MSC Cruises extends Virtuosa’s ex-UK programme

MSC Virtuosa will operate ex-UK sailings through the winter and next summer instead of MSC Preziosa and MSC Grandiosa.

UK and Ireland managing director Antonio Paradiso said Virtuosa, which can carry up to 6,300 passengers, had been “a huge hit” since it first arrived in the UK in May 2021.

The Meraviglia-class ship returned to the UK in April this year ahead of its current summer season and had been scheduled to operate in the Mediterranean this winter.

However, the line confirmed Virtuosa would now offer voyages from Southampton through “to the end of the summer 2023 season”.

MSC Virtuosa will take over MSC Preziosa’s itineraries this winter and MSC Grandiosa’s next summer.

Further details about Virtuosa’s extended ex-UK programme will be announced soon.

Paradiso said: “Since MSC Virtuosa first came to the UK, the feedback from our guests has been incredible and the ships has been a huge hit.

“The increased appetite for stress-free no-fly cruises out of the UK combined with the benefits of the new state-of-the-art Horizon Terminal has resulted in huge demand.

“The continued deployment of one of our newest and most innovative ships out of the UK is just further proof of the continued importance of the UK market, which began with our first full ex-UK season back in 2018.”

He added: “Since then, we have gone from strength to strength and we are committed to offering the best possible experience for our guests from the UK and Ireland.”