MSC Cruises, the world’s third largest cruise line, will base a ship in the Canary Islands. Sailings will start during the winter 2024-2025 season and are now available for booking, the company announced recently.

MSC Opera will operate 7-night itineraries with six ports of call between Nov. 3, 2024 and March 16, 2025.

The ship will depart Santa Cruz de Tenerife in Tenerife for Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura, Funchal in Madeira, Santa Cruz de la Palma in La Palma and Arrecife in Lanzarote before returning to Tenerife.

The new itinerary also offers flexible embarkation options, including Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Sundays, Las Palmas on Mondays, Madeira for Funchal on Thursdays or Fridays and Arrecife on Saturdays.

Both itineraries will feature extended stays in ports to provide cruisers with ample time to enjoy everything each destination has to offer.

MSC Opera will visit a range of islands in the Canaries and the Portuguese island of Madeira. Guests will be able to immerse themselves in each destination’s unique culture, striking landscapes and captivating attractions, while taking advantage of a warm and relaxing climate, perfect for sightseeing and soaking up sun during the winter months.

The Canary Islands are easily accessible with regular international flights to Gran Canaria and Tenerife.

The new itinerary replaces MSC Opera’s previously planned winter 2024-2025 season in the Red Sea, which was cancelled in light of the current risk to shipping in that region.