MSC Warns of Potential Delays in New York City

MSC Warns of Potential Delays in New York City

MSC Cruises informed guests that the upcoming cruise of the MSC Meraviglia may suffer from potential delays due to the weather in New York City.

As part of the company’s farewell season from the homeport, the vessel is set to depart from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

“The National Weather Service has forecast heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures for New York City,” the company said in a statement.

“While this weather event is not expected to impact the arrival or departure of the MSC Meraviglia in New York, there may be delays impacting guests’ arrival to the port,” MSC continued.

“To ensure a smooth embarkation process, please plan ahead and allow extra travel time. We also recommend monitoring local news and official traffic advisories for the most up-to-date information before your departure.”

MSC also warned guests that, despite the potential delays, the cruise terminals' doors “will close promptly at 2:30 p.m.”

“We kindly ask you to adhere strictly to the check-in window indicated in your most recent e-ticket,” the company continued.

Offering a seven-night cruise to the Bahamas and Florida, the MSC Meraviglia is scheduled to depart from New York City at 3 p.m.

The ship’s itinerary includes visits to Port Canaveral and Nassau, in addition to MSC’s private island destination of Ocean Cay.

In related news, Carnival Cruise Line issued a similar statement for guests set to embark on the Carnival Pride on Jan. 25, 2026.

Sailing from its homeport in Baltimore, the 2001-built ship is set to offer a weeklong cruise to the Bahamas.

Bad weather is also causing the Harmony of the Seas to shorten its current cruise to the Western Caribbean.

After sailing from Galveston, the Royal Caribbean ship will return to Texas one day earlier due to a major winter storm.

 

MSC Meraviglia to Sail from Southampton in 2027

MSC Meraviglia to Sail from Southampton in 2027

The MSC Meraviglia will sail from Southampton for the 2027 season, MSC Cruises announced in a press release.

According to the company, the 2017-built ship will arrive at the British port on May 18, 2027, kicking off a six-month deployment.

“We want to give our customers new experiences, so it’s wonderful that the MSC Meraviglia is sailing from the United Kingdom in Summer 2027,” said Antonio Paradiso, vice president of international sales at MSC Cruises.

Replacing the MSC Virtuosa, the Meraviglia will offer a series of six- to 14-night cruises to destinations in Northern Europe and the Norwegian Fjords.

The season also includes longer itineraries to the Mediterranean, which will feature visits to additional destinations, such as Ibiza in Spain, Tangier in Morocco and Gibraltar in the United Kingdom.

While the Meraviglia takes over the itineraries from Southampton, the MSC Virtuosa is set to operate a full season in the Western Mediterranean.

Paradiso said that the changes to the company’s deployment in the region follow guests’ feedback, noting that the two ships are part of the same class.

“We’re seeing strong demand from UK customers for Mediterranean cruises, so having the MSC Virtuosa there for Summer 2027 is a natural fit for us,” he added.

“We also offer great value Fly & Cruise prices with flights from many regional airports, so customers can relax knowing that flights, transfers and the cruise fare are all included in the price,” he continued.

Paradiso also highlighted the 2026-27 winter season in the United Kingdom, which will see the MSC Preziosa replacing the MSC Poesia.

“I’m delighted to have the MSC Preziosa back in the UK doing the longest season ever from Southampton,” he said.

The 2013-built ship is set to offer a series of seven-night cruises to England, France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands between October 2026 and April 2027.

Bookings for the new 2027 itineraries onboard the MSC Meraviglia and the MSC Virtuosa are set to open on Oct. 14, 2025.

MSC Bellissima Completes 2025 Season in China

MSC Bellissima Completes 2025 Season in China

The MSC Bellissima recently completed MSC Cruises’ 2025 deployment in China after offering over 30 cruises from the country.

Serving the Chinese market, the 4,500-guest ship arrived in Shanghai in mid-January, offering winter sailings to Japan and South Korea.

The four- and five-night cruises, which continued to be offered through early March, included visits to destinations such as Fukuoka, Sasebo and Jeju.

The Meraviglia-class ship then repositioned to other Asian countries before returning to Shanghai in mid-July.

As part of a summer deployment in China, the vessel offered additional cruises to Japan and South Korea through early September.

