of Kuala Lumpur from Port Klang; in the Indian Ocean, in Port Louis (Mauritius), an immersive heritage experience awaits at the Château Jardin. In Africa, a tour of Cape Town's iconic landmarks and heritage is included, and in Cape Verde, a tour of Mindelo is offered. Passengers also have the option to book additional excursions, both before and during the trip.
In addition, MSC Cruises has already opened sales for MSC World Cruise 2028, offering travelers the opportunity to plan their own round-the-world trip in advance and secure a place on one of the cruise line's most outstanding itineraries.
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