MSC Cruises is to offer flycruises from Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh for 2010 summer Mediterranean cruises to boost passenger numbers from northern England and Scotland.
The cruiseline has taken allocation with Monarch Airlines, Thomas Cook, Flybe and Jet2.com, for passengers joining cruises in Barcelona, Venice and Mallorca.
Prices start from £249 per person return, and include transfers to and from the port.
MSC Cruises UK and Ireland managing director Giulio Libutti said the cruiseline previously only sold flycruises from London, and is not well known with agents or consumers outside southern England. He said MSC Cruises has seen a 50% growth in bookings this year compared to 2008, and expects the new flycruises to boost numbers in 2010. He added: “These flights will open up MSC Cruises to a wider UK audience.”
The flycruises will operate between April and October 2010. Passengers flying from Manchester will have a choice of flycruises from Barcelona, Venice and Mallorca. From Birmingham, there will be flycruises from Mallorca on MSC Lirica, and from Edinburgh, from Venice on MSC Armonia.