MSC Cruises has confirmed that MSC Preziosa will operate a winter 2022/23 season from Southampton, with a series of voyages to Northern Europe.

The ship will arrive in Southampton on 3 October and will sail from the port until April 2023.

The announcement follows the news earlier this week that MSC will extend MSC Virtuosa‘s ex- UK summer season to 23 sailings.

MSC Cruises UK & Ireland Managing Director Antonio Paradiso said:  “Our commitment to the UK market continues to grow and we are proud that we are providing agents with such a variety of products to sell in the EX-UK space this year.

“Sailing MSC Virtuosa from Southampton last year allowed us a great opportunity to access the new to cruise market who made up 50% of our sales for Summer 2021.

“I am delighted to be bringing MSC Virtuosa and MSC Preziosa to the UK in 2022 allowing us to offer more choice than ever before for guests seeking a no-fly adventure.”

The ex-Southampton voyages are featured in the company’s 2022/23 winter programme which offers voyages on 21 ships, including its first LNG powered liner, MSC World Europa.

The 6,774-capacity ship will be in Doha for the World Cup Qatar 2022 ahead of operating cruises to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas in the United Arab Emirates, Doha and Dammam in Saudi Arabia.

The programme covers 190 ports across 85 countries with cruises across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America and South Africa as well as the Middle East.