The four- and five-night itineraries featured visits to more ports of call, such as Okinawa, Busan and Incheon.

The MSC Bellissima is set to offer cruises departing from Tokyo in October before repositioning to Naha and Keelung.

As part of its interporting operations in the region, the Bellissima offers a series of short cruises to Japan and Taiwan through the end of the year.

In addition to Naha and Keelung, the four-night itineraries feature alternating visits to Ishigaki and Miyakojima.

Similar sailings are set to be offered in early 2026, with departures from the two homeports scheduled through late January.

According to published deployment, the MSC Bellissima is poised to return to China next year, kicking off a repositioning cruise to Shanghai soon after completing its winter deployment in Japan and Taiwan.

As the largest cruise ship in Asia, the 167,600-ton vessel has been sailing year-round in the region since 2023.

Built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, the MSC Bellissima entered service in 2019 as a sister to the MSC Meraviglia.

After spending its inaugural season in Europe, the vessel also offered itineraries in the Middle East and the Red Sea before repositioning to the Far East.

MSC Meraviglia Temporarily Out of Service for Repairs in Maine

MSC Meraviglia Temporarily Out of Service for Repairs in Maine

The MSC Meraviglia is currently undergoing technical repairs after having this week’s cruise cancelled in mid-April.

Offering weeklong itineraries out of New York City, the 2017-built vessel was taken out of service ahead of the sailing that was scheduled for May 11, 2025.

According to a statement issued by MSC in late April, the Meraviglia was in need of technical repairs due to a mechanical issue.

The problem was impacting the vessel’s ability to operate at standard cruising speeds, as the company explained in a letter to affected guests.

“As a result, and with deep regret, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel your upcoming sailing,” MSC continued.

The MSC Meraviglia was set to offer a seven-night cruise to the Bahamas and Florida from its homeport at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

In addition to three days at sea, the original itinerary featured visits to Port Canaveral, Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Instead, the vessel is currently docked in Portland (Maine), where repairs are being carried out by specialised teams.

The decision to take the vessel out of service was made out of an abundance of caution, MSC added, and reflects the company’s “commitment to safety and delivering the best possible guest experience.”

In addition to offering guests rebooking or refund options, the company also noted that the technical issue never affected the safety of its crew and guests.

The MSC Meraviglia is now expected to resume service on May 18, 2025, kicking off a weeklong cruise to the Bahamas and Florida.

As with the cancelled cruise, the seven-night voyage features visits to Port Canaveral, Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Sailing from New York City on a year-round basis, the MSC Meraviglia offers seven-night cruises to Florida, the Bahamas and Bermuda.

In 2026, the 4,500-guest ship repositions to Europe for its first summer season in the Western Mediterranean in over five years.

MSC to Deploy World-Class Ship to Port Canaveral

MSC to Deploy World-Class Ship to Port Canaveral

MSC announced plans to deploy its fourth world-class ship to Port Canaveral for the Winter 2027-28 season, offering year-round seven-night Caribbean cruises.

According to a press release, the yet-to-be-named ship will join MSC World America as the second World Class vessel operating in North America.

Additionally, the MSC Grandiosa will begin its year-round Caribbean program from the port in winter 2026-27, following its inaugural season in winter 2025-26.

The MSC Seashore will continue operating year-round three- and four-night Bahamas itineraries.

Lynn Torrent, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, of MSC Cruises USA, said:  “Our commitment to Port Canaveral is stronger than ever, thanks to the incredible support from our partners there and the growing demand from our guests who love the port’s convenient location. Having ships dedicated to offering both short and 7-night cruises year-round will ensure we have the right options available no matter when someone wants to sail. We’re especially excited to bring a world-class ship to Port Canaveral, continuing our long-standing pledge to deploy our most modern and innovative ships in the Caribbean market.”

Capt. John Murray, CEO, of Port Canaveral, said: “We are excited to have MSC Cruises expand their presence at Port Canaveral with the arrival of MSC Grandiosa and the deployment of their fourth World Class ship to homeport with us. The addition of these exceptional ships to our homeported fleet will add even more sailing options from Central Florida and reaffirm the cruise industry’s confidence in our ability to consistently deliver a world-class guest experience.”

