MSC Cruises has been making a major push into the U.S. market as it tries to win market share in Florida, New York, and Texas. The cruise line has been steadily adding ships sailing out of American ports and it's largely going after people who sail Royal Caribbean and Carnival.
The cruise line, of course, does not publicly identify which rivals it's targeting, but its next flagship MSC World America shares a lot of features with Royal Caribbean and Carnival's largest megaship.
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"MSC World America is set to become MSC Cruises’ newest U.S. flagship when she is named at PortMiami on April 9, 2025. Guests will experience a new world of cruising as they explore seven distinct districts, each with its own atmosphere, facilities, and experiences waiting to be explored. MSC World America’s districts allow guests of all ages to choose their own vacation adventure and get the most out of their time on board," the cruise line shares on its website.
That's a bold move by the cruise line to offer something that rivals Royal Caribbean's (RCL) Oasis and Icon classes as well as Carnival's Excel class.
MSC World America, which will sail out of Miami, isn't the cruise line's only move to expand its U.S. fleet. It's also bringing a second ship to Port Canaveral.
Image source: MSC
MSC Cruises grows its Florida fleet
Currently, MSC Seashore sails out of Port Canaveral and offers a variety of sailings. In December 2025, MSC Grandiosa will begin sailing from there as well.
Bringing a second ship to Port Canaveral will give MSC Cruises’ guests a much wider selection of cruises. MSC Grandiosa will offer alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Meanwhile, MSC Seashore will sail 3- and 4-night cruises to Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the line’s private island in The Bahamas.
A member of the cruise line's Merivigilia-plus line, Grandiosa will be the largest MSC ship to ever sail out of Port Canaveral. It's one of the cruise line's largest ships, with only its World Class ships, which include Europa and World America being bigger.
Grandiosa does have many of its own special features including an open area, the Galleria, which sort of mixes Royal Caribbean's Royal Promenade and downtown Las Vegas' Fremont St. Experience.
"At any time of the day, the Galleria is the perfect place for dining, shopping, socializing or simply taking in the unique atmosphere. And when the sun sets, it takes on another life, with LED dome shows, concerts, discos, and parties late into the night," the cruise line shared.
MSC has big Caribbean plans
Royal Caribbean and Carnival have made the Caribbean the heart of the cruising world. They both sail multiple ships out of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Port Canaveral. The two rival cruise lines also sail to the Caribbean from New York/New Jersey, Baltimore, Galveston, and select other ports.
MSC Cruises will step up its competition in the Caribbean in the Summer of 2024 with four ships sailing there from Miami, New York, and Orlando.
- Two ships will offer sailings out of PortMiami: MSC Magnifica with three to seven-night sailings including to the Key West (Florida), Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico), Isla de Roatan (Honduras), Belize City (Belize), Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Bahamas).
- MSC Seascape will also sail from Miami offering seven-night sailings, calling at destinations including San Juan (Puerto Rico), George Town (Cayman Islands), Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Cozumel (Mexico), and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
- MSC Meraviglia will set sail from New York, with seven-night itineraries including port of calls in Port Canaveral, Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
- MSC Seashore will also offer the chance to visit the Caribbean’s prized gems with three to seven-night sailings from Port Canaveral to destinations including Nassau, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Costa Maya and Cozumel.
MSC Cruises has been working to improve its private island, the MSC Marine Reserve.
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"The new enhancements will include expanded excursion centers to support water activities and island tours, and additional food and beverage facilities including a second food hall and larger bars. Additionally, guests can expect enhanced swimming areas, including a new kids lagoon alongside improvements to the popular main lagoon," the cruise line shares on its website.
MSC Cruise has made inroads in growing its U.S. customer base at least partly by offering lower prices than Royal Caribbean and Carnival. It also sells packages that include internet and a drink package with fares that are often cheaper than its rivals before those items are purchased separately.
