MSC Meraviglia to Sail from Southampton in Summer 2027 — But We’ll Miss Virtuosa!
We’ve got mixed feelings about the news that MSC Meraviglia is headed to Southampton
MSC Meraviglia in Southampton in 2018
MSC Cruises has announced that MSC Meraviglia will be sailing from Southampton in summer 2027, taking over from MSC Virtuosa, which will move to the Mediterranean.
MSC Meraviglia pool deck
While it’s always exciting to see a new ship homeporting in the UK, here at Cruise Addicted we can’t help feeling a little bittersweet about this one. Virtuosa has become a firm favourite among UK cruisers since her debut in 2021, and it will be sad to see her go. Although Meraviglia (2017) offers plenty to look forward to, she will be ten years old when she arrives in the UK and part of us wishes the UK market was getting one of MSC’s newest builds instead. It sometimes feels as though the UK is just a little forgotten when it comes to ship deployment!
MSC Meraviglia
What’s Coming for 2027
From 18 May to 30 October 2027, MSC Meraviglia will offer 19 sailings from Southampton, ranging from 6 to 14 nights. New destinations include Ibiza, Gibraltar and Tangier (Morocco), alongside favourites such as the Canary Islands, Lisbon, Malaga and the Norwegian Fjords. A new Baltic Sea itinerary will visit Oslo, Fredericia and Copenhagen.
Meanwhile, MSC Virtuosa will head to the Western Mediterranean, sailing from Barcelona between April and October 2027. Her itineraries include La Goulette, Palermo, Naples, Livorno and Marseille — giving fans of the ship a chance to follow her to sunnier seas.
Highlights of MSC Meraviglia
If you’re considering a sailing on Meraviglia, there’s plenty to tempt you:
🌍 New itineraries featuring Ibiza, Gibraltar & Tangier
🍽️ 12 dining venues, including Ocean Cay Seafood Restaurant, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse, and Kaito Sushi & Teppanyaki
🍸 20 bars, from the elegant Champagne Bar to the fun Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café
🎭 Spectacular entertainment, pools, waterpark, Formula Racer, flight simulator & bowling
💆 MSC Aurea Spa, a Balinese-inspired retreat
🛳️ MSC Yacht Club, the line’s exclusive “ship-within-a-
ship” for those seeking a luxury experience
What MSC Says
Antonio Paradiso, MSC’s VP of International Sales, said:
“We want to give our customers new experiences, so it’s wonderful that MSC Meraviglia is sailing from the UK in Summer 2027. She’s a beautiful ship, and customers have told us they want longer sailings — so that’s exactly what we’re offering.”
MSC Meraviglia sushi
He also confirmed that MSC Preziosa (2013) will return for Winter 2026/27, offering the longest-ever UK season from Southampton and replacing MSC Poesia.
Booking Details
Bookings for both MSC Meraviglia and MSC Virtuosa’s 2027 sailings open 14 October 2025 — so if you’re planning ahead, now’s the time to choose your cabin!
👉Have a look at the options MSC here and www.msccruises.co.uk
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