MSC Meraviglia Set for European Return in 2026

MSC Meraviglia Set for European Return in 2026

The MSC Meraviglia is set to return to Europe in 2026 after sailing exclusively from New York City in April 2023.

According to the MSC Cruises website, the 2017-built vessel will offer a summer season in the Western Mediterranean starting in early May 2026, ahead of returning to North America later in the year.

As part of the deployment, the Meraviglia will offer a series of seven-night cruises to destinations in Italy, France, Spain and Tunisia, scheduled through October 2026.

The summer season in the region includes a series of seven-night itineraries to the ports of Livorno, Naples, Palermo, Tunis, Barcelona and Marseille.

Upon completing its European schedule, the 4,500-guest ship is scheduled to return to North America ahead of the 2026-27 winter season.

Starting in November 2026, the vessel offers a series of seven-night cruises to the Bahamas and Florida, departing from New York City.

In addition to MSC’s private island destination of Ocean Cay, the itinerary is scheduled to visit Nassau and Port Canaveral.

The MSC Meraviglia is also set to offer trans-Atlantic crossings before and after its summer season in the Western Mediterranean.

On its way to Europe, the vessel sails from New York City on April 19, 2026, offering a 16-night cruise that sails to destinations in Canada, Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar and France.

The ship then offers a similar itinerary on October 20, 2026, sailing from Barcelona for a 19-night crossing to the United States.

After repositioning from Port Canaveral, the MSC Meraviglia arrived at its homeport in New York City in April 2023.

As part of a year-round deployment on the U.S. East Coast, the vessel has been offering itineraries to Florida, the Bahamas and Bermuda, as well as Canada and New England.

MSC Grandiosa Completes Five Years in Service

MSC Grandiosa Completes Five Years in Service

The MSC Grandiosa recently completed five years of service for MSC Cruises after being delivered by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard on Oct. 31, 2019.

Before embarking on its maiden season in the Western Mediterranean, the ship sailed to Germany for a christening ceremony in Hamburg.

MSC’s fleet godmother, Italian actress Sophia Loren, named the vessel during the event, which took place on Nov. 10, 2019.

After offering a repositioning cruise to Southern Europe, the MSC Grandiosa kicked off its maiden season in the Western Mediterranean in late November 2019.

The deployment included a series of seven-night winter cruises to Italy, Malta, Spain and France that featured visits to Genoa, Civitavecchia, Palermo, Valletta, Barcelona and Marseille.

During its five-year sailing career, the vessel has also cruised in Northern Europe, the Atlantic and South America.

After undergoing routine maintenance at the Palumbo shipyard in Malta, the MSC Grandiosa is currently offering a repositioning cruise ahead of its second season in South America.

Through early April, the vessel is scheduled to offer a series of seven-night cruises that sail between Brazilian ports.

Following a summer program in the Mediterranean, the Grandiosa repositions to Port Canaveral in late 2025.

Debuting in the U.S., the vessel will offer a series of seven- to 14-night cruises to the Caribbean departing from the Central Florida homeport.

The year-round deployment also features short cruises to the Bahamas that sail to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company’s private island destination near Bimini.

Following the MSC Meraviglia and the MSC Bellissima, the MSC Grandiosa entered service as the third ship in MSC’s Meraviglia series.

Slightly larger than its predecessors, the 4,888-guest vessel is considered part of a sub-class known as Meraviglia Plus.

Other vessels with a similar design include the 2021-built MSC Virtuosa and the 2023-built MSC Euribia, which was further modified to become the first in the series powered by LNG.

MSC Opens 2024-25 Cruise Deployment for Sale

MSC Opens 2024-25 Cruise Deployment for Sale

MSC Virtuosa in Flam Norway to view the inside images of MSC Virtuosa click the link (Flickr) or Image

MSC Cruises today opened sales for a range of its winter 2024-25 season sailings. The line will soon provide details for its winter 2024-25 sailing programs in South America, Southern Africa and the Far East but today unveiled the voyages now available to book, according to a press release.

Highlights include six ships serving the Caribbean Sea and MSC Cruises’ flagship MSC Euribia operating for the first time in the Middle East.

