MSC Divina to Sail Year Round From Miami. Have you cruised MSC?

[Jason]

MSC Cruises' growth in the cruise industry spurred the line's decision to respond to the requests of the travel agency community and consumers for a year round presence in the North American market.

The announcement came during the christening celebration for the line's twelfth new ship, MSC Preziosa, in Genoa, Italy this past Saturday. MSC Divina, sister ship of MSC Preziosa, was christened last spring and will now sail year round from PortMiami beginning November.

MSC Cruises record breaking growth is unmatched in the industry. The line began an investment program in 2003 committing 6 billion Euros to its expansion. Since then the line has acquired two vessels and built ten new ships resulting in one new vessel entering the fleet nearly every year. For the past eight years, the line has offered seasonal late fall and winter sailings from North America.

The extension of MSC Divina's scheduled seasonal sailings to year round sailings illustrates the company's commitment to the North American market.

"The popularity of our introduction of MSC Divina to this market among agents and consumers alike has been nothing short of tremendous," said Richard E. Sasso, President & CEO MSC Cruises USA. "We listened to their requests and are pleased that the vast expansion of our line allows us the ability to fulfill their wishes," said Sasso.

This will mark the first time MSC Divina has sailed from North America and the first time the line has sailed from PortMiami.

"PortMiami looks forward to welcoming MSC Cruises and its newest ship, MSC Divina, this fall and we are absolutely thrilled with the news she will homeport with us year round," said Bill Johnson, PortMiami Director. "MSC Divina's 12-month schedule sailing from PortMiami will be a major enhancement to Miami's year round cruise offerings to popular Caribbean destinations."

The itineraries for the ship will be announced shortly.

Source: Cruise Industry News

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[GottaCruz]

Very interesting for us, providing they do 3 or 4 day cruises. Has anyone sailed this line?

[WeCruiseToo]

We haven’t tried MSC yet but we want to. They don’t sail many short cruises out of Florida, but it looks like there are a couple of 3-night options departing November 20 or December 7, 2013. Right now our schedule is pretty tight, but maybe when it gets closer we’ll be able to squeeze one in!

[JohnG]

I have, twice, the most recent this past Dec from FLL on MSC Poesia.

My review is posted here on the site. We enjoy MSC, and they have learned to adapt more to North American tastes in the past several years.

[JohnG]

The don't do many short cruises in the US. Mostly 7 nights, but we found a 10 day one we liked.

[jacketwatch]

No, not yet and not anytime soon. Perhaps they are improving but I have read so many poor to mediocre reviews that for me it's not worth risking it. I'll go with the tried and true.

[WeCruiseToo]

I think we’ve read the same reviews Larry. It seems like the MSC product is primarily designed for European tastes and only somewhat Americanized when they come to the Caribbean. Maybe part of the problem was the reviewers not going in with the right expectations? Hopefully MSC will be a great addition to the year-round cruise market!

[jacketwatch]

Lets hope so as their ships seem very nice. Maybe there is a huge learning curve to transition from MSC freighters to MSC cruises.