IT’S TIME TO CRUISE AGAIN! MSC CRUISES TO RESUME CRUISING FROM U.S. PORTS THIS SUMMER
Announcement follows CDC approval of simulation cruise on MSC Meraviglia departing July 17, 2021
MSC Meraviglia to begin 3- and 4-night cruises from Miami on August 2, 2021 with 7-night cruises beginning on September 18, 2021
MSC Divina to begin 3-, 4- and 7-night cruises from Port Canaveral on September 16
Cruises will be available for booking starting Wednesday, June 16, 2021, with all itineraries featuring MSC Cruises’ new private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (June 7, 2021) — MSC Cruises – the world’s third largest and fastest-growing cruise brand — is announcing today its restart plans for cruising from U.S. ports beginning this August on two of its most glamorous and modern ships. The announcement follows CDC approval of the Company’s Phase 2A Port Agreements for PortMiami and Port Canaveral as well as the provisional approval of its request to conduct a simulation cruise, to be held on MSC Meraviglia from PortMiami on July 17, 2021.
“After what has been a challenging period, we’re thrilled to say it’s finally time to cruise again. 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 Cruises. “We want to thank our guests and partners, as well as Governor Ron DeSantis and the State of Florida, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami Dade County, PortMiami and Port Canaveral port officials. and the CDC for their strong support in bringing cruising back to the U.S. so we can get back to doing what we do best, providing our guests incredible and enriching vacations at sea.”
U.S. Restart Plans
MSC Cruises’ new itineraries from the U.S. on board MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina will officially open for booking on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. MSC Meraviglia will kick off MSC Cruises’ restart starting August 2, 2021, with 3- and 4-night cruises from Miami to The Bahamas and featuring MSC Cruises’ exclusive new private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Then, starting September 18, 2021, MSC Meraviglia will add 7-night cruises from Miami to The Bahamas and Caribbean, including Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. MSC Divina will resume cruising from Orlando (Port Canaveral) on September 16, 2021, offering 3-, 4- and 7-night cruise options from to The Bahamas and Caribbean, also including stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
“With our vast experience cruising in Europe since August 2020 along with our industry-leading health and safety protocol, our guests can book with confidence knowing we are well prepared for a successful restart in the U.S.,” said Rubén Rodriguez, president of MSC Cruises USA. “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. The rapid distribution of vaccines in the U.S. has been a positive step toward helping vacationers get back to traveling, and we encourage our guests to take advantage of this added layer of protection when resuming travel this summer.
MSC Cruises 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 non-vaccinated guests. Those who are not vaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be subject to requirements such as additional testing, as well as restrictions, which will be announced at a later date. Details of our current health and safety protocol can be found on MSC Cruises’ website at www.msccruisesusa.com/health-and-safety.
MSC Cruises is also confirming today the cancellation of existing U.S.-based sailings. The decision will affect the schedules of three ships based in Florida: MSC Divina scheduled to sail from Port Canaveral, and MSC Meraviglia and MSC Armonia scheduled to sail from PortMiami, as follows:
Cruises onboard MSC Divina from July 1, 2021 through to and including September 15, 2021
Cruises onboard MSC Meraviglia from July 1, 2021 through to and including September 17, 2021
Cruises onboard MSC Armonia from July 1, 2021 through to and including October 24, 2021
Guests booked on the impacted sailings have the unique opportunity to easily rebook on one of MSC Cruises’ first sailings from the U.S. on MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina, open for sale on June 16, 2021, or on the brand new MSC Seashore, arriving to Miami this November. Guests impacted by these cancellations — and who have paid in full and booked through MSC Cruises USA or affiliated U.S.-based travel advisors — will be offered a 100 percent future cruise credit (FCC) of the original cruise fare and up to $200 onboard credit, depending on the length of the original cruise. The FCC and onboard credit can be used on any future cruise of choice — on any ship, and any itinerary that is open for sale – or guests can request a refund if they prefer. For additional details, guests should contact their travel advisor or MSC Cruises directly.
