A major competing line would next year be drastically cutting the number of cruises that include calls at Malta, the local agent of MSC Cruises said yesterday.

Norman Hamilton, whose company, Hamilton Travel, represents MSC, did not name the company planning the cuts. However, he said cruises operated by one of the ships owned by the line in question would cease completely next year and another liner would be making just eight calls to Malta instead of the usual 50 or more.

Mr Hamilton admitted he could not understand why this was happening, adding it would be a big loss for Malta.

MSC Cruises, he said, would bring 120,000 passengers to Malta next year, only 10,000 fewer than last year. “But we are planning drastic increases for 2012,” he added, launching next year’s schedule.

Unveiling the company’s new logo as part of a rebranding exercise, Mr Hamilton said he was proud to work with MSC, which provided five and even six-star services. He pointed out that on such cruises English was one of the official languages on board. During 2011, MSC’s Fantasia ship, which Mr Hamilton labelled the “identical twin” of the MSC Splendida, will carry out 27 back-to-back weekly cruises every Wednesday.

Apart from Fantasia, three other liners will be calling at Malta next year: Armonia, Musica and Melody. Hamilton travel will be organising two East Mediterranean 10-day cruises in June and September. It will also offer fly/cruise tours with other MSC ships including the newest ship Magnifica, Opera, Orchestra and Musica.