MSC Cruises revealed today that a second ship, MSC Magnifica, will be joining MSC Poesia on the MSC World Cruise 2023. The two ships will host over 5,000 guests for a journey around the world and they will both depart on Jan. 4, 2023, from Civitavecchia and Jan. 5, 2023, from Genoa, Italy, for simultaneous world cruises, taking different routes around the globe.
MSC Magnifica will replicate the very same itinerary that was supposed to be performed by MSC Poesia for the MSC World Cruise 2022. The decision was made after careful consideration and assessment to cancel the 2022 World Cruise, as it would not have been possible to carry it out due to there being too many ports still facing restrictions as a result of the pandemic. MSC Magnifica will provide a solution to guests impacted by this to have an alternative for their journey of a lifetime.
“Unfortunately we had no choice, but to cancel the 2022 MSC World Cruise; however, we know that a world cruise really is the voyage of a lifetime for many people and so it was important to us to offer the best possible solution for our loyal guests,” says Gianni Onorato MSC’s Chief Executive Officer, in a press statement. “MSC Poesia’s World Cruise in 2023 was already sold out and so we worked to amend MSC Magnifica’s schedule, a popular world cruise ship, so that we are able to offer the same itinerary as 2022, only one year later, with the ship departing on the same date and calling at all of the same planned ports.”
Sales for MSC Magnifica’s World Cruise 2023 are now open and guests booked on the MSC World Cruise 2022 will be contacted shortly and given priority in re-booking their existing reservation on MSC Magnifica. For those guests who move their booking to 2023, as a measure of gratitude, the guest will be able to book a complimentary cruise between Jan. 1 and May 3, 2022, so that they can still enjoy a cruise vacation during this period. MSC Poesia’s World Cruise 2023 is already sold out and has a waiting list, so this also provides an opportunity for those guests to sail on MSC Magnifica.
MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica will set sail together in 2023 with embarkation in Civitavecchia (Jan. 4) Genoa, Italy (Jan. 5), Marseille, France (Jan. 6), and Barcelona, Spain (Jan. 7). This will be a very special celebratory moment for MSC Cruises’ guests on the two ships as they prepare to set sail around the world.
Once they cross the Mediterranean Sea, the ships will part ways in the Atlantic Ocean. MSC Magnifica will circumnavigate South America, cross the South Pacific Ocean, then on to the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and through the spectacular Suez Canal back into the Mediterranean Sea.
MSC Poesia on the other hand, will travel the Panama Canal and up the West Coast of Central America and North America whilst moving on to the Pacific Ocean and then an extended period in Asia. Crossing the Indian Ocean, the ship will then return to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.
MSC Magnifica’s Itinerary
MSC Magnifica will visit 43 destinations in 24 countries with more than 25 UNESCO World Heritage sites across five continents. The 117-day voyage offers nine extended overnight stays and the ship will cross the equator twice.
Starting out in the Mediterranean the ship will head southwest from via calls in Lisbon in Portucal and Funchal Island, Madeira Island, then on to Mindelo, Cape Verde, where the ship will cross the equator, arriving to South America. Here, 11 destinations await across Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile, including two days in each of Rio de Janeiro; Buenos Aires; and Ushuaia, Argentina.
Departing South America and crossing the South Pacific Ocean, guests will visit the paradise islands of Tahiti, French Polynesia and Rarotonga & Aitutaki of the Cook Islands. The itinerary continues to New Zealand and Australia for destinations including Auckland, Napier, and Wellington, as well as two days in Sydney.
More exploration awaits in the secluded beaches of Lifou & Mare islands in New Caledonia, Alotau, then head to Papua New Guinea before heading to the island of Lombok in Indonesia, Singapore and Port Klang for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Before reaching the Suez Canal transit, guests will explore other destinations including Colombo, Sri Lanka and two days in Mumbai, India, before reaching Salalah, Oman and Aqaba, Jordan for the ancient site of Petra.
With no more than four consecutive sea days, guests will enjoy a total of nine overnight calls in ports including Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Ushuaia (Argentina), Valparaiso (Chile), Callao (Peru), Papeete (Tahiti), Sydney (Australia), Benoa (Indonesia) and Mumbai (India), allowing plenty of time to explore these destinations and enjoy an evening ashore.
The 2023 MSC World Cruise features 15 included shore excursions in the cost of the cruise ticket. Other excursions can be booked both in advance or during the cruise—more information about shore excursions will be available soon.
The cruise ticket also includes a beverage package and a 30 percent discount on laundry.
Voyagers Club members booking the MSC World Cruise 2023 will receive an extra 5 percent discount and Silver, Gold and Diamond members will enjoy a $50 pp onboard credit on top of their usual 5 percent discount. This offer is valid until Nov. 30, 2021. Members booking the World Cruise 2023 will also be credited triple membership points for the type of experience chosen. These points will be assigned at the time of booking.
For more information, visit msccruises.com/en-gl/cruise-destinations/msc-world-cruise-2023.aspx.
Don’t miss Seabourn’s World Cruise itinerary and Vikings two sailing dates for their World Cruise.
