MSC Cruises has become the first international line to return to Barcelona.
MSC Grandiosa has added the city as an embarkation point and port-of-call on a seven-night itinerary that also takes in Genoa, Civitavecchia for Rome and Valetta.
The ship made its first call and welcomed Spanish guests at the weekend.
Gianni Onorato, the line’s chief executive, said, “Barcelona is an integral part of our year-round itineraries in the Mediterranean and to see it reopen for our guests from Spain and other countries in Europe is extremely gratifying.
“This was a very welcome addition to the ever-increasing number of ports that are opening for business after such a long pause in operations.
“As the first cruise line to offer international cruises from Spain we are sure that our Spanish guests will enjoy the convenience of embarkation in Barcelona on Saturdays and enjoy the popular itinerary that MSC Grandiosa offers in the Mediterranean.”
MSC’s Mediterranean cruises are currently available to residents of Schengen countries only. The Foreign Office continues to advise against international cruise travel for UK residents.
- MSC Cruises has held the traditional steel-cutting ceremony for its new ship in Saint Nazaire and announced the vessel would be called MSC Euribia.
It will become the 22nd ship in the fleet when it enters service in June 2023, and will be the line’s second to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG).