MSC Cruises explains why it no longer has two ships in Dubai at Connections Cruise Arabia

MSC Cruises has explained why it no longer stations two ships in Dubai for the winter season, saying it is more cost-effective to deploy a single, larger resort-style vessel than to divide resources between one large ship and a smaller one.

Speaking at Connections Cruise Arabia, Angelo Capurro, Executive Director of MSC Cruises said the company tested a dual-ship deployment in the Gulf shortly after the pandemic, but the strategy proved less efficient than concentrating operations on one larger vessel. 

“We tried a second ship just after COVID, but it was not the right moment,” said Capurro. “What we learned is that it is more effective to bring a larger ship than to have one big ship and one small one competing with each other.” 

The remarks shed light on MSC’s long-term approach to the Gulf market, which emphasises scale and efficiency. Rather than splitting itineraries and marketing efforts between two ships of different sizes, MSC sees greater value in deploying a single flagship vessel with higher passenger capacity, broader onboard facilities, and stronger economies of scale.

That strategy is reflected in the company’s future deployment plans, with MSC World Europa, the largest ship in the fleet, scheduled to return to Dubai for the 2026/27 winter season. 

With capacity for more than 6,700 guests, the World class ship represents MSC’s commitment to maximising its impact in the region through resort-scale cruising, which is different to the dual-ship strategy pursued by market newcomer Celestyal Cruises.

The boutique Mediterrnanean cruise line will be homeporting its entire two-ship fleet in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha for the 2025/26 season in an attempt to meet rampant demand. For MSC Cruises, the market test has shown a single larger ship works best.

“We did a test just after COVID with a second ship in Dubai,” Capurro said. “It was not the right moment. It created cannibalisation between the two vessels, and we saw the same itineraries competing with each other rather than growing the market.”

Despite scaling back to a single ship, Capurro emphasised that Dubai remains its strongest winter deployment globally. “Dubai was our best-performing investment across all 23 ships last winter,” he noted, citing the city’s connectivity, terminal facilities, and suitability for 7-night itineraries as decisive factors.

Looking ahead, MSC confirmed it continues to explore ways to lengthen the Gulf season by tapping into local and regional demand, while reaffirming its intention to resume Red Sea itineraries as soon as safe passage through the Suez Canal is possible.

“We are studying how to enlarge the season and increase the number of places we can visit,” said Capurro. “The Gulf has incredible potential.”