MSC Cruises shows us what Bellissima’s 2019 cruise season in Dubai will look like

MSC Cruises is ramping up the hype ahead of new ship MSC Bellissima’s inaugural cruise season in Dubai (it will be the ship’s first Dubai cruise season, but MSC Cruises have been homeporting in the region for years).

MSC Bellissima is the same size as one of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class cruise ships and is packed with a similar number of bells and whistles, from Cirque du Soleil at Sea to F1 Race Simulators and full size bowling alleys.

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In a new video released by MSC, the cruise line invites passengers to “get ready for an amazing cruise in the Emirates: admire extraordinary landmarks, ride down the desert dunes, enjoy breath-taking panoramas, between the turquoise sea and the warm colours of this land”.

MSC contrasts the uber-modern sophistication of MSC Bellissima against the historic landscape of Dubai, with passengers crossing the Dubai Canal by abra, venturing into the desert for dinner at a Bedouin camp and visiting Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest in the world.

Like MSC Bellissima (which offers more than two dozen restaurants, bars and cafes for dining), the Arabian Gulf is multi-faceted and diverse. Also showcased are the famous Dubai Fountains, the iconic Burj Khalifa and the Yas Island Grand Prix circuit.

The video underscores MSC Cruises previously stated aim to showcase the entire Arabian Gulf and not just Dubai, the homeport for the ship during the coming winter season.

“[Dubai] is a popular destination, but why visit just Dubai when over seven nights on a cruise you can also visit Abu Dhabi, the private Sir Bani Yas island, Muscat and Khasab in Oman before returning to Dubai and spending an overnight on-board stay in the city before disembarking?” says Managing Director for the UK & Ireland, MSC, Antonio Paradiso.

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MSC Bellissima is 30% larger than MSC Splendida, which homeported in Dubai during the previous two cruise seasons. She is the largest and most advanced cruise ship ever to homeport in Dubai.

“MSC Bellissima is a perfect example of trends outside of travel driving the on-board proposition,” says Paradiso. “From the 12 unique dining venues to the two new Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows, Syma and Varélia, guests are demanding choice and variety and we are building ships to accommodate these demands.”

MSC Bellissima will cruise from Dubai on 7-night alternating itineraries in the Eastern and Western Arabian Gulf, from November 30^th, 2020 to March 21^st, 2021.