Japan has emerged as one of MSC Cruises’ strongest-performing destinations, with bookings for its Japan itineraries up more than 50 per cent year on year, reflecting Australian travellers’ continued interest in exploring one of Asia’s most captivating destinations.
Katrina McAlpine, Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand for the MSC Group Cruise Division, said demand for Japan sailings has accelerated significantly, with forward bookings for 2027 departures already tracking well ahead of the same period last year.
“We’ve seen bookings for our Japan itineraries grow by more than 50 per cent year on year, highlighting the increasing appetite among Australian and New Zealand travellers for immersive cultural experiences closer to home,” Ms McAlpine said.
“Japan offers an incredible combination of culture, cuisine, history and natural beauty. Australians are increasingly choosing to cruise with MSC to conveniently experience multiple destinations in a single trip,” Ms McAlpine said.
The most popular Japan voyage among Australian and New Zealand guests is MSC Bellissima’s nine-night Tokyo round-trip itinerary, visiting Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kagoshima, Gangjeong, Sasebo and Kobe; combining some of Japan’s most celebrated cities with lesser-known regional ports.
MSC Cruises’ approach to Japan differs from many traditional cruise offerings, blending Japanese cultural immersion with an international onboard experience. MSC Bellissima delivers European-style cruising, global dining, world-class entertainment and multilingual service, alongside strong family appeal with dedicated kids’ clubs, premium wellness facilities and the exclusive MSC Yacht Club.
The MSC Cruises Best Holiday Ever promise continues to resonate with Australian and New Zealand travellers, delivering competitive pricing, reduced deposits and the flexibility to change dates should plans change.
