MSC's 210,000-ton newbuild making its December debut among featured sailings
Taiwan 4-night itineraries and more discounted up to 30%
Norway, Alaska and Caribbean routes also on offer for next year
As South Korea advances toward becoming a mid-tier cruise nation, Cruisia — a global cruise marketplace platform created by Korean company S Marketing — is holding a Black Friday event offering discounts of up to 30% on popular routes worldwide, including Asia-Pacific, Nordic, Alaska and Caribbean itineraries.
Cruisia announced Monday that it will run a Black Friday promotion on select MSC Cruises sailings through Nov. 30.
Five featured routes are included: the Western Mediterranean itinerary aboard the newly built MSC World Asia, which sets sail on its maiden voyage in December; Taiwan and Okinawa; Norwegian fjords; Alaska; and the Caribbean.
Discounts apply to the first and second passengers in a cabin on new individual bookings for eligible sailings. The discount on cruise fares ranges from 5 to 30 percent depending on the sailing and cabin type, and can be combined with the 5 percent MSC Voyagers Club member discount. From the third passenger onward in the same cabin, standard fares apply.
Cruisia said its tally of passengers who actually boarded through its platform this year rose 15.2 percent from the same period last year. Over the same period, the average age of those passengers fell 4.3 years, from 47.2 to 42.9.
A cruise allows travelers to visit multiple port cities while staying in a single cabin. There is no need to change accommodations or repack luggage at each stop, and passengers can enjoy meals and performances on board while sailing to the next destination.
Basic meals and some performances and facilities are included in the cruise fare, while specialty restaurants and shore excursions may carry additional charges.
MSC World Asia is MSC Cruises' third World Class vessel.
It departs Barcelona, Spain, on its maiden voyage Dec. 4, and during its first season will operate 7-night itineraries linking Western Mediterranean port cities including Barcelona, Marseille in France, and Civitavecchia and Genoa in Italy. Passengers calling at Civitavecchia can visit Rome.
The ship's interior draws on Asian culture and art for its design. An outdoor space called The Harbour features family-friendly recreational facilities, while The Spiral — an 11-deck-high dry slide — will also be on board. According to MSC Cruises, it is the longest non-water slide at sea.
In East Asia, MSC Bellissima will operate 4-night, 5-day round-trip itineraries departing from Kibo in Taiwan or Naha, Okinawa, Japan, from December 2026 through January 2027. The shorter itinerary makes it easy to plan a first cruise, and travelers can add Free Independent Travel time in Taipei or Okinawa before or after boarding, depending on the departure port. Those traveling from South Korea can plan their vacation schedule by checking boarding times alongside flight options.
In May 2027, MSC Euribia will operate 7-night, 8-day itineraries departing Copenhagen, Denmark, taking in Norwegian fjords and harbor towns. The sailing offers scenic fjord views from the deck along with shore excursions in port towns along the way.
MSC Poesia's Alaska cruise runs as a 7-night, 8-day round trip departing Seattle from May through September 2027. Depending on the sailing, the itinerary includes Alaska's port cities and glacial landscapes, with a call at Victoria, Canada. Travelers departing from South Korea can calculate their total trip length by factoring in round-trip flights to Seattle and transfer time before and after embarkation.
In the Caribbean, MSC World America departs Miami for eastern or western Caribbean itineraries. Sailings that call at MSC Cruises' private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, allow passengers to combine on-board amenities with beach relaxation in a single trip.
Promotional eligibility and discount rates vary by sailing and cabin. Discounts apply to the cruise fare only and exclude port taxes, government fees and on-board service charges. Group bookings and world cruise products are also excluded.
To book, travelers can select the "MSC Black Friday Promotion" fare on Cruisia's official website. The promotional fare cannot be applied retroactively to existing bookings made at a different rate. Eligible cabins may sell out early, and from Dec. 1 the promotion enters an extended period that may end without prior notice. Fares for eligible sailings and cabins can be confirmed on Cruisia's official website.
abc@heraldcorp.com
