The operators have worked together for the past 10 years as part of efforts to “enhance the guest experience” and support tourism growth in the Middle East.
For the next two years, passengers will be able to book fly-cruise holiday packages with MSC Cruises, which includes Emirates return flights from 21 airports across Europe and South America.
Emirates and MSC will share data insights with each other to improve service delivery and the check-in process in Dubai’s Port Rashid.
Fly-cruise customers will be met at arrivals with a dedicated bus transfer to the ship, while returning guests can drop bags in the cruise terminal and receive them in their final destination.
MSC Cruises’ MSC Euribia will sail from Dubai for the winter 2024/25 season, offering seven-night itineraries calling at destinations including Doha, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ chief executive, said: “Both Emirates and MSC Cruises are recognised as leaders in their fields, so it’s a perfect match to offer Emirates’ high-quality flight service with the outstanding experience waiting for guests onboard our ship.
“Guests will benefit from a streamlined journey from home to ship and dedicated support team for a stress-free start and end to their holiday.”
Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ executive vice-president for passenger sales and country management, added: “Our partnership with MSC Cruises is also one of the ways we’re working to strengthen Dubai’s position as the world’s preferred winter cruising destination.”
It comes after MSC Cruises’ UK and Ireland sales director Steve Williams stressed the importance of partnering with “reputable scheduled carriers” when flying passengers to and from Barbados in a recent interview with TTG.
“We feel it’s important to match the quality of the cruise experience with the flight,” he explained.
