MSC Cruises Boosts Number of Cruises from U.S. Ports; Plus, New MSC Cruises Family Programs
MSC World America is scheduled to debut in Miami in April 2025. (Rendering courtesy of MSC Cruises)
MSC Cruises is offering more opportunities for cruisers to sail from the line’s four U.S. homeports. The company’s winter 2025/2026 season includes seven ships with cruises from Miami, Port Canaveral, New York City and Galveston. (These are all available to book now.)
2025/2026 Winter Cruise Highlights
MSC Grandiosa’s debut in the U.S. from Port Canaveral
MSC Cruises’ inaugural season sailing from Galveston, Texas
MSC World America’s first winter season sailing from Miami, following her debut as the line’s newest flagship in April 2025
Most itineraries visit Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas
Here’s What’s Happening
MSC Grandiosa’s arrival in Port Canaveral will be the first time MSC has deployed one of its Meraviglia-Plus Class ships in the U.S.
MSC Grandiosa will offer alternating 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean alongside an enhanced selection of 3- and 4-night cruises aboard MSC Seashore sailing to Nassau and Ocean Cay.
The season will have MSC Cruises’ first voyages from the Port of Galveston, home of the family-friendly MSC Seascape.
This ship features 11 dining venues, 19 bars, an aft infinity pool, state-of-the-art kids and teens club and MSC Cruises’ luxury “ship-within-a-ship” experience, MSC Yacht Club.
Launching in April of 2025, MSC World America will sail from PortMiami. This innovative ship offers seven districts onboard, along with the all-new Cliffhanger, the first over-water swing ride at sea. During the winter 2025/2026 season, cruisers can choose from alternating 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean onboard MSC World America.
Itineraries that include Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve give you the opportunity to discover new enhancements to the island, including excursion centers, a snorkel and dive center, new food and beverage options and an expanded Ocean House bar and restaurant for MSC Yacht Club cruisers. Opened in 2019, Ocean Cay is a thriving marine reserve that the cruise line created by rehabilitating a former mine facility, working with marine biologists and scientists to preserve the surrounding oceans and coral reefs.
About the Cruise Itineraries
Sailings from Miami
MSC World America — Sailing 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries
Western Caribbean: Calling at Isla de Roatan (Honduras), Costa Maya (Mexico), Cozumel (Mexico) and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)
Eastern Caribbean: Calling at Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Ocean Cay (The Bahamas)
MSC Seaside — Sailing a range of 3-, 4- and 7-night itineraries
3- and 4-night sailings to Ocean Cay and Nassau (The Bahamas)
7-night sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean
MSC Divina — Sailing longer itineraries to the Caribbean
7-night Caribbean: Calling at Ocean Cay (The Bahamas), Cozumel (Mexico), George Town (Cayman Islands) and Ocho Rios (Jamaica)
10-night Caribbean: Calling at Oranjestad (Aruba), Kralendjick (Bonaire), Willemstad (Curacao), Cabo Rojo (Dominican Republic) and Ocho Rios (Jamaica)
11-night Caribbean: Calling at Ocho Rios (Jamica), Oranjestad (Aruba), Cartagena (Colombia), Colon (Panama), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Isla de Roatan (Honduras) and Ocean Cay (The Bahamas)
Sailings from Port Canaveral
MSC Grandiosa — Sailing 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries
Western Caribbean: Various calls including: Nassau (The Bahamas), Cozumel (Mexico), Costa Maya (Mexico), George Town (Cayman Islands), Montego Bay (Jamaica), Falmouth (Jamaica), Belize City (Belize)
Eastern Caribbean: Various calls including Nassau (The Bahamas), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas), Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Charlotte Amalie (USVI)
MSC Seashore — Sailing 3- and 4-night cruises to Nassau and Ocean Cay (The Bahamas)
Sailings from New York City
MSC Meraviglia — Sailing 7-night Florida and The Bahamas itineraries
The itineraries will call at Port Canaveral (Florida), Nassau (The Bahamas) and Ocean Cay (The Bahamas)
Sailings from Galveston
MSC Seascape – Sailing 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries
The itineraries will call at Costa Maya (Mexico), Isla de Roatan (Honduras) and Cozumel (Mexico)
More for Families This Season
MSC Cruises is expanding its offering for the kids and family programs. (Photo courtesy MSC Cruises)
MSC also is expanding its award-winning kids and family program this summer with new entertainment and services.
Starting this summer, families will have even more activities, including services for babies, more family game shows, expanded hours for kids and more.
New Activities
Expanded Babysitting Services
For the first time, MSC Cruises will offer a dedicated service for babies as young as six months old. Previously, the service was available for kids 1 and older. The extended service gives parents the freedom to enjoy the cruise, knowing that their children are being cared for by a highly trained staff. The services are offered in collaboration with Chicco — a long-term MSC Cruises partner.
