Don't Miss Out: Plan Your Summer 2018 Vacation Now

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sailing to nearly 200 destinations around the world, MSC Cruises — the Swiss-based world's largest privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe and South America — offers a myriad of unique experiences for summer 2018, providing guests an opportunity to make their travel dreams come true, no matter what they are looking for.

Whether seeking the perfect family vacation, wanting to discover new cultures, saving up for the trip of a lifetime or simply looking for inspiration on your ultimate 2018 adventure, booking early is a smart move. And with MSC Cruises, the earlier you book, the better the benefits.  In addition to getting the best deal in terms of price, guests booking early get their first picks in choosing their stateroom and location.  Once booked, guests can also secure their spot on shore excursions that book up extremely quickly, particularly if everyone in a group wants to do an excursion together.

Top Eight Reasons to Start Dreaming of Summer 2018 with MSC Cruises

Reason 1: Be Closer to the Sea than Ever Before with Revolutionary New Ships in the Mediterranean and Caribbean

In summer 2018, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and be closer to the sea than ever before on board the brand new MSC Seaside — debuting in Miami in December 2017 and sailing the Caribbean — or aboard her sister ship, MSC Seaview, arriving just in time for summer 2018 and sailing her inaugural season in the Western Mediterranean. With an ultramodern and innovative "condo on the beach" design, these ships feature 360° ocean-level promenades, two glass-floor catwalks extending off the side of the ship, and glass elevators offering guests breathtaking sea views. Both ships also have one of the highest ratios at sea of outdoor space per guest, ideal for sun and sea lovers looking for their next summer escape!

Explore and Book Now:

• As part of MSC Cruises' 2 for 1 Plus Caribbean promotion, MSC Seaside prices for Summer 2018* begin at $449 per person and include up to $150 onboard credit, free WiFi and a free drinks package.
• As part of MSC Cruises' 2 for 1 Mediterranean Cruise Deals promotion, MSC Seaview prices for Summer 2018* in the Mediterranean begin at $529 per person.

Reason 2: Discover Incredible Destinations in Northern Europe

With Northern Europe offering some of the most magnificent landscapes and sceneries — best viewed by sea — there is no better way to experience the region and its unique cultures than by cruise.

For summer 2018, MSC Cruises' guests sailing in Northern Europe will be able to choose from a range of itineraries that include taking in the breathtaking Northern Lights, magnificent Norwegian fjords, rugged British Isles, captivating Baltic States and historic Saint Petersburg as well as visiting some amazing European capital cities including Stockholm (Sweden), Helsinki (Finland), Copenhagen (Denmark), Tallinn (Estonia), Riga (Latvia), Gdinya (Poland) and Reykjavik (Iceland).

While MSC Cruises already has three magnificent ships deployed in the region — MSC Preziosa, MSC Orchestra and MSC Magnifica — for the first time in summer 2018 travelers will also have the option of experiencing Northern Europe on the brand new next-generation smart ship MSC Meraviglia. MSC Meraviglia features modern and comfortable accommodations, two Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows created exclusively for MSC Cruises' guests, a wide range of dining options and bars, outstanding activities and facilities for the entire family and an enhanced MSC Yacht Club for guests seeking exclusivity and privacy while still having access to all the amenities of a larger ship.

Reason 3: Fulfill Travel Dreams in the Eastern Mediterranean

Travel experts agree that Santorini is best approached by sea, as the midnight blue waters perfectly showcase the iconic white houses on top of the island. Vacationers have a chance to experience the beauty of this not-to-be-missed Greek island on board one of three MSC Cruises' ships sailing the region, including MSC Musica, MSC Poesia, and MSC Sinfonia. In addition, itineraries in the region include stops at charming historical ports such as Saranda, Albania; Mykonos, Greece; and Dubrovnik, Croatia, plus many more.

Reason 4: Enjoy Activities and Entertainment for the Entire Family

As a family-owned company, MSC Cruises understands the need for quality, varied and dedicated family and kids entertainment, facilities and activities. An MSC Cruises' experience combines fun with a variety of cultural and educational experiences that the whole family can enjoy. Fleet wide, partnerships with leading brands such as LEGO and Chicco, as well as dedicated kids clubs for all ages, ensure that children are entertained throughout the day and looked after by a team of well-trained staff. While the kids are off playing, parents can enjoy some alone time, soaking up some sun by the pool, enjoying a Balinese-style massage in the MSC Aurea Spa, or trying their luck at the on board casino.

