MSC Cruises’ 2026 season in China came to an end in early October, with the MSC Bellissima sailing from Shanghai for a repositioning voyage.
As one of the largest cruise ships sailing in the Far East, the 4,500-passenger vessel is now scheduled to offer cruises departing from ports in Japan and Taiwan.
The winter season will feature departures from Tokyo, Keelung and Naha, with cruises aimed at national markets in the region.
Running through early 2027, the deployment is highlighted by four- to six-night itineraries to other destinations in Japan and South Korea, such as Miyakojima, Ishigaki and Seogwipo.
The MSC Bellissima is then scheduled to return to Shanghai in mid-January.
The ship’s 2026 season in the country was split into two different deployments, starting with a spring cruise program from the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal.
As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the 2019-built vessel later repositioned to Southeast Asia before returning to Mainland China in August.
Through October, the Bellissima offered a series of four- to seven-night cruises to destinations in Japan and South Korea such as Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Busan and Jeju.
The season marked the 20th anniversary of MSC Cruises’ operations in the Chinese market and reportedly had sailings and stateroom categories close to selling out.
With the Costa Serena leaving the region later this month, only two ships from international brands will continue to sail year-round in Asia in 2027.
In addition to the MSC Bellissima, Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas is also based in the region on a full-time basis.
Designed to serve Asian markets, the 2019-built vessel offers itineraries from homeports in China, Hong Kong and Japan.
The region also hosts year-round operations from vessels from homegrown brands, including StarDream Cruises, Adora Cruises, and Tianjin Oriental International Cruise Line.
Three other ships left the Chinese market this year: the Viking Yidun, the Blue Dream Star and the Piano Land.