Doremiland Open House and Party
Parents who want to spend quality time with their children in the kids club, now have the chance to do so. Each day, a time slot is reserved with all Doremiland areas open to parents. There also is a big family party during each sailing.
New MSC Original Family Game Shows
Among the most popular activities for families are the MSC Cruises original or branded game shows, where children are the main stars of the show while participating with their parents. After the success of MasterChef at Sea Juniors, Break the Wall and MSC Dance Crew – two new family game shows are now available, including “World Quest” a geography-based trivia game and “Caravaggio”, a spy game show dedicated to art.
Extended Club Hours for Teens
Cruisers ages 12 to 17 years enjoy extended club hours, allowing for even more fun during their vacations. The club will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to midnight on sea days and from 3 p.m. to midnight on port days.
Guinness World Record Activities
MSC has been home to a Guinness World Record show onboard select ships. Now, the program will be extended to additional ships. Families will be asked to pick out the tallest, the shortest, the biggest or the strongest amongst participants for a chance to win prizes in the ultimate family record-breaking quiz show.
Available on MSC World Europa, MSC Euribia, MSC Seascape, MSC Seashore, MSC Magnifica, MSC Divina, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Grandiosa.
New MSC Foundation Day
Families have the opportunity to learn more about sustainability initiatives through various activities carried out in collaboration with the MSC Foundation and its long-term partners. The daily one-hour activities showcase important environmental topics. Children will be able to learn, create and express themselves according to their interests.
New Games and Returning Favorites
LEGO Experience
With a wide range of LEGO bricks and toys on board, kids have the opportunity to express their creativity however they choose. The LEGO EXPERIENCE ON BOARD gives each young cruiser the chance to receive a diploma, granting the title of Junior LEGO Master Builder.
Break the Wall Game Show
A new original game show for the whole family debuts. It’s Break the Wall, during which participants stand in front of a giant technological wall that determines which surprise tests must be performed on stage in front of an audience that serves as the jury. Be ready, the wall can make anything happen.
Cabin 12006, The Secret Game
The unexpected game show inspired by the MSC Cruises original Cabin 12006 web series is back. The immersive experience features music, videos, memory games and dancing moments around the mysteries of Ocean Cay. The Cabin 12006 experience consists of seven live entertainment moments, including a game show and a casting session with performances. The web series, with more than 4 million views and 2 million online interactions, has been written and shot in collaboration with Viacom, the media group behind the Nickelodeon channel, to develop an original, authentic and high-quality web content for kids.
Doremiland, The Documentary
All cabins featuring children and teenagers feature an exclusive travel documentary that showcases what awaits them during the cruise. The documentary gives a behind-the-scenes look at what’s offered for kids and teens and reveals the secrets behind the creation of the MSC Cruises family product.
MSC Dance Crew
This brand-new competition experience hosts kids from 10 to 17 years old as they compete for the title of dance crew of the year. The game was developed in partnership with Fremantle, the production company behind shows such as the Idols, The X Factor and Got Talent series.
Masterchef at Sea Juniors
Open to kids ages 5 to 12, the Masterchef at Sea Juniors brings the popular MasterChef show to life onboard your cruise in the form of an on-stage cooking competition. The activity aims to inspire a new generation of children to take an interest in cooking. The recipes have been created to feature fresh and healthy ingredients and enable the children to practice useful techniques to cultivate creativity in the kitchen. The recipes for MasterChef Juniors have been devised by Rukmini Iyer, a MasterChef contestant from 2013 and author of two best-selling cookbooks.
About MSC Cruises’ Kids Program
Each MSC Cruises ship offers five complimentary kids clubs, catering to age groups from six months old to 17 years old.
Baby Club Chicco (six months to 2 years)
Miniclub Lego (3 to 6 years old)
Juniors Club Lego (7 to 11 years old)
Young Club (12 to 14 years old)
Teens Club (15 to 17 years old)
Kids enjoy complimentary lunch and dinner as part of the program.
MSC’s Med Cruises Find Hidden Gems
MSC Cruises is offering cruises onboard nine of its ships in the Med this season. (Photo courtesy of MSC Cruises)
MSC is offering a variety of itineraries that visit multiple cities in the Med this year.
From May to October, nine one the line’s ships are set to visit iconic destinations and options off-the-beaten-path ports.
The Med is one of our favorite cruise regions, offering a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, culture and entertainment.
Check Out These 8 Great Mediterranean Ports for MSC Cruises
1. Valencia, Spain
Valencia is a vibrant port city full of rich history, Mediterranean charm and maybe the best nightlife in Spain. Spanish history blends with modern style and culinary delights like tapas, Paella and refreshing horchata.
