MSC CRUISES ADDS SECOND SHIP FOR WORLD CRUISE 2023

Geneva, Switzerland, 11 October 2021 – MSC Cruises revealed today that a second ship, MSC Magnifica, will be joining MSC Poesia on the MSC World Cruise 2023. The two ships in an industry first will host over 5,000 guests for a journey around the world and they will both depart of 4 January from Civitavecchia and 5 January 2023 from Genoa, Italy, for simultaneous world cruises, albeit taking different routes around the globe.

MSC Magnifica will replicate the very same itinerary that was supposed to be performed by MSC Poesia for the MSC World Cruise 2022. Unfortunately, the decision has been taken after careful consideration and assessment, to cancel the 2022 World Cruise as it would not have been possible to carry it out due to there being too many ports still facing restrictions as a result of the pandemic. This way, MSC Magnifica will offer a solution guests impacted by this to have an alternative for their journey of a lifetime.

Gianni Onorato commented, “Unfortunately we had no choice but to cancel the 2022 MSC World Cruise but we know that a world cruise really is the voyage of a lifetime for many people and so it was important to us to offer the best possible solution for our loyal guests. MSC Poesia’s World Cruise in 2023 was already sold out and so we worked to amend MSC Magnifica’s schedule, a popular world cruise ship, so that we are able to offer the same itinerary as 2022, only one year later with the ship departing on the same date and calling at all of the same planned ports.”

Sales for MSC Magnifica’s World Cruise 2023 are now open and guests booked on the MSC World Cruise 2022 will be contacted shortly and given priority in reprotecting their existing booking on MSC Magnifica. For those guests who move their booking to 2023 as a measure of gratitude for loyalty, the guest will be able to book a complimentary cruise between 1 January and 3 May 2022 so that they can still enjoy a cruise holiday during this period [1] . MSC Poesia’s World Cruise 2023 is currently sold out and has a waiting list, so this also provides an opportunity for those guests to sail on MSC Magnifica.

MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica will set sail together in 2023 with embarkation in Civitavecchia (4 January), Genoa, Italy (5 January), Marseille, France (6 January) and Barcelona, Spain (7 January). This will be a very special celebratory moment for our guests on the two ship as they prepare to set sail around the world.

Once they cross the Mediterranean Sea, the ships will part ways in the Atlantic Ocean. MSC Magnifica will circumnavigate South America, cross the South Pacific Ocean then on to the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and then through the spectacular Suez Canal back into the Mediterranean Sea.

MSC Poesia on the other hand, will transit the Panama Canal and travel up the West Coast of Central America and North America whilst moving on to the Pacific Ocean and then an extended period in Asia. Crossing the Indian Ocean, the ship will then return to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.

MSC Magnifica will visit 43 stunning destinations in 24 countries with more than 25 UNESCO World Heritage sites across five continents. The spectacular 117-day voyage offers nine extended overnight stays and the ship will cross the equator twice.

Starting out in the Mediterranean the ship will head south west from via calls in Lisbon in Portugal and Funchal, Madeira Island, then on to Mindelo, Cape Verde, where the ship will cross the equator, arriving to South America. Here, 11 unforgettable destinations await across Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile including two days in each of Rio de Janeiro, the world-famous beach-lined city in Brazil and Buenos Aires, the Argentinian capital famed for its Latin art collection and Ushuaia, Argentina – with breath-taking scenery and nature.

Departing South America and crossing the South Pacific Ocean, guests will visit the exotic, paradise islands of Tahiti, French Polynesia and Rarotonga & Aitutaki of the Cook Islands. Following this the itinerary continues to New Zealand and Australia for destinations including Auckland, Napier and Wellington, as well as two days in Sydney to experience everything this metropolitan-meets-beach city and all its sights have to offer.

More exploration awaits in the secluded beaches of Lifou & Mare islands in New Caledonia, Alotau with their turquoise waters, then Papua New Guinea before heading to the island of Lombok in Indonesia, then Singapore and Port Klang for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Before reaching the incredible Suez Canal transit, guests can tick off more unforgettable destinations including Colombo, Sri Lanka and two days to take in the sights, smells and tastes of Mumbai, India, before reaching Salalah, Oman and Aqaba, Jordan for the ancient site of Petra.

With no more than four consecutive sea days, guests will also enjoy a total of nine overnight calls in ports including Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Ushuaia (Argentina), Valparaiso (Chile), Callao (Peru), Papeete (Tahiti), Sydney (Australia), Benoa (Indonesia) and Mumbai (India) allowing plenty of time to explore these stunning destinations and enjoying an evening ashore.

MSC Cruises is known for offering an incredible choice of shore excursions designed to suit all tastes, giving guests the freedom to make the most of every moment ashore. The 2023 MSC World Cruise is no exception with 15 shore excursions included in the cost of the cruise ticket and of course other excursions can be booked both in advance or during the cruise – more information about shore excursions will be available soon.

Guests will sail in style and comfort on MSC Magnifica during this incredible voyage around the world with the cruise ticket also including:

• A beverage package

• 15 shore excursions are included in the price

• 30% discount on laundry

Voyagers Club members booking the MSC World Cruise 2023 will receive an extra 5% discount and Silver, Gold and Diamond members will enjoy a €/$ 50 per person on onboard credit this is on top of their usual 5% discount. This offer is valid until 30 November 2021. Members booking the World Cruise 2023 will also be credited triple membership points for the type of Experience chosen. These points will be assigned at the time of booking.

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MSC Magnifica will enable guests to travel in real comfort and style. Built in 2009, the ship boasts masterful design and relaxed refinement, with all of the features that distinguish any MSC Cruises ship, including one of the highest ratios of balcony cabins, high quality service, fresh and authentic dining options including large dining areas with four restaurants and 11 bars, modern and comfortable cabins as well as a wide range of entertainment and leisure activities with a swimming pool with sliding roof. From the gourmet restaurants serving cuisine prepared with fresh ingredients and authentic inspiration from around the world to the wide variety of world class entertainment offerings including a full-scale casino, panoramic discotheque, cigar lounge, 4D cinema and much more – guests will feel the attention to detail in service and design that is a trademark for MSC Cruises.