MSC CRUISES BEGINS CRUISING FROM BRAND NEW U.S. HOMEPORT WITH MSC DIVINA’S RETURN TO SEA
MSC CRUISES | Fri Sep 17 00:00:00 CEST 2021
- MSC Cruises’ departure from Port Canaveral this evening marks MSC Cruises’ 11th ship back to sea and further expands the Company’s U.S. presence.
- MSC Divina will offer guests 3-, 4- and 7-night cruises to The Bahamas & Caribbean, including highlight stops to MSC Cruises’ private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Fort Lauderdale, FL (September 16, 2021) – MSC Cruises — the world’s third-largest and fastest-growing major cruise brand — is sailing from Port Canaveral for the first time in the cruise line’s history when the elegant MSC Divina departs for a three-night tour of the Bahamas and Caribbean this evening. Guests planning their fall or spring vacations can now select from diverse 3-, 4- and 7-night cruises, all from the easily accessible home port, visiting popular sun-soaked destinations as well as MSC Cruises’ private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. MSC Divina’s return to sea not only expands MSC Cruises’ U.S. presence to a brand-new home port, but also marks the Company’s 11th ship to resume operations globally.
“We are thrilled to bring MSC Divina to Port Canaveral and offer our guests even more choice when cruising with us from the U.S.,” said Rubén Rodriguez, President of MSC Cruises USA. “Following the successful return of MSC Meraviglia, we are excited to see our guests so eager to get back to sea, especially as the winter holiday season approaches. By bringing MSC Cruises’ world of discovery to this accessible port — near popular attractions and major cities like Orlando, Tampa and South Florida — our guests have an ideal opportunity to take a much-deserved family vacation.”
“We’re very pleased to welcome MSC Cruises to Port Canaveral and excited to be the home port for the beautiful MSC Divina,” said Port CEO Capt. John Murray. “This exciting new partnership speaks to our commitment to excellence and the investments we’ve made in our cruise operations. We’re looking forward to working together with our new cruise partner providing the best possible experience for their guests.”
MSC Divina will sail three-night cruises beginning today and add seven-night eastern, western Caribbean cruises starting September 19, 2021, four-night cruises on September 26 and add more seven-night cruises in mid-October. Highlight itineraries include:
- September 2021:
- Three-night cruises embarking from Port Canaveral and visiting Nassau, Bahamas and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve for an overnight stay.
- Seven-night cruises visiting Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico from Port Canaveral.
- Four-night cruises visiting Nassau, Bahamas and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve for an overnight stay.
- October 2021:
- Seven-night cruise embarking from Port Canaveral and visiting Nassau, Bahamas, Ocho Rios, Jamaica the Cayman Islands, and Ocean Cay, MSC Marine Reserve.
- Seven-night cruises visiting MSC Marine Reserve, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico from Port Canaveral.
- November 2021:
- Ten-night cruise embarking from Port Canaveral and visiting Nassau, MSC Marine Reserve, and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
The Glamorous MSC Divina
Inspired by MSC Cruises’ godmother and award-winning actress Sophia Loren, MSC Divina brings elegance and sophistication with the detailed European-inspired design MSC Cruises is known for. With seven distinct dining venues, guests can taste gourmet cuisines from around the world, including prime cuts of meat at Butcher’s Cut and fresh sushi and sashimi at Galaxy Kaito. The on board MSC Aurea Spa offers cruisers a range of treatments as well as a thermal area to relax and rejuvenate throughout the cruise. Guests will also find an array of entertainment options with onboard activities including a waterslide, F1 Simulator, 4D cinema and a gaming arcade. Additionally, guests can marvel at one of the largest theaters at sea, with 1,600 unobstructed seats, showcasing full-scale theatrical productions each evening of the cruise.
MSC Cruises’ Award-Winning Private Island Destination
MSC Cruises has transformed Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve into a one-of-a-kind destination within a flourishing marine reserve, providing guests a unique opportunity to relax on pristine beaches, discover local marine life and soak up the spirit of Bahamian culture. On Ocean Cay, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of crystal blue waters and more than two miles of white pristine sand beaches. Guests can discover marine life up close, with activities like snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and more, or relax with a private cabana or oceanfront massage. With late-night stays, and in some cases overnight visits, guests have the opportunity to enjoy unique evening activities, such as an incredible lighthouse light show and a high-energy Junkanoo parade.
MSC Cruises’ Comprehensive Health & Safety Protocol
The health and safety of guests, crew and the communities MSC Cruises’ ships visit is the top priority, MSC Cruises continues to implement its industry leading health and safety protocol onboard each ship, including requiring proof of vaccination for guests ages 12 and older in accordance with the local mandate in The Bahamas; COVID-19 testing at embarkation; vaccination and testing of crew; social distancing; mask-wearing; enhanced sanitation measures and more.
This comprehensive and continuously evolving protocol has been key to MSC Cruises’ global restart more than 12 months ago when MSC Cruises was the first major cruise line to restart cruising with MSC Grandiosa sailing in the Mediterranean. Over the last year, the Company has provided safe and enjoyable cruise vacations to tens of thousands of guests.
For more information on MSC Cruises’ first cruises from the U.S. and to book, guests should contact their preferred travel advisor, or visit here.
To learn more about MSC Cruises’ comprehensive health and safety protocol, visit here.
MSC Cruises’ Newest Ship Arriving to the U.S. this Fall
Looking ahead this fall, MSC Seashore – MSC Cruises’ newest flagship – will arrive to her new homeport in Miami this November as the newest cruise ship to sail from Miami. As an evolution of the popular Seaside class, the ship has been entirely reimagined with 65 percent of the ship redesigned with incredible new features for guests. MSC Seashore’s design will bring cruisers closer to the sea than ever before with 140,000 sq. ft. of outdoor space, the most of any MSC Cruises ship in the U.S., including numerous al fresco bars and dining areas, an infinity pool and infinity hot tubs, spacious deck area for relaxing and sunbathing, as well as a variety of brand-new spaces. MSC Seashore will also introduce new entertainment on board outside of the main theater. The ship’s Le Cabaret Rouge, a new lounge situated at the back of the ship with incredible sea views, will celebrate the greatest artists of all time with original productions featuring aerialists, dancers, singers and musicians all rolled into a breathtaking show. And, since the ship is themed around the vibrant city of New York, we appropriately created the Times Square lounge where Dueling Pianos light up a New Year’s party, and the ball drops on a different decade each night.
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