MSC Cruises now sailing from Port Canaveral, offering another option for Central Florida cruisers
Central Floridians and those visiting the area now have a new option when it comes to cruising out of Port Canaveral. The MSC Divina took her first guests from the port to the Caribbean last night, marking the first of many cruises MSC Cruises will be taking from Port Canaveral.
Inspired by its godmother, actress Sophia Loren, the MSC Divina will take guests on three-, four-, seven- and even a 10-night cruise throughout the rest of the year to the Eastern and Western Caribbean and the Bahamas. This is the first time MSC has sailed out of Port Canaveral.
“We’re very pleased to welcome MSC Cruises to Port Canaveral and excited to be the home port for the beautiful MSC Divina,” said Port CEO Capt. John Murray. “We’re looking forward to working together with our new cruise partner providing the best possible experience for their guests.”
Debra and Michael Millner were the first guests to board the ship at Port Canaveral. Besides the welcoming fanfare and confetti from the crew, they also received a ship model and were upgraded to a MSC Yacht Club status room, which comes with private access to certain pool areas and lounges for Yacht Club guests only.
Highlight itineraries include:
September 2021
· Three-night cruises embarking from Port Canaveral and visiting Nassau, Bahamas and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (their private island) for an overnight stay.
· Seven-night cruises visiting Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico from Port Canaveral.
· Four-night cruises visiting Nassau, Bahamas and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve for an overnight stay.
October 2021
· Seven-night cruise embarking from Port Canaveral and visiting Nassau, Bahamas, Ocho Rios, Jamaica the Cayman Islands, and Ocean Cay, MSC Marine Reserve.
· Seven-night cruises visiting MSC Marine Reserve, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico from Port Canaveral.
November 2021
· Ten-night cruise embarking from Port Canaveral and visiting Nassau, MSC Marine Reserve, and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
MSC Cruises is the world’s third largest cruise brand. It is also said to be the fastest growing global cruise brand. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises one of the two brands that sit within the Cruises Division of MSC Group, a privately held Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate with more than 300 years of maritime heritage. MSC Cruises — the contemporary brand — has a modern fleet of 19 vessels. The fleet is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025 with options for six vessel orders in place through 2030.
MSC Cruises implements industry-leading health and safety protocols onboard each ship, including requiring proof of vaccination for guests ages 12 and older; COVID-19 testing at embarkation; vaccination and testing of crew; social distancing; mask-wearing; enhanced sanitation measures, vaccinated only areas of the ship and showtimes, and more. This continuously evolving protocol has been key to MSC Cruises’ global restart more than 12 months ago when MSC Cruises was the first major cruise line to restart cruising with MSC Grandiosa sailing in the Mediterranean.
Here’s a tour of the MSC Divina:
New Ship Coming
Although MSC now has 11 ships sailing throughout the world since the return of cruising, this is only the second U.S. port for the line with the MSC Meraviglia and MSC Armonia currently sailing out of Miami. (MSC Meraviglia swaps home ports with MSC Divina in late November.) Starting in November, MSC Seashore – their newest flagship – will also sail from Miami. The ship has been entirely reimagined with 65 percent of the ship redesigned with new features. Le Cabaret Rouge lounge will feature original productions featuring aerialists, dancers, singers and musicians all rolled into a show. And, since the ship is themed around the vibrant city of New York, the Times Square lounge features Dueling Pianos lighting up a New Year’s party, and the ball drops on a different decade each night.