Details are:

NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

The MSC Meraviglia will operate from New York with seven- to 11-night itineraries to Port Canaveral for Orlando, Nassau in the Bahamas and MSC Cruises’ private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

The MSC Seascape will sail every Saturday from Miami with either 7-night cruises to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Ocean Cay or to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Mexico and Ocean Cay.

The MSC Seaside every Sunday will offer 7-night voyages from Miami, alternating between the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic or Mexico, Honduras or Belize, and the Bahamas.

The MSC Divina will also be based in Miami and offer an array of three- to 10-night itineraries, all including calls to Ocean Cay.  Longer sailings will take guests to Jamaica, Aruba, Curaçao, Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.

The MSC Seashore will homeport in Port Canaveral for three- to four-night mini cruises to the Bahamas, including calls at Ocean Cay, and also sail seven-night voyages with additional stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico.

The MSC Virtuosa will homeport in Fort-de-France, Martinique and embark on back-to-back 7-night itineraries including Guadeloupe, the Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada, and Saint Lucia.

ARABIAN GULF

The line’s newest flagship the MSC Euribia will make her debut in the region from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). It will offer seven-night sailings to two other UAE destinations, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island, plus Doha, Qatar and Manama in Bahrain.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

The MSC World Europa will sail every Sunday from Genoa for a seven-night voyage with calls at Civitavecchia for Rome, Messina in Sicily, Valletta, Malta; Barcelona, Spain and Marseille, France

NORTHERN EUROPE

The MSC Preziosa will operate seven-night voyages every Sunday from Hamburg, Germany with calls at Zeebrugge for Bruges and Brussels in Belgium; Rotterdam in the Netherlands; Le Havre for Paris and Southampton for London. Additionally, one 21-night long cruise from Southampton will visit the Canary Islands, Madeira and Morocco.

RED SEA

The MSC Musica will offer seven-night sailings from Safaga, Egypt to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Aqaba for Petra in Jordan, Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt and Sokhna Port for the country’s capital Cairo before returning to Safaga for an opportunity to visit Luxor.

MSC Meraviglia Arrives in NYC for Year-Round Sailings

MSC Meraviglia Arrives in NYC for Year-Round Sailings

MSC Cruises MSC Meraviglia arrived at its new homeport in New York at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal from where it will sail year-round cruises, according to a press release.

This marks the first time that MSC Cruises has deployed a ship in New York for year-round sailings as part of efforts to strengthen its presence in the North American market.

The MSC Meraviglia will offer sailings ranging from six to 11 nights. Itineraries include: 

• The Bahamas and Florida – Seven to 11-night cruises with calls in Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida; Nassau and the cruise line’s private island Ocean Cay, The Bahamas; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.
• Bermuda – Five and six-night voyages from Kings Wharf in Bermuda starting in August.
• Canada and New England – 10 and 11-night sailings with calls in Newport, Boston and Portland in the U.S. and Saint John, Halifax, Charlottetown, and Sydney in Canada.

 

For international guests, MSC Cruises offers “Stay & Cruise” packages with an option to stay up to three nights in the city before embarking on the cruise.  Guests can choose among several hotels including the Hotel Riu Plaza Manhattan, Hotel Riu Plaza Times Square and the Park Central Hotel.

Additionally, guests can look forward to a free guided tour through Manhattan before embarking on the ship. 

Four MSC Cruises Ships Now in Service in the Caribbean

Four MSC Cruises Ships Now in Service in the Caribbean

With the MSC Seascape now sailing from PortMiami, MSC Cruises completed its Caribbean fleet for the 2022-2023 winter season.

One of the newest ships sailing in the region, the Seascape is the highlight of the deployment, which also includes the MSC Meraviglia, the MSC Divina and the MSC Seaside.

After being delivered in November, the newbuild was christened in New York City earlier this month and launched service from its South Florida homeport on Dec. 11.

A Seaside EVO Class ship, the Seascape is currently the newest and also one of the largest ships of the MSC Cruises fleet.

Set to serve the U.S. market year-round, the 4,560-guest vessel is now offering week-long cruises to the Caribbean departing from Miami.

