MSC CRUISES TO HAVE THREE SHIPS SAILING IN THE MIDDLE EAST FOR WINTER 2023-2024 SEASON

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- MSC Cruises will have three ships sailing in the Middle East during the Winter 2023-2024 season, featuring two new itineraries for guests to explore. Maintaining its position as the region’s number one cruise line, the popular ‘Fly&Cruise’ program will feature 80,000 return air seats with leading airlines to facilitate travel to the Middle East.  

will sail 17 new 7-night voyages in the Arabian Gulf visiting Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Doha in Qatar, Manama in Bahrain, as well as Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island in the UAE. International guests have a choice of embark in either Dubai, Soha or Abu Dhabi. will also serve as a cruise ship hotel for the FORMULA 1® ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX™ from November 24 – 26, 2023.  

returns to the region after a successful 2022-2023 season with 22 individual 7-night sailings calling at Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, either Khasab in Oman or Fujairah in the UAE, and the Omani capital Muscat.  

MSC Cruises’ ‘Fly&Cruise’ product for winter 2023-2024 season has more than 60,000 return seats available throughout the season from Europe, South America and Canada to the Gulf region with nonstop flights to both Dubai with Emirates and Doha with Qatar Airways.  

will operate a new itinerary during the winter 2023-24 season from Safaga in Egypt with 20 individual 7-night sailings to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Aqaba for Petra in Jordan, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Sokhna Port for Cairo in Egypt and back to Safaga for Luxor.  International guests can embark at Safaga, Jeddah, Sharm El-Sheikh or Sokhna Port. 

The ‘Fly&Cruise’ product for Red Sea sailings will provide more than 20,000 return air seats throughout and be available from most major European countries with flights to Hurghada in Egypt, close to embark in Safaga, and air services to Sharm El-Sheikh. Guests from Brazil will fly to Cairo to board the ship at Sokhna Port.   

 Highlights of MSC Cruises’ Middle East Winter 2023-24 itineraries include: 

 

: Guests will get the opportunity to discover the glamourous city of Dubai, one of the world’s top travel destinationsrenowned for its dazzling skyscrapers, gorgeous desert landscapes, magnificent fountains, grand shopping malls and pristine beaches. From visiting the iconic Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, witnessing a spectacular fountain show at the famed Dubai Fountain or escaping for an unforgettable dune safari in the enchanting Arabian desert, there’s a wealth of fascinating sites and adventures for travelers.  

Bahrain’s charming capital, Manama, is a bustling and vibrant metropolis that is sure to suit the preferences of all, known for its stunning coastline, savory cuisine, towering skyscrapers and rich cultural heritage and historic sites. Guests can acquaint themselves with the city by visiting some of its most intriguing landmarks, including the striking AI-Fateh Grand Mosque, featuring the largest fiberglass dome in the world, the Bahrain National Museum giving guests an inside look into the country’s ancient past as well as a stroll to marvel at the impressive architecture of the UNESCO heritage site, Qal'at al-Bahrayn, also known as the Fort of Bahrain.  

 

: The lively capital city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, is home to an abundance of cultural attractions including world-class museums, awe-inspiring mosques, exhilarating amusement parks, breathtaking desert dunes and beautiful islands. Whether it’s visiting the prominent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques, getting lost at the Louvre Abu Dhabi art museum, boasting incredible artworks from some of the most globally renowned artists or going for a thrilling ride on one of the world’s fastest rollercoasters at the Ferrari World theme park, there is no shortage of exciting activities to enjoy. 

: The captivating destination of Muscat is full of rich history and culture with endless opportunities to create unforgettable memories. Guests will get the chance to dive into the capital city’s unique gems, home to remarkable forts and palaces, beautiful mosques, majestic mountains, fantastic beaches and vibrant souks and markets. The city’s unmissable attractions include the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, an outstanding architectural marvel, the Muttrah Souk, a traditional Omani market offering an array of goods and classic Omani souvenirs as well as The National Museum, displaying historical and heritage elements of the Sultanate and Peninsula of Oman.  

 

– To enrich the cruise experience for guests, MSC Cruises became the first cruise line to commence sailings out of Saudi Arabia, marking a new beginning for cruising in the country and providing exclusive opportunities for guests to discover Saudi Arabia’s incredible wonders. Homeporting in the vibrant city of Jeddah, which blends history and modernity, guests will have the unique opportunity to explore a plethora of sites including Al-Balad, the old town of Jeddah which dates to the 7th century, boasting beautiful buildings and an ancient souk which guests do not want to miss. One of MSC Cruises’ unmissable excursion highlights includes the chance to visit AlUla, one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Peninsula and home to Hegra, one of Saudi Arabia’s cultural masterpieces and its first UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features more than 110 tombs carved from giant rock formations as well as ancient sites that date back to the 1st millennium BC. 

  The Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh is a must-visit destination and is set to enchant visitors with its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs and world-class amenities. Guests will have the opportunity to uncover the city’s many treasures with a wide range of attractions for visitors of all ages. Whether it’s admiring the astonishing Al Mustafa Mosque, taking a trip to the golden sand beaches of Naama Bay, discovering the nearby Ras Mohammed, a national park famous for having some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world and for being a haven for rare marine life, there’s no arguing that this Egyptian paradise will be the ultimate memorable destination for travelers. 

To find out more about Middle Eastitineraries, please click here.  

 

  

MSC Cruises is the world’s third largest cruise brand as well as the market leader in Europe, South America, the Gulf region and Southern Africa. It is also the fastest growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America and the Far East markets.   

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is one of the two brands that sit within the Cruise Division of MSC Group, the world’s leading and privately held shipping and logistics conglomerate with over 300 years of maritime heritage. MSC Cruises – the contemporary brand - has a modern fleet of 22 vessels combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new vessels, terminals and other assets. The fleet is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025, with options for six more vessel orders in place through 2030.  

MSC Cruises offers its guests an enriching, immersive and safe cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage, where they can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programs, and the very latest user-friendly technology on board. To learn more about MSC Cruises’ itineraries and experience on board its ships, click here.  

The line’s number one priority has always been the health and safety of its guests and crew, as well as the communities at the destinations its ships serve.  In August 2020, MSC Cruises implemented a new comprehensive and robust health and safety protocol to become the first major line to return to sea. To learn more about MSC Cruises’ health & safety protocol, click here.  

MSC Cruises has long been committed to environmental stewardship, with a long-term goal to achieve net zero emissions for its operations by 2050. The Company is also a significant investor in next-generation environmental marine technologies, with the objective to support their accelerated development and availability industry-wide. To learn more about the Company’s environmental commitment, click here.    

Finally, to learn more about the MSC Foundation, MSC Group’s own vehicle to lead, focus and advance its conservation, humanitarian and cultural commitments, click here.