MSC Cruises to Extend its Arabian Gulf Season

By repositioning MSC Bellissima from Saudi Arabia, MSC Cruises will extend its Arabian Gulf season.

MSC Bellissima will replace MSC Virtuosa and offer seven-night cruises to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sir Bani Yas in the United Arab Emirates, as well as Doha, Qatar.

From Jeddah, it now offers seven-day round-trip sailings. After completing its mini-season in the Arabian Gulf on 25th June, the 4,500-passenger ship will head to the Far East, where it will offer itineraries in Japan and China.

Since November 2021, Virtuosa has been operating itineraries out of the United Arab Emirates, but it will reposition to Southampton in March.

The MSC Bellissima’s extra Arabian Gulf cruises are now available to book.

Gianni Onorato, the CEO of MSC Cruises, said: “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.

“The decision to deploy MSC Bellissima for this extended part of the season was taken because this is a highly popular and well appreciated ship with a richness of features, entertainment and dining.”

MSC’s Red Sea cruises, according to Onorato, will appeal to customers due to “excellent flight connections” into Dubai.

“By extending the season, guests will be able to enjoy a cruise holiday that offers them the perfect mix of culture and tradition combined with the opportunity to discover some of the Middle East’s most modern cities along with the guaranteed sun and beautiful beaches,” Onorato said.

Bellissima offers 12 restaurants and more than 20 lounges, including the French restaurant L’Atelier Bistrot and Kaito Sushi.

As part of the 96-meter-long Mediterranean-style promenade, an 80-meter LED Sky Screen runs along the middle of the ship.