MSC Cruises has confirmed updated information on routes for the 2020/2021 winter season. Guests will be offered more than 90 different cruises in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Gulf, South Africa, South America and Asia – all areas where MSC Cruises traditionally operates. The duration of the cruises varies from 2 to 24 nights, and Grand Voyages will be operated. The third round-the-world cruise is scheduled for January 2021.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, commented: “We have reviewed and updated cruises for the 2020/2021 winter season, which begins at the end of October, and we are now pleased to confirm all details. Our winter program has some changes from the original plan, but we will offer all of our main routes.”
MSC Cruises’ entire fleet, including two new ships currently under construction, will operate from March 2021 through the 2021 summer season.
In the Caribbean, the suspension of cruises departing from US ports has been extended until September 15, 2020. The cancellation of cruises in the Caribbean will affect guests of MSC Seaside and MSC Armonia, MSC Cruises will provide them with a voucher for the amount of paid for the cruise, which can be applied to any future cruise departing before December 31, 2021 towards the payment of a new cruise.
As for the current summer season 2020, MSC Cruises previously announced a temporary suspension of cruise operations until July 31, 2020 due to the pandemic.
MSC Cruises also advises that a new comprehensive and enhanced health and safety protocol is currently being developed in close collaboration with relevant national health authorities and with the support of a team of external medical experts. This protocol will cover all aspects of the cruise, from the booking stage to disembarkation and return home. It will also cover all aspects of life on board the ship, with safety precautions to ensure the health and well-being of guests and crew. Full details of these new health and safety precautions will be announced in the coming days.
Overview of routes for the winter season 2020/2021
World Cruise 2021
MSC Magnifica will set sail on its third cruise around the world. MSC Magnifica is the latest of the Musica class ships to be launched, with a large number of staterooms with balconies and impressive onboard entertainment. The cruise itinerary has been fully confirmed and the 119-day voyage will begin on January 5, 2021. Guests will visit 53 ports in 33 countries.
Mediterranean
MSC Grandiosawill replace the MSC Virtuosa liner in this region, the launch of which has been delayed due to the pandemic. All cruises booked in the winter season on MSC Virtuosa will take place on MSC Grandiosa on the Western Mediterranean route: Genoa – Civitavecchia/Rome, Palermo (Italy) – Valletta (Malta) – Barcelona (Spain) – Marseille (France).
In December MSC Magnifica will sail on 2 festive 5-day Christmas cruises visiting Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona and Civitavecchia and a 10-day New Year’s cruise with boarding in the ports of Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona on the route Gibraltar – Lisbon/Cascais (Portugal) – Cadiz/Seville – Malaga (Spain) – Civitavecchia/Rome – Genoa (Italy).
Caribbean
MSC Meravigliawill depart weekly on Saturdays from Miami (USA), on one of two routes:
- Miami (USA) – San Juan (Puerto Rico) – Charlotte Amalie (US Virgin Islands), Nassau (Bahamas) – Ocean Cay MSC Marine Sanctuary – Miami.
- Miami – Ocho Rios (Jamaica) – Georgetown (Cayman Islands) – Cozumel (Mexico) – Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve – Miami.
Liner MSC Armonia in the winter season will also be based in Miami and go on cruises on 3,4 or 7 nights in Key West, Nassau (Bahamas) and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
MSC Seasidewill operate 3, 4 or 7-night cruises from Port Canaveral in Florida, USA, calling at various ports in the region including Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Georgetown (Cayman Islands), as well as Cozumel (Mexico) and Nassau (Bahamas).
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will remain a key destination for MSC cruises from Florida, with all three ships based in the region calling at the company’s own island in the Bahamas.
Instead of MSC Splendida in the Southern Caribbean and Antilles, cruises will operate on MSC Poesia: 7 nights departing from Ft. France, Martinique and 14 nights departing from Barbados.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar
The Gulf region will replace MSC Seaview and MSC Lirica with MSC Fantasia. The ship will operate cruises lasting 7 nights from Dubai, with calls at Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, Bahrain and Doha (Qatar). The cruise will end with an overnight stay in Dubai to explore the city better.
South America
In this water area, instead of MSC Grandiosa, MSC Seaview will be based, which will operate cruises for 7 nights along the northeastern coast of Brazil: Santos (Brazil) – Maceio (Brazil) – Salvador Ilha Grande/Angra Dos Reis – Buzios.
MSC Musica (instead of MSC Fantasia) will sail for 7 nights from Santos, Itajaí/Santa Catarina (Brazil) – Punta del Este (Uruguay) – Buenos Aires (Argentina) with an additional overnight stay.
On the liner MSC Sinfonia(instead of MSC Orchestra) 8 and 9 night cruises are planned departing from Buenos Aires (Argentina) with calls at Punta del Este (Uruguay), Ilhabela, Buzios, Rio de Janeiro, Ilha Grande/Angra dos Reis (Brazil) .
MSC Preziosa will operate initially scheduled cruises departing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil of 3 to 8 nights.
South African Republic
MSC Orchestra (instead of MSC Musica) will sail from Durban or Cape Town calling at ports in Maputo, Portuguese Island, Pomena and Port Elizabeth (South Africa) in accordance with the originally planned routes.
The highlight of the season is a two-week New Year’s cruise on MSC Orchestra with an overnight stay in Port Louis on the island of Mauritius.
MSC Opera will operate scheduled cruises from Cape Town and Durban of 2,3,4,5 and 7 nights.
Asia
Cruise schedule for MSC Bellissimain this region will be announced soon.
Grand Voyages MSC Cruises
MSC Fantasia (instead of MSC Seaview) will sail on the Grand Voyage to Dubai with boardings at Barcelona, Marseille and Genoa on the 14th, 15th and 16th November, respectively.
The Grand Voyage at MSC Opera will take place along the previously planned route – from Italy to South Africa.
All other Grand Voyages from Europe to the Caribbean, South America and South Africa have been cancelled.
Nine Grand Voyage routes will be available in the spring of 2021 on ships returning from the Persian Gulf, South America, South Africa, Martinique and the United States to Europe by the start of the 2021 summer season.
Additional information
Guests whose cruises have changed due to ship changes will be automatically transferred to a ship sailing on the same or similar itinerary. Additional benefits will also be available for most modified cruises:
- Guests booking a Window Stateroom or an Interior Stateroom will receive a stateroom upgrade (excluding MSC Magnifica World Cruise, MSC Preziosa Cruise and South Africa Cruise).
- Guests booking a Balcony, Suite or MSC Yacht Club Cabin will receive an additional onboard credit (excluding MSC Magnifica World Cruise, MSC Preziosa Cruise and South Africa Cruise):
- 200 € (or 200 US dollars depending on the selected water area) per cabin for cruises of 7 nights or more (100 € /100 US dollars per single cabin);
- 100 € (or 100 US dollars depending on the chosen water area) per cabin for cruises up to 6 nights (50 € /50 US dollars per single cabin).
Technically, these changes to orders will be made before July 5 and will be available for approval by the client.
For guests booked on rare itineraries for which it is not possible to find an alternative (all Grand Voyages from Europe except MSC Lyrica, MSC Seaview, MSC Opera), MSC Cruises will provide a voucher for the amount of money paid for the cruise, which may be applied to any future cruise departing before December 31, 2021 towards the payment of a new cruise.
Additionally, MSC Cruises will offer the option to reschedule for all new cruise bookings made between June 1st and July 31st, 2020 with departures between August 1st, 2020 and May 2nd, 2021. your cruise 15 days before departure.
