MSC Cruises is to extend its Arabian Gulf season by repositioning MSC Bellissima from Saudi Arabia.
MSC Bellissima will take over from MSC Virtuosa and operate seven-night cruises, calling at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas, all UAE, and Doha, Qatar.
It is currently operating seven-day round-trip sailings from Jeddah. When the 4,500-passenger vessel completes its mini-season in the Arabian Gulf on June 25, it will move to the Far East and offer itineraries in Japan and China.
Virtuosa has been operating itineraries out of the United Arab Emirates since November 2021 but is scheduled to reposition to homeport Southampton in March.
The additional Arabian Gulf cruises on MSC Bellissima (pictured) are now available to book.
MSC Cruises’ chief executive Gianni Onorato 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.”
Onorato said he expects MSC’s Red Sea cruises to appeal to passengers due to “great 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 guaranteed sun and beautiful beaches,” he said.
Bellissima has 12 dining venues – including French restaurant L’Atelier Bistrot and Kaito Sushi – and more than 20 lounges.
An 80-metre LED Sky Screen runs down through the middle of the ship as part of the 96-metre-long Mediterranean-style promenade.