After leaving Genoa earlier this week, the two MSC Cruises ships on world cruise itineraries are now in Barcelona and set to sail in different directions.

The MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica departed Genoa on Thursday for their respective four month cruises and both vessels called Marseille in France before arriving simultaneously this morning in the Spanish port.

 Nearly 600 Spanish guests today boarded both ships before they start their different routes, the company said.

The MSC Poesia will next sail to Funchal in the island of Madiera and the MSC Magnifica to Cadiz in Spain.

 In total nearly 4,200 guests from 54 countries will sail the world on both vessels, an industry first for two global voyages operated by a major cruise line.

The MSC Poesia will call 53 ports in 33 different countries and her 117-day voyage will cross the Atlantic, transit the Panama Canal and travel up the West Coast of Central America and North America and then sail the Pacific Ocean before an extended period in Asia.  The vessel will cross the Indian Ocean and return to Europe via the Suez Canal.

MSC Magnifica’s 119-day sailing will circumnavigate South America following a transatlantic voyage, cross the South Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and then through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea.  The ship will visit 43 destinations in 24 different countries.