MSC Cruises has doubled down on the Arabian Gulf, confirming that MSC World Europa will return to the Middle East for a second consecutive winter season in 2027–28. The LNG-powered, 5,400-guest flagship is scheduled to reposition to the region in late November 2027, reinforcing the Gulf’s growing status as one of cruising’s most exciting winter playgrounds.
After a summer deployment in the Western Mediterranean, the ship will kick off its move east with a 21-night repositioning voyage to Dubai, giving travellers a rare “two regions in one trip” itinerary that blends classic European ports with the fast-rising cruise hubs of the Middle East.
A 21-night voyage linking the Med to Dubai
According to MSC Cruises’ published itinerary details, MSC World Europa’s three-week sailing will call at a string of destinations across Italy, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Oman and Qatar. Key ports on the route include Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples and Piraeus (Athens), before continuing to Marmaris, Limassol and Alexandria ahead of the ship’s Suez Canal transit.
From there, the voyage shifts into full Middle East mode with calls in Muscat and Doha, before arriving in Dubai for an overnight stay, a welcome bonus for passengers who want more than a rushed “photo stop” in one of the world’s most high-energy cities.
MSC has yet to announce the full line-up of winter itineraries for the season, but the ship is expected to begin its regional programme on 11 December 2027, with Dubai positioned as the key homeport.
Middle East cruising is no longer a niche
Cruise lines are increasingly treating the Gulf as a serious winter alternative to the Caribbean and the Med, helped by modern port infrastructure, short flight times from Europe and Asia, and the region’s growing appeal for sun, shopping, culture and big-ticket experiences.
Dubai, in particular, is strengthening its reputation as a cruise hub that can handle high passenger volumes while offering the kind of pre- and post-cruise add-ons travellers actually want: iconic attractions, beach resorts, dining, desert adventures and world-class retail — all wrapped in reliable winter weather.
The ship: MSC’s World-class flagship
MSC World Europa is the first ship in MSC’s World Class series, built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique and entering service in late 2022. After its inaugural season in the Arabian Gulf, the vessel has been sailing year-round in the Mediterranean, but MSC’s decision to bring it back to the Middle East underlines the region’s commercial pull.
The ship was followed by MSC World America, which debuted in the Caribbean in April 2025, and MSC is continuing to expand aggressively. The line is preparing to welcome additional World-class ships including MSC World Asia in late 2026 and MSC World Atlantic in late 2027, alongside plans for a new series of 180,000-ton vessels to be built by Meyer Werft starting in 2030.
What travellers can expect from a Gulf winter cruise in 2027–28
For passengers, the appeal is high-impact destinations with minimal hassle. Middle East cruises tend to offer a mix of skyline cities, heritage sites, beaches and desert landscapes, often with shorter sailing times between ports, meaning more time on land and less “staring at the sea waiting to arrive”.
The overnight in Dubai is a particularly strong selling point, letting travellers explore beyond the usual daytime highlights and experience the city’s nightlife, dining scene and evening attractions without clock-watching.
If you or your clients enjoy longer voyages and want more variety for your money, repositioning itineraries (like this 21-night Med-to-Dubai sailing) are often where the best cruise value hides. They typically bundle multiple countries and cultures into one trip, and they can be ideal for travellers who prefer a slower pace, more sea days, and the satisfaction of arriving somewhere completely different from where they started.
With MSC World Europa returning for winter 2027–28, and more next-generation ships joining the fleet, MSC is reaffirming that the Middle East is a core cruise season in its own right.
Read more: MSC Euribia: the ultimate GCC escape
