MSC Cruises Continues Expansion In North America

MSC Divina to Sail Year-Round from Miami due to Significant Growth in Market and Strong Consumer Demand

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Apr 22, 2015, 12:30 ET

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- MSC Cruises, the world's fourth largest cruise line and largest privately-owned cruise company, announced that when MSC Divina – one of the cruise line's most ultra-modern and elegant ships – returns from her season in the Mediterranean, she will once again sail year-round from Miami to the Caribbean starting November 2015.

MSC Divina, one of MSC Cruises' most ultra-modern and elegant cruise ships, will sail year-round from Miami starting November 2015.

"North America is a key market for MSC Cruises as the company works to double its capacity by 2022," said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises. "Since the arrival of MSC Divina in Miami in November 2013, we've seen significant growth in the market and strong demand by consumers and travel agents for MSC Divina to sail from North America year-round. We're thrilled to be able to meet this demand, providing more opportunity for North American guests to enjoy the unique 'Mediterranean Style Cruise' experience that only MSC Cruises can offer."

MSC Divina's already published November 2015 through April 2016 itineraries will remain unchanged. New itineraries from April 2016 through March 2017 will rotate between Eastern and Western Caribbean routes and include stops in St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Mexico, and the Bahamas.

A testament to the company's long-term commitment to North America, MSC Cruises' also recently announced that MSC Seaside, set to debut in November 2017, will sail year-round from Miami to the Caribbean.

"MSC Cruises has received extremely positive ratings from travel agents and guests, who rave about the beauty of our Mediterranean-inspired decor, quality of international cuisine, and world-class, standing-ovation quality entertainment," said Rick Sasso, President of MSC Cruises USA. "Keeping MSC Divina in North America year-round will help us expose even more travel agents and consumers to the MSC Cruises' brand as well as build excitement for the arrival of MSC Seaside in 2017."

"PortMiami welcomed MSC Cruises for the first time in November 2013 with MSC Divina," said PortMiami Director and CEO Juan M. Kuryla. "MSC Divina is among the most modern and elegant ships in the industry today. We are extremely proud to welcome her back home for year-round sailings starting November 2015 and are excited for MSC Seaside to join her at PortMiami a few years later."

In addition, MSC Cruises' Miami-based operations will benefit from a newly renovated and expanded dedicated berth and terminal at PortMiami.

Booking Information and Special Launch Promotion
April 2016 through March 2017 sailings on MSC Divina will open for booking on Friday, May 1. As a special launch promotion, MSC Cruises will offer consumers a value-added offer that includes shipboard credit, a beverage package and a WiFi package, depending on the category of stateroom booked.

Summer 2016 in the Mediterranean
Due to the success of MSC Divina in the Mediterranean in summer 2015 and to meet strong demand for the unique MSC Cruises' product in the region, MSC has created a highly appealing Mediterranean itinerary on the same class, 3,274 passenger, MSC Fantasia. She will sail Mediterranean cruises with seven ports in seven days from Genoa with stops in Cannes, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Corsica, Naples, and La Spezia. In addition, to make it even easier to plan a vacation in the Mediterranean, MSC Cruises will once again offer its popular all inclusive fly & cruise packages to Barcelona for summer 2016.

For more information on MSC Cruises and its current fleet of 12 ships, visit www.msccruisesusa.com.

All information believed to be accurate as of the date of issuance. It is the reader's responsibility to verify its continued accuracy, as all information is subject to change.

About MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises, part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company, is the market leader in the Mediterranean, South Africa and Brazil. It sails year-round in the Mediterranean and will sail year-round in the Caribbean starting November 2015. Its seasonal itineraries cover northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, French Antilles, South America, southern Africa, as well as the Emirates and Oman.