Featuring new extended cruises of 11 nights and 14 nights, MSC Lirica will sail ten cruises starting from either Dubai or Abu Dhabi making her debut in the UAE in November 2018. In addition to longer cruises and overnights stays in Dubai, the itineraries include Indian ports for the first time.
MSC Splendida will also be based in the UAE for winter 2018/19 offering 7 night cruises with two embarkation ports – Dubai on Saturday and Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ ceo, expressed his enthusiasm on the company’s expansion saying: ‘This will be our seventh season in the UAE and we have seen strong demand for our quality product offering from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A strong Fly&Cruise programme means that guests from all around the world are able to enjoy this popular cruise region.’
Onorato continued, ‘Introducing India to MSC Cruises’ winter 18/19 itineraries demonstrates how our significant investment plan is enabling us to expand our global footprint and establish a presence in a high-potential market, one that we expect to grow considerably over the coming years.’
The 14 night itinerary features Abu Dhabi and Muscat, before crossing the Arabian Sea and calling in Mumbai, Mormugoa (Goa) and Mangalore.
11-night itineraries from Dubai and Abu Dhabi call in Sir Bani Yas island, Doha Qatar, Khasab, Oman and Manama, Bahrain.
MSC Cruises is also introducing two overnight stays in Dubai as part of its new itineraries.
Some of the shorex highlights of MSC’s upcoming programme on MSC Lirica include: a tour of Burj Khalifa and lunch at the world’s tallest building in Dubai; the Louvre Museum & Abu Dhabi Exploration in Abu Dhabi; The Bahrain International Circuit racing track and 4x4 ride and desert safari and beach stop in Qatar.
In India, guests will discover Goa’s verdant landscape on a Cumbarjua River cruise with its birdlife and freshwater crocodiles and from Mumbia an opportunity to take a three day overland trip to the Taj Mahal featuring New Delhi, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra and Cochin. From Mangalore, a trip to the Jain temples.
Guests that book excursions in advance will benefit from a 20% discount.
After an East Med summer season MSC Lirica departs Venice, November 2, 2018 and arrives in Dubai on November 18 and then returns to the Mediterranean on March 15, 2019.
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