You’ll find cobblestone streets and vibrant blue waters. The Playa de Las Arenas beach area is perfect during the day and, as the sun sets, Valencia comes alive with hip bars and nightlife.
Ships visiting Valencia this summer include:
MSC Fantasia, 7-night itineraries from Valencia
MSC Seaside, 7-night itineraries from Genoa
2. Livorno, Italy
Cruisers can enjoy historical monuments, fascinating museums and amazing seafood in Livorno, which is a beautiful port town on the west coast of Tuscany.
This port also is the perfect launch pad to Tuscany’s capital of Florence, where the Italian Renaissance was born, and visitors can admire ancient architecture and masterpieces from Caravaggio, Raphael and da Vinci. A short coastal drive to Pisa leads to Piazza dei Miracoli, the famous Leaning Tower, the 13th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the Baptistery with its splendid Gothic facade.
Ships calling on Livorno this summer include:
MSC Fantasia, 7-night itineraries from Valencia
MSC Grandiosa, 7-night itineraries from Livorno
3. Barcelona, Spain
A metropolis full of diverse experiences, Barcelona really comes alive with summer festivals and outdoor activities. Visitors enjoy the world-class museums, designer restaurants and shops brimming with art, not to mention Gaudí’s masterpiece Casa Batlló with its unique facade reflecting the joyful artist.
In nearby El Raval, eclectic bars and boutiques have flourished around the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art. An unparalleled view of this iconic city is best observed on the mountain Montserrat, where visitors can journey to the basilica perched on top and take in the scenery below.
Ships calling on Barcelona this summer include:
MSC Seaview, 7-night itineraries from Barcelona
MSC World Europa, 7-night itineraries from Genoa
MSC Grandiosa, 7-night itineraries from Livorno
MSC Musica, 7-night itineraries from Civitavecchia
MSC Poesia, 11-night itineraries from Genoa
4. Palermo, Italy
Palermo is Sicily’s capital city, and you can find a diverse display of Norman art and architecture, Baroque churches and a labyrinth of medieval streets and markets.
The city is best explored by foot, as back alleys give way to lively scenes in the city center. Cruisers will delight in seeing historic venues, such as the 18th-century Palazzo d'Orleans and Palermo's opera house, Teatro Massimo, which has appeared in movies and TV shows. You also get a fill of impressive Baroque churches.
Ships calling on Palermo this summer include:
MSC Seaside, 7-night itineraries from Genoa
MSC Grandiosa, 7-night itineraries from Livorno
5. Ibiza, Spain
Ibiza is synonymous with beauty and excess, making it the hub of Spanish nightlife. However, there is so much more to explore on the island this summer.
Ciutat d’Eivissa is the most charming town on the island, featuring the UNESCO-listed old quarter of Dalt Vila, encircled by impressive medieval walls that culminate at the main archway entrance, the imposing Portal de ses Taules.
Just inside lies the elegant Plaça de Vila, a town square lined with restaurants and cafés, perfect for enjoying tapas or a leisurely meal. The climb up the steep, winding streets to the cathedral reveals spectacular views over the harbor.
Ships calling on Ibiza this summer include:
MSC Musica, 7-night itineraries from Civitavecchia
MSC Seaside, 7-night itineraries from Genoa
6. Cádiz, Spain
Discovered more than 3,000 years ago, Cádiz is the oldest city in Western Europe.
Located on the Andalusian Atlantic coast, this peninsula city maintains a significant historical heritage, stemming from its commercial significance, alongside pristine beaches and delectable regional cuisine.
Nature enthusiasts can explore Doñana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
MSC Orchestra offers 10-night itineraries this summer from Genoa that visit Cadiz.
7. Naples, Italy
This bustling historic city in southern Italy captivates all five senses and is one of the country’s most underrated large cities. Situated on the coast in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, Naples is alive with artistic treasures and architectural wonders like Teatro di San Carlo, the oldest opera house in Europe. Its location is ideal to explore nearby Pompeii, the town frozen in time from the volcanic eruption in 79 AD. Cruisers can take a trip to Capri to admire its cove-studded coastline and learn about the many legends surrounding the island.
Ships calling on Naples this summer include:
MSC World Europa, 7-night itineraries from Genoa
MSC Grandiosa, 7-night itineraries from Livorno
MSC Divina, 7-night itineraries from Civitavecchia
8. Cannes, France
This French Riviera hotspot is well known for its annual film festival. Cannes offers visitors a range of attractions, including breathtaking scenery, pristine beaches, fantastic restaurants, upscale shops along the famed Boulevard de la Croisette, and the city’s old town, Le Suquet, which is full of rich history.
Ships calling on Cannes this summer include:
MSC Musica, 7-night itineraries from Civitavecchia
MSC Seaview, 7-night itineraries from Barcelona