Itineraries include visits to popular ports in the Eastern and Western Caribbean, including San Juan, Cozumel, George Cayman and Ocho Rios. Every cruise also features a visit to Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island destination in the Bahamas.

Sailing from Miami as well, the MSC Divina offers a seasonal program of three- to 10-night cruises, visiting additional destinations in the Southern and Western Caribbean, Central America and the Bahamas. Featured ports include Cartagena, Roatán, Limón and Freeport.

Based in Port Canaveral, the MSC Meraviglia is the third MSC cruise ship serving the North American market.

From its Central Florida homeport, the 2017-built ship offers a series of three- to seven-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean.

In addition to Ocean Cay and Nassau, itineraries include calls to Cozumel, Belize and Costa Maya.

A fourth vessel, the MSC Seaside is also offering a winter program in the Southern and Eastern Caribbean.

Departing from St. Maarten, Barbados and Martinique, the ships cater to other publics, including Europeans and Brazilians.

MSC is set to broaden its offering in North America and the Caribbean in 2023-2024, with five ships sailing from U.S. ports, and a sixth based in the South Caribbean.

MSC Meraviglia Returns to Port Canaveral for Winter Season

MSC Meraviglia Returns to Port Canaveral for Winter Season

The MSC Meraviglia recently returned to North America for its 2022-2023 cruise program. Following a trans-Atlantic crossing, the MSC Cruises vessel arrived in Port Canaveral on October 13. 

The 2017-built ship is now offering a series of cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean departing from the Central Florida homeport.

Ranging from two to seven nights, the ship’s itineraries feature visits to popular destinations in the region, including Cozumel, Costa Maya and Belize City.

Most of the cruises also include a stop in Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company’s private island in the Bahamas.

Ahead of MSC’s first complete season in the Northeast, the MSC Meraviglia concludes its winter program with a repositioning cruise to New York City.

The 11-night voyage departs Port Canaveral on April 9, 2023, and includes calls in five ports in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

Upon arriving at its new homeport, the 167,600-ton vessel kicks off a year-round operation in the region.  

Sailing from Manhattan Cruise Terminal, the program features itineraries are six- to 11-night voyages visiting the Caribbean and the Bahamas, as well as Bermuda and Canada & New England.

Boasting 19 decks and a capacity for over 4,500 guests in double occupancy, the MSC Meraviglia was built in France by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyards.

The lead of the five-ship Meraviglia Class, the vessel offers several unique features, including the Galleria Meraviglia, a 96-meter-long central promenade equipped with an 80-meter LED dome and an expansive shopping area.

Other features include a complete waterpark and 12 international dining venues, as well as 20 different bars and lounges. 

After entering service in Europe in 2017, the MSC Meraviglia originally debuted in North America two years later. At the time, the vessel arrived in Miami as MSC’s largest U.S.-based ship.

MSC Seashore to Be Named at Ocean Cay in The Bahamas on Nov. 18

MSC Cruises has revealed that its latest flagship, the MSC Seashore, will be officially named at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas on Nov. 18, making this the first naming ceremony for a cruise ship to be held at a private island.

According to a press release, the event will be attended by travel advisors and media as well as other key company stakeholders.

Departing Miami on Nov. 17, invitees will be able to get a first look at the new ship before she starts her inaugural seven-night cruise and U.S. season on Nov. 20 and make the most of the onboard entertainment, different activities as well as various bars and restaurants.

As with every new MSC Cruises ship, Hollywood royalty Sophia Loren will perform the role of Godmother as she officially names her 16th MSC Cruises ship. The festivities will take place both onboard and on the island as the ship will remain docked throughout the night, with a gala dinner, live entertainment and more.

The naming of the MSC Seashore will see the formal inauguration of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which opened in late 2019 and closed shortly after due to the pandemic.

MSC said that the island has since gone through further work and significant improvements and this is “an opportunity for MSC Cruises to showcase the island to the invitees on this occasion.”

The MSC Seashore will become the third MSC Cruises ship based in the U.S and the company is offering a range of different length cruises from mini cruises, regular seven-night sailings to longer cruises of eight nights and 11 nights.

