By
Alex Smith |
MSC Cruises has extended its current season in the Arabian Gulf for a further three months.
MSC Bellissima will sail 12 additional seven-night cruises between 2 April and 25 June 2022, calling at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Doha in Qatar. The ship will finish her planned Red Sea itineraries from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 26 March, before moving to the Arabian Gulf to replace MSC Virtuosa.
MSC Virtuosa has been sailing in the Gulf region since November 2021. Upon finishing the winter season, she will depart on a ‘Grand Voyage’ sailing to Europe and homeport in Southampton, UK, for summer 2022.
“We have seen that the itineraries in the UAE and Qatar have been very popular with our guests and so to respond to this demand we have decided to extend our presence in the region,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises. “We would like to thank the authorities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha for their close collaboration and effective ways of working to ensure the health and safety of our guests and crew.”
Following her three-month deployment in the Gulf, MSC Bellissima will reposition to sail itineraries in Japan and China from July.