Valletta Cruise Port Reports Record 2025 Passenger Numbers

Posted on 28 January, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Valletta Cruise Port Reports Record 2025 Passenger Numbers

MSC Opera departing Valletta Harbour, photo credit Spacejunkie2 https://flic.kr/ps/GkiQt photostream

Valletta Cruise Port has reported continued growth in both passenger numbers and ship calls for the full 2025 season.

The port welcomed 385 calls in 2025, an increase of 8 percent compared to 357 calls in 2024.

A record 962,966 passengers passed through the port in 2025, surpassing the previous year’s 940,915 and representing an increase of 2.3 percent year-on-year.

“The sustained growth recorded in 2025 reflects Valletta’s strong positioning within the Mediterranean cruise market. Malta’s unique combination of rich cultural heritage and close proximity to other key destinations continues to make Valletta an attractive and highly sought-after cruise port,” said Stephen Xuereb, chief operating officer of Global Ports Holding and chief executive officer of Valletta Cruise Port.

“This performance is further supported by ongoing investment in port infrastructure and passenger services, as well as close collaboration with our industry partners, which together have strengthened Malta’s appeal to cruise operators and passengers.”

Of the total passenger movements, 772,664 were transit visitors enjoying daytime visits ashore, while 190,302 were turnaround passengers beginning or ending their cruise in Malta.

Valletta Cruise Port was named the most beautiful port in the world in a study conducted by All Clear Insurance.

The company examined how visually attractive different cruise ports are and Valletta Cruise Port ranked first, receiving a perfect score of 100 percent.

The 2025 results build on momentum from 2024, when the port recorded more than 940,000 cruise passengers, exceeding the previous pre-pandemic high from 2019.

MSC Warns of Potential Delays in New York City

Posted on 26 January, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Warns of Potential Delays in New York City

MSC Cruises informed guests that the upcoming cruise of the MSC Meraviglia may suffer from potential delays due to the weather in New York City.

As part of the company’s farewell season from the homeport, the vessel is set to depart from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

“The National Weather Service has forecast heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures for New York City on Sunday,” the company said in a statement.

“While this weather event is not expected to impact the arrival or departure of the MSC Meraviglia in New York, there may be delays impacting guests’ arrival to the port,” MSC continued.

“To ensure a smooth embarkation process, please plan ahead and allow extra travel time. We also recommend monitoring local news and official traffic advisories for the most up-to-date information before your departure.”

MSC also warned guests that, despite the potential delays, the cruise terminal’s doors “will close promptly at 2:30 p.m.”

“We kindly ask you to adhere strictly to the check-in window indicated in your most recent e-ticket,” the company continued.

Offering a seven-night cruise to the Bahamas and Florida, the MSC Meraviglia is scheduled to depart from New York City at 3 p.m.

The ship’s itinerary includes visits to Port Canaveral and Nassau, in addition to MSC’s private island destination of Ocean Cay.

Sailing from its homeport in Baltimore, the 2001-built ship is set to offer a weeklong cruise to the Bahamas.

Bad weather is also causing the Harmony of the Seas to shorten its current cruise to the Western Caribbean.

After sailing from Galveston, the Royal Caribbean ship will return to Texas one day earlier due to a major winter storm.

MSC Cruises orders a pair of World-class ships

Posted on 25 November, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Cruises orders a pair of World-class ships

MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique have announced orders for two additional LNG World-class ships – numbers 7 and 8 – valued at US$4Bn

The announcement was made at a double celebration event to mark maritime milestones for two other LNG World-class ships currently under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France: the float-out of MSC World Asia and the coin ceremony of MSC World Atlantic.

MSC Group executive chairman, cruise division Pierfrancesco Vago said, “We mark a proud moment today for MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique as we celebrate important milestones for our future – the float out of MSC World Asia, the coin ceremony of MSC World Atlantic and the order of two new ships.

“The World-class platform is a symbol of our vision to set new standards for the future of cruising. These are some of the most energy-efficient ships in the world, and we continue our commitment to LNG, ensuring we are ready for future renewable fuels. We look forward to continuing with our innovative and successful collaboration with Chantiers de L’Atlantique – our long-term partner for more than 20 years.”

Chantiers de l’Atlantique general manager Laurent Castaing added, “We are deeply grateful to MSC Cruises for their renewed confidence. What our shipyard is achieving today is truly exceptional – four new ships ordered in 2025. The World-class series, now totalling eight vessels, is a testament to our teams’ expertise and to MSC’s vision. It exemplifies our shared commitment to elevating the passenger experience while advancing environmental performance.”

MSC Cruises’ World class consists of MSC World Europa (2022), MSC World America (2025), MSC World Asia (2026), and MSC World Atlantic (2027), with the yet-to-be-named World-class 5, 6, 7 and 8 ships to follow by 2031.

The two new orders will be subject to access to financing, as per industry practice.