New for this season is Port Canaveral where the MSC Divina began operating in September. This new homeport is convenient and easily accessible and is close to popular attractions and major cities like Orlando, Tampa and South Florida for those wishing to make the most out of their holiday either before or after the cruise, MSC said.

When the MSC Seashore arrives, the MSC Meraviglia will move to Port Canaveral for the rest of the season and the MSC Divina will move to PortMiami.

The MSC Seashore will remain for summer 2022 in Miami offering cruises with the MSC Divina out of Port Canaveral.

MSC Meraviglia Welcomes Guests Back Onboard Marking MSC’s U.S. Restart

The MSC Meraviglia has become the latest MSC cruise ship to welcome guests onboard again after the pandemic when she sailed last night out of PortMiami, Florida.

MSC Cruises said that this is a key milestone as part of the line’s global plan to have more than half of its fleet back at sea by the end of this summer, following the line’s initial restart in the Mediterranean in August 2020 and over the past several months the return at sea of more of its ships across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, the UK, the Red Sea and now in the Caribbean out of the U.S.

Tens of thousands of guests have returned to enjoy a cruise at sea on an MSC Cruises ship since last summer, the cruise line said, under the protection of its health and safety protocol that is now also available for cruises out of U.S. ports.

The MSC Meraviglia is now on her first four-night cruise visiting Nassau, The Bahamas and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, where the ship will stay overnight to allow guests an extended stay to discover the company’s new private island destination.

According to a press release, the destination offers guests more than two miles of white sand beaches in an eco-friendly 64 square mile marine reserve. Guests can enjoy the island’s nature, discover local marine life and soak up “the spirit of The Bahamas” with ships docking at the island from early morning into the evening and in some instances overnight.

Guests can spend a full day enjoying activities for all ages including stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkelling, and more.

The MSC Meraviglia will sail three- and four-night cruises and add seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises from Sept. 18, 2021.

The MSC Divina will become MSC Cruises’ second ship to return to cruising from the U.S., with three-, four- and seven-night itineraries beginning Sept. 16 from Orlando (Port Canaveral) – a new homeport for the company.

Delivered last week, MSC’s newest flagship Seashore will arrive at her new homeport in Miami on Nov. 18, 2021, following her inaugural season in the Mediterranean. As an evolution of the Seaside class, MSC said that the ship will bring guests “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., numerous outdoor bars and dining, pools and deck area for relaxing and sunbathing, as well as a variety of new spaces for guests.

MSC said that the health and safety of its guests, crew and the communities its ships visit is its top priority. Since last summer, MSC Cruises has implemented a health and safety protocol onboard each ship, which includes universal COVID-19 testing at embarkation; regular testing of the crew; physical distancing; mask-wearing; enhanced sanitation measures and more. In the U.S., MSC Cruises will welcome both vaccinated and not fully vaccinated guests onboard with additional requirements for guests who are not fully vaccinated.

Disney and MSC Ships Leave on CDC Test Cruises

MSC Meraviglia on her CDC test.

Two more cruise ships are hoping to score a CDC Conditional Sailing Certificate upon the successful completion of simulated voyages, better known as test cruises, with volunteer passengers aboard.

The Disney Dream sailed from Port Canaveral on Friday, while the MSC Meraviglia sailed from Miami on Friday.

Officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sailed with Royal Caribbean International on the Freedom of the Seas test cruise in June, and are expected to be aboard with both Disney and MSC to observe COVID-19 related health and safety measures. 

If approved, the Conditional Sailing Certificate allows a cruise ship to operate with less than 95 per cent vaccinated guests aboard, which many cruise operators believe is needed to continue to appeal to families with children. 

Here Are the 13 Ships Approved for Test Cruises

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved 13 ships for simulated voyages, also known as test cruises, using volunteers as passengers.

With ships completing a test voyage successfully, each vessel is then issued a Conditional Sailing Certificate, allowing it to sail from U.S. homeports with less than 95 per cent of guests aboard being vaccinated. 

