MSC to operate year-round sailings from New York
Image credit: Michel Verdure
The line enhances its offering for North America by home-porting MSC Meraviglia in the Big Apple from next year
MSC Cruises will operate year-round sailings from New York for the first time.
MSC Meraviglia will homeport in the Big Apple from April 2023 for year-round cruises to the Caribbean, Bermuda, New England and Canada.
Many of the cruises departing New York will visit Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the line’s private island in The Bahamas.
Sales for the summer season went on sale on March 9, with itineraries ranging from six to 11 nights.
Guests will be offered the chance to extend their holiday with a stay in New York before or after their cruise.
Gianni Onorato, CEO, MSC Cruises, said: “New York is one of the most incredible and vibrant destinations in the world, so by adding the city as a year-round homeport for MSC Meraviglia we are greatly enhancing our offering in North America. The itineraries will have a very strong appeal not only for our guests in the US but also for international holidaymakers and, given the huge range of intercontinental flights to and from the Big Apple, these sailings will be accessible to guests from all around the world.”
“We designed our mix of itineraries to take advantage of New York’s geographic flexibility, so that our guests can soak up the sun in the Caribbean during the spring and winter seasons, head to Bermuda during the summer or go north to see Canada’s natural beauty in the autumn. And of course, for those guests that wish to discover New York there is the option to do so pre- or post-cruise to really make the most out of their holiday.”
The news comes after MSC added Port Canaveral in Florida as a permanent homeport last year with a mix of three, four and seven-night cruises.
The line is also building the largest and most advanced cruise terminal in North America at PortMiami, which will be able to accommodate three of the line’s largest ships simultaneously once complete.
New packages available for MSC Mervaiglia’s New York itineraries include a choice of flights, pre- or post-cruise stays at a four-star hotel with breakfast, pre-cruise excursions, cruise pre-check-in at the hotel, a luggage service from hotel to ship cabin and private port transfers.
These packages are also available for other key embarkation ports such as Venice/Marghera, Monfalcone, Trieste, Athens and Miami.
MSC Meraviglia has 19 decks with 20 bars and 12 restaurants, including the Butcher’s Cut steakhouse and Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki. With a 5,700-guest capacity, the ship offers 10 cabin types, including solo cabins, popular balcony cabins, and upscale options in the MSC Yacht Club – the premium “ship within a ship” featuring butler service, an exclusive restaurant, lounge and pool areas.
Facilities include a 985-seat theatre, a spa and gym, indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, along with a water park and ropes course. There’s also a kids’ club for children up to 17 years old, with dedicated areas for babies, toddlers, children and teenagers.
NCL showcases Prima and Viva’s culinary offerings
The new Mediterranean seafood restaurant Palomar on Norwegian Prima
The first two ships in the new Prima Class will feature 35 dining and lounge options, including nine new additions
Norwegian Cruise Line has announced additional details of the food and drink offerings on its upcoming Prima Class vessels Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.
The ships will boast nine new dining and beverage venues including Metropolitan Bar, the brand’s first sustainably-focused bar, which will offer zero-waste cocktails prepared with surplus ingredients, biodynamic wines and a fully sustainable spirits menu.
NCL also announced its first three-level atrium, the Penrose Atrium, the launch of its revamped main dining menu and enhancement to NCL culinary staples Le Bistro, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Food Republic.
Harry Sommer, NCL president and CEO said the line had been “innovators in the food and beverage space for more than three decades”, explaining: “Our latest food and beverage offerings take our Norwegian Prima food and beverage experience to another level, one that travels well beyond the guest expectation to provide elevated gastronomical experiences featuring sophisticated design, masterful mixology and cuisine that delivers full-throttle flavour.”
Guests can enjoy the new Mediterranean seafood specialty restaurant Palomar, and Hasuki, the brand’s take on the traditional hibachi-style Japanese cuisine.
Contemporary sushi house Nama will offer sushi and sashimi masterpieces.
Previously revealed food and beverage venues on Norwegian Prima and Viva included NCL’s first food hall, featuring 11 eateries, Onda by Scarpetta, Los Lobos, The Local Bar & Grill, Vibe Beach Club, Waves Pool Bar, and the Prima Speedway Bar.
Norwegian Prima and Viva are the first two of six Prima Class ships, and they will both feature 35 dining and lounge options for guests.
In February, NCL introduced an all-new tier system to its agent rewards programme, NCL Freestyle Rewards, to celebrate the scheme’s one year anniversary.