MSC Cruises is increasing its port calls in Spain by 28% compared to 2024. This will translate into increased capacity and 493 port calls in Spanish ports this summer of 2025, with 8 embarkation ports and 18 ports of call throughout the season. Among its new developments, the company highlighted the upcoming inauguration of the new MSC cruise terminal in the Port of Barcelona, scheduled for April 3rd; and the addition of its new flagship, MSC World America, to the fleet, which will be inaugurated on April 9th in Miami.
MSC Cruises anticipates a strong year, as shared by Fernando Pacheco, Managing Director of MSC Cruises in Spain, at a virtual conference this morning. With the customer at the heart of its strategy, the company is expanding its itineraries and reinforcing its commitment to the Spanish market with increased capacity and new operations, driven by growing traveler demand for routes outside of Spain, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Caribbean. This year, it will have 23 ships operating in five geographic areas, eight of which will depart from Spain, reinforcing its commitment to bringing Spanish ports closer to travelers with operations from Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia, Alicante, Mallorca, Malaga, Las Palmas, and Tenerife.
“Spain is a market with enormous potential and is constantly growing. After an excellent 2024, we continue to increase capacity in Spain and are proud to be the only cruise line offering eight embarkation ports in the country, thus bringing the cruise experience closer to a greater number of travelers. Undoubtedly, this commitment to Spain responds to the growing demand from travelers, who see cruising as a convenient and attractive vacation option thanks to the innovation in our itineraries, our constantly growing fleet, and a travel plan full of comfort and accessibility adapted to all types of travelers,” says Fernando Pacheco, Managing Director of MSC Cruises in Spain.
MSC World America, the big new thing of the summer
The Caribbean is the dream destination for 7 out of 10 Spaniards, according to the latest MSC Cruises study, “III Snapshot of Today’s Traveler: Preferences and Their Relationship with Cruises.” Responding to this growing demand, MSC Cruises will welcome the impressive MSC World AmericaThis flagship will begin its inaugural Caribbean season on April 12, offering 7-night itineraries departing from MSC Cruises’ new terminal at PortMiami. Passengers can enjoy stops in spectacular destinations such as the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Honduras, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas.
New MSC Cruises ship in Valencia
This summer marks a milestone for MSC Cruises with the arrival of MSC Grandiosa in Valencia, its first time operating from this port. With this addition, the company expands its embarkation options in the Mediterranean, reinforcing its commitment to the Spanish market and further facilitating access to cruises for travelers on the Mediterranean coast.
Improved land connectivity
To ensure a more comfortable and accessible travel experience, MSC Cruises is expanding its ground transportation options. This summer, train service is launching from Madrid, Zaragoza, and Andalusia to the ports of Valencia and Barcelona, providing a faster and more efficient connection. In addition, the company is introducing a new bus service from Valladolid to the port of Valencia, further facilitating access for passengers from inland areas of the Iberian Peninsula. Currently, the company offers bus services from 17 cities to 4 ports, andtrain services from 6 cities to 7 ships.
New air operations
MSC Cruises is launching new routes to make destinations and itineraries around the world more accessible to Spanish travelers. These include Northern Europe and the Norwegian Fjords aboard MSC Euribia, with direct flights from Malaga to Copenhagen, reflecting the growing interest in nature-based travel; packages from Barcelona and Madrid that include stays in Miami and New York, allowing travelers to enjoy these cities before their Caribbean cruise; and the Eastern Mediterranean, with direct flights from Madrid, Barcelona, and Malaga to Turkey and Greece, featuring itineraries that include stopovers of up to 16 hours in Mykonos , as is the case with MSC Lirica.
Furthermore, MSC Cruises' Stay & Cruise program is expanding this summer with a special focus on Athens and Venice for Mediterranean and Eastern Mediterranean cruises, allowing passengers to enhance their vacation experience with a pre-cruise stay in these destinations before embarking. This package offers two nights' accommodation in a 4-star hotel with breakfast included, as well as a half-day excursion to discover the main attractions of each city. For a worry-free experience, the program includes private transfers from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the ship.
To facilitate boarding in Miami and New York, the company offers passengers a new customizable package with flight and 1, 2, 3 and up to 4 nights of pre-cruise hotel accommodation in these cities of the American continent.
MSC Cruises elevates the traveler experience with the new cruise terminal at the Port of Barcelona
This modern facility, a cutting-edge project designed by Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura (RBTA), will guarantee passengers a smooth embarkation and disembarkation experience from the very beginning. The terminal will allow MSC Cruises to expand its offerings from Barcelona, with MSC World Europe offering 7-night itineraries in the Western Mediterranean, and other ships in the fleet, such as MSC Seaview and MSC Seaside, offering 7-night itineraries to various Mediterranean destinations.
Beyond Summer
Pacheco concluded the session by outlining some of the plans for the 2025-2026 winter season: “We continue to focus on Spain as a key destination, with the firm intention of offering accessible and attractive options for all our passengers. The continuation of our operations in Valencia and the Canary Islands during the winter months strengthens travelers' connection with these unique destinations, providing the opportunity to enjoy exceptional experiences on board our ships, regardless of the time of year.
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