Cruising : MSC Cruises Adds Port Canaveral as New Homeport with Inaugural Sailing of the Divina
Divina to offer three-, four-, and seven-night cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas, including private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
Port Canaveral –– MSC Cruises Divina made history when it departed Port Canaveral on its three-night inaugural sailing to the Bahamas and Caribbean. MSC Divina is Port Canaveral’s newest homeported cruise ship offering three, four, and seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.
“We’re very pleased to welcome MSC Cruises to Port Canaveral and excited to be the home port for the beautiful MSC Divina,” said Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. “This exciting new partnership speaks to our commitment to excellence and the investments we’ve made in our cruise operations. We’re looking forward to working together with our new cruise partner providing the best possible experience for their guests.”
MSC Divina’s return to sea not only expands MSC Cruises’ U.S. presence to a brand-new home port, but also marks the Company’s 11th ship to resume operations globally.
“We are thrilled to bring MSC Divina to Port Canaveral and offer our guests even more choice when cruising with us from the U.S.,” said Rubén Rodriguez, President of MSC Cruises USA. “Following the successful return of MSC Meraviglia, we are excited to see our guests so eager to get back to sea, especially as the winter holiday season approaches. By bringing MSC Cruises’ world of discovery to this accessible port — near popular attractions and major cities like Orlando, Tampa, and South Florida — our guests have an ideal opportunity to take a much-deserved family vacation.”
MSC Cruises Divina was built in 2011, is 1,093 ft. long, 124 ft. wide, and weighs 139,072 Tons. The vessel has 1,751 staterooms and 1,388 crew members to accommodate 4,345 passengers. Inspired by MSC Cruises’ godmother and award-winning actress Sophia Loren, MSC Divina brings elegance and sophistication with the detailed European-inspired design MSC Cruises is known for.
Guests planning their fall or spring vacations can select from diverse 3-, 4- and 7-night cruises visiting popular sun-soaked destinations as well as MSC Cruises’ private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Highlight itineraries include
September 2021:
- Three-night cruises embarking from Port Canaveral and visiting Nassau, Bahamas, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve for an overnight stay.
- Seven-night cruises visiting Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, and Cozumel, and Costa Maya, Mexico from Port Canaveral.
- Four-night cruises visiting Nassau, Bahamas, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve for an overnight stay.
October 2021:
- Seven-night cruise embarking from Port Canaveral and visiting Nassau, Bahamas, Ocho Rios, Jamaica the Cayman Islands, and Ocean Cay, MSC Marine Reserve.
- Seven-night cruises visiting MSC Marine Reserve, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico from Port Canaveral.
November 2021:
Ten-night cruise embarking from Port Canaveral and visiting Nassau, MSC Marine Reserve, and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
The onboard MSC Aurea Spa offers cruisers a range of treatments as well as a thermal area to relax and rejuvenate throughout the cruise. Guests will also find an array of entertainment options with onboard activities including a waterslide, F1 Simulator, 4D cinema, and a gaming arcade. Additionally, guests can marvel at one of the largest theaters at sea, with 1,600 unobstructed seats, showcasing full-scale theatrical productions each evening of the cruise.
About MSC Cruises
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is one of the two brands that sit within the Cruises Division of MSC Group, the leading privately held Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate with over 300 years of maritime heritage. MSC Cruises — the contemporary brand — has a modern fleet of 19 vessels combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new vessels. The fleet is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025 with options for six vessel orders in place through 2030.
PORT CANAVERAL
As the gateway to Central Florida, Port Canaveral provides facilities for shippers who seek to save time and money as benefits of its proximity to major markets and efficient transportation links. Shippers will find recent harbor improvements, new cruise and cargo terminals, a new auto facility and now leasing– an inland warehouse and logistics center in Titusville. Canaveral also is home to U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force facilities, including Surface Deployment and Distribution, and serves as an important export gateway for U.S. government cargo destined to Ascension Island.
Eighty percent of the Port’s revenue is generated from the cruise business, making it imperative to provide the state-of-the-art facilities necessary to service today’s largest and most sophisticated cruise ships that now homeport or make a port call for the day.
As a premier maritime gateway, Port Canaveral also is investing in the facilities shippers need to take advantage of Central Florida’s time- and cost-saving location with its proximity to major markets and efficient transportation links.
In conjunction with harbor improvements that include a new channel depth of 43’ to accommodate larger vessels, Port Canaveral’s expansion includes building facilities that are designed to amplify and enhance business activity at this local, regional, and national strategic asset.
With every decision, the Port Authority as a key economic engine for Brevard County keeps in focus its primary mission to serve as the Central Florida maritime gateway for the import and export of consumer goods which creates jobs and business opportunities for the local community. Looking to the future, and as required by Florida statute, the Port Authority is developing a strategic master plan to define a long term vision and development plan that ensures the best use of limited land resources and is sustainable, viable, supported by the community and in full compliance with the Port District Charter.
As a part of the master plan process, the Port Authority will consider additional improvements to the Cove and throughout the Port. Recent improvements include a new public boat ramp, upgrades to Jetty Park campground, playground, and newly opened concession with Fishlips Restaurant as the operator. Some 200 small businesses ranging from marinas, restaurants, retail, and charter boats currently lease and operate at Port Canaveral.
