MSC to Jump to Port Miami for Winter 2013 and Beyond

Another major cruise line is headed for Port Miami (www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami). MSC Cruises (www.msccruisesusa.com) announced that Port Miami will be its exclusive homeport for Caribbean sailings, starting in fall 2013.
 
The line currently operates winter voyages to the Caribbean from Port Everglades, FL. The new three-year agreement with Port Miami still needs approval from the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners later this month.
 
Port Miami welcomed more than four million cruise passengers in fiscal year 2011. “MSC brings another prestigious cruise brand to Port Miami’s distinctive line-up of ships,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez.
 
Port Miami Director Bill Johnson said the new MSC service will strengthen Miami’s luxury cruise offerings. While MSC is a contemporary brand, its new MSC Yacht Club, a ship-within-a-ship concept on certain vessels, is exclusive and attracts luxury clients.  
From MSC's perspective, “we are very excited to join the impressive roster of cruise lines operating out of Port Miami and look forward to sharing MSC Cruises’ unique style of Mediterranean elegance, international cuisine and white-gloved service with more and more guests,” said Rick Sasso, MSC Cruises USA’s president and CEO.