While the steady pace of new ship deliveries in the cruise industry over the past 10 years has been impressive, the comparatively meteoric growth of MSC Cruises during the same period is unprecedented. And a key factor aiding the line’s not-so-subtle push to gain market share in North America is the line’s private ownership, which has enabled MSC’s rapid growth spurt.
The Aponte family, whose start in the cargo business preceded — and ultimately funded — its move into cruising, has been bullish in its investment in hardware and geographic spread. This was most recently demonstrated by the decision to homeport the 4,428-passenger MSC Meraviglia in New York City (the line’s third U.S. port) for year-round service to Bermuda; the Bahamas and Florida; and Canada and New England. Depending on the destination, MSC Meraviglia’s itineraries will range from five to 11 nights, with Bahamas sailings visiting the line’s private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
At a recent event held at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal to kick off MSC Meraviglia’s inaugural there, Ruben A. Rodriguez, president of MSC Cruises USA, called the New York City deployment “another big step in building our presence in North America, adding to the momentum we’ve established in Miami and Port Canaveral, Fla., by making MSC Cruises more accessible to travelers.”
Rodriguez also referred to the company’s recently announced plan for a fourth U.S. homeport at the Port of Galveston in Texas.
MSC Meraviglia will be based in New York City.
Credit: 2023 MSC CruisesWhat to Expect Onboard
As would be expected for a debut in the Big Apple, MSC Meraviglia sparkles, not least from the Swarovski crystal-lined staircases in the central atrium.
The vessel, which entered service in 2017, still impresses with a two-deck, indoor promenade covered by a full, LED dome. The Horizon Pool serves double duty by maximizing daytime lounge space before transforming into a nighttime entertainment and party space. And diversions abound on the top deck with three twisting slides, a ropes course and an intricate waterpark, while the Sportsplex hosts basketball, tennis, squash, volleyball and pickleball. The fun doesn’t stop inside, either, where an F1 simulator, bowling alley, 4D cinema and flight simulator beckon.
A Sportsplex provides passengers with a range of activity options.
Credit: 2023 MSC CruisesMSC’s impressive showroom entertainment continues onboard MSC Meraviglia with seven unique shows spread between the 985-seat Broadway Theater and the more intimate Carousel Lounge, which features avant-garde, cabaret acts.
Ship Restaurants
MSC Meraviglia’s culinary program largely follows the line’s standard template, with extra-charge, specialty restaurants including Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Ocean Cay (seafood), Butcher’s Cut (steakhouse) and Kaito Sushi Bar and Teppanyaki. Meanwhile, menus in the ship’s main dining rooms feature prodigious amounts of shellfish, along with delicious, homemade pastas that do justice to the company’s Italian heritage. And while the Marketplace Buffet offers a rotating mix of North American and Mediterranean dishes, I always gravitate toward what I would call the best pizza-by-the-slice at sea.
Kaito Sushi Bar is one of the ship’s restaurants.
Credit: 2023 MSC CruisesFor those willing to pony up a few bucks for sweet treats, famed chocolatier and pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury’s namesake cafe calls out in a virtual siren song to chocolate lovers.
MSC Yacht Club
Meanwhile, clients looking for upscale environs, elevated service, gourmet dining and, most importantly, exclusivity, would be wise to choose the MSC Yacht Club’s mostly-suite complex. Here, the addition of a dedicated pool, sundeck, lounge and restaurant combine to comprise a three-deck, ship-within-a-ship luxury bubble that guests never actually have to leave — until the end of the cruise, that is, with deep regret.
