MSC Cruises reports best ever start to January

Tuesday, Jan 20, 2026 0

MSC Cruises has reported their best ever start to January, with overall bookings for 2026 up 10% year-on-year.

Bookings for Summer 2026 are up 21%, with departures from the UK performing particularly strongly up 24% on 2025. Summer bookings to the Mediterranean and Caribbean have also increased by 11% and 10% respectively versus 2025.

For the Winter 2026/27 season, MSC Cruises is seeing very strong demand for their domestic programme with ex-UK bookings up 60% versus this time last year. Dubai is also proving very popular for winter holidays, with bookings up 55% versus January 2025.

MSC Cruises bookings January 2026 v 2025

Total Bookings
- Total bookings for 2026 +10%
Summer 2026
- Total bookings +21%
- Ex-UK +24%
- Mediterranean+11%
- Caribbean+10%
Winter 2026/27
- Ex-UK +60%
- Dubai +55%

Antonio Paradiso, VP of International Sales at MSC Cruises, said:

“We have had a great performance so far in January thanks to the support of the trade. This is the most consistent Wave season we’ve ever had. Our TV campaign, PR & Marketing activities are also helping to drive sales. We have superb itineraries with a nice spread of bookings to the Mediterranean across multiple embarkation ports, and our ex-UK, Caribbean and Dubai sailings are performing very strongly too.

Our Wave offers represent the ultimate in value, making it easier to say yes to more – with generous discounts on drinks packages, flights, and deposits, alongside unforgettable cruise experiences, world-class dining, entertainment, and spectacular destinations. These unbeatable deals give guests exceptional value and even more reasons to set sail on the cruise of their dreams.”

MSC Cruises offers a huge range of winter sun holidays. Prices start from just £499 per person for a 7-night cruise to the Bahamas and Caribbean on the 2nd March 2026 on MSC Seaside.

Fly & Cruise holidays to the Mediterranean start from £1,028 on MSC Splendida, departing 2nd May 2026 from Manchester to Barcelona, visiting Palma, Marseille, Livorno, Cagliari, Palermo and Valletta