With too many ports still facing restrictions as a result of the pandemic, MSC Cruises has decided to cancel its 2022 World Cruise, which was supposed to be operated by MSC Poesia. The cruise line will now have a second ship, MSC Magnifica join MSC Poesia on the MSC World Cruise 2023. MSC Magnifica will replicate the same itinerary that was supposed to be performed by MSC Poesia for the MSC World Cruise 2022. This way, MSC Magnifica will offer a solution to guests impacted by the cancellation, and offer an alternative for their journey.
Both MSC Magnifica and MSC Poesia will host more than 5,000 guests for a journey around the world, and will depart on January 4 from Civitavecchia and on January 5, 2023 from Genoa, Italy, for simultaneous world cruises, albeit taking different routes around the globe.
MSC Magnifica’s World Cruise 2023 is open for bookings. Guests booked on the MSC World Cruise 2022 will be contacted shortly and given priority in re-protecting their existing booking on MSC Magnifica.
Good to know: Those guests who move their booking to 2023 as a measure of gratitude for loyalty will be able to book a complimentary cruise between January 1 and May 3, 2022 so that they can still enjoy a cruise holiday during this period. The offer is valid for guests who had booked a minimum of 30 nights for the MSC World Cruise 2022. 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 (January 4), Genoa, Italy (January 5), Marseille, France (January 6) and Barcelona, Spain (January 7).
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 Suez Canal back into the Mediterranean Sea.
On the other hand, MSC Poesia 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 return to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.
MSC Magnifica will visit 43 destinations in 24 countries with more than 25 UNESCO World Heritage sites across five continents. The 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 southwest via calls in Lisbon in Portugal and Funchal, Madeira Island, and then sail to Mindelo, Cape Verde, where the ship will cross the equator, arriving in South America. Here, 11 destinations await across Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, including two days each in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires and Ushuaia.
Departing South America and crossing the South Pacific Ocean, guests will visit the islands of Tahiti, French Polynesia and Rarotonga and Aitutaki of the Cook Islands. Following this, the itinerary continues to New Zealand and Australia for destinations including Auckland, Napier and Wellington, besides two days in Sydney.
Guests can explore the secluded beaches of Lifou and Mare islands in New Caledonia, Alotau, then sail to Papua New Guinea before heading to the island of Lombok in Indonesia, then Singapore and Port Klang for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Before reaching the Suez Canal, guests can tick off more destinations including Colombo, Sri Lanka and spend two days in 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).
The 2023 MSC World Cruise offers 15 shore excursions, which are included in the cost of the cruise ticket. The ticket is also inclusive of a beverage package and 30 percent discount on laundry. Other excursions can also be booked in advance or during the cruise. More information about shore excursions will be available soon.
Voyagers Club members booking the MSC World Cruise 2023 will receive an extra five percent discount and Silver, Gold and Diamond members will enjoy a €/$ 50 per person on on-board credit (on top of their usual five percent discount). The offer is valid until November 30, 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.
For more information, visit www.msccruises.com.
Related Stories
Disney Cruise Line to Return to Tropical Destinations in 2023
Celestyal Cruises Announces Return to Year-Round Cruising
Holland America Returns to West Coast With San Diego Sailing
Carnival Unveils Plans for Ship Restarts in January, February