Ships Approved For Test Cruises:

• Bahamas Paradise / Grand Classica
• Carnival Cruise Line / Carnival Ecstasy 
• Disney Cruise Line / Disney Dream
• Disney Cruise Line / Fantasy 
• MSC Cruises / MSC Meraviglia
• Royal Caribbean / Allure of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean / Independence of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean / Mariner of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean / Oasis of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean / Odyssey of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean / Ovation of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean / Serenade of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean / Symphony of the Seas

 

MSC Cruises Resumes Sailings From Germany

The MSC Seaview has departed from the German port of Kiel for the first on a seven-night cruises in the Baltic Sea, according to the cruise line’s press release.

The Seaview is the seventh MSC Cruises’ ship to resume sailings with guests onboard with a further three preparing to start future voyages, which will see half of the company’s fleet back at sea by the end of summer.

The vessel will homeport in Kiel until the beginning of October and the ship will welcome German and international guests for an itinerary to Visby on one of Sweden’s largest islands Gotland, Nynäshamn near the Swedish capital city of Stockholm and Estonia’s capital Tallinn before returning to her North German base.

MSC Cruises’ protected shore excursions are available at all ports of call.

In other MSC news, the weekend also saw Marseille added to MSC Seaview’s sister ship MSC Seaside’s West Mediterranean itinerary, the first French port to reopen for the cruise line and welcome international guests for weekly calls.

Five MSC Cruises’ ships are currently sailing in the Mediterranean – the MSC Grandiosa, MSC Seaside, MSC Orchestra, MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica. A sixth ship, the MSC Virtuosa, has operated cruises around the UK for British guests only since May 20.

The MSC Meraviglia from Aug. 2 will resume Caribbean cruises from Miami and will be joined in the region from Sept. 18 when the MSC Divina restarts sailing from Port Canaveral near Orlando in Florida.

The MSC Seashore will come into service in August with voyages in the West Mediterranean before the company’s newest flagship transfers in November to Miami for a season in the Caribbean.

Passengers on Mediterranean cruise test positive for covid-19

Two passengers tested positive for the coronavirus during routine checks aboard a Mediterranean cruise this week, MSC Cruises said.

The passengers, who were asymptomatic, got their positive test results on Monday, according to MSC Cruises spokesman Luca Biondolillo. They were not travelling together on the MSC Seaside. Biondolillo said the individuals and their travelling groups, as well as close contacts, were immediately isolated, and no one aside from the original two passengers tested positive.

According to the Times of Malta, the vessel was not allowed to make a regular call-in to Malta’s Valletta cruise port Monday. Instead, Biondolillo said, the ship made a “technical call” — where passengers don’t disembark — and then resumed its regular schedule with a stop in Sicily.

Both passengers and their parties left the ship in Siracusa, on the island of Sicily, and were taken home “by protected MSC Cruises transport” Tuesday, the cruise company said. The ship continued its normal schedule after the Siracusa stop.

“All of this took place in line with the protocol and in coordination with the local health authorities,” Biondolillo said in an email Wednesday.

Passengers on MSC ships are not required to be vaccinated, but they have to undergo several tests: two to three days before leaving for a cruise, just before getting on the ship and midway through the cruise, Biondolillo said.

“If anything, this is another demonstration that the protocol works,” he said.

The company started sailing in the Mediterranean in August 2020 and has seen “a handful such cases” since, Biondolillo said, adding that “many thousands” of passengers have sailed safely.

Cruise ships have slowly started service again around the world, but still have not resumed in the United States since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shut the industry down last March. The agency is not requiring cruise ships to sail with vaccinated passengers but will allow those with at least 95 per cent of vaccinated crew and guests to skip test cruises meant to show how they will deal with covid-19 risks.

The first cruise from U.S. shores with paying passengers is scheduled to set sail later this month. The Celebrity Cruises ship will require everyone 16 and older to be fully vaccinated — a condition that comes into conflict with a Florida law that says businesses can’t ask for proof of vaccination status.

MSC Cruises, which is headquartered in Geneva, announced this week that it plans to start short cruises on MSC Meraviglia from Miami to the Bahamas on Aug. 2. The company recently got approval from the CDC to conduct a test cruise on that vessel.

The company said it will “welcome both vaccinated and non-vaccinated guests,” with those who are not vaccinated subject to additional testing and restrictions. Rubén Rodriguez, president of MSC Cruises USA, said in a statement that he expects the majority of passengers will be vaccinated.

