In a press release revealed today, MSC Cruises announced that it is expanding its presence at Port Canaveral with a second ship, bringing more 7-night sailings and more short cruises to The Bahamas. Today the company announced that MSC Grandiosa will begin sailing from the Central Florida port in December of 2025, alongside the guest-favorite MSC Seashore.
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.
Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said: “The Winter 2025-2026 season will mark our largest presence in the U.S. to date, and our expansion at Port Canaveral is a big part of that. Ever since we started sailing from Port Canaveral in 2021, our guests have told us they love how convenient that makes it to experience MSC Cruises’ unique international flavor. We know people sailing from Central Florida want options, and we’re delighted to offer them two of our most modern and glamorous ships with itineraries that will appeal to everyone from first-time to seasoned cruisers.”
Itinerary highlights:
- MSC Grandiosa: 7-night Itineraries
- Eastern Caribbean: Various calls including Nassau (The Bahamas), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas), Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Charlotte Amalie (USVI)
- Western Caribbean: Various calls including: Nassau (The Bahamas), Cozumel (Mexico), Costa Maya (Mexico), George Town (Cayman Islands), Montego Bay (Jamaica), Falmouth (Jamaica), Belize City (Belize)
- MSC Seashore: 3- and 4-night itineraries
- Calls at Nassau and Ocean Cay, with some itineraries offering an extra day at sea
Capt. John Murray, CEO, Port Canaveral, said: “We are honored that MSC Cruises chose Port Canaveral for the North American debut of their magnificent MSC Grandiosa. We are so proud of our cruise partner and their tremendous growth in the United States. Expanding their homeport fleet at Port Canaveral underscores their confidence in our partnership and shared commitment to success. We look forward to welcoming all of their valued cruise guests to our beautiful port.”
MSC Grandiosa
MSC Grandiosa—one of MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia-plus class ships—will become the line’s largest ship to homeport at Port Canaveral when she arrives next year. Among the ship’s key features:
- 1,094 feet long
- 141 feet wide
- 2,421 staterooms
- 10 restaurants – including Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Kaito Sushi, Kaito Tepanyaki and L’Atelier Bistrot
- Five pools and nine hot tubs
- Wild Forest Aquapark
- Enhanced MSC Yacht Club
- Expansive MSC Aurea Spa
- Large Broadway-style theater and stunning Carousel Lounge for nightly entertainment
- 323-foot-long Galleria Grandiosa promenade with stunning LED sky screen
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is MSC Cruises’ stunning private island located in The Bahamas which is dedicated to the restoration of marine resources and the ongoing conservation of marine life.
With more than two miles of pristine white sand across eight world class beaches, the tropical paradise invites guests to discover the natural beauty and vibrant spirit of the Bahamas. The island features plenty of areas to soak up the sun and enjoy endless activities while surrounded by sweeping vistas of crystal blue waters. Ocean Cay is also home to the MSC Foundation’s Super Coral Program, which aims to restore nearby coral reefs and contribute to conservation knowledge and initiatives worldwide.
Over the next 12 months, MSC Cruises will make enhancements to Ocean Cay’s guest amenities and experiences to support the cruise line’s future growth. 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. MSC Yacht Club guests can look forward to an expanded Ocean House bar and restaurant.
MSC Yacht Club
Guests looking for the ultimate seamless luxury cruise experience will appreciate the MSC Yacht Club being available on every sailing from Port Canaveral. The “ship within a ship” concept provides an exclusive vacation sanctuary on board with a host of privileges and personalized services tailored to each individual guest’s needs. With 24-hour butler and concierge service, an array of lavish suite options, private facilities including a dedicated pool and sundeck, a high-end restaurant, a stylish lounge, and access to all of the recreation opportunities offered throughout the rest of the ship, the MSC Yacht Club will have guests feeling relaxed and rejuvenated throughout their stay.
