This year promises to be exciting for MSC Cruises, whose Summer 2023 itineraries include an expansive list of 140 destinations including renowned hotspots and options off-the-beaten-path. As the world’s third largest cruise brand with a truly global footprint, the cruise line offers guests a truly memorable experience with an unparalleled choice of itineraries.
Top Destinations for Summer 2023
Once guests have selected their dream itinerary, they can look forward to stepping aboard one of MSC Cruises’ elegant ships, where a wide range of activities and innovative facilities await. The possibilities are endless with around-the-clock entertainment and activities, grand scale original theatre productions, live music, authentic international dining, award-winning family offerings, luxurious spa and wellness facilities, boutique shopping and much more.
Some highlights of the summer itineraries include:
1. Copenhagen, Denmark:
Known as one of Northern Europe’s trendiest cities and the 2023 UNESCO World Capital of Architecture, Copenhagen is the perfect destination to explore aboard MSC Cruises’ newest ship – MSC Euribia – launching in June this year. The historic city offers an abundance of awe-inspiring landmarks for visitors to explore, from the renowned Christiansborg Palace on the island of Slotsholmen to the cutting-edge architecture of Christiania. Guests can also take advantage of MSC Cruises’ long list of shore excursions, including a visit to Dragør, known for its picturesque alleyways, cobbled streets and traditional brightly painted Danish houses.
Beyond Copenhagen, MSC Euribia’s seven-night Northern Europe itineraries offer guests a chance to discover the captivating cities of Kiel, Germany; and Hellesylt, Alesund, and Flaam in Norway. For more information, please click here.
2. Svalbard, Norway:
Only available for four sailings during summer 2023, Svalbard is an exclusive destination on MSC Preziosa’s itineraries for adventurous guests wishing to explore the Arctic Circle. The Svalbard islands form the most remote province of Northern Europe, a mere 500 miles from the North Pole. MSC Cruises’ PROTECTOURS sustainable tour program offers a unique experience to discover fjords via hybrid-electric catamaran, allowing guests to enjoy views of the spectacular Svalbard landscapes while keeping their eyes peeled for seals. Guests can also take advantage of the many other adventurous excursions available to explore this unique destination, discovering the Arctic on a hybrid-electric speedboat to visit a walrus colony or e-biking through a polar bear country – home to more than 3,000 polar bears.
Svaldbard (port name – Longyearbyen) is available on 14- or 15-night sailings from Hamburg, Germany. For more information, please click here.
3. Zakynthos, Greece:
The spectacular Greek Island paradise of Zakynthos is a brand-new destination for MSC Cruises. Here, white pebbled shorelines meet turquoise-blue waters and rugged clifftops like Kampi, which offers breath-taking views of the sea. Guests can soak up the island’s atmosphere of local traditions or explore its ancient culture. Limestone cliffs, historical monasteries, and the iconic Shipwreck Beach, one of Greece’s most stunning sites, are among the many hotspots to discover.
Zakynthos is included on all weekly seven-night summer itineraries for MSC Lirica beginning in May. For more information, please click here.
4. Istanbul and Kusadasi, Turkey:
A witness to some of the world’s most powerful empires, including Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman, Turkey is a treasure trove of ancient relics and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Renowned for its sweeping ocean vistas, bustling bazaars, archaeological wonders, and stunning landscapes, Turkey has something to suit every type of traveler.
Guests will also have the opportunity to explore Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, reaching across the Bosphorous, from Europe to Asia. Filled with incredible historic landmarks, vibrant culture, delicious cuisine and marvelous architecture, the options are plenty. Excursion options include visiting world-famous sites like the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace. For added convenience, Fly, Stay & Cruise packages will be available for Istanbul through Turkish Airlines. Depending on the departure airport, guests can arrive one, two or three nights before the cruise to enjoy the city to its fullest. Flights will depart from many of the major European airports including the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland, among others.
Kusadasi is a glamorous beach resort overlooking the glittering Aegean Sea, where guests can visit the magnificent city of Ephesus, acclaimed for its well-preserved ancient ruins.
Both cities are included as part of MSC Splendida’s 9- and 10-night Eastern Mediterranean cruises. For more information, please click here.
5. Messina, Sicily:
MSC World Europa, the line’s new flagship that launched in November 2022, will offer sailings to the ever-popular Western Mediterranean this summer, sailing 7-night cruises to Genoa, Naples and Messina (Italy), Valletta (Malta), Barcelona (Spain), and Marseille (France).
Messina offers the first sight of Sicily, with the glittering town spread up the hillside beyond its sickle-shaped Mediterranean harbor. The first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered vessel in MSC Cruises’ fleet and the most environmentally advanced to date is an ultramodern urban metropolis at sea designed to offer a world of new and exciting experience to guests, defining the future of cruising.
For more information on Western Mediterranean cruises, please click here. For information on MSC World Europa, please click here.
6. Japan:
This summer, MSC Cruises is offering six sailings from Yokohama, Japan. These carefully crafted itineraries allow guests to journey through ancient cultures, discovering Japanese art, history and traditions, as well as the country’s vibrant and modern present. Some itineraries include stop at the island of Kyushu, recently featured as one of Architectural Digest’s 23 Places to Travel in 2023. Guests can visit Kagoshima, a seaside city best known for Sakurajima, an active volcano that faces Kinko Bay; and Fukoaka, a city considered to be one of Japan’s hidden gems.
MSC Bellisima offers sailings beginning in June and departing from Yokohama, conveniently located just south of Tokyo. For more information, please click here.
7. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve:
Since first welcoming guests in 2019, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve has become the highlight of MSC Cruises’ Caribbean itineraries. This private island destination was founded on a strong commitment to the conservation of marine life, and exists in harmony with the local ecosystem. Thanks to a number of initiatives, including the MSC Foundation’s Supercoral Program, which aims to restore endangered corals, and the implementation of other conservation and educational programs, the island has been transformed into a lush paradise that offers more than two miles of white sandy beaches surrounded by endless sweeping vistas of crystal blue waters, where guests can soak up the vibrant spirit of The Bahamas.
Guests can reach Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve this summer on MSC Seascape, which offers 7- or 14-night sailings from Miami, MSC Meraviglia from New York, and MSC Seaside from Port Canaveral/Orlando. For more information, please click here.
To find out more about MSC Cruises’ summer 2023 cruises and to book, please click here.
