MSC’s summer 2026 itineraries, available from April to October, will go on sale on Thursday (14 March) and include seven or 14-night cruises to Iceland and Norway, as well as two Mediterranean voyages – one calling in Lisbon Gibraltar, Malaga and Cadiz and the other taking in La Coruna, Alicante and Valencia.

Agents will also be able to sell customers two to three-night mini cruises from Southampton to France and Belgium or Ireland. All sailings – which range from two- to 14-nights – will take place onboard MSC Virtuosa, which will be based in the UK for the summer.

MSC international sales vice-president Antonio Paradiso said he was pleased MSC would be the first line to go on sale for 2026. “For the first time ever, we will have three summer seasons open at the same time," said Paradiso.

"As we are on track to have a record-breaking year in 2024, our travel agents will play a crucial role to sell our 2026 itineraries to our UK and Irish customers."

Paradiso also called on agents to get their clients booked up well in advance to save on fares and avoid the disappointment of missing out.

“First, some cabin categories are usually in high demand when new cruises are released, so it is important that customers book early to avoid disappointment,” he added.

“And secondly, fares are determined by supply and demand, therefore new itineraries tend to have the best and most affordable prices.”