MSC Cruises expands North American experience to the Mediterranean in summer 2015

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. - MSC Cruises is strengthening its commitment to serving the North American market with the deployment of the MSC Divina to the Mediterranean during the summer of 2015. The first of the line's ships dedicated to North American travelers, MSC Divina will bring its signature service and onboard experiences to the most sought-after Mediterranean seven-night itineraries beginning May 16 through October 3, 2015. Once the summer sailings are completed, MSC Divina will enter dry dock in Europe before returning to Miami in November 2015 to continue the popular seven-night Caribbean departures.

Now open for booking, MSC Divina's 2015 Mediterranean season offers special perks for guests who book by July 31, 2014, including an exclusive balcony upgrade and up to $200 onboard credit per stateroom. (Offer valid on all seven-night or more MSC Divina Mediterranean sailings.)

"After exposing MSC Divina to thousands of guests in the Caribbean, customer surveys are showing an increased desire for North Americans to sail onboard MSC Divina in the Mediterranean," said Richard E. Sasso, president, MSC Cruises USA. "The enhancements made at the start of the Caribbean season to ready MSC Divina for the North American market have certainly paid off with positive ratings and increased repeat business. This has led to our decision to maintain the MSC Divina onboard product designed around the senses of American taste, entertainment and comfort and expand her offerings into the Mediterranean, the hottest and most desired vacation destination by North Americans today," continued Sasso.

MSC Divina will begin her Grand Voyage on April 26, 2015, from Miami making a stop in New York, King's Wharf, Bermuda and then continuing onto Ponta Delgada, Lisbon, Cadiz, Barcelona, Naples and Civitavecchia.  From May 16, 2015 through September 26, 2015, the ship will sail seven-night Mediterranean cruises departing from Civitavecchia and visiting the ports of La Spezia, Cannes, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Naples and returning to Civitavecchia.

On September 26, 2015, MSC Divina will end her Mediterranean season with a unique 10-night sailing featuring additional calls in Tunisia, Malta, and Sicily. Highlights of MSC Divina's Mediterranean season include:

• Ability to embark two marquee ports: Civitavecchia on Saturdays and Barcelona on Wednesdays, allowing for a customized vacation experience with outstanding pre- and post-cruise opportunities and ample airlift from the United States and Canada.
• Late night stays in La Spezia enabling guests to visit nearby cities of Pisa, Florence, Portofino and Cinque Terre.
• Call in Naples will allow time to visit Pompeii, Capri, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast.
• An array of shore excursions allowing guests a full immersion into the region with experiences such as an architectural tour of the famed work Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona, attending the Pope's weekly Angelus on St. Peter's Square in Rome, visiting the ancient ruins of Pompeii, and much more.  

Before returning back home to South Florida for a third season of seven-night Caribbean cruises, MSC Divina will receive a series of renovations while in dry dock in Europe including some surprise enhancements specifically tailored to appeal to North American passengers. 

MSC Divina is currently sailing Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from PortMiami which continue through April 2015.