MSC Cruises switches ships sailing from Southampton in 2027

MSC Cruises is to switch ships serving Southampton in summer 2027.

 

MSC Meraviglia will replace MSC Virtuosa as the line’s dedicated ex-UK ship sailing from the south coast port between May 18 and October 30, 2027.

 

The vessel has been scheduled to run 19 sailings ranging from six to 14 nights in duration.

 

New destinations include Ibiza, Gibraltar and Tangier alongside the Canary Islands, Lisbon, Malaga and the Norwegian fjords. 

 

A new Baltic Sea itinerary visits Oslo, Fredericia and Copenhagen.

 

MSC Virtuosa will complete its ex-UK summer season next year before moving to the Mediterranean for summer 2027 sailing from Barcelona to La Goulette, Palermo, Naples, Livorno and Marseille.

 

Meanwhile, MSC Preziosa will be based in the UK for winter 2026-27 to operate an extended season from Southampton though to April 16, 2027, replacing MSC Poesia. 

 

International sales vice president Antonio Paradiso said: “We want to give our customers new experiences, so it’s wonderful that MSC Meraviglia is sailing from the UK in summer 2027. 

 

“She’s a beautiful ship, and part of the same family as MSC Virtuosa. 

 

“Customers have told us that they want longer sailings, so we are offering six-14 night holidays visiting new destinations including Ibizia, Gibraltar and Tangier in Morocco, as well as favourite destinations in the Mediterranean and Norwegian fjords.

 

“MSC Virtuosa, one of our most popular ships, will sail in the western Mediterranean in summer 2027. 

 

“We’re seeing strong demand from UK customers for Mediterranean cruises, so having MSC Virtuosa there for summer 2027 is a natural fit for us. 

 

“We also offer great value fly and cruise prices with flights from many regional airports, so customers can relax knowing that flights, transfers and the cruise fare is all included in the price.”