MSC Cruises is turning the spotlight on its award-winning MSC Yacht Club as it sets sail back into the Gulf for the 2025-26 season. The “ship within a ship” is all about privilege, privacy and play, a sanctuary of luxury and bespoke service that stands out from the traditional cruise experience and even from the rest of the MSC fleet.
As the line’s most exclusive offering, the Yacht Club offers the intimacy of a boutique hotel with full-ship access. Guests enjoy spacious suites loaded with high-end amenities, 24-hour butler and concierge service, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and private key-card access to exclusive areas, including the Top Sail Lounge with sweeping sea-views, a dedicated restaurant, and a secluded sundeck complete with pool and whirlpool.
As Angelo Capurro, Global Executive Director of MSC Cruises put it:
“MSC Yacht Club is designed for travellers who value privacy and elevated service, while still enjoying the breadth of experiences offered across a large ship. With its return to the GCC, regional guests can embark on 7-night cruises directly from Dubai and enjoy a seamless balance of refined exclusivity and world-class discovery.”
7-night GCC itineraries for 2025/26
This winter season, the Yacht Club experience returns with 7-night roundtrips from Dubai, stopping at Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, Doha and Bahrain. Highlights include visits to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the wildlife-rich Sir Bani Yas Island, shopping and souks in Doha, and historic forts and pearl-diving heritage in Bahrain.
Exclusive dining & lounge
Within the Yacht Club estate, fine dining takes centre stage. The dedicated restaurant offers a refined daily menu offering international favourites with regional influences, with premium drinks included. In the Top Sail Lounge you’ll find afternoon tea, expertly mixed cocktails, and light bites — all served with panoramic ocean views. On the private sundeck there’s pool-side service and à la carte snacks.
What makes it even better is Yacht Club guests don’t lose out on the wider ship’s offerings. You will still get full access to the main dining rooms, speciality restaurants, global cuisine buffets, and vibrant nightlife before retiring back to your private Yacht Club haven.
The Yacht Club difference? Exclusivity and choice. You withdraw into a luxury, all-inclusive enclave with dedicated service, yet you remain free to explore the full breadth of ship-life with Broadway-style shows, family zones, spa treatments, gym sessions, etc. The pace is yours to set.
Apart from the Yacht Club these cruise-goers might also like to know about:
MSC Euribia – Arabian Gulf Winter Home-port
From winter 2025/26, MSC Euribia will be home-ported in Dubai offering 3-, 4- and 7-night sailings around the Gulf, including destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Doha and Sir Bani Yas Island. The ship features Yacht Club facilities for those wanting that extra luxury tier. These shorter sailings present a brilliant option if the full 7-night isn’t quite your fit — ideal for a luxury weekend or mid-week escape.
MSC World Europa – coming soon
Following on from Euribia, MSC World Europa (one of MSC’s newest and most advanced ships) is slated for deployment in the GCC for the 2026/27 season, a sign of MSC’s long-term commitment to the region. So if you’re planning ahead, this is one to watch as it raises the bar on technology, scale and luxury.
Regional growth, local appeal
According to recent data, over 25 % of MSC Cruises’ bookings in the Arabian Gulf now come from the GCC region itself (nationals and expatriates). This means that cruising from the region is no longer just about foreign tourists but is becoming a local interest too.
With the continued growth in GCC passengers MSC had also adapted the ships’ amenities to cater to regional preferences, including halal dining, Arabic-speaking staff, and more family-friendly facilities
