MSC Cruises Adds Port Canaveral as New Homeport with Year-Round Sailings Aboard Two Cruise Ships

6/22/2020
                                                                     MSC Cruises Logo                                                   
  • MSC Seaside to sail from Port Canaveral starting November 2020, marking MSC Cruises’ first cruise ship from the popular drive-to port, offering three-, four- and seven-night cruises
  • MSC Divina will arrive to Port Canaveral in March 2021, also offering three-, four- and seven-night cruises
  • Available to book now, itineraries feature destinations in the Caribbean and The Bahamas, including MSC Cruises’ private Bahamian destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
Fort Lauderdale, FL  — MSC Cruises will begin sailing from Port Canaveral for the first time this Winter and offer a year-round presence, starting with the modern and glamorous MSC Seaside from November – March 2021, followed by the elegant MSC Divina, starting at the end of March. The arrival marks a significant milestone for both MSC Cruises and Port Canaveral, as the port welcomes an MSC Cruises ship for the first time. Guests eager to sail from the sunshine state to the Caribbean and The Bahamas can experience MSC Cruises’ signature European style and enjoy increased flexibility with three-, four- and seven-night cruise options departing on Sundays and Thursdays. Starting today, guests can book MSC Cruises’ sailings from Port Canaveral online at MSCCruises.com or though their preferred travel advisor partner.
 
With nearby access to Orlando, the city’s theme parks and attractions, guests can enjoy an extended stay before or after their cruise, with options of either a short weekend getaway, or a week-long cruise. Itineraries uncover hidden treasures of the Caribbean and The Bahamas, including stops at
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve — MSC Cruises’ private Bahamian destination.
 
“Port Canaveral has always been an extremely popular port with cruisers. It is easily accessible, offers innovative and modern terminals and provides convenient access to many attractions in the surrounding area. We are thrilled at MSC Cruises to bring two of our modern and glamourous cruise ships, MSC Seaside and MSC Divina, to such a high-demand port for the first time, with sailings year-round to the sunny Caribbean and The Bahamas,” said RubĂ©n Rodriguez, President of MSC Cruises USA. “As we look toward the upcoming year, we are eager to bring our guests back to sea when the time is right, with health and safety as a top priority, following guidance from national and international health authorities. We are also excited to expand our presence in North America with new and enriching cruise experiences.”
 
“We’re very pleased to welcome MSC Cruises to Port Canaveral and excited to be the homeport for the beautiful MSC Seaside and MSC Divina,” said Port CEO Capt. John Murray. “This exciting new partnership is an endorsement of 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.”
 
HIGHLIGHT ITINERARIES FROM PORT CANAVERAL
 
MSC Seaside and MSC Divina will uncover the treasures of the Caribbean and The Bahamas with itineraries to allow guests to escape with a quick weekend getaway or a week-long vacation under the sun. And, with MSC Seaside beginning sailings starting in November, guests can start planning their time together with a much-needed vacation for the holidays.
 
Aboard MSC Seaside, guests can choose from three-, four- and seven-night cruises starting November 2020 through March 2021, visiting George Town, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas.
 
MSC Divina will replace MSC Seaside in Port Canaveral come March 2021, continuing her itineraries with  a diverse set of three-, four- and seven-night cruises through November 2021, and visiting George Town, Cozumel, Nassau and Ocean Cay.
 
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES IN OCEAN CAY MSC MARINE RESERVE
 
As a highlight of MSC Cruises’ Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, guests will experience the cruise line’s exclusive private Bahamian destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. MSC Cruises has transformed Ocean Cay into a one-of-a-kind destination within a flourishing marine reserve, providing guests a unique opportunity to discover local marine life, soak up the spirit of Bahamian culture and reconnect with themselves and each other.
 
In Ocean Cay, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of crystal blue waters and more than two miles of white pristine sand spread across eight world-class beaches, including a dedicated family beach. Water activities in Ocean Cay have been created to help guests discover marine life close-up, including snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and other water sports. Guests can also relax with private cabanas for rent, or book a massage at the island’s exclusive, luxurious spa concept — The Spa at Ocean Cay — offering treatments designed to immerse guests in the natural environment. With late evening stays on several itineraries, guests have the opportunity to enjoy unique evening activities, such as an incredible lighthouse light show and a high-energy Junkanoo parade. 
 

MSC CRUISES’ NEW COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOL
 
MSC Seaside and MSC Divina’s sailings from Port Canaveral will  follow MSC Cruises’ new comprehensive and enhanced health and safety protocol which are being developed in collaboration with
relevant national and international health authorities with the support of a team of external medical experts. The new enhanced protocol will encompass every aspect of the guest’s journey, ensuring that the health and safety of guests and crew is protected, while preserving the uniqueness of the guest experience. Full details of the new precautionary health and safety measures will be announced in the coming days.
 
ABOUT MSC SEASIDE
MSC Seaside is MSC Cruises’ revolutionary ship launched in December 2017, with a unique, innovative beach condo design bringing guests closer to the sea and helping them enjoy the outdoors like never before. Guests can stroll along the widest waterfront boardwalk at sea, dare to cross the glass-floor catwalks on either side of the ship, enjoy plentiful outdoor spa space and an array of outdoor leisure areas. MSC Seaside also boasts expanded internationally-inspired dining, including a partnership with pan-Asian pioneer Roy Yamaguchi who created the Asian Market Kitchen on board. The ship’s MSC Aurea Spa is one of the largest spas at sea, with a variety of body and facial treatments designed for ultimate relaxation and rejuvanation. Thrilling activities on board, ensuring that cruisers of all ages are always entertained, include a multi-story aqua park with four water slides; two of the longest zip lines at sea; full-size bowling lanes; an F1 simulator; and full-scale theatrical productions each night of the cruise.
 
ABOUT 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.
 
For more information on MSC Seaside and MSC Divina and to book a cruise, cruisers should contact their preferred travel advisor or visit
www.msccruises.com.
 
All information believed to be accurate as of the date of issuance.  It is the reader's responsibility to verify its continued accuracy, as all information is subject to change. 
 
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About MSC Cruises
 
MSC Cruises is the fastest growing cruise brand in the world. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is part of the Cruises Division of MSC Group, the privately-held Swiss-based leading shipping and logistics conglomerate.
 
MSC Cruises’ fleet of 17 modern and innovative ships is one of the most environmentally-advanced in the industry. The Company is committed to environmental stewardship and works to minimize and continuously reduce the environmental impact of its fleet both while at sea and ashore, as well as invest in the accelerated development of next-generation marine and environmental technologies. With a long-term goal to achieve zero emissions, MSC Cruises in 2020 became the first major global cruise line to offset 100 percent of its ships’ carbon emissions that cannot be abated through existing environmental technology (learn more about MSC Cruises’ environmental stewardship practices at https://www.msccruises.com/sustainability.)
 
MSC Cruises offers an enriching and immersive cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage.  Guests can expect to find international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programmes and the very latest guest-friendly technology on board.
 
One of the Company’s main priorities has always been the health, safety and wellbeing of its guests and crew, as well as the communities at the destinations its ships serve, and MSC Cruises will introduce a new comprehensive and enhanced health and safety protocol for to add to its existing stringent health and safety measures. 
 
The MSC Cruises Division is investing an industry-unprecedented €20.2 billion EUR (≈$22 billion USD) and will bring up to 27 newly built ships into service between 2017 and 2030 to operate under the MSC Cruises brand and the new soon-to-be-announced luxury brand.