Carnival Horizon Arrives at PortMiami

Posted on 25 September, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

Carnival Horizon’s arrival to PortMiami, its new year-round homeport, was marked today by a fun basketball-themed event featuring the company’s Chief Fun Officer – NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal – along with Miami HEAT legends Alonzo Mourning, Shane Battier and Glen Rice, according to a press release.

The festivities, which took place prior to Carnival Horizon’s inaugural two-day cruise, included the unveiling of a large Choose Fun bumper sticker on the ship’s stern, as well as a flyover from the Carnival AirShip.

During the event, Carnival presented a $25,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital representing funds from an online promotion in which consumers who posted a photo of the AirShip in social media with the hashtag #ChooseFun triggered a donation to the hospital and entered them in a drawing for free cruises and other prizes.

“With its awesome top-deck attractions and a wide variety of al fresco dining experiences, Carnival Horizon is the ideal ship for the Caribbean and this event was a perfect way to celebrate her Miami arrival while benefiting the special children of St. Jude,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “And we’ve taken our Choose Fun tagline to the next level by putting a giant a bumper sticker on our newest ship proclaiming our never-ending commitment to FUN!”

Added O’Neal: “In my role as CFO, I get to tell everyone just how much fun you can have on a Carnival cruise and I was absolutely thrilled to be a part of the festivities for the new Carnival Horizon which takes the concept of choosing fun to entirely new level with so much to see and do for guests of all ages.”

Following the two-day cruise, Carnival Horizon kicks off a year-round schedule of six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises from PortMiami beginning Sept. 22, 2018.

On its new Miami-based schedule, six-day cruises depart Sundays, calling at Ocho Rios; Grand Cayman; and Cozumel. Two different eight-day itineraries will be offered with departures on Saturdays – one featuring Grand Turk; La Romana (Dominican Republic); Curacao; and Aruba; and the other visiting Grand Turk; San Juan; St. Kitts; and St. Maarten.

New Cruise Terminal at PortMiami for MSC Cruises

Posted on 25 July, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

Image result for MSC seaside in Miami Port

MSC Divina in her Homeport of Miami.

MSC Cruises has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the construction of a new Cruise Terminal AAA at PortMiami. The expected completion date is 2022.

The new terminal will accommodate the line’s World Class of ships, which will carry up to 7,000 passengers. MSC Cruises will operate four ships in total from Miami, including MSC Seaside. That ship debuted in late 2017. It currently sails year-round from Miami to the Caribbean.

MSC Armonia will begin homeporting in Miami in December 2018. She’ll offer the line’s first cruises to Cuba from the US. Additionally, MSC Divina will return seasonally to PortMiami. She sails to the Caribbean from October through March. And, MSC Meraviglia will make her North American debut at PortMiami in November 2019. The line’s largest ship, Meraviglia carries 5,714 passengers.

“The new agreement and expanded partnership with PortMiami and Miami-Dade County is another key step forward in the business growth of MSC Cruises, as we continue to strengthen our global footprint, with a strategic focus on North America,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises.

Rick Sasso, chairman of MSC Cruises USA emphasized the mutual economic benefit of the new terminal.

“PortMiami is committed to providing a world-class experience to its guests and thanks to a long-standing collaborative relationship with Miami-Dade County we are thrilled that in less than 18 months MSC Cruises will have four ships sailing from the Port. This will also allow us to make a significant additional contribution to the economy of Miami and the county in its role as the Capital of the Cruise World, especially thanks to the large percentage of international guests travelling to Miami and South Florida to embark and disembark from MSC Cruises ships calling PortMiami,” said Sasso.

MSC Cruises currently operates 15 ships. The line plans to expand to expand to 25 mega-cruise ships by 2026.

Norwegian Cruise Line Announces New Terminal at PortMiami

Posted on 7 March, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

Cruising from Miami is about to become even more stylish. Norwegian Cruise Line has announced plans for a new and exclusive terminal at PortMiami slated for completion by fall 2019, just in time to welcome Norwegian Encore to her homeport where she will offer seasonal cruises to The Caribbean. Pending final approval by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, the project will begin May 2018.

“Norwegian has been sailing from Miami for over fifty years, longer than any other cruise line, and we are honored to be partnering with PortMiami and Miami-Dade County to construct an iconic terminal that will contribute to Miami’s world-famous skyline and strengthen its position as the Cruise Capital of the World,” said Frank Del Rio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “We look forward to welcoming Norwegian Encore and the thousands of guests sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line and her sister brands to this state-of-the-art terminal.”

So if you’re cruising from Miami, what can you expect? At nearly 166,500 square feet, the new Norwegian Cruise Line Terminal, designed by Miami-based global architecture firm Bermello Ajamil & Partners, will accommodate ships of up to 5,000 passengers, and feature new technology to support faster and more efficient embarkation and disembarkation processes, as well as expedited security screening and luggage check-in.

Groups and charters will also feel a warm welcome arriving at a dedicated lounge and service area. A new parking garage and valet parking area with direct access to the terminal and lounge are also scheduled to be completed. The project will be constructed to LEED Silver standards, focusing on innovation in design and terminal operation to create a platform that will optimize energy performance, indoor air quality, water efficiencies and maximize the use of local materials and resources.

The modern terminal design draws inspiration from a nautilus, with a spiralled and multi-level façade opening up to grand ocean views. Innovative lighting, inviting indoor and outdoor waiting areas, and other guest-centric elements will enhance the overall passenger experience in what will surely be a gem in Miami’s skyline. Take a look at renderings of PortMiami’s upcoming Norwegian Cruise Line Terminal below.