MSC Cruises has announced that, for the first time, one of its ships will be based in New York and will operate year-round voyages. The modern MSC Meraviglia will be based in the Big Apple starting in April 2023, offering year-round cruises to the Caribbean, Bermuda, New England, and Canada. Many of the cruises departing from New York will visit Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company's stunning private island in the Bahamas.
This new homeport aims to enhance MSC Cruises' presence in the North American market, complementing the wide variety of ships and itineraries sailing from Miami and Port Canaveral/Orlando in Florida, and will offer passengers the opportunity to extend their vacation with a stay in New York before or after their cruise.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, said: “New York is one of the most incredible and enriching destinations in the world, so by including the city as a year-round homeport for MSC Meraviglia, we are greatly enhancing our offering in North America.”
“We’ve designed a variety of very different itineraries to take advantage of New York’s geographical flexibility, so our passengers can soak up the sun in the Caribbean during the spring and winter seasons, head to Bermuda during the summer, or see the stunning scenery of Canada in the fall. And, of course, for those passengers who wish to explore New York, there is the option to do so before or after their cruise to make the most of their vacation,” added Gianni Onorato.
The company has opened sales for MSC Meraviglia departures: Caribbean itineraries, 7 or 8 nights; Bermuda itineraries; and North American itineraries, 10 or 11 nights.
MSC Cruises' decision to deploy a ship year-round in New York is yet another example of the company's commitment to North America, where it seeks to attract more international tourists to the region and continue placing some of its most advanced ships in US ports. Last year, Port Canaveral in Florida was added as a permanent homeport with a mix of 3-, 4-, and 7-night cruises, designed to expand the options for international passengers to enjoy the diverse attractions in the Orlando area. Furthermore, MSC Cruises is building North America's largest and most advanced cruise terminal at PortMiami, which, once completed, will be able to accommodate three of the company's largest ships simultaneously.
To ensure that travelers can make the most of their MSC Cruises experience and book all their travel details in one package, new travel packages are being developed that offer those who wish a selection of flights, a 4-star hotel, and other services such as pre-cruise excursions, hotel check-in, luggage transfer from the hotel to the cruise ship, and private airport transfers.
These services will be available for MSC Mervaiglia in New York, Miami, and other destinations such as Venice/Marghera, Monfalcone, Trieste, and Athens, offering a complete and stress-free experience from start to finish. These travel packages will be available starting this summer season and can be booked directly or through a travel agent.
As part of MSC Cruises' commitment to providing its passengers with the best vacation experiences at sea in a sustainable way, MSC Meraviglia is equipped with innovative technology and solutions to minimize its environmental footprint. This includes an exhaust gas cleaning system for cleaner emissions; an advanced wastewater treatment system; smart heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to recover heat from the engine rooms; and LED lighting and smart devices to save significant energy.
