MSC says it will begin sailing from U.S. ports beginning in AUG on two ships: MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina.
MSC ships cruised in Europe last year when most other cruise lines were not in operation, and the line’s ships have been sailing in Europe already this year.
The announcement of the company’s return to cruising in the U.S. follows CDC approval of the Company’s Phase 2A Port Agreements for PortMiami and Port Canaveral.
“We are excited to be officially announcing our restart this summer from the U.S., and Florida in particular, as excitement is building for vacationers to get back to traveling and plan a much-deserved getaway,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC.
The cruise line’s new itineraries from the U.S. on board the two ships will officially open for booking on 16JUN 2021.
MSC Meraviglia will kick off MSC Cruises’ restart starting 02AUG 2021, with three and four-night cruises from Miami to The Bahamas and featuring MSC Cruises’ Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Starting 18SEP 2021, MSC Meraviglia will add seven-night cruises from Miami to The Bahamas and Caribbean, including Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. MSC Divina will resume cruising from Port Canaveral on 16SEP 2021, offering three, four, and seven-night cruise options from to The Bahamas and Caribbean, also including stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
MSC will reveal additional itinerary details for cruises on board MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina in the coming week, as well as health and safety measures and guidelines for guests.
Cruises will welcome both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests. All staff, however, will be required to be vaccinated.
“To ensure the safest experience for our guests, we previously announced a fleet-wide vaccination program for all crew — thanks to the support of The State of Florida, local government and port officials, and our partners,— and we expect that the majority of our guests booking a cruise this summer will plan to be vaccinated prior to sail,” said Rubén Rodríguez, president of MSC USA.
MSC also confirmed on 07JUN the cancellation of existing U.S. based sailings. This will affect the schedules of three ships based in Florida:
- Cruises onboard MSC Divina from 01JUL 2021 through to and including 15SEP 2021
- Cruises onboard MSC Meraviglia from J01JUL 2021 through to and including 17SEP 2021
- Cruises onboard MSC Armonia from 01JUL 2021 through to and including 24OCT 2021
