From left: MSC Cruise Chief Executive Officer Gianni Onorato, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, Captain Mohamed al Shamsi and Abu Dhabi Ports Company Chief Executive Officer


MSC Cruises S.A., the world’s largest privately-owned global cruise line and market leader in the Mediterranean and in South America, and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, announced a new partnership agreement that will benefit MSC Cruises’ guests travelling to Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

The partnership with Etihad Airways reflects MSC Cruises’ long-standing commitment to its guests and is testament to the company’s wish to always make its all-around offering a best-in-class experience, both at sea and in the air – with “Fly&Cruise” packages from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the UK - with Etihad Airways or partner airlines in its network.  

MSC Cruises Chief Executive Officer Gianni Onorato said, “We are delighted to partner with Etihad Airways. Both companies are uniquely young, ambitious and dynamic market leaders. With our ‘Fly&Cruise’ packages, MSC Cruises guests will benefit from Etihad Airways’ and our company’s impeccable service from the minute they leave their homes for a memorable cruise experience on MSC Musica. Through our partnership and also together with Abu Dhabi Ports Company and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority we will work to develop Abu Dhabi as an ideal winter cruise destination to further strengthen our offer in the region.”

Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive James Hogan declared, “Abu Dhabi is being developed into a leading international cruise destination, with record passenger numbers and ship calls reported during the recent 2014/2015 season. Future projections are even stronger, as the new Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal opens at the end of this year and world-class cultural attractions such as Abu Dhabi’s Louvre and Guggenheim museums enhance the local tourism offering.
“Our partnership with MSC Cruises, as well as Abu Dhabi Ports Company and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, for ‘Fly&Cruise’ will expand source markets for cruises in the UAE and regionally, bringing in more travellers from destinations across Europe. It will also ensure a comfortable travel experience for guests at all stages of their holiday, including their time in the air and on the sea.”

In its focus on developing the cruise market in the beautiful region of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman, MSC Cruises logically partnered with Etihad Airways. Under the terms of the agreement, MSC Cruises’ guests will be able to fly to Abu Dhabi from Europe with Etihad Airways to cruise in the region in the amazing Arabian winter. Guests will fly with the national airline of the UAE to their cruise during winter 2015-2016 on MSC Musica.