In response to shifts in the cruise-goer market, MSC Cruises will sail its first-ever season from Athens’ port of Piraeus during the summer of 2021. Piraeus is expected to play a major new role for the company, with guests embarking from Athens’ port for the first time.

MSC will also return to Turkey, with embarkation in Istanbul, in addition to inaugural calls at Kusadasi on two new Eastern Mediterranean itineraries. The MSC Lirica will homeport in Piraeus for the entire summer 2021 season. She will sail 23 seven-night cruises from May through September, with calls in Mykonos, Haifa, Cyprus (Limassol), Rhodes, and Kusadasi, before returning to Piraeus.

The MSC Fantasia will sail 25 nine-night cruises between April and September 2021 from Istanbul to Kusadasi, Katakolon, Corfu, Bari, and Trieste before returning to Istanbul. Both itineraries provide access to unique ports where the immersive nature of shore excursions is practically guaranteed.