MSC Cruises Expands to Year-round Operation in Greece

MSC Sinfonia. Photo source: MSC Cruises

The cruise division of the MSC Group, on Wednesday revealed details on its 2024 cruise season in Greece, which includes more calls to Greek ports and winter itineraries for the first time. MSC Group’s cruise division is made up of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys.

According to a company announcement, MSC Cruises will have six different ships calling to Greek shores this year making over 400 calls to nine different island and mainland destinations around the country, including a ship homeporting in Piraeus during the winter.

This is the first time MSC Cruises will homeport a ship in Greece for a whole winter season (2024-25) thus extending the cruise season in line with the country’s wider five-year tourism development plan to extend the core visitor season. The MSC Sinfonia will sail from her home port in Piraeus on seven-night itineraries, including Corfu.

This year, MSC Cruises’ ships will begin calling Greek ports from March 28, marking the start of year-round operation.

The new season also sees increased calls to certain ports including Kefalonia, Katakolon, Zakynthos and Corfu, in an aim to reduce pressure on destinations such as Santorini and Mykonos.

Zakynthos, Greece. Photo source: MSC Cruises

Meanwhile, Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, will call to 21 Greek ports in 2024, with many of EXPLORA I’s journeys offering convenient embarkation and disembarkation in Piraeus. Ports of call for the brand’s first luxury ship, with 461 ocean facing suites and a guest to host ratio of 1:1.25, include Katapola (Amorgos), Paros, Patmos and Corfu.

“This traffic will also support wider tourism and economic impact in the region thanks to the ships’ embarkation ports in Greece, which will see a large percentage of guests flying into Greek airports from all over the world, with many extending their holiday at sea with stays pre or post-cruise ashore in Greek resorts and cities,” the management of MSC Group said in an announcement.

Amorgos island. Photo © GTP

MSC Cruises also offers over 40 different shore excursions across all Greek destinations, this way supporting local suppliers, and incorporating tours, tickets and visits to local Greek businesses.

“These excursions not only support local economies, but encourage guests to immerse themselves in Greek culture, taste Greek cuisine and learn about Greek history.”

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is the world’s third largest cruise line in Europe, South America, the Middle East and Southern Africa, with a strong and growing presence in North America and the Far East. The MSC Cruises fleet consists of 22 modern ships.

allCruises, Cruiseway Travel, Navihellas Cruise Centre and Top Kinisis Travel are the sales representatives of MSC Cruises in Greece.