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  4. A European cruise line with cheap fares is making a big splash in the US — take a closer look at MSC Cruises

A European cruise line with cheap fares is making a big splash in the US take a closer look at MSC Cruises

Brittany Chang   

A European cruise line with cheap fares is making a big splash in the US — take a closer look at MSC Cruises
A MSC cruise ship in New York City.MSC Cruises
  • MSC Cruises, one of the fastest-growing cruise lines, is eyeing the US in its big expansion plan.
  • The MSC Group cruise brand offers some of the cheapest fares across the industry.

An European cruise giant with an unconventional parent company is making a big splash in the US.

An European cruise giant with an unconventional parent company is making a big splash in the US.
An MSC Cruises ship.      Mike Louagie/Invision for MSC Cruises/AP

And soon, the brand — MSC Cruises — could become as much a household name as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian.

And soon, the brand — MSC Cruises — could become as much a household name as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian.
Water park on MSC Cruises      MSC

Brands like Celebrity and Princess Cruises are owned by larger parent cruise organizations.

Brands like Celebrity and Princess Cruises are owned by larger parent cruise organizations.
Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Equinox ship.      Celebrity Cruises

But MSC is a bit different: Its storied parent company MSC Group is one of the world's largest shipping companies.

But MSC is a bit different: Its storied parent company MSC Group is one of the world
MSC Cruises

So of course its eponymous cruise line is also one of the world's biggest cruise lines.

So of course its eponymous cruise line is also one of the world
Major cruise lines such as MSC Cruises have already begun sailings in Europe.      James McEntee/AP

Source: MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises, headquartered in Switzerland, calls itself the "fastest growing" cruise line.

MSC Cruises, headquartered in Switzerland, calls itself the "fastest growing" cruise line.
MSC Cruises

The brand currently operates 19 vessels. By 2025, it wants to expand to 23 ships with the option for another six orders through 2030.

The brand currently operates 19 vessels. By 2025, it wants to expand to 23 ships with the option for another six orders through 2030.
MSC Cruises

Source: MSC Cruises

It's undoubtedly a large company. Yet if you're not well acquainted with the brand, you're not alone.

It
MSC Cruises

The cruise giant is best known for its stronghold in the European market.

The cruise giant is best known for its stronghold in the European market.
MSC Cruises

But this could soon change as MSC continues to explore its mass expansion in the US.

But this could soon change as MSC continues to explore its mass expansion in the US.
MSC Cruises

"Our success here in the US is important to our continued growth," a spokesperson told Insider.

"Our success here in the US is important to our continued growth," a spokesperson told Insider.
MSC Cruises

Since 2017, MSC has launched three new ships built just for the North American market: the MSC Seaside, Seashore, and Seascape.

Since 2017, MSC has launched three new ships built just for the North American market: the MSC Seaside, Seashore, and Seascape.
MSC Cruises

A fourth, the MSC World America, is coming in 2025.

A fourth, the MSC World America, is coming in 2025.
MSC Cruises

In 2019, it also opened its own private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, as a destination for its Caribbean itineraries.

In 2019, it also opened its own private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, as a destination for its Caribbean itineraries.
MSC Cruises

Fast forward to this year, MSC now has five vessels homeported in the three US destinations: New York City and Florida's PortMiami and Port Canaveral.

Fast forward to this year, MSC now has five vessels homeported in the three US destinations: New York City and Florida
MSC Cruises

These itineraries will sail to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, New England, and Canada throughout the year.

These itineraries will sail to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, New England, and Canada throughout the year.
MSC Cruises

And when its upcoming PortMiami terminal is complete at the end of 2023, the $450 million project will be the largest cruise terminal in North America with the ability to service up to 36,000 passengers daily.

And when its upcoming PortMiami terminal is complete at the end of 2023, the $450 million project will be the largest cruise terminal in North America with the ability to service up to 36,000 passengers daily.
MSC Cruises

Source: MSC Cruises

Along with the new terminal and additional sailings from the US, MSC plans to enter the Galveston, Texas market in the future.

Along with the new terminal and additional sailings from the US, MSC plans to enter the Galveston, Texas market in the future.
MSC Cruises

If you have heard of MSC Cruises, there's a good chance it'll be because you were looking up affordable itineraries.

If you have heard of MSC Cruises, there
MSC Cruises

Some of the cheapest cruises sailing from now through November 2025 will be operated by the European cruise giant, according to data from Cruise Sheet.

Some of the cheapest cruises sailing from now through November 2025 will be operated by the European cruise giant, according to data from Cruise Sheet.
MSC Cruises

This includes seven to 10-night $38 per day European itineraries as well as a whopping 22-night $48 per day transatlantic sailing.

This includes seven to 10-night $38 per day European itineraries as well as a whopping 22-night $48 per day transatlantic sailing.
MSC Cruises

Source: Cruise Sheet

Stateside, MSC also has several itineraries sailing from its three US homeports for under $60 a day.

Stateside, MSC also has several itineraries sailing from its three US homeports for under $60 a day.
MSC Cruises

However, the brand stops short of calling itself a budget cruise line.

However, the brand stops short of calling itself a budget cruise line.
MSC Cruises

While it does offer some of the lowest cost-per-day vacations of most other cruise lines, MSC believes its fares "don't fall into a single category," the spokesperson said.

While it does offer some of the lowest cost-per-day vacations of most other cruise lines, MSC believes its fares "don
MSC Cruises

Cruises in its ship's suites can run travelers close to $400 a day, according to Cruise Sheet.

Cruises in its ship
MSC Cruises

Source: Cruise Sheet

And for those seeking out a more luxurious trip, the brand also offers MSC Yacht Club, a premium suites segment with exclusive spaces and amenities …

And for those seeking out a more luxurious trip, the brand also offers MSC Yacht Club, a premium suites segment with exclusive spaces and amenities …
MSC Cruises

… similar to Norwegian Cruise Line's Haven (shown below) and Royal Caribbean's Suite neighborhood.

… similar to Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line

Between the company's US and European cruises, most of the services and amenities are the same.

Between the company
MSC Cruises

However, there are some differences between the menus and the "onboard style" of services and programs.

However, there are some differences between the menus and the "onboard style" of services and programs.
MSC Cruises

And one of its built-for-North America ships, the Seascape, was designed specifically for warm weathered vacations destinations like the Caribbeans, which has resulted in more outdoor spaces.

And one of its built-for-North America ships, the Seascape, was designed specifically for warm weathered vacations destinations like the Caribbeans, which has resulted in more outdoor spaces.
MSC Cruises

The Seascape also has an amusement park-like ride, shown below, to entice children with fond memories of summer carnival rides.

The Seascape also has an amusement park-like ride, shown below, to entice children with fond memories of summer carnival rides.
Robotron, MSC Cruise      MSC Cruises

"The US is the biggest cruise market in the world and it is important that we play a big role here," the spokesperson said.

"The US is the biggest cruise market in the world and it is important that we play a big role here," the spokesperson said.
MSC Cruises

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