November 29, 2021 | MSC Bellissima completes its Red Sea season on schedule, replacing MSC Virtuosa for cruises to destinations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha from April 2nd. The additional twelve cruises will soon be bookable
MSC Bellissima in Marseille
MSC Cruises announced today that the current season in the Gulf region will be extended. Between April 2nd and June 25th, 2022, MSC Bellissima will offer additional 7-night cruises calling at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas in the United Arab Emirates and Doha in Qatar. MSC Bellissima is scheduled to end its Red Sea program on March 26, with homeport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and then move to the Arabian Gulf. Here she will replace the MSC Virtuosa, which has been operating in the region since November 2021 and will then return to Europe to spend the summer season in her homeport of Southampton in the UK. From July, the MSC Bellissima will then be used for cruises around Japan and China. Bookings for the additional trips with the MSC Bellissima will be possible shortly.
The Gulf region has been particularly popular with MSC Cruises guests this winter due to the attractiveness of the itinerary with the extended port calls and two overnight stays in Dubai. The strict health and safety protocol put in place by the cruise line and local authorities for arrival, stay in the region and on board have also helped guests feel safe at all times during their cruise vacation.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, commented: “We are delighted that the routes in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are so popular with our guests. To meet this demand, we will expand our presence in this region. We thank the authorities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha for the good and efficient cooperation in ensuring the health and safety of our guests and crew. We decided to use the MSC Bellissima for the remainder of the season in the Emirates because the ship is very popular and offers a variety of entertainment, restaurants, activities as well as a large MSC Yacht Club. The cruises are also so attractive because our guests can easily reach them thanks to the excellent flight connections to Dubai International Airport. In partnership with the award-winning airline Emirates, we offer a nationwide fly and cruise program. It includes flights from 21 international airports, allowing our guests to enjoy a seamless vacation experience."
By extending the season, guests can enjoy a cruise that offers the perfect blend of culture and tradition while also allowing them to visit some of the Middle East's most modern cities. You can relax on board one of the most innovative ships in the MSC fleet - and all with guaranteed sun.
For guests from Germany, MSC Cruises offers Fly&Cruise offers from/to Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg and Düsseldorf, for guests from Switzerland from/to Zurich and for guests from Austria from/to Vienna.
The destinations in the Gulf region:
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The Dubai attractions impress with skyscrapers, huge shopping centers and many other innovations in the fields of technology and architecture. In one of the souks in the old town, guests can experience why Dubai is often referred to as the 'City of Merchants'. Or you can visit the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: The Abu Dhabi attractions are diverse, full of cultural highlights and futuristic buildings, including the breathtaking Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Guests can choose between numerous excursions, such as a relaxing sightseeing tour or an adventure in the desert.
Sir Bani Yas, United Arab Emirates: The largest natural island in the United Arab Emirates offers beautiful beaches, diverse wildlife and a 1,5-kilometer beach oasis that is exclusively available to MSC Cruises guests on the day of berthing. Sir Bani Yas convinces with a beautiful coastline and is home to the "Arabian Wildlife Park" on a little more than half of the area of the island, which can be visited during a shore excursion.
Doha, Qatar: The capital of Qatar is a modern metropolis known to many sports fans as a venue for world-class events, including the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022. For art and culture lovers, the Msheireb Museum is one of the many museums the city has to offer has.
Highlights of the MSC Bellissima:
The MSC Bellissima is one of the youngest and most popular ships in the MSC Cruises fleet and offers guests a varied cruise experience. The special features of the ship include:
- The MSC Yacht Club with luxurious accommodation on three decks, private areas and 24-hour butler service.
- 12 restaurants and more than 20 bars and lounges, including the French specialty restaurant L'Atelier Bistrot, the popular American steakhouse Butcher's Cut, as well as the Kaito Teppanyaki Grill and the Kaito Sushi Bar.
- The Chocolate & Café of the renowned pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury is entirely dedicated to unique and elegant chocolate creations and desserts.
- An award-winning family offer with activities for children and offers from partners LEGO and Chicco, as well as a dedicated family area.
- Two stunning locations for onboard entertainment: the London Theater and the Carousel Lounge, featuring original productions and live entertainment.
- An 80 meter long LED sky that shines over the 96 meter long Mediterranean promenade. This is the ship's social hub with shops, bars and restaurants.
- Ten comfortable and innovative cabin types that meet all requirements and show that MSC Cruises always puts the guests first.
Carefree cruise
Since August 2020, guests have been driving from MSC Cruises under the protection of the shipping company's industry-leading health and safety protocol, developed with the input of a panel of experts and proven effective at all stages of the pandemic. The protocol has been designed to adapt to the situation on land. Existing measures will be relaxed or tightened according to the infection situation in order to continue to ensure the highest possible protection for guests and crew.
For all bookings this winter and next summer, the "carefree cruise" promise applies, with which the company has already offered more than a million guests a safe and flexible cruise vacation.
Guests booking before March 31, 2022 can rebook their cruise free of charge up to 15 days before departure (21 days for Fly&Cruise bookings).
All MSC cruises are now only open to vaccinated guests - this will remain the case in winter 2023. The shipping company will continue to take appropriate measures to ensure that guests can enjoy a safe holiday while having an unforgettable time on board.