The ship will, in total, make 27 weekly calls to the port of La Goulette between April and October 2022.

Tunis will be added to Opera’s scheduled Mediterranean itineraries.

It follows a meeting between Tunisia’s minister of tourism Habib Ammar and minister of transport Foued Ben Othman, and MSC’s executive chair Pierfrancesco Vago and chief executive Gianni Onorato.

The line and the country’s ministry of tourism have also agreed to work together in future to promote Tunisia as a cruise destination in Italy, France and Germany.

“Tunisia is a beautiful and hospitable country that holds a special place in the heart of MSC Group," said Vago.

"I have no doubt that having La Goulette on our western Mediterranean itinerary for MSC Opera next summer will be again a great attraction for many of our guests who wish to visit this incredible country."

Ammar added: “We are very excited at the prospect of MSC Cruises’ return to Tunisia next summer and guests of MSC Opera can be assured that they will discover spectacular and beautiful attractions in our wonderful country and the warmest of welcomes.”