MSC’s New World Cruise Spends Nine Nights Parked in Port

MSC Cruises has opened bookings for a 119-night world cruise in 2029 aboard MSC Magnifica. The itinerary covers 45 destinations in 21 countries and, unusually, builds in nine overnight calls, so passengers sleep in port rather than sailing away at dusk. Overnight stops include Rio de Janeiro, Ushuaia, Sydney and Singapore.

The route leans heavily on Australia and Indonesia. Australia is circumnavigated, with new calls at Kangaroo Island, Broome and Darwin and a new overnight stay in Fremantle for Perth. In Indonesia the ship lingers in Bali, Lombok and Java and adds a first call at Celukan Bawang in north Bali. Other first-time ports are Lautoka in Fiji and Timaru in New Zealand, while Milford Sound returns.

Guests can start from four European ports in early January 2029: Civitavecchia near Rome on January 4, plus Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona. The fare includes 15 shore excursions and the Dine & Drink beverage package, along with a 30 percent discount on laundry services, which long voyages tend to make more valuable than it sounds.

Loyalty members get a nudge to book early. Voyagers Club members at Classic level and above receive 5 percent off the booking price, and those who reserve a world cruise by November 19 earn triple points under the opening-sales offer. Prices were not listed in the announcement, so check with MSC or an agent for current fares.

Sources: Cruise Industry News