Creating memories together is also important, and MSC Cruises offers an unprecedented number of activities for parents and their kids to do together, including cooking classes, family discos, sports competitions, pool games and the LEGO experience, where kids and adults compete in LEGO competitions and children earn an official LEGO Junior Master Builder Diploma.  Families can also enjoy on board amenities, including multi-story aqua parks, bowling lanes, F1 Simulators, and 4D Cinemas.

Reason 5: Indulge in a Little Luxury

Guests looking for an exclusive and private experience, while still having access to the variety of choices and amenities that can only be found on a larger ship, can opt to stay in the luxurious MSC Yacht Club. The innovative 'ship within a ship' offering — introduced to the industry by MSC Cruises back in 2008 — includes an exclusive area with 24-hour butler service, private concierge, luxurious suites and all-inclusive food and drinks. Guests also enjoy a range of private facilities, including a private sundeck featuring a private pool, whirlpool baths and solarium and the Top Sail Lounge, an entirely self-contained private club providing a tranquil haven for guests to relax and take in the panoramic ocean views.

On MSC Cruises' new next-generation ships — including MSC Meraviglia, which debuted in June 2017; MSC Seaside, launching in December 2017; and MSC Seaview, launching in June 2018 — the MSC Yacht Club has been expanded and enhanced with increased accommodation options and more public space, including a dedicated restaurant located within the MSC Yacht Club area.

Reason 6: Try Cuisines from Around the World, a Foodie's Heaven!

More so than ever, food is playing an important role in travel experiences. In the cruise industry in particular, guests are craving new international culinary experiences both on board and on shore.

Inspired by its Mediterranean heritage, MSC Cruises is extremely passionate about its food, offering always fresh, authentic cuisines from around the world. Of note, MSC Cruises has partnered with world-class chefs — Carlo Cracco, Jean-Philippe Maury, Roy Yamaguchi and Jereme Leung — to bring high quality, fine dining to the cruise experience.

As MSC Cruises continues to elevate dining at sea, it's introducing a range of new, international, specialty-dining concepts on board its new ships. For instance, on MSC Seaside, guests will be able to experience authentic pan-Asian cuisine in the Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi; enjoy American-style fish dishes with a Mediterranean twist in the ship's signature seafood restaurant Ocean Cay; and select their favorite steak from glass fronted meat aging fridges before watching skilled chefs prepare their selections in an open-fronted kitchen in the modern American steakhouse Butcher's Cut.

Reason 7: Sail Along the Stylish French Riviera or Star Spot in Ibiza

If a life on the waves beckons, and dreams of sashaying along the stylish French Riviera sound familiar, then MSC Cruises' best-in-class ships and itineraries offer the greatest opportunity to discover that 'joie de vivre' in summer 2018. Four MSC Cruises ships will call at the most popular ports of Italy, Spain, Malta and of course, France including Cannes and can be discovered as part of MSC Seaview's enhanced itinerary from June 2018.

Ibiza has a reputation of being an island of excess, celebrity-spotting opportunities and intense nightlife, but for the seasoned traveler to the beautiful 'White Isle,' it also offers stunning beaches, pine forests and proper star-spotting moments. Traveling with MSC Cruises will give global travelers the opportunity to get a closer look at the historic port of Ibiza Old Town as well as immerse themselves in Spanish culture experiences with itineraries calling at Barcelona, Malaga and Valencia.  In addition, itineraries include Venice, Naples and the picturesque French towns of Cannes and Villefranche-sur-Mer. So whether watching the sun coming up after dancing under the stars in the Balearics, or enjoying a relaxing cocktail at sunset is the ideal for vacation bliss, MSC Cruises has something for everyone.

Reason 8: Stay Connected While at Sea

Everyday innovations are changing the way people travel and in which they share their experiences. With the launch of MSC Meraviglia, MSC Cruises introduced its innovative MSC for Me digital program and smart ship technology, allowing guests to stay connected with each other as well as the crew on board in a seamless, connected vacation experience.  The cutting-edge technology, which will be featured on all MSC Cruises' next-generation ships and later be deployed across the rest of the fleet, includes everything from onboard interactive screens that make it easier than ever to select excursions, book shows and make reservations to Near Field Communication (NFC) that enables a guest to use their cruise card, bracelet or smartphone for stateroom access, on-board payments, geolocation and much more.

In addition, MSC Cruises has introduced next-generation connectivity across its entire fleet and new internet packages designed to meet the web and social needs of today's cruisers. Guests sailing with MSC Cruises now have fast, reliable access to the web and can choose from a range of affordable internet packages, making it easy to stay connected both with friends and family back at home as well as those they are traveling with.

*Summer 2018 is defined as April – November 2018.

SOURCE MSC Cruises USA