Cruise line amps up North American Focus with Return of MSC Divina and Sales set to Open for Miami-bound Next-Generation Ship, MSC Seaside.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – MSC Cruises celebrated the arrival of MSC Divina – one of the company’s newest and most ultra-modern ships – to Miami, where she will sail year-round to the Caribbean.
MSC Divina spent this past summer in the Mediterranean, following her inaugural Caribbean season sailing from Miami between November 2013 – April 2015. Her return to Miami marks a significant milestone for the company as it increases its focus on the North American market.
In addition, MSC Cruises announced that sales for its next-generation cruise ship MSC Seaside, will open on December 15th, two years ahead of her debut, in December 2017. MSC Seaside, which will join MSC Divina in sailing from a newly renovated and expanded dedicated berth and terminal at PortMiami, will be the first MSC Cruises’ ship to head directly to the U.S. from the shipyard, and be the first MSC Cruises’ ship to be christened in the U.S.
“MSC Cruises is embarking on an ambitious growth plan that includes seven planned new builds that will allow us to expand our geographical footprint to new destinations and double our capacity by 2022,” said Rick Sasso, President of MSC Cruises USA. “We’ve already seen significant interest from North Americans in MSC Cruises unique ‘Mediterranean Style Cruising’ experience and MSC Divina sailing year-round from Miami – coupled with the opening of sales for the ground breaking MSC Seaside – represents a new chapter for MSC Cruises as we grow in this region.”
MSC Divina Enhancements
MSC Cruises tailors its on-board product to meet the needs of the market it is serving, while still maintaining a unique Mediterranean flair, no matter where in the world it is sailing.
During MSC Divina’s inaugural Caribbean season, the company catered to the needs of North Americans through customized enhancements, such as adapting menus and dining times to North American preferences; being the first cruise ship in the world to introduce Aqua Cycling at sea; and offering wine blending classes, in which guests work with wine experts to create, label and bottle their own blend of wine.
With the ship’s return to Miami, the cruise line will continue to make enhancements to MSC Divina’s offerings for a North American audience. This season, MSC Cruises is introducing four new shows to its award-winning entertainment line-up on MSC Divina, including “Treasure Island,” “The Voices,” “Swing” and “The Mask.” In addition, MSC Divina will feature new musicians and bands specifically selected for the U.S. market to play in bars and lounges, as well as new themed parties such as a fun, weekly “fluo” party (a glow-in-the-dark party), and a “snow” party with a snow cannon.
Given the popularity of its wine experiences, MSC Divina will launch a new offering, in partnership with Blend Craft Wines called “Boutique Winery Tastings.” Guests on MSC Divina will have the chance to try rare wines from award-winning boutique wineries, many of which produce wines that are only for sale at the winery, or can only be bought by wine club members. As an added bonus, MSC Divina guests who participate in the tastings can then order many of the wines to be shipped directly to their home.
Other changes being made on MSC Divina as it returns to Miami include updated casino offerings, replacing approximately 50 percent of slot machines found on board with the latest premium games, and new children and family activities such as live talent shows put on by the children aboard.
Welcoming MSC Divina Back to Miami
In honor of Veterans Day and as part of the company’s celebrations to welcome MSC Divina back to Miami, the company is hosting a special MSC Cruises Sea Side Salute event this evening. During the event, MSC Cruises will honor individuals and companies that have made an impact as it relates to veterans and family, employment, and community activism. Following a presentation of honorees, guests will then watch MSC Divina sail away from PortMiami on her first sailing since returning to the U.S. from the rooftop of the Perez Art Museum Miami.
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