“The rapid distribution of vaccines in the U.S. has been a positive step toward helping vacationers get back to travelling, and we encourage our guests to take advantage of this added layer of protection when resuming travel this summer,” he said.

MSC Extends Pause, Retools Summer 2021 Program

MSC Divina.

MSC Cruises announced that it will further extend the temporary fleet-wide halt of its cruise operations through July 31, 2020.

Today, the Swiss-based cruise line also reconfirmed its March – November 2021 program, which will include two new ships currently under construction and a series of new or enriched itineraries and homeports, including a new home for MSC Divina in Central Florida at Port Canaveral. 

Gianni Onorato, CEO, MSC Cruises: “While today we have taken the difficult decision to further extend the halt of operations of all our ships, it is important that we also look ahead as we know that our customers are dreaming of travel and are wanting to plan their holidays for next year. For this reason, we have now also confirmed our March – November program for 2021.”

“Shorter-term,” added Onorato, “Our ships will return to service only when the time is right, in phases and by region, and following guidance from the relevant national and international health and other regulatory authorities and the support of a new operating protocol especially focused on health and safety, which we will announce soon. This way, gradually, all of our ships will return to sea between then and the beginning of our summer 2021 season.”

MSC Meraviglia.

The MSC Meraviglia will offer seven-night cruises from Miami, Florida departing every Saturday, while the classic and charming MSC Armonia will offer new three- and four-night getaway cruises, also from Miami, departing on Mondays and Fridays and calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

New for next summer, the MSC Divina will sail for the first time from Port Canaveral, Florida – a new homeport  – and offer a mix of three-, four- and seven-night cruises departing on Sundays and Thursdays. 

MSC's three Seaside-class ships will all be deployed together for the first time in the Western Mediterranean for Summer 2021.

The MSC Seashore will now come into service August 1, 2021, due to the delay caused by the temporary closure of the shipyard as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and for this period, MSC Fantasia will temporarily cover her itinerary.

The MSC Seashore will have the highest ratio of outdoor space per guest of any ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet and will offer the popular Six Pearls itinerary calling the Italian cities of Genoa and, visits to Pompeii, Naples; Messina, Sicily; Valletta, Malta; Barcelona, Spain and Marseille, France.

MSC Seashore due June 2021

She will be joined by sister ships MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview in their Genoa homeport and operate seven-night cruises. The company will also return to Tunisia in August when MSC Fantasia performs seven-night cruises from Genoa calling at Marseille, Barcelona, the port of La Goulette in Tunis, Palermo and Civitavecchia.

There are also nine- to 12-night cruises will also be available from Genoa, Italy in late summer to Morocco, the Canary Islands, Madeira and Portugal, Greece and Israel with MSC Poesia calling in the beautiful port of Haifa.

New for summer 2021, MSC Lirica will be deployed from Venice, Italy and will also offer embarkation in the northern Italian port of Trieste with a stunning itinerary calling Zadar, Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro and Corfu in Greece.

In addition, MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, MSC Opera and MSC Sinfonia, will offer seven-night itineraries also departing from Venice and calling the Greek islands, Montenegro and Croatia.

Starting in May, the new MSC Virtuosa will spend her first summer season with seven- to 14-night cruises from Kiel, alternating between the fjords and the Baltic capitals, with all itineraries offering embarkation in both Kiel and Copenhagen, Denmark.

MSC Virtuosa floats out.

The fjords of the Norwegian west coast and the Baltic Capitals can also be enjoyed on a seven-night to 14-night (back to back) itinerary available on MSC Splendida and she will also offer longer 10- and 11-night cruises to the Baltic capitals or North Cape.

The MSC Magnifica will homeport in Southampton, UK and offer seven-night itineraries to the fjords of Norway, 14-nights to the Baltic capitals or the Mediterranean in mid-August, 12-nights to the Canary Islands and a seven-night cruise calling the Northern Pearls of Hamburg, Germany; Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Zeebrugge, Belgium and Le Havre, France.

The MSC Preziosa will offer from nine- to 14-night itineraries from Hamburg with destinations in Ireland, Iceland and North Cape and Spitzbergen in Norway.