MSC to home-port ship in UK

MSC Cruises has confirmed it will be basing the 60,000-ton ship MSC Opera in Southampton - the first time the line has operated from the port.

MSC says it will offer 13 cruises to the Baltic and the Mediterranea, departing Southampton, between May to September 2011 – meaning that it will be joining Carnival UK and Royal Caribbean International in competing for cruise customers who wish to leave from Southampton – MSC Opera carries 2,000

Even before MSC Opera arrives, the latest ship in the MSC fleet, Magnifica will be given a trade showcase in February, which will increase competition for UK cruise business even further. However a cruise expert who prefers not to be named has sounded a note of caution. He says that unless Southampton improves its infrastructure the 2000 passengers who will be able to spend the day in Southampton won’t – they will be coached out to various attractions, depriving the city of the chance to make tourist income.

However, MSC’s UK and Ireland MD is more relaxed. Giulio Libutti says, ‘Ex-UK cruising is becoming ever more desirable and popular and we are delighted to be working with Southampton port in 2011. Southampton port is well suited to our new planned itineraries cruising to the north of France, Spain and Portugal. The infrastructure and amenities at the port and in the city make Southampton a desirable and attractive port for us, with great transport links offered by road, rail and air, which will better service our passengers. The move also allows us to better penetrate Southampton’s local markets, as well as the whole of the South West, which is saturated with established cruisers and an increasing number of first time cruisers.’