MSC Cruises announced on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, that it is returning to China.
On March 16, 2024, MSC Bellissima will relocate to Asia and will sail from its homeport of Boashan Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal in Shanghai. She will sail international itineraries from March 16, 2024, to April 24, 2024.
Shanghai, also known as “the Paris of the East”, is China’s largest city and is known for its amazing skyline, skyscrapers and historical landmarks such as The Bund, City God Temple and Yu Garde and Shanghai Museum. MSC Cruises offers passengers the opportunity to explore the city and its culture and history through various excursions.
There will be nine sailings during the spring season made up of four-night or five-night itineraries to neighboring countries and popular cruise destinations including Fukuoka and Kagoshima in Japan. MSC Cruises is expected to unveil the exact China summer and winter 2024 season soon.
Gianna Onorato, MSC Cruises CEO, released this statement, “With the resumption of international cruises from China, we can really sense a rapid recovery in the country’s cruise industry. MSC Bellissima is much-anticipated and will deliver an incredible experience for our guests. Our team in China has been working tirelessly to prepare for our return to the Chinese market and will ensure that we deliver on consumers’ expectations for high-quality cruise tourism products.”
MSC Bellissima is currently sailing itineraries out of Japan, but in mid-January 2024 will also begin homeporting in Taiwan as part of her Keelung-Naha dual homeport itineraries. Her last itinerary before relocating to Shanghai is a three-night sailing from Keelung, Taiwan to Yokohama, Japan.
As a reminder, Royal Caribbean also announced in May that Spectrum of the Seas will be returning to Shanghai in April 2024 and Anthem of the Seas will join her later in 2024. Additionally, itineraries for Spectrum of the Seas were released earlier this month.