MSC Cruises Adds a Second Ship for 2023 World Cruise

MSC Cruises has added a second ship to its 2023 World Cruise after being forced to abandon its global itinerary next year owing to port shortages.

MSC Magnifica will be joined by MSC Poesia in 2023, sailing the same trip in opposite directions. Both will depart on 4th January from Civitavecchia, Italy.

The line anticipates that the ships will transport around 5,000 people between them.

Confirming the cancellation of next year’s World Cruise, the line stated that existing customers would be informed shortly and given the option to transfer their booking to MSC Magnifica.

These guests can also book a complimentary trip between January 1 and May 3 “to still enjoy a cruise holiday during this period,” according to MSC.

Gianni Onorato, the company’s CEO, stated: “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.

“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.”

During her 117-day cruise, the MSC Magnifica (pictured) will touch at 43 ports in 24 countries across five continents. The schedule includes no more than four days at sea in a row and nine overnight stops in cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, and Sydney.