Tag Archives: Explora Journeys

MSC Opens New Cruise Terminal in Miami

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MSC Cruises officially opened its new massive cruise terminal in PortMiami during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday.

The event was attended by key executives of the company and partners, in addition to local and national authorities from the United States and Italy.

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division, took the stage during the ceremony to highlight the new facility and thank all partners involved in the project.

Also present were Rick Sasso, MSC Cruises’ chairman in the United States; Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and managing director of Fincantieri Group; Mariangela Zappia, Italian ambassador to the United States; On. Edoardo Rixi, Italian deputy minister of infrastructure and transport; J. Alex Kelly, Florida secretary of commerce; Heidi Webb, port director; and Daniella Levine Cara, mayor of Miami-Dade county.

According to the company, the new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal is the most technologically advanced and sets a global benchmark for cruise infrastructure.

The new facility is also the first in the industry to implement a complete biometric journey with digital identity verification, MSC said, to provide a seamless embarkation experience.

Designed by global design firm Arquitectonica and built by Fincantieri Infrastructure, the MSC Miami Cruise Terminal is able to process up to 36,000 passengers daily.

Three ships can dock simultaneously, with the facility occupying 492,678 square feet of area.

In his speech, Vago highlighted various aspects of the project, including its facade artwork and a new automatic baggage handling process designed in partnership with Leonardo.

“It’s a fully automated system that will load 27,000 pieces of luggage each day,” he said, noting the designers did a fantastic job with the project.

Vago also said that the new terminal focuses on passenger experience and sustainability.

“Our new terminal not only combines innovative design and technology but is also designed with energy efficiency and environment in mind,” he explained.

Among the green features of the facility is its shore power capability and a LEED Gold Certification.

The new terminal was developed to provide an experience where “every step is carefully streamlined for a stress-free embarkation,” the company added.

The facility will serve both MSC Cruises’ and Explora Journeys’ ships sailing from PortMiami, including MSC Cruises’ new flagship, the MSC World America.

Currently sailing to Florida after being delivered, the LNG-powered vessel will be named during a ceremony at the terminal on April 9, 2025.

The terminal also offers a six-level garage with over 2,400 parking spaces, which can be reserved in advance via the MSC for Me app or the MSC Cruises website.

There is a covered drop-off zone for buses, taxis and ride shares. All forms of arrival share a covered path straight to the terminal’s main entrance.

Guests who have opted into the biometric journey can simply scan their passport and look at the camera of one of the terminal’s 18 biometric face pods for validation.

The terminal uses 22 biometric E-gates to finalize the embarkation process before guests enter the gangway.

According to MSC, embarking will now be performed on the terminal side rather than on the vessel, allowing guests to start their holiday immediately.

Other highlights of the facility include a design that favors natural light and spacious waiting areas facing Biscayne Bay.

Guests of the MSC Yacht Club, the cruise line’s luxury “ship-within-a-ship” concept, also have exclusive access to a private lounge to enjoy drinks and snacks.

Guests will discover seven curated works of art commissioned through the Miami-Dade County Art in Public Places program.

The most striking piece is a first-of-its-kind 10,816-square-foot digitally projected installation that adorns the exterior of the terminal, using real-time NOAA oceanic data to create an ever-evolving display of tides, currents and weather patterns.

Additional exclusive artwork will enhance the MSC Yacht Club’s private lounge.

Cruise Orderbook Update: Two Ships Delivered in 40k Berth Year

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Two large cruise ships were recently delivered as the Norwegian Aqua and the MSC World America were handed over to Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises.

According to the latest edition of the cruise ship orderbook by Cruise Industry News, the vessels are part of a lineup of 15 ships that are scheduled to enter service for various brands this year.

The vessels will add roughly 40,000 berths to the cruise industry as part of a $12.1 billion investment.

After being built by Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard, the Aqua was delivered to Norwegian Cruise Line on Mar. 13, 2025.

According to CIN’s independent research, the 3,570-guest ship is one of 13 that will enter service for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings by 2036.

Set to be built by the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the vessels will add over 40,000 berths to the company’s three brands.

The MSC World America was delivered to MSC Cruises by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard on Mar. 27, 2025.

As the second ship in MSC’s World Class series, the 205,800-ton vessel will increase the company’s berth count by 5,400.

According to Cruise Industry News data, MSC is set to add roughly 20,000 berths to its fleet by 2028. The company’s orderbook includes two World Class vessels and a series of luxury vessels for Explora Journeys.

The Norwegian Aqua and the MSC World America follow the Mein Schiff Relax, which was delivered to TUI Cruises in February.

Other ships set to enter service in 2025 include the Asuka III, which is expected to be delivered to Japan-based Asuka Cruise in the coming weeks.

Royal Caribbean is also taking delivery of an additional Icon-class ship during the second quarter, as the Star of the Seas is being delivered by the Meyer Turku shipyard.

Additional vessels being delivered in the coming months include the new Star Princess, the Viking Vesta, the Celebrity Xcel, and the Disney Adventure.

NCLH and Royal Caribbean on Steepest Growth Curve to 2033

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Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has set an aggressive growth course to 2033, increasing its estimated annual passenger capacity from about 2.8 million at the start of 2025 to more than 4.2 million by 2033, a 50 percent increase or approximately 5.5 percent each year, according to the 2025 Cruise Industry News Annual Report.

Royal Caribbean Group will grow its capacity from an estimated 8.5 million to 10.8 million guests, for a 27 percent increase over the 2025-2033 time period, or 3 percent per year.

MSC Cruises, including Explora Journeys, is closely behind Royal Caribbean’s growth curve, going from a 4.2 million passenger capacity at the start of the year to 5.2 million in 2033, and a 25 percent increase, or less than 3 percent per year.

Carnival Corporation will have the most modest growth over the time period, based on its current orderbook, going from an annual passenger capacity of 12.6 million at the start of 2025 to 13.9 million in 2033, for a 10 percent increase, or about 1.1 percent per year.

And while Carnival Corporation remains the largest company with a market share of 31.8 percent, based on its existing brands and fleets, the single largest brand by 2033 will be Royal Caribbean International with a market share of 18 percent and 24.6 per cent for the group as a whole.

MSC will have a market share of 11.8 percent and NCLH 9.7 percent.

The 2025 Cruise Industry News Annual Report is available in digital and printed formats. Order today by clicking here.