MSC Cruises Details 2026-27 Winter Sailings

MSC Cruises has detailed its 2026-27 winter cruise season, which will visit 168 destinations across 72 countries. The company, in a press release, highlighted five primary reasons for travelers to consider its winter sailings.

MSC World Asia’s Inaugural Season

The newest ship in the fleet, MSC World Asia, will begin its inaugural season on December 4, 2026. The vessel will operate seven-night Mediterranean itineraries from its homeport, calling at Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia for Rome, Messina, and Valletta.

Guests onboard can experience more than 40 bars, lounges, and restaurants. The ship will feature a new Pan-Asian street food concept, an 81.3-meter dry slide billed as the longest at sea, and an outdoor destination called The Harbour.

Iconic Mediterranean at a Slower Pace

Six MSC ships will sail the Mediterranean during the winter season, a strategy the line says allows for exploration without crowds. The vessels deployed are the MSC World Asia, MSC Euribia, MSC Magnifica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Lirica, and MSC Orchestra.

Seven-night sailings will visit ports in Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Tunisia, Greece, and Turkey. Key highlights include Barcelona, Civitavecchia for Rome, Istanbul, Valletta, and Piraeus for Athens. Longer voyages are also available.

The MSC Lirica will offer 10- to 12-night sailings to destinations including Cyprus, Egypt, Croatia, and Greece. The MSC Magnifica will provide 10-night itineraries to Morocco and Spain, with stops allowing visits to sites like the Pyramids of Giza, Dasoudi Beach, and Krka National Park.

Holidays in Northern Europe

For a winter holiday in Northern Europe, the MSC Preziosa will operate seven-night sailings. The itinerary includes calls at Hamburg, Rotterdam for Amsterdam, Cherbourg, Zeebrugge for Bruges and Brussels, Le Havre for Paris, and Southampton for London.

The ship recently started a year-round deployment in the region. MSC says this allows guests to discover landmarks in London and Paris, Amsterdam’s canals, Bruges’ medieval streets, and the festive atmosphere of Christmas markets in Brussels and Hamburg.

Sunny Caribbean Winter

Travelers seeking warm weather can choose from mini-getaways, seven-night adventures, and extended sailings to the Caribbean and Antilles. Destinations include Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Saint Lucia, Grand Turk Island, and The Bahamas.

This season marks the line’s first departures from La Romana in the Dominican Republic. Many itineraries will also feature a call at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ private island in The Bahamas.

A fleet of nine ships will operate these Caribbean itineraries.

Winter Sun in the Canary Islands

The MSC Fantasia will offer seven-night itineraries to the Canary Islands and Madeira. Ports of call include Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto del Rosario, Funchal, Arrecife, and Las Palmas.

Guests can explore the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote and La Palma, relax on Maspalomas Beach in Gran Canaria, or visit Funchal in Madeira.