MSC Cruises has announced that MSC Virtuosa will operate ex-UK sailings out of Southampton for winter 2022/23 and summer 2023.

It will be the first time that the line has continuously operated one of its vessels from the UK year-round.

MSC Virtuosa, which launched in 2021, was the first ship to restart UK cruises in May of that year.

The ship returned to the UK in April this year and will now continue to operate out of Southampton through to the end of the summer 2023 season.

It replaces MSC Preziosa’s itineraries this winter, and will offer the new Northern Pearls voyage. In summer 2023, MSC Virtuosa will replace MSC Grandiosa, with mini cruises, seven-night sailings and longer cruises.

MSC said further details of the full programme will be released soon.

MSC Cruises highlights UK importance

The line’s UK & Ireland MD Antonio Paradiso said: “Since MSC Virtuosa first came to the UK, the feedback from our guests has been incredible and the ships has been a huge hit.

“The increased appetite for stress-free no-fly cruises out of the UK combined with the benefits of the new state-of-the-art Horizon Terminal has resulted in huge demand.

“The continued deployment of one of our newest and most innovative ships out of the UK is just further proof of the continued importance of the UK market, which began with our first full ex-UK season back in 2018.

“Since then, we have gone from strength to strength and we are committed to offering the best possible experience for our guests from the UK and Ireland.”

In June, MSC welcomed back its full fleet to passenger operations.