Fares from $91 per person per night are on sale for a 20-night cruise from Abu Dhabi, across the Mediterranean and into the Atlantic to Southampton aboard MSC Lirica.

The stunning voyage, from March 11, 2012, will begin with a sailing to Oman’s Muscat and Salalah before the cruise ship reaches historic Aqaba in Jordan to begin the pass through the famous Suez Canal.

MSC Lirica will also call on Barcelona and Lisbon before berthing in the UK.

Priced from $1829 per person, twin share, the fare includes meals and entertainment as well as invitations to a captain’s cocktail party and gala dinner. Port charges are also included. Children aged under 18 years cruise free as with all voyages on MSC Cruises year round program when sharing a cabin with two paying adults (need only pay port charges).

“This exciting voyage will bring down the curtain on what will be an enthralling inaugural full season of cruising along the Arabian Peninsula,” said Lynne Clarke, managing director of MSC Cruises Australia and New Zealand. “MSC Cruises moved quickly to build on Abu Dhabi’s emerging popularity by establishing the centre as an embarkation hub and we are excited with the prospects,” she said.

The Italian cruise line is to deploy MSC Lirica to the UAE capital on a homeport basis from next month (October), steering cruise tourism to a region which prides itself on rich history, soft sandy beaches, desert safaris, giant mosques and modern additions to the skylines.

Abu Dhabi’s anticipated elevation from port-of-call to homeport status will strengthen the city’s cruise tourism credentials in the region.

Entry into the Arabian Peninsula will see the 59,000-tonne MSC Lirica, which has a capacity for almost 2200 guests in 784 cabins and suites, offer 19 eight-day/seven-night cruises, prices starting at $849 per person, twin share – a little more than $120 a night.

Fascinating ports of call include Al Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Khasab and Muscat, both in Oman, with an exciting range of shore excursions. Among the many options in Dubai, for example, are a sunset dhow (traditional sailing vessel) cruise with shopping tour and a Dune Drive Safari. While in Abu Dhabi, guests can also venture on a 3hr 30min Dune Safari (in the morning or afternoon) or come “face to face” with falcons on a four-hour afternoon tour.

One of the scenic highlights on the cruise is the beautiful port Khasab, interestingly known as the Norwegian Fjords of the region. There is a dhow cruise shore excursion to the fjords during the stay in Khasab, along with an exhilarating Safari Drive to Jebel Harim, the “Mountain of Women” - at 2097m, the tallest peak on the Musandam Peninsula.

There is also a dhow cruise to the fjords during the stay in Khasab, along with an exhilarating Safari Drive to Jebel Harim, the “Mountain of Women” - at 2097m, the tallest peak on the Musandam Peninsula.