It will be the line’s first ever call in China, and will follow a 60-day round-the-world voyage via Europe, which departs on March 3 from Rio de Janeiro.

Before setting sail, the line said MSC Lirica would undergo a total renovation and enlargement under the Renaissance Programme, as part of MSC’s overhaul programme, due to be completed in November 2015.

Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises chief executive said: “We are delighted to once more be able to offer our guests a brand new itinerary - from Brazil to China via Europe – which offers the chance to visit some of the most appealing places on earth, across a huge array of people and cultures.”

The announcement followed the news earlier this month that MSC would become the first global cruise line to operate voyages out of Cuba.

From December 2015, the line will offer 16 cruises onboard MSC Opera, sailing out of Havana.