MSC Announces World Europa’s Homeporting in Dubai for Winter 2026-2027

MSC Cruises has announced a strategic shift for its operations in Dubai, deciding to homeport the MSC World Europa ship in the city for the winter season of 2026-2027. The cruise line will focus on deploying one larger flagship vessel instead of two smaller ships, which they previously tested after the pandemic. This experience demonstrated that having two vessels operating on similar itineraries led to competition between them rather than expanding the market.

Angelo Capurro, Executive Director of MSC, explained this decision during the Connections Cruise Arabia event, highlighting the advantages of a single larger ship that can carry over 6,700 passengers. This approach aims to achieve better economies of scale and provide enhanced onboard facilities for guests.

Dubai remains MSC’s top-performing winter cruise destination, thanks to its excellent air connectivity and supporting infrastructure for week-long itineraries. In contrast, Celestyal Cruises is pursuing a different strategy by planning to homeport two ships in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha to meet growing demand.

Looking ahead, MSC is exploring ways to extend the Arabian Gulf cruise season by targeting both local and regional audiences. They are also committed to resuming Red Sea itineraries once secure navigation through the Suez Canal is assured.

For more details on the MSC World Europa, visit MSC Cruises and Dubai.

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