MSC Cruises is extending MSC Virtuosa’s ex-UK season, with the ship now operating 23 sailings between April and November 2022.

Virtuosa will now arrive in the UK on 29 April and will operate four more cruises from Southampton.

The ship’s summer ex-UK summer season includes two-night mini cruises taking in St Peter Port, 12 nights in the Baltics and 14 nights in the Western Med.

The additional four cruises that have been added to the schedule will visit the Mediterranean taking in Palma de Mallorca, the East Atlantic visiting Portugal and Spain, an October half-term Canaries cruise and a repositioning to Genoa to finish the season.

MSC Cruises UK and Ireland Managing Director Antonio Paradiso said: “Sailings from Southampton have been our best sold cruises in 2022 and we are delighted to be able to extend the season to cater to the demand.

“Feedback from agents and customers surrounding the wide-ranging itineraries has been great with people praising the variety of sailings offered as well as the timings.”

To celebrate the news the cruise line is extending its MSC Big Cruise Giveaway, which has given away two cruises per day in January to agents who book any sailing included as part of the all-inclusive Wave promotion.

The extension to the incentive will see a further 30 cabins won between 1-15 February.

UK and Irish agents who book a qualifying cabin will be entered into the prize draw.

Meanwhile, agents attending the CLIA UK & Ireland 2022 conference will be able to visit MSC Virtuosa on day one of the event.

CLIA has just announced its 2022 conference will be held from May 20-22 in Southampton.   

The second day comprises a visit to P&O Cruises’ Iona, with an evening gala dinner.

The final day will be held onboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas. 

More information here.